College football 2020: 6 teams that will be on upset alert in Week 8
1. North Carolina (vs. NC State)
If you read my Thoughts Around the Nation series, you know I’ve been less than impressed with North Carolina. Last week, it finally caught up to them in the form of a loss to Florida State.
This is a heated rivalry game. A game that has a history of brawls and pure hatred. Last year’s game finished 41-10 and NC State will be out for blood and revenge in this game.
The Tar Heels have been in a lot of close games this year but have yet to really face a team with an offense as potent as the Wolfpack. The problem is, the potent offense is somewhat hot and cold. But there are points to be scored against a North Carolina defense that’s middle of the road in nearly every defensive category.
NC State’s defense is also prone to giving up points. It would almost be better to keep this game close because the last thing the Wolfpack want is a lot of throwing from Sam Howell. If NC State can make Howell look pedestrian as he has in a few games this year, it’s an upset waiting to happen.
2. Auburn (at Ole Miss)
Consecutive weeks on upset alert for Ole Miss. But this week it’s the better side to be on.
Ole Miss’ defense is among the worst in the nation, and given it’s getting hit hard by COVID-19 according to Lane Kiffin, a bad defense might somehow get worse.
The good news is the opposing quarterback, Bo Nix, has ranged anywhere from incredibly average to awful this season. His decision making has been questionable and he’ll give you an interception or two over the course of the game.
That might be enough for Ole Miss and their solid offense, provided they can figure out what happened in the first half against Arkansas last week and do the complete opposite of that. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Ole Miss needs more of their play against Alabama and less of their play against Arkansas.
Auburn is coming off a loss to South Carolina, so it’s not like this would be some sort of shocking result. It would certainly do good for Kiffin and his program and could make the seat that much hotter for Gus Malzhan.