College football upset picks, Week 1: 5 teams on upset alert

Red Flags: 5 college football teams on upset alert in Week 1

STILLWATER, OK - OCTOBER 31: Quarterback Spencer Sanders #3 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys drops back to pass for a 5-yard touchdown while running back Chuba Hubbard #30 feigns a handoff against the Texas Longhorns near the end of the first quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Texas won 41-34 in overtime. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

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Spencer Sanders, Oklahoma State Cowboys. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

Which teams are in trouble to start the 2022 season in Week 1? Our college football upset picks break down the favorites who are raising red flags.

Upsets don’t care what time of year it is. Sure, teams are coming into Week 1 of the 2022 college football season with high hopes of what this year can end up looking like, but all it takes is one game for that to immediately get turned on its head with an upset loss.

Admittedly, trying to predict early-season upsets can be a bit more tricky than in the middle of the year or even after just a couple of games. We’re all going off what we know about these players, these rosters, and these teams, but the truth of the matter is that we’ve not seen them together in their current form out on the field just yet.

But that won’t stop us. We’re tackling the Week 1 slate from Thursday on and we’ve identified the red flags that are waving in the winds of upsets brewing. These are the college football upset picks for Week 1.

Note: All odds are courtesy of WynnBet. For more betting picks and advice, check out BetSided.

College football upset picks for Week 1: 5 teams already on upset alert

5. Oklahoma State Cowboys

Opponent: Central Michigan | Time: Thursday, Sept. 1, 7 p.m. ET | Spread: OKST -21

Oklahoma State was mere feet away from the mullet potentially bringing the party in the back to the College Football Playoff last season and now the Cowboys come into the season trying to run it back. Unfortunately, this spot could be a little bit tricky for the Pokes as they welcome the CMU Chippewas to town.

So much of Oklahoma State’s success last season was predicated upon its defense. But now coordinator Jim Knowles is at Ohio State and he took arguably the best returning player, Tanner McCallister, with him. On top of tht, you’re looking at a Cowboys offense still led by Spencer Sanders, who has never been trustworthy.

Then there’s a Central Michigan team that is well-seasoned and has a legitimate star in running back Lew Nichols III. At worst, the Chippewas cover this three-score spread, but I think they really push Oklahoms State and potentially pick up an early upset win.

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