The initial College Football Playoff rankings created plenty of debate heading into the most highly anticipated weekend of the college football season. The reality is that a lot can still change between now and the final rankings and the potential is there for a handful of upsets to shake up the overall outlook again this weekend. Here is a look at the top ranked teams that will be on upset alert this weekend.
No. 5 Notre Dame Prepare For Pitt
The Fighting Irish found a way to survive a date with Temple that everybody knew wouldn’t be easy following a big win over USC. However, they won’t have any room for error heading in to their second road game in as many weeks when they visit Pittsburgh on Saturday. Notre Dame was introduced as the fifth-ranked team in the nation according to the playoff rankings but there are a handful of teams right behind them waiting for them to slip.
Pitt has been respectable this season and they are 6-2 on the year. They are coming off a loss to UNC, who is in the Top 25, and their only other loss was to No. 9 Iowa. This is a scrappy bunch playing what is arguably their most important home game in years. Look for them to get up for this one and give Notre Dame all they can handle.
No. 9 Iowa Heads To Indiana
The Hawkeyes absolutely dominated the Terrapins in the first half of last week’s 31-15 win over Maryland before somewhat coming undone in the second half. While they held on for the double-digit victory, it is clear they can’t afford to let their foot off the gas against any opponent. The good news for Iowa is that they don’t have a single ranked opponent left on their remaining schedule but the bad news is that they are on the road against a desperate Indiana team this weekend. The Hoosiers have lost four straight but you have to take a closer look at the losses. Remember that this is a team that gave Ohio State all they could handle a month ago. If Iowa thinks they’re in for an easy one this week, they could end up going home with a loss.
Washington Awaits No. 12 Utah
Utah took quite a fall following its loss to USC but they remain locked in to top spot in the Pac-12 South division. It’s also interesting to see how far they’ve fallen in the eyes of bettors as they could close as an underdog at Washington this weekend.
They’re still in control of their own destiny the rest of the way and the expectation is that the Utes should be able to take care of business against Arizona, UCLA and Colorado, but they will have to be careful this week as they come off a close win over Oregon State. They’re on the road facing a Washington team with a very rugged defense. Utah has had some offensive issues and quarterback Travis Wilson will have to take care of the football. Washington already has one signature win this season and they’d love to supercharge their rebuilding process with another big win on Saturday.
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No. 13 Memphis Hosts Navy
Memphis is 8-0 after erasing a double-digit deficit in a comeback win for the fifth time this season last week. They were in a 13-0 hole early but ended up winning 41-13. They simply can’t afford to keep playing with fire if they are going to stay undefeated. Next up for the Tigers is a date with Navy and while they should be able to keep their perfect season alive, this could be a tricky matchup. Tulane had early success last week because of long drives. If Navy can run the ball and keep the Memphis offense on the field, they could find similar success. Navy is 6-1 so far this season and their only loss was at Notre Dame. If Memphis is at all looking ahead to Houston next week, they could take a loss versus Navy this week.
