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College football Week 9: 5 teams on upset alert

By Cody Williams

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 20: Blake Barnett #11 of the South Florida Bulls celebrates a touchdown during a game against the Connecticut Huskies at Raymond James Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 20: Blake Barnett #11 of the South Florida Bulls celebrates a touchdown during a game against the Connecticut Huskies at Raymond James Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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CLEMSON, SC – SEPTEMBER 15: Defensive end Clelin Ferrell #99, linebacker Kendall Joseph #34, and linebacker Tre Lamar #57 of the Clemson Tigers spring into action after a snap by the Georgia Southern Eagles during the football game at Clemson Memorial Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC – SEPTEMBER 15: Defensive end Clelin Ferrell #99, linebacker Kendall Joseph #34, and linebacker Tre Lamar #57 of the Clemson Tigers spring into action after a snap by the Georgia Southern Eagles during the football game at Clemson Memorial Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /

1. Clemson Tigers

Rank: 2 | Opponent: Florida State Seminoles | Time: Noon ET

From what we’ve seen through the first eight weeks of the 2018 college football season, this shouldn’t even be a close game. On one hand, you have the Clemson Tigers, a team ranked second in the country and that has only even been tested a couple times to this point in the season. The flipside offers a Florida State Seminoles team that has struggled even against marginal competition this season.

What’s more, one of the biggest weaknesses of Florida State matches up perfectly with one of the Tigers’ biggest strengths. Seminoles quarterback Deondre Francois has been running for his life throughout the majority of the season because of the inept play of his offensive line. Then you have Clemson’s defensive line, hands-down one of the best in the country, coming to take on that line.

Having said all of that, the struggles of Florida State this season aren’t indicative of the talent that this team has. On defense, guys like Brian Burns are capable of star-caliber performances. On offense, both Francois and running back Cam Akers have star potential and can take over at any given moment.

Next. 5 college football bets to take to the bank in Week 9. dark

With this game being in Tallahassee, you have to at least give the Seminoles a chance in this one. This isn’t to say that an upset is the likely outcome on Saturday afternoon, because the Tigers are rightfully heavy favorites. But still, you can’t ignore talent and the potential for those players to step up in a massive home game, which is in the cards here.

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