College Football Upsets Brewin’ in Week Seven

Many great things in the world come in six-pack form: Why not upset picks in college football?  Because of that and more, KP is sitting a six-pack of his favorite “upset brew” in front of himself every Saturday going forward. For every game he gets right, he cracks one open.

OK, so he might do so anyway, but let’s keep that one on the down low.

Here’s his 12-pack of games for Week Seven—a skunky six-pack that he’s avoiding and the six-pack of “Upset Brew” that he’s promoting.  Only time will tell as to whether you think he’s nuts, or we’re both drinkin’ the same Kool-Aid.  Either way, bottoms up! * **

The Skunky Six: Not touchin’ ‘em with a 10-foot pole

Oklahoma -7 vs. Texas

Sam Bradford has been off the charts, and I see him slicing and dicing Texas and their 98th-ranked pass defense.

North Carolina -7.5 vs. Notre Dame

KP has the Domers keeping this one close throughout, but he likes Carolina’s weapons too much to pick against them—especially the all-purpose dynamo Brandon Tate.

East Carolina -6 at Virginia

I’m not falling for Virginia’s 31-0 shutout win over Maryland.  The Terps are bipolar, beating ranked teams over back-to-back weeks while falling to Middle Tennessee State and the Cavs.

Kentucky -1.5 at South Carolina

Spurrier’s offense hasn’t impressed me—though his defense has.  The ‘Cats gave ‘Bama a battle, and I picture a 9-6 yawner in this game—maybe even 3-2 with a walk-off homer.

Auburn -18.5 vs. Arkansas

I know everyone is trashing the Tigers for their lackluster offense, but let’s remember this is an Arkansas team that nearly lost to Western Illinois and ULM.

Missouri -14 vs. Oklahoma State

I know the Zou’s defense has struggled at times, and the Cowboys have played well under the man who was 40 last year.  Still, this is Chase Daniel, Heisman candidate—at home.

Upset Brew: Six potential upsets (mild or major) for Week Seven

Wake Forest -3 vs. Clemson

Both teams had bye weeks, giving each time to lick their wounds after tough losses (Clemson to Maryland and Wake to Navy).  The Tigers, while again underachieving under Coach Bowden, present a number of offensive headaches for the Demon Deacons.  Clemson blew out Wake last year 44-10, and this year’s team will prevail again—in a nail-biter and a minor upset.

Michigan State -2.5 at Northwestern

There’s one thing we know about the Spartans: They live and die by the offense generated by RB Javon Ringer.  Ringer will get his usual heavy workload, but Northwestern’s rush defense has been better than respectable—35th in the nation to be exact.

The ‘Cats will throw everything including the kitchen sink at Ringer and the Spartans' running game, and coupled with C.J. Bacher and Tyrell Sutton on offense, I see Northwestern knocking off a Michigan State team that always seems to fold midseason onward.

Kansas -14 vs. Colorado

It took everything Kansas had to make a second half charge to beat Iowa State last week.  This week, the Jayhawks face a Colorado team that is desperately seeking a bounce-back game after losing the last two weeks to Florida State and Texas.

The Buffs have given a better Kansas team a tight battle the last two seasons, and this year, Cody Hawkins and the boys break through in a shocker.

Miami -17 vs. Central Florida

Last week, the Hurricanes were ranked 106th in total offense, which is abysmal, even after facing better teams like Florida, North Carolina, and Florida State.  Robert Marve and this young Miami team needs more time to grow within the system.

George O’Leary and the Knights are no slouch: They gave South Florida all they could handle in an OT thriller.  UCF and their talented secondary give Marve headaches all day long—in an upset win.

Iowa -6 at Indiana

Iowa may sport the 19th-ranked rush defense in the nation, but they haven’t faced a versatile weapon like Indiana’s Kellen Lewis.  The Hoosiers QB can run and throw and should present a variety of headaches for the Hawkeyes.  Iowa hasn’t won more than seven games since 2004, including losing back-to-back seasons to Indiana.  Make that three.

Florida -6 vs. LSU

While KP feels for his Gator friends regarding this pick—and expects a smackdown—it’s the headliner that had to be taken.  Some may call it a toss-up, but the Gators are favored by nearly a touchdown while playing at home in the Swamp.  Percy Harvin may or may not play due to injury, and Tebow hasn’t quite been his lights-out self this season.

Somehow, some way, Les Miles manages to find ways to win, with ballsy fourth down calls (including five for five last year against the Gators) and so on.  Urban has lost once at home already this year, and this weekend makes two—in a mild "upset."

To recap, this week’s Upset Brew Six-Pack

Clemson, Northwestern, Colorado, Central Florida, Indiana, and LSU

Pick a six-pack yourself—winner gets props next week.

Until next week, have a cold one on KP.

* Stats from Week Six

** Spreads taken from USA Today website