College Football Upset Alert 2021: Championship Week edition

6. Western Kentucky (-3 at UTSA)

If you don’t know the name Bailey Zappe, get familiar. The WKU quarterback is the nation’s leading passer with 4,968 yards and an incredible 52 touchdown passes, 12 more than second place. He’s only eight touchdowns shy of Joe Burrow’s single-season touchdown record, which between this game and the bowl game, he has a chance to break.

UTSA will have to double, maybe even triple cover Jerreth Sterns, who is Zappe’s favorite target. He’s accounted for 1,539 yards and 12 touchdowns on the season.

For UTSA, they’re going to need a huge day from their running back, Sincere McCormick. He is another underrated player, ranking 10th in the nation in rushing yards.

This is another rematch, one that UTSA won 52-46 in early October. WKU actually outgained UTSA by over 100 yards in that game, but penalties were a killer. This should be another offensive game, meaning turnovers and penalties will be key. Both teams had two turnovers last meeting.

If WKU can limit penalties, they’ll be in a much better position to win this game. This is the sleeper game of the weekend.

5. Kent State (-3.5 vs. Northern Illinois)

Speaking of offensive rematches, Kent State and NIU won a 52-47 thriller in early November.

Considering how good both offenses are (and how bad both defenses are) expect this to be another shootout. A 31-point second quarter propelled Kent to the win resulting from a couple of quick NIU touchdowns and a couple of quick three and outs. NIU has to force turnovers in this game, something they’re not particularly great at.

With the game at Ford Field, a dome, the weather is not a factor meaning there’s nothing to impede the flow of the Kent State offense. Northern Illinois has to disrupt that, but it’s easier said than done about such a well-balanced offense that doesn’t make mistakes.

Don’t be surprised if more points are scored in this game than their previous meeting which saw 99.