College Football Week 9 Picks: 5 Upsets and Why They Will Happen

College football is in full swing now as we are quickly approaching the end of the season and conference championship games.  

This season has been full of surprises already including the fight for the number one spot in the nation.  In all college sports, there are upsets every week.

Here are 5 upsets that will happen this week. 

James Evens is a Purdue student and Basketball/Football Featured Columnist for the Boilermakers, along with being a Writing Intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, or like him on Facebook.

Air Force Vs No. 8 Utah

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FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 14: Eddie Wide #36 of the Utah Utes is tackled by Jerry Hughes #98 of the TCU Horned Frogs during the second half of the game at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. TCU won the game 55-28. (Photo by

Utah comes into this game with a 7-0 record including a key win against Pittsburgh.  They come into the game ranking third in both points for averaging over 47 points a game, as well as points against allowing opponents to score almost 13 points.

Air Force going into this match-up against 5-3 with losses coming to No. 7 Oklahoma, San Diego State, and No. 5 TCU.  Air force is the top ranked rushing team in the nation.  They seem to be big on running the ball and are sort of one dimensional.

Why Air Force Will Win

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FORT WORTH, TX - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Tim Jefferson Jr. #7 of the Air Force Falcons carries the ball into the end zone to score against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/

Air Force is coming off of two tough losses to both TCU and to San Diego State, and are looking to rebound.  Expect the triple option to prevail in this fight against Utah.  Look for Air Force to be able to run all over Utah, although it will still be close in the end.  

After two consecutive losses, I don't see Air Force dropping three in a row.

No. 16 Florida State Vs. North Carolina State

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MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 9: Jermaine Thomas #38 pats Christian Ponder #7 on the head as he is held by Andrew Datko #67 of the Florida State Seminoles after scoring a touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes on October 9, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florid

Florida State will visit the North Carolina State Wolfpack on a Thursday night that will surely draw a large audience.  Florida State who comes into this match-up with a record of 6-1 and are undefeated in ACC play, look to defeat NC State, who comes in with a record of 5-2 with a 2-1 conference record.

Florida State has had a great first season without the legend Bobby Bowden including a blow-out victory of highly touted Miami.  The Seminoles are led by quarterback Christian Ponder who has put up 1,187 yards with 12 touchdowns this season.

NC State has had a great season as well, having some great victories, they just have yet to win the big game they are looking for.  The Wolfpack is led by Russell Wilson who has passed for 2,124 for 18 touchdowns.

Why North Carolina State Will Win

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RALEIGH, NC - SEPTEMBER 16: David Akinniyi #97 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack during their game at Carter-Finley Stadium on September 16, 2010 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

North Carolina has been looking to break through all season and get that big victory needed.  Coming off a tough overtime loss against East Carolina, the Wolfpack will come out firing.  If they can figure out how to win this game, it will knock off the top team in the conference, and allow them the opportunity to have a shot at the conference title.  

This game is key to the rest of their season, it's a must win, and they will win.

Kansas State Vs No.17 Oklahoma State

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LAWRENCE, KS - OCTOBER 14: Quarterback Carson Coffman #14 the Kansas State Wildcats carries the ball during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks on October 14, 2010 at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Kansas State comes into this match-up with a record of 5-2, even after their recent loss to Baylor.  Oklahoma State is coming in off their only loss of the season against Nebraska.  

OK State has one of the best offensive powers in the country.  They are ranked third in the nation in passing yardage and second in points per game with almost 50 points a game.  They are led by Brandon Weeden, who has passed for 2,249 yards this season and 21 touchdowns.

Kansas State is a bit more balanced, they have had two losses this season both of which were to ranked teams.  They are more of a rushing team averaging around 200 yards per game on the ground. The Wildcats are led by running back Daniel Thomas, who has rushed for 895 yards and nine touchdowns this season.

Why Kansas State Will Win

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WACO, TX - OCTOBER 24: Justin Blackmon #81 and Cooper Nicholas #89 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys celebrate a touchdown in front of Jordan Lake #21 of the Baylor Bears at Floyd Casey Stadium on October 24, 2009 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/G

The reason why Kansas State will win this game has a lot to do with Oklahoma State.  Oklahoma State's leading receiver and Heisman dark horse Justin Blackmon, who has caught 62 passes for 1112 yards and 14 touchdowns, was arrested for DUI early Tuesday morning.

With Blackmon's status for the game is still unknown, he will most likely be in street clothes on Saturday. This will allow Kansas State to get a key victory.

No.18 Iowa Vs No.5 Michigan State

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EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Michigan State Spartans rolls out to look for receiver against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 35-27. (Photo by Jonat

Michigan State is the only team in the Big Ten to remain undefeated so far this season by their scrappy play. Their ability to overcome diverse situations has came out and they are one of the best teams out there right now.

They are led by quarterback Kirk Cousins who has thrown for 1,948 yards and 14 touchdowns.  

They also have a great rushing attack between Edwin Baker and Le'Veon Bell, who have combined for 15 touchdowns.

Iowa is also a powerhouse in a stacked Big Ten this season.  Coming off a tough loss against Wisconsin, the Hawkeyes are looking to rebound with a big win.  

They are led by quarterback Ricky Stanzi who has thrown for 1,732 yards and 16 touchdowns.  They also have a great running back in Adam Robinson who has rushed for 737 yards and nine touchdowns.

Why Iowa Will Win

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IOWA CITY, IA - OCTOBER 23- Quarterback Ricky Stanzi #12 of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes throws under pressure from the Wisconsin Badgers during the second half of play at Kinnick Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Iowa City, Iowa. Wisconsin won 31-30 over

Iowa has been playing solid football all season.  They have one of the best defenses in the country and will shut-down Michigan State.  The Spartans have been playing close games all season, and I expect this to be no different except this time they won't come out on top.

Not to mention winning in Iowa City is one of the hardest things to do.

No.2 Oregon Vs USC

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EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 21: The Oregon Duck mascot is lifted into the crowd during the game against the UCLA Bruins on October 21, 2010 at the Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Oregon comes into this game sitting on top off the nation. Sure they aren't ranked number one in the BCS, but we all know that the BCS is garbage anyway.  They are the best team in the nation, and will look to defeat USC.

 Oregon is led by quarterback Darron Thomas who has thrown for 1,539 yards and 17 touchdowns.  

They are also led by Heisman candidate LaMichael James, who has rushed for 971 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.

On the other hand USC comes into this one as one of the top offensive teams in the nation as well.  Led by quarterback Matt Barkley, who has thrown for 1,869 yards and 20 touchdowns, the USC Trojans will be looking to make a statement, even though there is no bowl game in their future.

Why USC Will Win

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 16: Matt Barkley #7 of the USC Trojans warms up before the game against the California Golden Bears at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 16, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Oregon hasn't played a powerhouse in quite sometime.  Although one may not expect USC to win this one, they have nothing to lose.  With a high-power offense of Barkley, this will be a shoot-out for the ages.  

The Trojans are tough to play in Los Angeles, and will make their fans happy when they knock off the Ducks in this instant classic.