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College Football 2021: 4 teams that will be on upset alert in Week 1

By Sonny Martinez

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 06: The USC Trojans enter the stadium prior to a game against the Washington State Cougars at Los Angeles Coliseum on December 06, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 06: The USC Trojans enter the stadium prior to a game against the Washington State Cougars at Los Angeles Coliseum on December 06, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Nov 20, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers linebacker Josh Aune (29) celebrates with defensive back Tyler Nubin (27) after intercepting a pass in the fourth quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers linebacker Josh Aune (29) celebrates with defensive back Tyler Nubin (27) after intercepting a pass in the fourth quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Ohio State (at Minnesota)

Why *can’t* Minnesota pull the upset?

Let me tell you why they can.

First off, the game’s at Huntington Bank Stadium, home of the Golden Gophers. Sometimes too much stock is put into home or road, but opening night with all eyes watching might just mean something.

Secondly, Ohio State is breaking in a brand new starting quarterback in CJ Stroud who has played in one college game, rushing for 48 yards and a touchdown against Michigan State in garbage time. This will be Stroud’s first start at the college level. On the road. Opening night.

Starting to make sense now?

Don’t discount the loss of major impact defensive players for the Buckeyes either. Seven of their top nine tacklers are gone, including censuses All American cornerback Shaun Wade. In total, six defensive starters are gone.

Those holes on defense open up opportunities for Minnesota, who bring back 20 starters from a team that went 3-4 last season. They weren’t as bad as their record showed, being impacted by COVID-19 as many other programs were.

Minnesota brings back quarterback Tanner Morgan, a big part of the 11-win team two seasons ago. Also back is Mohamad Ibraham, another big part of that team and perhaps the best running back in the conference. Minnesota is also returning its entire offensive line.

If this game were to happen in October or November, we might not be talking upset. But timing is everything, and the timing couldn’t be better for PJ Fleck to Row The Boat against the top team in the Big Ten.

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