College Football Teams on Upset Alert in Week 5
Week 5 of the college football season is here with several intriguing games set to kick off around the country, including three head-to-head matchups between teams in the AP top 25 rankings on Saturday, and some credible upset potential as favorites line up against talented underdogs this weekend.
Related: College football Week 5 picks against the spread
Here are the teams we think are on upset alert that you should keep a close eye on as the Week 5 schedule plays out on Saturday. We're not saying these favorites will definitely lose, but that they certainly could.
College football teams on upset alert
College football Week 5 picks
USA Today Images
Lines courtesy of SI Sportsbook
LSU (-2.5) vs. Ole Miss
A pair of SEC West rivals that look fairly even on paper, hence the narrow point spread. LSU has some advantages playing in the front seven lining up against a Rebels ground attack that hasn't lived up to expectations quite yet, but can they contain a dual threat quarterback for all four quarters? Jaxson Dart is Ole Miss' leading rusher and he could find enough throwing lanes against LSU's secondary to stay within striking distance.
College Football HQ previews LSU vs. Ole Miss game
Clemson (-6.5) vs. Syracuse
This series has been very close the last few seasons, including a three-point win at the Dome two years ago and a Clemson comeback at home last fall.
Syracuse can pack a punch offensively with dual threat quarterback Garrett Shrader, and Clemson has a problem with turnovers and missed kicks: those TOs have resulted in 36 points for opponents and the Tigers are 3 for 8 on field goals.
Clemson vs. Syracuse picks, score prediction
Kentucky (-1.5) vs. Florida
UK can run the ball with consistency and has the bodies up front to frustrate opponents doing the same while generating takeaways on the back end. But the passing attack is suspect and this team hasn't really been tested yet.
It will be against a Gator defense that can generate pressure while Graham Mertz works in some intermediate passing gains and Florida's backs wear down the Wildcat line.
Prediction, preview for UK vs. Gators
Texas A&M (-5.5) vs. Arkansas
Max Johnson steps in at quarterback with Conner Weigman out the rest of the season and he should find some throwing lanes on the outside against the Razorback secondary, but Arkansas has the bodies to apply consistent pressure to the pocket and if tailback Raheim Sanders can return, that would provide a needed second dimension to the offense alongside dual threat quarterback KJ Jefferson.
Southwest Classic prediction: Hogs vs. Aggies picks
Notre Dame (-5.5) vs. Duke
Is a second straight loss in the works for the Irish? If so, it would likely spell the end of their College Football Playoff hopes. After falling to Ohio State in a last-second three-point decision, Notre Dame plays a surprisingly productive, undefeated Blue Devil team that has a mobile quarterback and capable receivers to test the middle third of the field, plus home field advantage.
Score predictions for Notre Dame vs. Duke
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More college football from SI: Top 25 Rankings | Schedule | Teams