College Football Schedule: 10 Biggest Upsets Looming on College Slate

Upsets are as much a part of college football as mascots, marching bands and bone-chilling investigations. And if this season is anything like 2010, there will be plenty of upsets that leave the top of the polls in a transient state for most of the year.

Furthermore, the reformation of the Big Ten, Pac-12 and Big 12 conferences will only add to the week-to-week uncertainty this season.

Here are 10 upsets waiting to happen.

Ohio State over Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Badgers are the preseason favorites to win the Big Ten, and much of that has to do with the fallout from Ohio State's disastrous offseason.

The school was forced to dismiss head coach Jim Tressel after learning that he concealed information about a tattoo-for-memorabilia scandal involving his players. Starting quarterback Terrelle Pryor is also gone from the program for his involvement in the scandal.

But while many think the Badgers are poised to assume the Big Ten's throne, the sheer talent on the Buckeyes' roster cannot be discounted.

Their defensive front seven is bigger than it was a year ago, meaning that Wisconsin probably won't have the type of success on the ground that they had against OSU in 2010. And though the Buckeyes take a big hit on offense from losing Pryor, they have enough talented running backs to carry things in Pryor's absence.

The Badgers made an impressive coup by landing quarterback Russell Wilson from N.C. State. But expect him to have some difficulties as he transitions to his new program.

The OSU vs. Wisconsin game will be played under the lights at what will be a raucous Ohio Stadium, and the Buckeyes will have DeVier Posey, Boom Herron, Mike Adams and Solomon Thomas back from suspension.

Georgia over Boise State

This Top 25 matchup will be the biggest game during college football's opening week, and the Boise State Broncos are still trying to prove their worth to much of the college football world.

However, the polls and stat sheets suggest that it is the Georgia Bulldogs, and not Boise State, that will have to prove themselves in this matchup. A.J. Green, the Bulldogs best player in 2010, is no longer in Athens. And the Broncos finished in the Top 10 in most offensive categories last season.

It will be a de facto home game for the Bulldogs as the two square off in the Georgia Dome. Yes, the Broncos withstood a similar challenge against the Virginia Tech Hokies at FedEx Field in 2010. But Virginia Tech also has an awful history in big games.

Georgia head coach Mark Richt understands that 2011 will determine his future with the school. Luckily for him, he has Aaron Murray, an underrated yet talented quarterback, to help with his job security.

But one outside force working in Georgia's favor is the intimidation factor that comes with playing an SEC school. Although the SEC mystique is certainly a product of attitude and player over-signing, it is reinforced by the success the conference has had during the last half decade, representing the last five national champions.

With the game being held in Atlanta, there will be plenty of people to remind the Broncos what conference they are facing off against. And if they let it get to their heads, they will be toast.

Oklahoma State over Oklahoma

Oklahoma is a serious threat to win the national championship in 2011. The problem for the Sooners is that they are expected to be a wire-to-wire champion this season, and that is not something that happens often.

The Sooners have had their share of late-season blunders under head coach Bob Stoops, and their game against Oklahoma State on Dec. 3 could be another one.

Oklahoma State begins 2011 in unfamiliar territory within the Top 10 of the polls. Senior quarterback Brandon Weeden leads the Cowboys with one of the strongest aerial attacks in the nation, throwing for more than 4200 yards and 32 touchdowns in 2010.

The game will be played at an electric atmosphere in Stillwater, and could easily live up to its "Bedlam" moniker.

Michigan over Notre Dame

The "subway alumni" and Notre Dame faithful expect more significant progress during the second year of the Brian Kelly era in South Bend. But those hopes could be derailed during Notre Dame's annual battle against Michigan on Sept. 10.

The Irish start the year ranked 18th, while Michigan is hoping to wedge themselves back into the top-25 under new coach Brady Hoke.

The Wolverines needed a legendary performance from quarterback Denard Robinson to beat the Irish in 2010, and Robinson will have to account for most of Michigan's offense if they hope to win again.

Two things working in Michigan's favor is that the game will be played in Ann Arbor, and that the Wolverines defense (probably) cannot be any worse than it was last year. If Michigan's defense shows any signs of life in this game they will win.

