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Red Flags: 5 college football teams on upset alert in Week 9

By Cody Williams

Oct 30, 2021; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) calls an audible against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the fourth quarter at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2021; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) calls an audible against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the fourth quarter at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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College football upset picks Week 9
Tennessee Volunteers. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Tennessee Volunteers

Opponent: Kentucky | Time: Saturday, Oct. 29, 7 p.m. ET | Spread: TENN -11.5

Simply based on what both Tennessee and Kentucky have put on the field this season, this shouldn’t be a close game with the Vols just pouring points on a Wildcats defense that is not as good as it has been in recent years and with Kentucky’s offense just not being all that potent.

But this is all about a trap game for Josh Heupel’s team. Looming next week is a titanic matchup and trip to Athens to face top-ranked Georgia and it would be impossible for the Vols to not be looking ahead to that game in some capacity.

If there is any lapse in focus, particularly from Hendon Hooker and the offense, Kentucky and Will Levis are good enough to pounce and put Tennessee on the ropes. If that weren’t enough, my gut says this spread should be closer to 17 that 11.5, so it seems the oddsmakers are feeling the same trepidation about Tennessee in this game.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

Opponent: at Penn State | Time: Saturday, Oct. 29, Noon ET | Spread: OSU -15.5

Considering how badly Penn State lost to Michigan, there are likely Ohio State fans ready to think that this game is going to be a blowout in favor of the Buckeyes. But that would be in stark contrast to the history of this Big Ten rivalry since James Franklin took over the Nittany Lions.

Since Franklin knocked off Ohio State in 2016, Penn State doesn’t have a win over the Buckeyes, but they haven’t lost by more than 13 points. Moreover, OSU hasn’t scored 40 or more in any of those matchups, which is saying something against Ryan Day’s offense.

I’m still not sold on the Buckeyes defense, a unit that frankly hasn’t been tested all that much. Moreover, the only good defense that Ohio State played this season in Notre Dame held them to 21 points (we’re not counting Iowa, whose offense betrayed their defense). With Franklin’s apparent ability to gameplan well for this team and offense, this is going to be close and Penn State is live to pull off the upset.

Next. Who is the best remaining undefeated team in Week 9?. dark

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