College football Week 8: 5 teams on upset alert

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: Saquon Barkley #26 and Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions stand behind the line of scrimmage during the first half against the Indiana Hoosiers on September 30, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Indiana 45-14. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

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UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: Saquon Barkley #26 and Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions stand behind the line of scrimmage during the first half against the Indiana Hoosiers on September 30, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Indiana 45-14. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

1. Penn State Nittany Lions

Rank: No. 2, Opponent: (19) Michigan Wolverines

Thanks to the Clemson Tigers losing last week, the Penn State Nittany Lions have crept into the No. 2 ranking in the country. Led by Saquon Barkley at running back and quarterback Trace McSorley, the Nittany Lions have one of the most balanced and dangerous offenses in the country. However, they also boast a defense that has been exceptionally stingy this season, conceding a mere nine points per game. Put simply, they deserve their ranking.

However, Penn State is about to enter an absolutely brutal three-game run in which they play the three best teams in the Big Ten other than themselves. That begins on Saturday evening in Happy Valley as they welcome Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines.

Admittedly, Michigan has looked pedestrian at best in recent weeks since the injury to Wilton Speight that forced John O’Korn to take over at quarterback. The offense managed only 10 points in their first loss of the year two weeks ago against rival Michigan State. What’s more, they found themselves in a dogfight against the Indiana Hoosiers just last week with their offense unable to get into any real kind of rhythm.

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However, the Wolverines defense is 100 percent still one of the best in the country. Maurice Hurst is putting together an All-American type season and Rashan Gary remains a force off the edge. The thing about the Nittany Lions is that, despite their firepower, they’ve seen the offense sputter at times this season. Going up against Michigan, that could happen again. For the Wolverines to pull off the upset, they’ll have to win an ugly dogfight, but they’re capable of making that happen.

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