Upset Alert: Five Teams That Need To Be Worried in Week Six

Todd Kaufmann by Correspondent Written on October 07, 2009

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STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 26:  Brandon Wegher #3 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is tackled by A.J. Wallace #1 and Drew Astorino #28 of the Penn State Nittnay Lions on September 26, 2009 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. Iowa won the game 21-10.

After a 1-5 week last week, it's time to regroup and focus on the games going on this weekend.

There are going to be some great games on the schedule, like Florida-LSU, Arkansas-Auburn, and Nebraska-Missouri.

Though there are going to be great games to watch, there are those teams that need to be wary of a letdown or end up on the wrong side of their game.

There may not be that many surprises, but if this weekend shakes out like the season has thus far, there should be at least a few upsets before the weekend is out.

Auburn at Arkansas

AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 19:  Quarterback Chris Todd #12 of the Auburn Tigers against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 19, 2009 in Auburn, Alabama.  (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Chris Todd and the 5-0 Auburn Tigers travel to Fayettville, Ark. to take on Ryan Mallett and the Arkansas Razorbacks.

There's no doubt that Auburn looks like the better team in every offensive category going into this game. They're averaging 41.4 points per game and 512.8 total yards per game—253.8 yards of that is on the ground.

The only category where Arkansas comes close is points per game, currently averaging 35.8, less than a six-point difference between the two teams.

Defensively is where Arkansas may be able to keep itself within striking distance.

The Razorbacks know that Auburn has the top running game in the SEC (253.8 yards per game), but Arkansas has held teams to 121 yards per game thus far.

Where Arkansas is going to get beat is through the air, where it's giving up 283.5 passing yards per game.

If Auburn quarterback Chris Todd gets on a roll and is able to give himself time to throw, it could be a long day for Arkansas and could keep Auburn undefeated.

Oklahoma vs Baylor

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - OCTOBER 3:   Quarterback Landry Jones #12 of the Oklahoma Sooners hands the ball off to teammate runningback DeMarco Murray #7 in the first quarter against the Miami Hurricanes on October 3, 2009 at Landshark Stadium in Miami Gardens,

I know this may be an unpopular pick among Big XII enthusiasts, but I like Baylor to give Oklahoma a run for its money this weekend, especially with Oklahoma still without Sam Bradford.

Baylor's offense is averaging 36.3 points per game, but is dead last in the conference in passing at 197 yards per game.

They also boast the best passing defense in the conference, only giving up 166 passing yards per game.

Where Baylor will have a hard time (besides the fact that they're on the road) is facing an Oklahoma defense that's giving up less than 10 (8.8) points per game and has yet to be scored on at home.

Where Baylor needs to control the game is on the ground. The Bears are averaging almost 200 rushing yards per game (196.25). But even that will be tough against the conference's third-best rushing defense at 65.5 rushing yards against per game.

Oregon at UCLA

EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 26: LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks heads up the field with the ball in the third quarter of the game against the California Bears at Autzen Stadium on September 26, 2009 in Eugene, Oregon.. James had 188 yards and scored a

It was UCLA's defense that led them to wins in each of their first three games including wins against Tennessee and Kansas State.

Unfortunately for the Bruins, their offense took last weekend off as they suffered a 24-16 loss to Stanford.

The Bruins will need both to be up to par as they welcome in Jeremiah Masoli and the 13th ranked Oregon Ducks. The same Oregon team that has looked like a Top five team with a 42-3 blowout of then fifth ranked Cal and a 52-6 drubbing of Washington State.

Oregon has the top ranked offense in the Pac-10, averaging 34.2 points per game, but they're going up against the Bruins' 2nd ranked defense at only 15.5 points per game.

The key to UCLA pulling off the upset will be stopping the Oregon running game led by running back LaMichael James. Do that as well as putting constant pressure on quarterback Jeremiah Masoli and they just might get it done.

Georgia Tech at Florida State

ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 10:  Orwin Smith #17 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets against the Clemson Tigers at Bobby Dodd Stadium on September 10, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Florida State is not having the typical year that we're used to seeing and it's brought about rumors that Bobby Bowden could be asked to step down at the end of this season.

The Seminoles will host 23rd ranked Georgia Tech this weekend and while Florida State hasn't been the best team this year, they do own a 54-28 win over then seventh ranked BYU, on the road no less.

Since then, two straight losses to South Florida and Boston College have derailed the progress that might have come from that game.

But, comparing both Florida State and Georgia Tech, both teams are surprisingly almost evenly matched.

While Florida State is averaging 27 points per game, Georgia Tech isn't that much better at 30 points per game. Both teams are close in total yards per game. Georgia Tech is second in the ACC with 405.6 yards per game, Florida State is third averaging 403.4 yards per game.

Where Georgia Tech is going to create a problem for the Seminoles will be their running game, averaging 252.2 rushing yards per game against a defense that's giving up almost 130 yards per game on the ground.

If Florida State can slow Georgia Tech's running game and force them into the pass a little more, it could work in their favor against a team that's second to last in the ACC in passing offense (153.4 ypg).

Oklahoma State at Texas A&M

LUBBOCK, TX - NOVEMBER 08:  Running back Kendall Hunter #24 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys during play against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 8, 2008 in Lubbock, Texas.  (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Another Big XII game that might be a lot closer than most would think, especially after Texas A&M suffered a lopsided loss to Arkansas last weekend at the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX.

However, Texas A&M does boast the conferences best yards per game offense, averaging 545.3 total yards per game.

The Aggies struggle with their rushing defense, giving up 150 yards per game on the ground and that could prove to be a problem against an Oklahoma State team that is rushing for over 200 yards per game (202.75).

Both defenses aren't great, ones a passing offense the other a rushing offense. Stop the Cowboy's running game and the Aggies just might have a shot at pulling off a big conference victory.

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written on October 07, 2009 Preview/Prediction

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