Miami vs. Anybody

The Miami Hurricanes could be in the rare position to be a realistic part of an upset every single week this season.

Charles Robinson's probing article about the Miami program came out just two days ago, and the school and its fanbase are already preparing for annihilation.

While the most optimistic 'Canes fans hope the games will offer a temporary diversion from the negative attention the program is receiving, those people will be in for a rude awakening to discover that the exact opposite is more likely to happen.

Instead of a welcome distraction, each game will be a four hour torture session for Miami fans, full of sobering reminders and TV announcers who will offer their hypothetical, doomsday scenarios about what will happen next.

Sun Life Stadium will look more like a Florida Marlins game than a college football game as fans will stay home in legions. This scandal will become so much of a distraction that it is unrealistic to expect the football program and university to function on a normal basis.

As far as what the this all means to the games themselves, it could be that Miami will play the underdog role in almost every game. They have enough talent that they will still be able to win games they are expected to lose.

It also means that any inferior school that plays the Hurricanes has the potential to win. Whether that be Virginia, Duke or whoever, all are now realistic threats to beat the 'Canes.

If Miami wins, it will probably be labeled an upset. And if they lose to a terrible opponent, well, that will also be an upset. Every game they will play has legitimate upset potential, one way or the other.

Clemson over Florida State

Florida State is sitting pretty at fifth in the polls, and most around the program are convinced that the Seminoles are returning to pre-2000 levels.

But even though FSU is steadily clawing its way back into college football relevance, their road to recovery could hit a rough patch when they travel to Clemson on Sept. 24.

The 'Noles have always had trouble in Death Valley, which many believe is the toughest place to play in the ACC. They are only 1-4 there since 2000.

Additionally, they will have to do it the week after they host Oklahoma.

Mississippi State over LSU

LSU has perhaps the hardest schedule in the country, and they could be out of the national title race before October.

Although their opening matchup against Oregon might be their toughest game in the early stretch of the season, their Thursday night showdown against Mississippi State on Sept. 15 could be devastating.

Mississippi State is looking to build off of their successful 2010 campaign, and nothing would help them more than defeating the Tigers in Starkville.

The Bulldogs have a strong running game, and they will try to wear down a Tigers defense that will be playing on only four days rest.

In the SEC, anybody can win any week of the season. And this could be one of those games.

Stanford over Oregon

Oregon has a good chance of riding their speedy offense back into the national championship game. But if LSU doesn't halt those plans during the first week, Stanford may be the team to stop them when the two teams meet on Nov. 12.

Jim Harbaugh is no longer the head coach at Stanford, but they still have Heisman trophy-contending quarterback Andrew Luck, who is poised to lead the Cardinal back to a BCS bowl game.

The revenge factor will be huge as Stanford will try to avenge last year's loss to the Ducks. Expect this to be a dynamic, high-scoring game like it was in 2010. But expect Stanford to win.

Texas over Texas A&M

The Texas A&M Aggies find themselves in a place they haven't been since the days of R.C. Slocum and the "wrecking crew," —as expected Big 12 title contenders.

Meanwhile, Texas is recovering from a 5-7 season following an appearance in the National Championship game, and junior quarterback Garrett Gilbert is hoping to erase the bad memories he had as a starter in 2010.

Historically, the Longhorns have owned this game, leading 75-37-5. It's hard to imagine Texas having another down year, and it's just as hard to imagine them lose two straight to the Aggies.

Statistics and common sense says that A&M wins this year's game. But history suggests the Longhorns do. I'm taking history and a Mack Brown recruiting class.

Arkansas over Alabama

This could be one of the most exciting contests of the year, and also one of the biggest upsets.

Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson has a tall order of replacing Ryan Mallet, and he will have to win this game in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Arkansas will likely try to run the ball more than they did in last year's game. And they will win if they can do that consistently enough to help Wilson.

While Alabama is still a national title contender, they lost wide receiver Julio Jones and running back Mark Ingram to the NFL. Those are two huge offensive weapons they will have to replace.

Expect this to be a high scoring game, but don't be shocked if Wilson can make a big name for himself against the Alabama defense.