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Red Flags: 5 college football teams on upset alert in Week 11

By Cody Williams

Oct 29, 2022; Berkeley, California, USA; Oregon quarterback Bo Nix (10) runs the ball for a touchdown against The California Golden Bears during the second quarter at FTX Field at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2022; Berkeley, California, USA; Oregon quarterback Bo Nix (10) runs the ball for a touchdown against The California Golden Bears during the second quarter at FTX Field at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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College football upset picks Week 11
Penn State Nittany Lions. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Penn State Nittany Lions

Opponent: Maryland | Time: Saturday, Nov. 12, 3:30 p.m. ET | Spread: PSU -10.5

The one thing that we can definitively say about Penn State at this point is that they’ve won they games the Nittany Lions were supposed to while getting handled by the top of the Big Ten East, Michigan and Ohio State. So by that logic, they should be more than fine against Maryland.

What’s been shocking about the Terps this season, though, is that their 6-3 record hasn’t come in nearly the ways you would’ve expected coming into the year. The offense behind Taulia Tagovailoa has been fine but not lethal while the defense has seen a strong uptick overall from recent years.

For me, that creates a tricky matchup against Penn State. Sean Clifford and this offense have been explosive, but this is also a group that is prone to turnovers and that can struggle with bouts of inconsistency. I see this game as a potential under for the point total, which could play into Maryland’s favor and give them a chance to pull off the upset.

3. Clemson Tigers

Opponent: Louisville | Time: Saturday, Nov. 12, 3:30 p.m. ET | Spread: CLEM -7

This is really as simple as it feels like Clemson could lose to just about anyone with the way that Notre Dame blew them out last week.

For weeks, it had felt like the wheels were hanging on by a single lugnut offensively and all four went rolling down the highway separately from the vehicle last week. D.J. Uiagalelei was awful against the Irish and Cade Klubnik wasn’t much better. More than that, Notre Dame’s putrid offense — albeit with the aide of turnovers — was able to move the ball consistently on this Clemson defense that has failed to live up to expectations.

After an inauspicious start, Louisville has been streaking with four straight wins over UVA, Pitt, Wake Forest and James Madison. And while Malik Cunningham and the offense remain dangerous and explosive, the defense has taken a huge step forward. I see that causing the Clemson offense in all its discombobulation a ton of issues and the Cardinals could pick up a signature win.

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