Follow TSS on Twitter @TheStudentSect
Last week, the SEC was our only friend, as we went 2-1 in calling SEC upsets. We’ll try to toe that same line of mediocrity this week.
5. Navy over Notre Dame
I don’t know that we know how good Navy really is, because we’ve been focused on other things. Keenan Reynolds is obviously special, but running back Chris Swain is averaging almost as many yards per carry. You look at Navy’s schedule and see the Midshipmen drilled an East Carolina team which pushed Florida to the end and doesn’t have a loss other than those two. No one else has even tagged the Midshipmen for 20. Notre Dame might be hung over from losing on a big stage to Clemson, too.
4. Purdue over Minnesota
Purdue has to win one of these at some point, doesn’t it? Minnesota has been fairly morbid, averaging 15.4 points per game. Purdue hasn’t been overly inspiring either, and it’s dangerous to put too much stock into the Boilermakers pushing Michigan State, simply because that’s what they do, but the Gophers look ripe for the snagging by a team sorely in need of good vibes and being at home.
3. Rice over Florida Atlantic
FAU is 82nd in the nation in rush defense, which is pretty much all Rice wants to do. Then, FAU has done nothing really impressive this season, its only win coming in a 10-point victory over Charlotte, which 7 out of 10 football fans don’t know is an FBS program this year. You’ve got to go Rushing Rice here.
2. Eastern Michigan over Akron
I hate this game, mostly because I’m going against the logic of reading too much into a team (EMU) playing a really good opponent (LSU) better than expected and then translating that to the following week. The truth is, I can’t find five underdogs I’m that confident in, so we’re going to take a stab and see what happens.
1. New Mexico over Nevada
Much like Rice, we’re taking the rushing game as the reason for pulling a road upset. New Mexico is 9th in the nation in rushing offense, and Nevada is 86th in the nation in rushing defense. That suggests the gap betwixt the abilities of both of those units might be the difference. I’m grasping at straws here, but UNM seems to be one of those programs that’s trending upward, understands its identity, and is talking people like me into a state of belief.
Last Week: 2 of 5
Season: 6 of 20
