College Football Preview: TCU, Cincinnati, and Northwestern Are On "Upset Alert" in Week One

The college football season is just around the bend now and we are all steadily watching the injury reports and scrimmage outcomes as we get ever-so-close to snap one of the NCAA football season.

Even more, if you are anything like me, you are taking a closer look at the match-ups taking place in week one and wondering who might be caught sleeping a little while still basking in the glow of their preseason hype.

In 2009, it was Oregon. So enthralled were they with the accolades and the prognosticators who thought they would be a potential sleeper pick for the BCS title, they forgot to show up against a very hungry Boise State team with a lot to prove and one very huge chip on their shoulder. The result, a loss for those Ducks and a permanent place in history for one Oregon player who couldn't keep his hands to himself.

So, who should be very careful tip-toeing into week one of 2010:


1. TCU vs Oregon State (TCU -12.5)

The Horned Frogs are eager to right the wrong that was their loss to Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl last season. They came in with just as much pomp and circumstance as those Broncos from Idaho, but failed to deliver on the goods as they walked away with a bitter loss.

2010 promises a new look to their defense, minus Daryl Washington and Jerry Hughes, but the corps of their offense and plenty of talent on the defense still remains. That said, they will be looking to run over and place a firm set of handcuffs on the Mountain West again this year in hopes of gaining another shot at BCS glory.

However, they would do well not to overlook the under-appreciated and under stated talent of the Oregon State Beavers. The Beavers were one win away from making a Rose Bowl appearance in 2009 and played very well against the Pac-10 last season.

They have a solid offensive line, two phenomenal talents in both Jacquizz and James Rodgers, and a chip that sits similar to the one that Boise came in with against Oregon last season. If the Beavers can find an adequate replacement for QB, Sean Canfield, this game could be a lot more interesting than many think.

2. Cincinnati at Fresno State (No Line Yet)

Despite the fact the Bearcats lost Tony Pike (QB) and Mardy Gilyard (WR) to the NFL Draft and their former head coach, Brian Kelly, to Notre Dame, people still seem to feel they will be the team to beat in the Big East this season.

The Bearcats have options at quarterback, most notably QB Zach Collaros who fared well in relief of Tony Pike last season. Even more, the receiving corps, even minus the talented Gilyard, has just as much promise with Armon Binns leading the way and former USC recruit, Vidal Hazelton, finally able to contribute as well.

Plus, there is plenty of reason to feel that Butch Jones, who replaced Brian Kelly when he moved on from Central Michigan as well, will do a more than capable job of replacing him at Cincy too—at least that's the thinking.

No matter what the Bearcat hopeful are shooting for this season, the fact remains that they are still questionable on defense and apt to give up more points than you'd like to see on any given Saturday—a weakness that shone most brightly near the tail end of the year.

Fresno State gave the Bearcats all they could handle last season in a 28-20 loss in Cincy, look for the Bulldogs to come out firing on all cylinders in this rematch as they try and avenge that bitter loss on their home turf—minus the stellar running of Ryan Matthews but with the, hopefully, much improved arm of Ryan Colburn.

3. Northwestern at Vanderbilt (Northwestern -3.5)

The Wildcats lost a significant portion of their offense with the departures of QB Mike Kafka as well as their two leading receivers, Andrew Brewer and Zeke Markhausen. Even still, they return the bulk of their offensive line so new QB, Dan Persa, will have a firm foundation as far as that is concerned.

Their defense will be solid up front, despite the loss of Corey Wooton, but their secondary will need an overhaul after losing all three starters.

Vanderbilt may seem like a relative throw-away opponent for the Wildcats who are much more steady in several key areas than the Commodores who will not only be breaking in a new head coach, but are also shaky on the offensive line—at best.

So, how could this game possibly be an "upset special"...well, no one thought Northwestern should have lost to either Syracuse or Minnesota either. The Commodores may have plenty holes to fill but their fiery new coach will have them more prepared for this game than any other this season and that makes this a dangerous proposition for the Wildcats.