Who Should Be On "Upset Alert" Week 3

Jake Locker has his team ready for (3) USC

This is my weekly post on which 3 teams should be on "Upset Alert". Last week I was 3 for 3 on my calls! Let's see if we can have the same results.

Again these are the 3 teams that are favored to win their game, but I think will have a lot of trouble, won't cover the spread, or could possibly lose.


Arkansas (-2.5) against Georgia

Although Arkansas has a dynamic passing offense, led by transfer QB Ryan Mallett, and Georgia, recently, has not been playing like a top 25 team, you still have to go with the Dawgs here.

The game is in Fayettevile which is a cause for some concern. BUT this is still a very good Georgia team. Arkansas did win there opener, but that was against Missouri State. Georgia played at Stillwater and just last week hosted a pesky South Carolina team.

The Hogs are at the beginning of a tough 6 game stretch that includes:

Georgia, at Alabama, Texas A&M, Auburn, at Florida, at Ole Miss.

Also to consider, Mark Richt has never lost more than one game in an opponent’s stadium in a single season.

Look for Georgia's defense to step up big time in this game. Also, look out for AJ Green. He will have a monster game for the Dawgs.

Georgia wins big here.


Cincinnati (-1) against Oregon St

The beavers were killed by Cincy in their last meeting in '07, but this is a different Beavers team. In that game Oregon St QB Sean Canfield threw 3 INTs. This Saturday he will be looking for redemption.

Canfield will need help, and I believe the Rodgers brothers must be at their best, because it’s probably going to take a lot of points to win this game.

Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly is one of the brightest offensive minds in college football, and his fast paced no-huddle offense has been magnificent so far. It certainly doesn’t hurt to have an experienced senior QB like Tony Pike, who stands 6-6 225 pounds, and is throwing the ball about as good as anyone in the country.

This week is a big week for the Big East, see also West Virginia at Auburn. With a win here they can establish themselves as a league that belongs with the other big boys.

I think this will be a close game that can go either way, as the spread points out. But I like OSU's chances at home. Look for Jacquizz Rodgers to have a big game as well.


USC (-19.5) against Washington

Here is an interesting game. USC will be without Freshman phenom Matt Barkley. Which means Aaron Corp will be starting for the Trojans. USC's offense last week did not look impressive to me at all, I know they played a stout Ohio St defense but this is USC. Either way a very impressive win for USC last week.

Maybe the reason why the offense didn't look that great to me is because the Offensive Coordinator from last season, Steve Sarkisian, is now the Head Coach at Washington.

Washington looked very good in their first two games so far. Jake Locker has looked great in those two games. So far this season he has 574 passing yards and 5 TDs (also 1 rushing TD). 321 of those yards came against a very good LSU D.

The key here: USC is starting a new QB. Don't be suprised if Washington hangs in this game for 4 quarters. The spread, to me, is way to high. USC will NOT cover.