5 upsets that could ruin a national title contender's season
Sometimes all it takes is one loss to derail a season in college football.
Getting into the playoff usually means teams can't afford more than one defeat along the way, and that one blemish looks even worse if it's a game they're supposed to win. Even as prepared as the nation's elite teams typically are, every year we see program's fall victim to stunning upsets from underdogs.
Here are five potential upsets teams need to avoid in 2017:
Oklahoma vs. Texas Tech - Oct. 28
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The Sooners are almost always the favorites to win the Big 12 and not even Bob Stoops' departure figures to change that.
A late-October clash with Texas Tech could damage any hopes of a conference title in 2017, though, if the Sooners can't figure out how to stop Kliff Kingsbury's offense. The Red Raiders dropped 59 points against Oklahoma last season in a wild contest the Sooners somehow managed to win. With key members of the 2016 offense in Joe Mixon, Samaje Perine, and Dede Westbrook off to the NFL, will the Sooners be able to outscore Texas Tech this time?
Ohio State at Iowa - Nov. 4
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Michigan found out the hard way last season just how difficult it is to escape Iowa with a victory.
The Hawkeyes severely damaged the Wolverines' playoff hopes with a 14-13 win, thanks to a field goal as time expired. Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz always prepares his team well for big games, and Ohio State will want to avoid a repeat of what happened last season against Penn State. The Buckeyes were stunned with a field goal blocked for a touchdown, proving it only takes one misstep to cost you if you let a team hang around.
USC at Colorado - Nov. 11
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USC comes into this season as one of the favorites to win the national title after closing out 2016 with nine straight wins, but a November trip to chilly Colorado could pose a problem.
The Buffaloes boasted one of the nation's best defenses in 2016 and more specifically, ranked 13th in the nation against the pass. Heisman favorite Sam Darnold had a strong game against Colorado a year ago, but things could be more challenging in 2017 with a full campaign's worth of tape on the quarterback for the Buffaloes to study. Expect Darnold to have his hands full in a hostile environment.
Clemson at NC State - Nov. 4
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The defending national champs likely wouldn't have reached the playoff last year if they didn't pull out an overtime victory over the Wolfpack, something the Tigers were very lucky to accomplish.
If not for a missed 33-yard field goal late in regulation, NC State would have pulled off the upset. This time Clemson will have to travel to NC State and they no longer have Deshaun Watson to lean on, meaning potent pass rusher Bradley Chubb will be anxious to take advantage of an experienced quarterback.
Alabama at Mississippi State - Nov. 11
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Let's face it, there's really no argument to be made for someone sneaking up on the Crimson Tide after a quick glance at their schedule, but let's give it a shot with Mississippi State.
After getting trounced by Alabama 51-3 last year, perhaps the Bulldogs will be motivated to have a better showing. Or maybe quarterback Nick Fitzgerald has the game of his life, or Nick Saban and company get confused and think the game is at Ole Miss and the Bulldogs win by forfeit.
It could happen.