by Forty names, games, teams and details making news in college football (antacids sold separately at Missouri, where the latest road to upset was two right guard penalties that helped prevent the Tigers from upsetting No. 1 Georgia):
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FOURTH FOURTH
SEE THE TRAP, RECOGNIZE THE TRAP, TURN THE TRAP TO YOUR ADVANTAGE
Saturday’s slate is littered with potential pitfalls for ranked teams — most, but not all, on the road. The dash identifies who is alert and why:
Michigan at Indiana (31). Time: Noon ET. Line: Michigan by 22. Why it’s a trap: Second straight road game for the Wolverines, following a comfortable win at Iowa. This is just like last year when Michigan smoked Wisconsin in Madison and then it was a life and death game to beat Nebraska the next week in a rebound road game.
Upset threat level: low. Indiana isn’t good enough unless the Wolverines give the game away, which they have remarkably avoided so far. Michigan leads the Big Ten in fewest turnovers with two and fewest penalties with 14. But the Hoosiers have a chance to make up.
Pick: Michigan 34, Indiana 14.
Tennessee at LSU (32). Time: Noon. Line: Tennessee by three. Why it’s a trap: For starters, the 4–1 Tigers are legitimately pretty good. And the Volunteers could be leveled shortly after an open date that followed a hot 4–0 start. Then there’s the Alabama game looming next week. It’s hard to see a game in Death Valley as a point of disappointment, but where it falls on the calendar is problematic.
Threat level upset: significant. LSU doesn’t panic when it falls behind, as it has already been featured three times this season. If Tennessee gets a lead, they’ll have to close the deal because LSU won’t lie down. Then there’s the ankle surgery for receiver Cedric Tillman—he’s not ruled out for this game, but will he be back and fully functional? However, Tiger Stadium at 11 a.m. it’s not Tiger Stadium at night.
Dash pick: Tennessee 27, LSU 23.
Clemson at Boston College (33). Time: 7:30. Line: Clemson by 20.5. Why it’s a trap: The Tigers are coming off their two biggest ACC games of the season, beating Wake Forest and North Carolina State in expected matchups. The latter was accompanied by the “College GameDay” hood. And BC has pushed Clemson to the limit in two meetings under Jeff Hafley, easily covering the spread both times.
Upset threat: Low. But that could be a little difficult against a team that played its best game of the season Saturday to beat Louisville. The Eagles will certainly look to test Clemson’s suspect secondary with the pass-catching combination of Phil Jurkovec and Zay Flowers.
Dash pick: Clemson 27, Boston College 17.
USC QB Caleb Williams has helped the Trojans climb into the top 10, but could the Cougars catch them off guard on Saturday?dddddd
Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports
Washington State at USC (34). Time: 7:30. Line: USC by 11. Why it’s a trap: The Cougars (4≠1) gave Oregon a scare in their only loss and started the Wisconsin upset with a win at Camp Randall. The Trojans could be looking ahead to next week in Utah.
Upset threat: moderate. Cam Ward is a talent at quarterback for Wazzu, but he can’t continue to live dangerously — he’s thrown seven interceptions and USC leads the nation in picks with 12. If he takes care of the ball, this could be close.
Dash pick: USC 34, Washington State 31.
Army at Wake Forest (35). Time: 7:30. Line: Wake Forest on 5/15. Why it’s a trap: Putting the Cadets on the schedule right after ACC matchups against Clemson and Florida State is like a Spanish teacher giving a pop quiz in German. The preparation changes completely against the attack of the Army option and the possibility of disappointment is real.
Upset threat: high. This isn’t a great Army team (just 1–3), but the Cadets put up over 500 yards and 56 points on Wake last year—of course, the Demon Deacons countered with 70 points of their own.
Dash pick: Wake Forest 49, Army 42.
Mississippi at Vanderbilt (36). Time: 4:00. Line: Ole Miss at 19. Why it’s a trap: The Rebels are coming off a high-profile thriller against Kentucky and now go on the road to face an opponent coming off an open date with a chance to rest, experiment and prepare. Vandy easily covered the spread against Ole Miss last year.
Upset threat: low. Vandy doesn’t have a good run defense and the Rebels lead the SEC in rushing. If Lane Kiffin’s team shows up ready, this shouldn’t be close.
Dash pick: Mississippi 45, Vanderbilt 24.
DELLENGER: The Lane Humming Train at Ole Miss
STATE OF THE WEEK
Michigan State (37) He hasn’t led a single second against a Power 5 opponent so far this season. After getting bounced by Washington and Minnesota, the Spartans played the entire game Saturday against Maryland. They’ve been shut out in six of 12 quarters against P5 competition—and now comes Ohio State. Michigan State (2–3) is firmly in the running for most disappointing team of the year.
COACH WON HIS CAR THIS WEEK
Jim Mora (38), Connecticut. Returning to coaching to take on one of the worst FBS jobs in the country seemed like a questionable life choice when Mora made it this offseason, but he picked up the program’s biggest win in five years on Saturday by beating Fresno State. (The truth is, UConn’s only wins from 2018 until last week were over Rhode Island, Wagner, Massachusetts, Yale and Central Connecticut. So, yeah.) Mora hit the transfer gate hard for to revamp UConn’s roster and now could have a shot at a real winning streak – next game is at miserable Florida International.
COACH WHO HAS TO TAKE THE BUS TO WORK
Dana Holgorsen (39), Houston. The Cougars were the prep pick to win the American Athletic Conference and were considered a contender to be the nation’s best Group of 5 conference team. He is not married. After losing at home to Tulane and their backup on Friday, Houston is now 2-3. They may well bounce back and finish strong, but riding the Holgo roller coaster can be an exhausting experience, as West Virginia fans know.
POINT AFTER
When you’re hungry and thirsty in the great Midwestern burgh of Des Moines, The Dash makes a famous stop El Bait Store (40). The beer selection is epic and the food is delicious, with plenty of TVs to watch wall-to-wall football. Order a Kros Strain Fairy Nectar hazy IPA and a grilled ham and cheese. Thank Dash later.
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