As the college football regular season enters its final five weeks, the Underdog Challenge is reaching its crescendo. Virginia's upset victory as 24-point underdogs against North Carolina in Chapel Hill in Week 8 exemplifies everything this sport is about. These monumental upsets are the essence of what we, as passionate college football fans and upset seekers, live for.
While none of our experts foresaw that colossal upset last Saturday, our panel is bracing for another chaotic week on the gridiron. Will Kansas (+9.5) spoil Oklahoma's undefeated season in this week's "Big Noon Kickoff" game? Two of our experts believe the Jayhawks will do just that.
As a reminder of how the Underdog Challenge works, our experts pick three underdogs to win outright (not just cover the spread). They then earn points equal to the number of points those teams got on the spread if their upsets come to fruition.
| Place | Name | Record | Points |
| 1. | Nick Musial | 7-14 | 36.5 |
| 2. | Mike DeCourcy | 4-17 | 32 |
| 3. | Edward Sutelan | 6-15 | 24 |
| 4. | Bill Bender | 5-16 | 20 |
| 5. | Bill Trocchi | 2-19 | 6.5 |
MORE: Week 9 against the spread picks
Onto the upsets.
Mike DeCourcy, Senior writer
West Virginia (+7) over UCF
Of all the teams that have beaten the Mountaineers this season – and that includes the Mountaineers themselves, given that end-of-game disaster against Houston – only Penn State has been able to truly handle his team. Oklahoma State got them by two touchdowns last weekend, but that was a game that was tied midway through the fourth quarter. The American-to-Big-12 transplants now are a combined 1-11 in conference games. I don’t see this game changing that trend.
Kansas (+9.5) over Oklahoma
I’ve been around enough undefeated teams in my years covering college sports to recognize what a burden perfection can be. The best teams can compartmentalize that pressure, but even those that manage it reasonably well can fall victim to an opponent obsessed with becoming the team that spoils that perfection. The Sooners are having a phenomenal year, but they’ve flirted with disaster each of the past two games. It’s going to catch them, eventually.
Utah (+6.5) over Oregon
Kyle Whittingham has me convinced. The guy can flat-out coach, and he’s flat outcoaching on the regular coaches who earn substantially more money than he does. This is the second big-time quarterback the Utes will face in as many weeks, and they won't encounter a defense as compliant as USC’s. But they’ll find a way.
BENDER: CFB rankings 1-133
Bill Trocchi, Senior editor
Duke (+5.5) over Louisville
Crossing my fingers Riley Leonard plays. Duke is legit good, not just fake good. Louisville caught lightning in a bottle against Notre Dame. I love Duke’s defense, they hung with Florida State for a while. Crowd won’t be as bourbon-ed up in the afternoon for this one. Devils get it done.
MORE CFB: Will Big Ten, CFP or NCAA punish Wolverines during 2023 season?
Virginia (+18.5) over Miami (FL)
The Hoos picked off North Carolina last week and are quietly playing much better lately. Yes, Miami finally broke its ACC home losing streak, but it was by no means decisive against Clemson. Miami QB Tyler Van Dyke is supposed to be back, but he is dealing with a throwing-hand injury. This is a big number, but I need a big comeback.
BYU (+19.5) over Texas
No Quinn Ewers in this one for the Longhorns. Will we see Arch? The Cougars (5-2) are the only team of the new additions to the Big 12 to make any hay in the league with two conference victories, and this will be the third as Texas suffers its annual ‘how-did-that-happen?' loss.
Bill Bender, Lead college football writer
Arkansas State (+2) over UL-Monroe
This is a coin-flip game. Arkansas State opened the season with an embarrassing 73-0 loss to Oklahoma, and now Butch Jones has the chance to get the team back to .500. The Warhawks are on a five-game losing streak. Arkansas State has a 13-game winning streak in this Sun Belt matchup.
The Wildcats have covered as an underdog in their last three games. Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita has a 73.5% completion in three Pac-12 starts, and these teams have not met since 2019. The Wildcats are turning a corner with coach Jedd Fisch, and this late-night upset will be the next step.
Mississippi State (+6.5) over Auburn
The Bulldogs won ugly at Arkansas last week, and the Tigers have lost four straight games. Auburn averages just 17.2 points in that stretch. Winning at Jordan-Hare Stadium is never an easy task, but Mississippi State won in their last visit there and can make it three in a row in the series.
Edward Sutelan, Digital content producer
Duke (+5.5) over Louisville
Louisville has gone from blowout to blowout, and has had time being on different sides in both games. Duke was staying toe-to-toe with Florida State until Riley Leonard was forced to leave the contest, at which point the offense stalled. But the Blue Devils' defense is legit and should force Jack Plummer into making a mistake. The Cardinals have done well against the run so far this season, but they will really be put to the test on Saturday if Leonard is back.
Mississippi State (+6.5) over Auburn
The Bulldogs are coming off an ugly 7-3 win against Arkansas with Will Rogers out. But if he's able to return, this has the potential to be a tough game for an Auburn team that has now lost four straight games. Even if Rogers can't play, Mississippi State's defense could have another solid showing against the Tigers, who are struggling to find any momentum throwing the football.
Miami (OH) (+7.5) over Ohio
Ohio has dominated the Battle of the Bricks in recent years, with two straight victories and wins in 13 of the past 16 meetings between the MAC programs. But in this year's battle, a fight for the top of the East division, Brett Gabbert comes in leading the more explosive offense, while the RedHawk defense has played well since a season-opening 38-3 drubbing against Miami (FL).
Nick Musial, Content producer
Kansas (+9.5) over Oklahoma
Backup QB Jason Bean steps in for the banged-up Jason Daniels for a second straight season against OU, looking to replicate his 265-yard, four-TD effort last year in Norman. While the Jayhawk defense had trouble containing the Dillon Gabriel-led Sooners' offense in that one, we're hoping Kansas' defense holds firm in the red zone, forcing OU to settle for three rather than reaching paydirt. Lance Leipold adds another signature win to his mantle.
Colorado State (+14) over Air Force
It's never easy fading the Falcons, but the Rams offense is hitting its stride with freshman QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi. The Rams' ability to generate explosive plays leads to a monumental upset for Jay Norvell's bunch over their in-state rivals.
Baylor (+3) over Iowa State
Both Baylor (3-4) and Iowa State (4-3) notched road wins over Cincinnati in their most recent contests, and while the Cyclones boast a superior record, these teams profile as evens. We'll back Dave Aranda's crew as the home underdogs to get back to .500. ISU freshman Rocco Becht is improving by the week, but we think Baylor QB Blake Shapen outduels him.
