Which top-10 teams will lose on the road Saturday?
Six of the country's top 10 teams are on the road this week facing conference opponents, and while every single one is a double-digit favorite, they'll all be on upset alert.
College football is known for wild and wacky results, and while most road teams losing this weekend would qualify under that category, a few such outcomes might not be all that shocking after all.
Starting with No. 1 Alabama, here's what's waiting for the ranked teams on the road Saturday.
No. 1 Alabama (-18.5) at Vanderbilt
Alabama hasn't lost to Vanderbilt since 1984, and that doesn't seem likely to change as long as Nick Saban patrols the sidelines for the Crimson Tide. Derek Mason's gotten the Commodores off to a 3-0 start, which has resulted in at least one player getting a bit chesty ahead of Saturday's contest.
#Vandy's Nifae Lealao: "We expected to get this. When you come to our house we show you how to play some SEC ball... Alabama, you're next." pic.twitter.com/koegcHRZnE
— Justin Beasley (@JBeasleyWSMV) September 17, 2017
Kevin Garnett once said, "Anything is possible," but he would likely change his opinion if asked about Saban losing at Vanderbilt. This isn't going to end well for the Commodores.
No. 3 Oklahoma (-27) at Baylor
Have you watched Baylor this year? Unless Robert Griffin III shows up and plays like he did in his 2011 Heisman-winning season, the Bears don't have the firepower to stay within 10 points of Oklahoma, let alone threaten an upset.
No. 4 Penn State (-13) at Iowa
Michigan learned the hard way last year that a night game at Iowa can be very difficult as a double-digit favorite, and the Hawkeyes will look to take advantage again with an upset of Penn State. Saquon Barkley ran wild over Iowa last year at home, finishing with 167 yards, and poses the biggest threat yet again for the undefeated Hawkeyes.
An Iowa win wouldn't actually be the biggest shock, as its home-field advantage is significant. However, the Hawkeyes would still have to limit Penn State's big-play offense and control the ball for the majority of the contest. The Nittany Lions won't be surprised by Iowa after watching the Wolverines fall last year, and will be fully focused from the start.
No. 5 USC (-17) at Cal
USC is coming off a very physical overtime win over Texas, and could be primed for a letdown against Cal, but the Golden Bears are in a similar position after a win over Ole Miss. While Justin Wilcox has been a revelation in his first year as Cal's head coach, trying to shut down Sam Darnold doesn't seem like a fun proposition. Cal may keep this one closer than expected, but an upset looks unlikely.
No. 7 Washington (-11.5) at Colorado
A rematch of last year's Pac-12 championship game goes in Boulder on Saturday night, as Colorado looks to avenge a 41-10 steamrolling by Washington. That memory won't fill Buffaloes fans with hope, but the home-field advantage they can provide in a nighttime atmosphere should definitely help. Both teams have beaten up on inferior opponents to start the season, and this represents the first real test for either squad. Washington has the more talented roster, but Colorado should be able to keep things close.
No. 8 Michigan (-10.5) at Purdue
As mentioned above, Michigan showed last year that it's vulnerable as a double-digit road favorite in conference play, and Purdue is red-hot heading into this contest at home. Jeff Brohm has transformed the Boilermakers in to an offensive juggernaut, and the head-to-head matchup with the Wolverines' dominant defense will be must-see television. Of the six top-10 teams on the road this week, Michigan faces the toughest test.
You make the call
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)