Top 10 College Football Group of Five vs. Power Five Upset Alerts
10. Buffalo at Nebraska, Sept. 11
It might have been a few years ago, but Troy shocked Nebraska in 2018 and Northern Illinois pulled off a win in Lincoln in 2017. This isn’t as strong a Buffalo team as last year’s, and it’s a new era with a new coaching staff, but it’s still going to be in the mix for the MAC title. Worse yet, put the Huskers on letdown alert coming off the Big Ten opener against Illinois and the trip to Oklahoma to follow.
Buffalo Preview | Nebraska Preview
9. Appalachian State at Miami, Sept. 11
You want nothing to do with Appalachian State if you’re Miami. The Mountaineers have the talent and experience to win the Sun Belt title, the running game will be dangerous, and few Group of Five programs have the attitude to win a game like this. There’s a bigger issue for the Canes – what kind of shape will they be in after playing Alabama the week before?
Miami Preview | Appalachian State Preview
8. Houston vs. Texas Tech, Sept. 4 (in Houston)
The Dana Holgorsen era at Houston desperately needs a signature win. The pre-Holgorsen Cougars put up a fun fight in a 63-49 loss to Texas Tech in 2018 and lost 27-24 in 2017. This year’s team is loaded with veterans and talent, and it’s a season opener without a warm-up for the Red Raiders. It’s going to be a shootout.
Texas Tech Preview | Houston Preview
7. Oklahoma State at Boise State, Sept. 18
Oklahoma State under Mike Gundy has been terrific against Group of Five programs … usually. There was the shocking 30-27 loss to Central Michigan in 2016, and before that was a loss to Houston in 2009. Both of those were at home, and now the Cowboys have to travel in a true fish-out-of-water game as part two of the home-and-home after beating Boise State in Stillwater in 2018. It’s a huge spotlight date for the Mountain West on the same day as …
Oklahoma State Preview | Boise State Preview
6. Nevada at Kansas State, Sept. 18
Be really, really afraid of Nevada. It has one of the nation’s best passing games led by excellent NFL quarterback prospect Carson Strong, and it’s not going to blink at a road game at Kansas State. The Wolf Pack beat Oregon State in 2018, Strong and company pushed past Purdue in 2019, and Kansas State isn’t above a rough non-conference home loss – it dropped the date against Arkansas State last season. Keeping with the Mountain West big game theme …
Nevada Preview | Kansas State Preview