Red Flags: 5 college football teams on upset alert in Week 5
2. Clemson Tigers
Opponent: NC State | Time: Saturday, Oct. 1, 7:30 p.m. ET | Spread: CLEM -6.5
People have been quick to jump onto the Clemson bandwagon again after D.J. Uiagalelei and the offense put up 51 points in their double-overtime victory over Wake Forest this past week. But that feels like more of a false sense of security than anything.
Yes, the Tigers finally showed they can score, but did so against a Demon Deacons defense that gave up 41 points to Liberty the week prior. Now they welcome an NC State defense that ranks 13th in the country in EPA per game (expected points added). Moreover, while Devin Leary and the Wolfpack offense haven’t been perfect, let’s not forget that Clemson’s defense has not been infallible and just gave up 45 points.
NC State beat Clemson in Raleigh last season so this is a revenge game, but I came into the season believing the Wolfpack were the best team in the ACC and this game could well prove that to be true.
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
Opponent: at Arkansas | Time: Saturday, Oct. 1, 3:30 p.m. ET | Spread: ALA -17.5
If nothing else, I don’t think that this spread should be 17.5 points. Yes, Alabama is 4-0 and the No. 2-ranked team in the country, but the only even remotely meaningful test this team has had this season was facing Texas on the road, a game that the Crimson Tide won 20-19 with the Longhorns playing three quarters with their backup quarterback on the field.
Arkansas is coming off of a loss to Texas A&M, but the defense looked better in that game and the offense showed the potential to move the ball consistently against a great defense. That could be a recipe to keep things close against Alabama.
When you then factor in that this game is in Fayetteville and how loud it’s going to be at Razorback Stadium, the Crimson Tide could be facing their biggest test yet and I have no doubt Sam Pittman will have his team prepared and ready to shock the world (and Nick Saban).
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