College Football Predictions, Week 3: 3 Ranked Teams on Upset Alert

The college football season has been very exciting in its first few weeks, with several upsets and ranked teams losing each week.

Week 3 has its share of ranked teams playing dangerous opponents, and the result could be some thrilling upsets.

Let’s take a look at three ranked teams on upset alert in Week 3.

1) No. 18 West Virgina vs. Maryland

West Virginia has started the season 2-0, but is hasn’t been an easy two wins. The Mountaineers did not impress against Marshall in Week 1, and trailed to Norfolk State at halftime last week, before they broke the game open and won, 55-12.

The worst part about the Mountaineers start to the year is their inability to play well in the first quarter, something that coach Dana Holgorsen knows must improve against a talented Maryland team.

Via CBS Sports:

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"We haven't started well in two weeks," the first-year coach said. "When you're on the road you've got to start fast. ... I still don't know where we're at right now. This next week will tell a lot."

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In addition to starting off well against Maryland, West Virginia must find its running game. Replacing star running back Noel Devine has been difficult for the Mountaineers, who have only rushed for 144 yards in two games.

Maryland is 1-0 following a win over Miami, and is the best team West Virginia has played so far. The Terrapins have a great shot at upsetting the Mountaineers if they can frustrate the West Virginia rushing attack, and play smart defense.

2) No. 17 Ohio State vs. Miami (FL)

Miami and Ohio State have been two of the most talked about college football programs in 2011, and for all the wrong reasons.

Both schools have violated multiple NCAA rules, and both face harsh punishments from the NCAA. Saturday’s battle in Columbus is being talked about more for the scandals, than the talent of the two teams. This does not sit well with Hurricanes quarterback Jacory Harris.

Via CBS Sports:

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"It does kind of take away from it," Miami quarterback Jacory Harris said. "That's all you see, the suspensions here, the suspensions there and it kind of takes away from the actual game and the players and the fans and basically the history of this game. There's a lot of other things that are involved in this game rather than suspensions. You've got (2002) when they beat us and last year they beat us. There's a lot of things we want to go out ... and play for."

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Harris will get an opportunity this weekend to avenge Miami’s loss to the Buckeyes last season in Columbus, and against a struggling Ohio State team he and the ‘Canes have a good chance at the upset.

Ohio State barely escaped an upset loss to Toledo last week, surviving with a 27-22 win. Miami has lots of athletes and speed that has caused problems for the Buckeyes in the past, and if Harris plays well, Saturday could be the first good day for Miami football program in a while.

3) No. 1 Oklahoma vs. No. 5 Florida State

Although it wouldn’t be a major upset if the fifth-ranked Seminoles of Florida State knocked off the top-ranked Oklahoma Sooners, this is definitely a game Oklahoma should and has to win.

The Sooners have had lots of trouble against speedy and athletic teams over the past few years, especially in bowl games, and a win against the very talented Seminoles would do wonders for their confidence entering Big 12 conference play.

The Seminoles are much improved from last season, and are looking to avenge their humiliating loss to the hands of the Sooners last year in Norman.

Florida State must limit the effectiveness of Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones, and if they can do that, their offense will score enough points to keep them in the game.