Three teams who could be upset in Week 1 of College Football

Upsets happen in college football every year. Sometimes, a lower-ranked team can outperform a higher-ranked one due to exceptional individual performances or a breakout game from a star player. Shoot, sometimes Underdog teams may have a game plan or strategy that exploits weaknesses in the favored team’s tactics. These factors can combine in various ways, making college football particularly unpredictable and exciting, and that is why I think these three teams could be in for a rude awakening in week 1 of college football.

Penn State vs. West Virginia: Penn State, ranked No. 8, faces a challenging opener against West Virginia in Morgantown. Although Penn State defeated West Virginia comfortably last year, this season’s matchup has some upset potential. Penn State’s quarterback, Drew Allar, showed inconsistency last season, and with a new offensive coordinator, there’s uncertainty about how the offense will perform. West Virginia, on the other hand, is expected to have an improved defense and home-field advantage, which could tilt the scales in their favor​

Miami Hurricanes vs. Florida Gators: The Miami Hurricanes are slight favorites against the Florida Gators, but Florida has the potential to pull off the upset. Despite the Gators’ tough upcoming schedule and concerns about their overall season outlook, their roster isn’t lacking in talent. Miami, led by Mario Cristobal, has underperformed relative to expectations in past seasons, and facing an in-state rival on the road in Gainesville, where the environment is hostile, presents a ripe opportunity for an upset.

Florida State vs. Boston College: After already suffering a major upset to Georgia Tech, Florida State could be vulnerable again when they face Boston College. The Seminoles struggled with offensive consistency and defensive strength in their first loss, and Boston College’s dual-threat quarterback Thomas Castellanos, along with new head coach Bill O’Brien’s offensive acumen, might exploit those weaknesses. With Florida State already showing vulnerability, Boston College could surprise them in this matchup​.

These games highlight how unpredictable the start of the college football season can be, with ranked teams needing to be on high alert against motivated underdogs.