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College Football 2020: 5 Group of Five teams on upset alert in Week 9

By Daniel Morrison

Oct 24, 2020; Boise, Idaho, USA; Boise State Broncos quarterback Hank Bachmeier (19) fakes handoff to running back George Holani (24) during the first half versus the Utah State Aggies at Albertsons Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2020; Boise, Idaho, USA; Boise State Broncos quarterback Hank Bachmeier (19) fakes handoff to running back George Holani (24) during the first half versus the Utah State Aggies at Albertsons Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports /
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MEMPHIS, TN – DECEMBER 7: Patrick Taylor Jr. #6 of the Memphis Tigers runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the American Athletic Conference Championship game on December 7, 2019 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis defeated Cincinnati 29-24. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN – DECEMBER 7: Patrick Taylor Jr. #6 of the Memphis Tigers runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the American Athletic Conference Championship game on December 7, 2019 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis defeated Cincinnati 29-24. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images) /

3. Cincinnati (vs. Memphis)

On their way to the Cotton Bowl last season, Memphis beat Cincinnati twice in a row, including in the AAC Championship Game. Now, they have a chance to beat Cincinnati again. This time, unlike either game last season, they’ll meet at Cincinnati. This time, if Memphis wins it will be an upset that shakes not just the AAC, but the Group of Five to its core.

Cincinnati’s defense has been suffocating, and is coming off a smothering of the high flying SMU Mustangs in Dallas. Meanwhile, despite some bumps in the road Desmond Ridder seemed to regain his form against SMU.

Memphis, who lost to SMU, has had an up and down season. They’ve dealt with significant COVID-19 related issues, including having multiple games cancelled or postponed. The Tigers also beat UCF for the first time since UCF was in the FCS, and they did so on the back of a 21-point comeback.

This Memphis team is experienced and explosive. Cincinnati expects a big game from their defense, because they need one. Ridder and the offense don’t have it in them to win shootouts consistently.

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