We’ve talked about which teams were ranked high/low and discussed which FCS over FBS upsets will happen in week 1. We’ll conclude this week’s roundtable series by picking another upset in week 1.
Q. Among games between FBS teams, what matchup will produce an upset in week 1?
Bart Doan
On Twitter @TheCoachBart
Late time slot at home? Check. Veteran offensive line? Check. Improving program? Check. And then underdog … check.
Wyoming over Northern Illinois? Maybe a check.
The Cowboys are trending up, relying on a punishing running game behind Brian Hill who returns with four starters along the offensive line. Shaun Wick will be back to spell Hill in the event he occasionally needs a drink. Wyoming’s passing game is just one giant question mark, but if they can get that OL going, even a good NIU team will have trouble stopping them.
So basically, it will come down to whether or not their 106th rated run defense from 2015 can be at least reasonably better against NIU’s well-oiled running machine. Someone gets upset in week one. They don’t all go chalk. Just taking a hunch on this one.
Kevin Causey
On Twitter @CFBZ
I was kind of surprised to see Colorado picked over Colorado State by 8-10 points by Vegas. These two teams have split the last four games, with Colorado winning last season by just 3 points.
The Buffaloes are trending up, but they were still just 4-8 last year with just one conference win. Mike Bobo is now in his second season at Colorado State. He will be more prepared for this game than he was last year. Look for the Rams to win this game in a tight one.
Terry Johnson
On Twitter @SectionTPJ
Although it’s not exactly an upset in my mind, I’ll go with North Carolina over Georgia.
Make no mistake about it: the Tar Heel offense will be one of the best in college football again in 2016. North Carolina returns seven starters on offense from a stellar unit that led the nation in yards per play last season. Although Marquise Williams is now in the NFL, it’s worth noting that Mitch Trubisky played well when given the opportunity last year, throwing for 555 yards (11.9 yards per attempt) and rushing for 101 yards on 16 carries. He’ll operate behind a veteran line that has 129 career starts under its belt. Whether the ‘Heels decide to run the ball with Elijah Hood (1,463 yards, 17 TD’s) or stretch the field with Mack Hollins (30 catches, 745 yards, 24.84 ypc) and Ryan Switzer (55 catches, 697 yards), they should have no trouble moving the ball against the Bulldog defense, which gave up 437 yards per game versus ranked opponents last year.
With North Carolina moving the ball at will against the Georgia D, it should have no trouble winning a shootout. Given the Bulldogs struggles at the quarterback position last season, I don’t think they’ll be able to mount a late drive to win the game, especially against a Tar Heel secondary that led the ACC in interceptions last year. UNC pulls off the upset in what will be one of the top games of the opening weekend.
