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Red Flags: 5 college football teams on upset alert in Week 8

By Cody Williams

Oct 1, 2022; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Max Duggan (15) celebrates with TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) and TCU Horned Frogs offensive tackle Michael Nichols (68) after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2022; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Max Duggan (15) celebrates with TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) and TCU Horned Frogs offensive tackle Michael Nichols (68) after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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College football upset picks Week 8
Cincinnati Bearcats. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Cincinnati Bearcats

Opponent: at SMU | Time: Saturday, Oct. 22, Noon ET | Spread: CIN -3

This isn’t the same Cincinnati team that we saw last season, to state the obvious. But there’s a chance that they aren’t just not a College Football Playoff contender this year, but also might be in trouble in the AAC. Before last week’s bye, they were put on the ropes by a truly mediocre-to-bad South Florida team.

To make matters worse, Cincinnati might not have starting quarterback Ben Bryant for this game. And while SMU is just 3-3 on the season with some troubling play as of late on their resumé, they are the type of team that can catch the Bearcats in this situation.

If nothing else, SMU knows how to put points on the board. Cincinnati’s defense isn’t what it was last season and should allow the Mustangs to move the ball. And if Bryant doesn’t play, that’s going to be hard to keep up with for Luke Fickell’s team.

1. Clemson Tigers

Opponent: Syracuse | Time: Saturday, Oct. 22, Noon ET | Spread: CLEM -13.5

Make no mistake, Clemson is the better team in this matchup. The truth of the matter, though, is that they might still be just a tad overrated. Their best win was over an NC State team that was underperforming and they were also taken to double-overtime by the best offense they’ve faced, Wake Forest. Meanwhile, they let Florida State climb back into last week’s game.

Dabo Swinney’s team isn’t infallible and a loaded defense hasn’t played up to its talent at times against the better ACC competition they’ve faced. Robert Anae has Syracuse cooking on offense and the Orange defense is better than many are giving it credit for.

Though it might seem crazy, Syracuse might be the best team that Clemson has faced this season. And if the defense isn’t locked in and D.J. Uiagalelei regresses even slightly, this is a game that the Orange can win, especially as a team that has often given the Tigers problems since Dino Babers took over at ‘Cuse.

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