2010 College Football: An Underdog for Each Week of the Season
The 2010 college football season starts next week.
As fans around the country begin speculating about their teams' schedule and making predictions, let's switch gears and take a look at the underdogs to root for in each week of college football's 15 week schedule.
This list comprises of one game from each week in which an underdog team has a chance at defeating the clear favorite.
Note: the term "underdog" is used in reference to where the team is ranked by the AP Preseason Poll.
Week One: Oregon St. vs. TCU
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Underdog pick: Oregon State
The No. 24 Oregon State Beavers head to Cowboys Stadium for a duel with the No. 6 TCU Horned Frogs on September 4th. Both teams are looking to prove themselves early.
While TCU has star quarterback Andy Dalton returning under-center, the Beavers are breaking in a new quarterback in Ryan Katz.
The Beavers are throwing Katz right into the fire with a huge non-conference game that could make or break their season.
The Rodgers brothers, receiver James and tailback Jacquizz, will undoubtedly have to play a huge part if the Beavers have any hope of defeating a TCU team that could possibly post an undefeated season.
Week Two: Miami (FL) at Ohio State
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Underdog pick: Miami
The first huge game of the college football season. A game which will set the tone for both teams' season and possibly set the stage for a national championship run.
The No. 13 Miami Hurricanes travel to the hostile confines of The 'Shoe to take on the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes for a September 11th showdown.
Both teams' starting quarterbacks have yet to come out of their shell completely. Miami's Jacory Harris and Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor, both possible Heisman candidates, will look to correct mistakes from the 2009 season in a game that will be a battle of the quarterbacks.
Week Three: Iowa at Arizona
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Underdog pick: Arizona
On September 18th, the No. 9 Iowa Hawkeyes travel down to Tucson, AZ to take on the rising Arizona Wildcats.
Head coach Mike Stoops has brought the Arizona program to new levels of success, narrowly missing a chance at their first ever Rose Bowl in a gut-wrenching two-overtime loss to the Oregon Ducks last season. Instead, the 'Cats settled for second place within the Pac-10 after taking down former conference superpower USC.
This is a huge task for the Wildcats, but nothing that quarterback Nick Foles and their talented offense can't handle. If the Arizona defense can improve on their weak fall camp performances, they have a chance at taking down Ricky Stanzi and company down in the desert.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Week Four: Oregon at Arizona State
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Underdog pick: Arizona State
The Arizona State Sun Devils are still looking for revenge on No. 11 Oregon after the Ducks ruined their possible national championship run in 2007. Since then, the Sun Devils have dropped off the map offensively, while the Ducks have done just the opposite.
The Sun Devil offense has improved drastically in the off-season, with a new quarterback in either Brock Osweiler or Michigan transfer Steven Threet, and a new high-flying offensive scheme by new offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone.
While the ASU offense has yet to be tested, the defense will remain one of the best in the country, which will most likely be their key in picking up an upset over the Ducks in Tempe.
Oregon is out to prove there is life after Jeremiah Masoli, but believe it or not, Masoli did play a huge part in the 2009 team. Regardless, the Ducks will still be a power to reckon with in 2010.
Week Five: Florida at Alabama
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Underdog pick: Florida
Well here it is, the rematch of the 2009 SEC Championship Game and possible preview of the 2010 game. The No. 4 Florida Gators travel to Tuscaloosa to take on the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide on October 2nd. This game will be heated, as both teams will most likely head into week five undefeated.
Florida lost a lot of star power in Tim Tebow, receivers Riley Cooper and David Nelson, linebacker Brandon Spikes, and cornerback Joe Hadan, but the Gators never seem to be without talent.
Alabama returns most of their offensive firepower, but lost some experienced defensive starters after 2009, but that's nothing that Nick Saban couldn't address in spring and fall camps.
Highly touted Florida quarterback John Brantley will be taking the reigns from the departed Tebow. While he is not as versatile as head coach Urban Myer would prefer, he's got the arm to take the Gators all the way.
Week Six: Florida State at Miami (FL)
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Underdog pick: Florida State
There is nothing better than watching a heated rivalry, and the October 9th No. 20 Florida State at No. 13 Miami match-up is just that.
New Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher is out for blood after a heartbreaking loss to the Hurricanes in 2009. Christian Ponder looks to put up huge numbers again in 2010, and with the return of his entire offensive line, expect a very potent Seminole offense.
If newly appointed defensive coordinator Mark Stoops can improve the Seminole defense—ranked in the last third in 2009, it is possible to snag an upset win over the Hurricanes.
Week Seven: Texas at Nebraska
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Underdog pick: Nebraska
The Texas Longhorns lost to the Alabama Crimson Tide in last year's National Championship Game only after they beat the Nebraska Cornhuskers by a second, literally.
Nebraska is out to prove something in their last year in the Big 12. To do that they must take down Texas in order to win a Big 12 Championship for the last time. One thing is known, the Blackshirt defense is back. Although Ndamakung Suh will be greatly missed, they will be more than dominating in 2010. Quarterback Zac Lee and tailback Roy Helu are returning to push the offense.
Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert was baptized in the National Championship Game after Colt McCoy sustained an injury and showed signs of greatness after getting settled into the pressure situation.
This could be a year of redemption for Nebraska in the Big 12.
