Fansided

5 potential college football upsets on the horizon

By Stu White

Oct 31, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive lineman Taniela Tupou (90) celebrates with his team after Washington defeated the Arizona Wildcats 49-3 at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive lineman Taniela Tupou (90) celebrates with his team after Washington defeated the Arizona Wildcats 49-3 at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 24, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp (1) attempts a catch against the Northwestern Wildcats at Memorial Stadium. Northwestern defeated Nebraska 30-28. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp (1) attempts a catch against the Northwestern Wildcats at Memorial Stadium. Northwestern defeated Nebraska 30-28. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

Iowa Hawkeyes at Nebraska Cornhuskers

Date: Friday, Nov. 27

If you know anything about Mike Riley’s tenure at Oregon State, you’ll recognize that this game is shaping up to have all the makings of a Riley-orchestrated upset. On one hand you have the struggling — to put it lightly — Cornhuskers, who have suffered a slew of heartbreaking losses this year. They are a team with undeniable talent, yet winning close games has eluded them in 2015. On the other hand you have the surging Iowa Hawkeyes, a team who come the end of November will likely be undefeated. If the Hawkeyes enter Lincoln looking ahead to the conference title game, the Cornhuskers could pull off the surprise win.

Don’t laugh. Yes, Nebraska has blown multiples games in ridiculous fashion, and some of the late-game coaching calls made by Riley and his staff have been baffling, but the Cornhuskers are still a talented team. A few bounces, a few calls go their way and the Cornhuskers are one of the top teams in the Big Ten. But alas they’re fighting to get out of the cellar.

Nebraska’s upset chances will hinge on the health of dual-threat quarterback Tommy Armstrong, who missed last weekend’s game against the Purdue Boilermakers. The Cornhuskers are an entirely different team with Armstrong in the backfield, and his ability to use his legs to extend plays and turn would-be losses into gains is just the sort of thing that can cause havoc for even those most disciplined of opposing defenses, which Iowa certainly has.

Mike Riley made a name for himself at Oregon State by knocking off the heavily favored USC Trojans on multiple occasions, and it’d be fitting if he pulled off another such upset his first year in Lincoln. It’s been a tumultuous, torturous season for Nebraska fans, but a last-weekend win over an undefeated Iowa team would definitely help alleviate some of the frustrations.

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