Upset Alert: Five Teams That Should be Worried in Week Three

Todd Kaufmann by Correspondent Written on September 18, 2009

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ATHENS, GA - SEPTEMBER 12:  Darryl Gamble #50 and Cornelius Washington #83 of the Georgia Bulldogs sack quarterback Stephen Garcia #5 of the South Carolina Gamecocks at Sanford Stadium on September 12, 2009 in Athens, Georgia.  (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Gett
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

It's week three of college football and the first two weeks have lived up to the hype.

There have been great games, nail biters and upsets and it's still very early in the season.

Each week, I've put a certain number of teams on upset alert and this week is no different.

There aren't that many good games on the schedule this week but there are a few that I look at and wonder if one of those teams will really bring their best football.

We'll see as a full slate of games takes place tomorrow.

USC Trojans at Washington

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 13: Joe McKnight #4 of the Southern California Trojans celebrates a two point conversion with David Ausberry #9 while playing the Ohio State Buckeyes on September 13, 2009 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.  (Photo by Gregory Sham

I normally wouldn't put USC on upset alert, but the Trojans will be without starting quarterback Matt Barkley (shoulder).

Instead, they'll have Aaron Corp under center as the Trojans head north to take on the Washington Huskies.

Though this Huskies team hasn't been great in recent years, it won't stop them for getting up for this game.

The Trojans better be ready to go or that number three ranking won't be there for long.

BYU Cougars vs Florida State

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 05:  Quarterback Max Hall #15 of the Brigham Young Cougars drops back to pass against the Oklahoma Sooners at Cowboys Stadium on September 5, 2009 in Arlington, Texas.  (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

This is a game that I call a "prove it" game for the BYU Cougars.

All the talk about this ball club comes from their upset win over Oklahoma just a few weeks ago which earned them their current No. 7 ranking.

This week, they host Florida State, which is not a "gimme" win. BYU needs to show their strength and show that they were the same team that knocked off Oklahoma.

They have the home field advantage, they have the fans in their corner and it should be a BYU win.

BUT, take the Seminoles lightly and BYU will find themselves on the wrong end of this game quickly.

Ohio State at Toledo

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 13:  Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes lines up under center against the USC Trojans during the college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 13, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by

I'm sure a lot of people will be surprised by this pick, but I'm not sold on Ohio State, even though they kept it close against USC last weekend in Columbus.

They will remain in the state of Ohio but will travel to Toledo to take on the Rockets.

Toledo is not usually a team many people would look at and think would give Ohio State trouble. But, although they gave up 52 points to Purdue in week one,Toledo put up 53 of their own against Colorado last weekend.

This is a high scoring team and Ohio State could be in trouble if Toledo gets going early.

Cincinnati at Oregon State

PISCATAWAY, NJ - SEPTEMBER 07:  Tony Pike #15 of the Cincinnati Bearcats throws a pass against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Rutgers Stadium on September 7, 2009 in Piscataway, New Jersey.   by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)  (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Image

Yes, the No. 17 Cincinnati Bearcats are on my list for this week as they travel to Corvallis, Oregon, to take on the Oregon State Beavers.

This was a tough pick for me to make, but Oregon State is known for playing well at home.

Cincinnati has yet to be tested this season, their first two games coming against Rutgers and Southwest Missouri State.

Cincinnati needs to set the tone early and not let Oregon State stay in this game. If that happens, the Beavers could walk away with another big upset.

Georgia at Arkansas

ATHENS, GA - SEPTEMBER 12:  Quarterback Joe Cox #14 and Tavarres King #12 celebrate a touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs of the South Carolina Gamecocks at Sanford Stadium on September 12, 2009 in Athens, Georgia.  (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Georgia has already taken a beating on the road this season, losing their opening game to Oklahoma State.

This could be no different and I think this is a game that Georgia could definitely lose.

Arkansas has a very good passing game led by quarterback Ryan Mallett, a quarterback that could pick the Georgia defense apart through the air.

If Georgia can't establish their offense early, especially on the road, it could be a long day for the Bulldogs.

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written on September 18, 2009 Preview/Prediction

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