One of the key storylines to keep an eye on every season is the potential for upsets to significantly shake up the outlook of a title race whether it’s within a conference or on the national stage. Every week there are underdog teams that step up and deliver unexpected results and we have looked ahead to the start of this season with some projections for which games could produce the biggest shakeups early on. Here is a look at the biggest upset losses in each of the first four weeks of the college football season.
Week 1: Georgia vs. North Carolina
Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
The combination of a new head coach, a talented roster and a relatively mediocre schedule has led to high expectations for Georgia’s football program this season. It’s safe to say that expectations will be tempered dramatically if they lose to North Carolina in Week 1. The Bulldogs will make the short trip to the Georgia Dome for this matchup and while they certainly deserve to be the favorite on paper the potential is there for an upset. The Tar Heels are loaded at the skill positions with Elijah Hood, Ryan Switzer, Mack Hollins and Bug Howard while new quarterback Mitch Trubisky has the potential to be a stud. Georgia is the betting favorite to win the SEC East division and according to some metrics the most likely team to win the entire SEC since they have the easiest potential road to a conference title, but a loss in Week 1 would produce a major shakeup right out of the gate.
Week 2: Northern Illinois @ South Florida
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, Florida
The majority of the teams from Power Five conferences are scheduled to play in very favorable matchups in Week 2. However, the Bulls could be an intriguing pick for an upset when they host MAC powerhouse Northern Illinois. The Huskies have won six straight conference championships but could have their hands full with dual-threat quarterback Quinton Flowers and running back Marlon Mack, who will represent a formidable backfield tandem for South Florida. The Bulls are a sneaky sleeper pick to contend with Houston for the AAC title and it wouldn’t be a shock if they made a statement with a win over Northern Illinois in Week 2.
Week 3: North Dakota State @ Iowa
Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa
The Hawkeyes are coming off a 2015 campaign in which they went undefeated throughout the regular season and won the Big Ten West division. Expectations are high heading in to the 2016 season but there is obvious reason for concern about this matchup with a North Dakota State team that has become synonymous with upsets over the years. The Bisons have compiled an impressive 5-0 record against FBS schools since 2010 with wins over Iowa State, Kansas State, Colorado State, Minnesota and Kansas. Now they get the opportunity to take down Iowa with a statement win on the road in Week 3 and we won’t be surprised if quarterback Easton Stick rose to the occasion and picked up from where he left off a year ago when he guided North Dakota State to eight victories as a freshman in place of the injured Carson Wentz.
Week 4: Georgia @ Ole Miss
Vaught Hemingway Stadium, University, Mississippi
Georgia may very well be the victim of an upset in Week 1 versus North Carolina but they will have the opportunity to earn a measure of redemption when they visit ole Miss in Week 4. The Rebels will be coming off an SEC West showdown with Alabama and even though they have taken care of business against the Crimson Tide in recent years they have stumbled elsewhere to concede their opportunity to represent their division in the SEC championship game. That could very well be the case again this year with a way Bulldogs’ team visiting in Week 4 when Ole Miss could be dealing with a letdown. Jacob Eason and company will be motivated to earn an upset victory on the road in this game and it wouldn’t be a major shock if they found a way to upset the Rebels on the road in this matchup.
