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College Football: Five teams on upset alert in Week 2

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Sep 20, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Taveze Calhoun (23) talks with LSU Tigers wide receiver Malachi Dupre (15) following the game at Tiger Stadium. Mississippi State defeated LSU 34-29. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Taveze Calhoun (23) talks with LSU Tigers wide receiver Malachi Dupre (15) following the game at Tiger Stadium. Mississippi State defeated LSU 34-29. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 4, 2015; Boise, ID, USA; Boise State Broncos wide receiver Thomas Sperbeck (82) drops a long pass from Boise State Broncos quarterback Ryan Finley (not pictured) during the second half verses the Washington Huskies at Albertsons Stadium. The Broncos won 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2015; Boise, ID, USA; Boise State Broncos wide receiver Thomas Sperbeck (82) drops a long pass from Boise State Broncos quarterback Ryan Finley (not pictured) during the second half verses the Washington Huskies at Albertsons Stadium. The Broncos won 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports /

With the new College Football Playoff and New Year’s Six bowl games system in place, Boise State is now essentially the annual favorite to represent the Group of Five in one of the biggest bowls of the season. They did it last year by capping off another impressive campaign with a 38-30 victory over Arizona in the Fiesta Bowl.

The 2015 Broncos outlasted Washington 16-13 in Week 1. Boise State struggled on offense and on special teams, but the defense was dominant in the season opener holding the Huskies to just 179 total yards (only 29 rushing) and forcing two turnovers. The Pac-12 opponent was one of the biggest hurdles standing in Boise’s way for another New Year’s Six spot, although it would be unwise to overlook BYU – who also has a shot to play on the big stage during the postseason. 

Of course, the Cougars face much longer odds. BYU is currently in the middle of a brutal opening stretch that includes upcoming road trips to UCLA and Michigan. They also lost do-everything senior quarterback Taysom Hill to a season-ending (and probably career-ending) foot injury.

Highly recruited freshman Tanner Mangum was able to lead BYU to a dramatic, last second 33-28 victory on the road against Nebraska in his first collegiate action, so there is hope. Mangum completed seven of 11 passes for 111 yards and the 42-yard Hail Mary TD. He also added 26 yards on the ground.

After last week’s stunning last second victory at Nebraska, and knowing BYU won’t play another home game until October 2, expect the crowd to be energized for an upset. Adding fuel to the fire is the growing rivalry between the Cougars and Broncos, who will be meeting for the fourth consecutive season. Boise State won 55-30 last year.

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