Week 8: Wisconsin at Iowa
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Underdog pick: Wisconsin
The October 23rd showdown between the No. 12 Wisconsin Badgers and the No. 9 Iowa Hawkeyes is an even match, both underdogs in the shadow of Ohio State for the Big Ten crown.
The Badgers return all but one starter on offense with the departure of tight end Garrett Graham. Quarterback Scott Tolzien proved himself towards the end of 2009, but the offense will revolve around the 2009 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, tailback John Clay.
Quarterback Ricky Stanzi returns to lead the Hawkeye offense along with talented young tailbacks Brandon Wehger and Adam Robinson.
Both teams have the potential to win the Big Ten crown in 2010, but this game will most likely be the battle for second place in the conference.
Week Nine: Oregon at USC
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Underdog pick: USC
In week nine of the regular season, No. 11 Oregon travels to sunny California to take on the No. 14 USC Trojans.
USC's domination of the Pac-10 ended last season under former coach Pete Carrol after being expected to be one of the most successful teams. Instead, the Oregon Ducks took over the conference.
With USC not able to go bowling, the Trojans will be looking to prove themselves worthy under new head coach Lane Kiffin during the regular season. In 2009, the Ducks slaughtered the Trojans in an upset at Autzen Stadium, a game that started the 2009 downfall in Troy.
Trojan starting quarterback Matt Barkley is looking to improve on his steady drop-off in performance throughout 2009, as will the struggling USC defense.
Week Ten: Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech
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Underdog pick: Georgia Tech
On November 4th, the No. 16 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head north to take on the No. 10 Virginia Tech Hokies in a game that could determine the ACC champion.
The Yellow Jackets cruised through the ACC with coach Paul Johnson's triple-option spread attack in 2009, but lost their star running back Jonathan Dwyer to the NFL. Yellow Jackets' quarterback Josh Nesbitt must work on his passing skills to truly fit in with the triple-option attack to continue the team's success and upset the Hokies.
Quarterback Tyrod Taylor is returning to the roster for the Hokies, and will not be alone on offense. He will share the backfield with one of the country's best running back stables. Tailback Ryan Williams was among the elite freshman class in 2009 and could very well be a potential Heisman Candidate.
Both teams are expected to be hurting on the defensive side of the ball, making this ACC game a battle of the offenses.
Week Eleven: Penn State at Ohio State
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Underdog pick: Penn State
Could this be the year Joe Paterno's No. 19 Nittany Lions take down the No. 2 Buckeyes?
Kevin Newsome will be taking the reigns at the starting quarterback position for Penn State, while the team shoots to have one of the best rushing attacks in the country by utilizing senior Evan Royster. Add the return of their top receivers, Graham Zug and Derek Moye, and their offense could be lethal granted the quarterback position works in their favor.
It will be difficult for Penn State to control the Ohio State offense after losing six key starters on defense. Add to that the fact that this game is being played in the "Horse Shoe," and the Nittany Lions' chances seem a little more grim. But you can't help but cheer on one of the greatest coaches in college football history in Jo Pa.
Week Twelve: Ohio State at Iowa
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Underdog pick: Iowa
This is yet another huge Big Ten matchup, as the No. 2 Buckeyes travel to take on the No. 9 Hawkeyes.
Both teams have the ability to enter this game undefeated if they win the games listed earlier, with sights on being the Big Ten champion. The Hawkeyes have a great advantage in playing Ohio State on their home field, but have a huge test ahead of them.
The battle between Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi and Ohio State quarterback Terrell Pryor will be huge; look for the team with the best QB performance out of the two to win, and possibly take the conference.
Week Thirteen: LSU at Arkansas
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Underdog pick: LSU
On Thanksgiving weekend, the No. 21 LSU Tigers travel to take on the No. 17 Arkansas Razorbacks.
Just three years ago LSU won the National Championship, and have not shown that level of play since. Les Miles' seat is getting warm as he tries to bring the Tigers back to SEC dominance. Tigers' quarterback Jordan Jefferson must improve on his level of confidence during conference games, which has resulted in wildly inconsistent play in the past.
If the LSU defense can improve upon last year's performance and overcome their losses at starting positions, they might have a chance at shutting down Arkansas quarterback, and potential Heisman candidate, Ryan Mallet, but it will take a lot to compete with the rising Razorback offense.
Week Fourteen: Oregon at Oregon State
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Underdog pick: Oregon State
On Saturday December 4th, the long awaited Civil War rivalry game will commence. In 2009, the heated game between the in-state rivals featured a trip to the Rose Bowl on the line, with Oregon coming out with the close win.
This year, the game returns to the compounds of Oregon State, a plus for the Beavers not having to play in Autzen Stadium, which is one of the loudest in the country.
The showdown very well could have the same stakes as in 2009, as both teams are expected to finish high in a wide open Pac-10. The winning team will be the one with the most successful running game, as runningbacks LaMichael James and Jacquizz Rodgers face off with Heisman chances on the line.
Week Fifteen: Navy vs Army
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Underdog pick: Army
There is no better way to end the college football regular season than to watch the service academies of Navy and Army faceoff.
Army, who finished dead last in FBS passing in 2009, will likely rely on their running game once again (16th in the nation). But this is probably not enough to take down the on-fire Navy Midshipman.
Quarterback Ricky Dobbs returns for Navy's triple-option offense. Dobbs ran for 1,192 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2009, setting a NCAA single-season record for a quarterback.
Whatever way the game goes, it's always great watching tradition.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
