Top 15 College Football Group of Five vs. Power Five Upset Alerts
15. Louisiana at Texas, Sept. 4
Louisiana 31, Iowa State 14. Yeah, it really did happen to start the 2020 season – even if the rankings refused to acknowledge the victory all season long – and the 2021 Ragin’ Cajuns come back loaded. This isn’t the layup the Steve Sarkisian era might need or want to kick things off.
Texas Preview | Louisiana Preview
14. Mississippi State at Memphis, Sept. 18
Be mad if there aren’t a bazillion yards of total offense between these two. It’s a dangerous road game for a Bulldog team coming off a big non-conference date against NC State and with the SEC opener against LSU to follow. Memphis is good enough to push for the American Athletic Conference title.
Mississippi State Preview | Memphis Preview
13. Hawaii at Oregon State, Sept. 11
There isn’t the continuousness between the two programs since Nick Rolovich was the head coach at Hawaii – he claimed Oregon State was allegedly recruiting Rainbow Warrior players – but it’s still a key game for both teams. The Beavers can’t afford to lose this with a tough Pac-12 schedule ahead, but Hawaii should have the veteran team to potentially pull this off.
Hawaii Preview | Oregon State Preview
12. Temple at Rutgers, Sept. 4
The two haven’t faced each other since they were both in the American Athletic Conference back in 2013 – and the Big East before that – but watch out. This will be seen as a layup opener for a resurgent Scarlet Knight team under Greg Schiano, but Temple should bounce back fast from a rough run in 2020. There’s enough in place to pull off the season-opening upset.
Temple Preview | Rutgers Preview
11. Indiana at WKU, Sept. 25
You never, ever, ever like being the Power Five program going on the road to face a jacked up Group of Five team. WKU already had the defense in place – and it almost all returns in 2021 – and now the offense should be a high-flying passing game fun show. The Hilltoppers will get two games to warm up, and IU might not exactly be focused after facing Cincinnati and with a trip to Penn State to follow.
Indiana Preview | WKU Preview