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College Football 2021: Ranking the top upsets from Week 1

By Ryan Kay

Sep 3, 2021; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies linebacker Dax Hollifield (4) intercepts a pass as linebacker Alan Tisdale (34) and safety Tae Daley (17) and linebacker Keshon Artis (15) assist during the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2021; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies linebacker Dax Hollifield (4) intercepts a pass as linebacker Alan Tisdale (34) and safety Tae Daley (17) and linebacker Keshon Artis (15) assist during the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 19, 2020; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach David Cutcliffe reacts after his team was called for a penalty as they play the Boston College Eagles in the second quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2020; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach David Cutcliffe reacts after his team was called for a penalty as they play the Boston College Eagles in the second quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Charlotte defeats Duke

Charlotte only played six games in 2020 but the 49ers were expected to compete in Conference USA play this season entering their season opener against the Blue Devils.

Duke is known as a basketball school but its football program deserves more credit than it gets under head coach David Cutcliffe and what he has been able to do. However, the Blue Devils were the favorites and technically they were playing on the road but there were a good amount of Duke fans in attendance for the game and they were expected to win.

Charlotte was led by rising star quarterback Chris Reynolds who three for 324 yards with three touchdowns in the upset victory. Head coach Will Healy has Charlotte heading in the right direction and like UTSA, will contend for the C-USA title this season.

5. Utah State shocks Washington State

26. 875. 23. 846. Final

Washington State along with other Pac-12 teams struggled in Week 1 play to open the 2021 season. The Cougars only played four games last season and, with a season-ending road victory against Oregon State, looked to move forward in 2021 and not backward.

However, the Mountain West’s Utah State, which went 1-6 last season with its only win coming at home against New Mexico, made a statement by defeating Washington State on the road in dramatic fashion.

The Aggies showed a lot of determination in this one and if their defense can play like they did against the Cougars all season long, they have a legitimate opportunity to compete for a Mountain West title.

4. Nevada beats Cal

Nevada was not supposed to go on the road and defeat Cal but the Wolf Pack did just that. The Golden Bears only played four games last season but their last game of the season when they defeated No. 23 Oregon was supposed to give the Golden Bears momentum heading into the 2021 season.

Cal looked great early, going into the second quarter, leading 14-0. However, the Wolf Pack played well in the second and third quarters and took the lead. In fairness to Nevada, they are one of the favorites to possibly win the Mountain West this season but Cal has done well the past four seasons in non-conference games and the Golden Bears has one of the best defenses in the Pac-12.

Give credit to Nevada and time will tell by the end of the season how big of an upset this game actually was and look for the Wolf Pack to at minimum finish third in the Mountain West by the end of the year.

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