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College football upset picks: Penn State and 5 teams on upset alert in Week 3

By Cody Williams

Sep 11, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford (14) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Ball State Cardinals at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford (14) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Ball State Cardinals at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /
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College football upset picks Week 3
Miami Hurricanes. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

College football Week 3 upset alert No. 2: Miami Hurricanes

Rank: 24 | Opponent: Michigan State Spartans | Time: Saturday, Sept. 18, Noon ET

Manny Diaz and the Miami Hurricanes are becoming a staple of these weekly upset picks but how could they not? After getting boat-raced by Alabama in Week 1 and looking completely overmatched, they welcomed Appalachian State to town and needed a field goal with two minutes left to take a 25-23 lead and ultimately secure the win over a Sun Belt opponent.

Coming into the season, I’m not sure I would’ve highlighted Michigan State as a team that could pull off an upset of a ranked Power 5 opponent, even one that is clearly trying to find its footing as Miami is. But the Spartans have looked much friskier in wins over Northwestern and Youngstown State than expected.

Payton Thorne has emerged as a steady, efficient and better-than-expected quarterback thus far but running back Kenneth Walker III has been the breakout star with 321 yards and five touchdowns through two games. Not to mention, the defense has looked good as well.

At this point, it also looks as if Mel Tucker might just simply be a better coach than Manny Diaz. When you then consider just how pedestrian Miami has looked to this point and that the Spartans appear to only be gaining momentum, there is prime opportunity for an upset in Week 3 in Miami Gardens.

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