Upset Alert

November 26, 2009


Thursday, Nov. 26
No. 3 Texas at Texas A&M, 8pm on ESPN
Everyone is so sure that Texas will play for the national championship, but Texas isn't buying it. They are taking it at a real game-by-game mentality. Texas A&M is for the national championship. A year ago Texas beat the Aggies 49-9 because they had something to prove. This year they've proven almost everything already. The game is in College Station on Kyle Field. It's one of the toughest places in the country to play. The environment will be rough for Texas. Texas A&M has pulled off huge upsets against Texas in the past and Colt McCoy is only 1-2 against the Aggies. He'll look to even out that record. I think the Horns will pull off the win because they know what's at stake.
Texas A&M Quarterback Jerrod Johnson is having a great under-the-radar season. His numbers almost replicate Colt McCoy's and McCoy is the one with Heisman attention. The reason why Texas wins is because of their defense. The offense can struggle as much as they want, but the defense will win the game. Not to mention, that the Aggies have the nation's 110th ranked pass defense.

Friday, Nov. 27
No. 2 Alabama at Auburn, 2:30pm on CBS
In the classic Iron Bowl rivalry, Alabama is going to have its final challenge before playing what is considered a national semifinal game against Florida. Alabama snapped its losing streak to Auburn last year and now look to create a winning streak of their own. Last year's 36-0 thumping of Auburn was the most skewed Iron Bowl in 46 years. That's what Alabama is aiming to do again.
However, this is a very much improved Auburn team at 7-4. In Gene Chizik's first year as coach AUburn has turned the program around and nothing would put a bow on top like beating Alabama and knocking them out of a chance to play for the national championship.

No. 9 Pittsburgh at West Virginia, 7pm on ESPN2
Pittsburgh still has BCS hopes of playing in the Orange Bowl but West Virginia has different ideas in the old "Backyard Brawl" being renewed. The last two years, Pittsburgh derailed West Virginia's BCS hopes. In 2007, West Virginia was No. 2 in the country and needed only a win to play for the national championship and Pittsburgh stunned the Mountaineers in a huge upset. The game is in Morgantown this year and West Virginia is trying to complete the season undefeated at home for the first time since 1993. West Virginia will have to concentrate on stopping Pittsburgh freshman runningback Dion Lewis who is only 38 yard aways from breaking former Pitt RB LeSean McCoy's freshman rushing yards record in the Big East.

Nevada at No. 6 Boise State, 10pm on ESPN2
Boise State is still dreaming of a BCS-bid, perhaps to the Fiesta Bowl. One team can swoop away those dreams for the Broncos. That is Nevada, the WAC's second-best team and they have won eight straight. Colin Kaepernick is an elite quarterback running and throwing and Boise's once-solid defense has been shaky. They gave up 35 points to Louisiana Tech. Nevada at 8-3 is still undefeated in conference play so can not only knock Boise State out of BCS contention, but win the WAC title.

Saturday, Nov. 28
No. 12 Oklahoma State at Oklahoma, 12:30pm on ESPN GamePlan
This huge rivalry called the "Bedlam" used to mean so much for both teams. This year, it's only good for one. Oklahoma has had such a disappointing season as the injuries kept mounting. Oklahoma State still has a chance for a BCS bowl and many believe that if they win they're in. Winning is the hard part though anytime you play Oklahoma, especially in Norman. Last year in Stillwater, Oklahoma won 61-41. Oklahoma just got smoked by Texas Tech last week and that was embarrassing for a defense that ranks with the best in the nation. You look at the Oklahoma defense and they're going to give OSU's offense a lot of trouble. Oklahoma has 5 guys on defense that could go in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft. For Oklahoma State, Quarterback Zac Robinson will play after sitting out senior night against Colorado to get physically prepared for this game. Oklahoma State is highly favored in this game and it's always been Oklahoma as the favorite. I believe Oklahoma State has the slightest chance of winning, but I don't see them as a 78% favorite. I still think Oklahoma is too good. It's all up to the quarterback play of Landry Jones though to lead the prolific offense. One week he'll throw 6 touchdowns, another week he'll throw 5 interceptions. That's a problem, but so many teams have picked apart Oklahoma State's defense and Oklahoma will too. Don't even call this one an upset.

Notre Dame at Stanford, 8pm on ABC
Stanford eliminated itself from any chance at the Pac-10 title with a loss to California Saturday after scoring 50+ points back-to-back against USC and Oregon. At this point, Stanford might be disheartened and surprised by Notre Dame. Notre Dame has a lot to play for. So many people thought they were going to a BCS game this year, but instead they sit at 6-5 and are trying to save Charlie Weiss's job. I don't think Notre Dame can stop Stanford's offense with Andrew Luck, the best freshman quarterback in the country, and stop Toby Gerhart, but I don't think Stanford's defense can stop Notre Dame's high-powered offense. I expect a close high-scoring game.