NCAAF Week 6 upset watch: Ehlinger will pick apart Oklahoma

The past two weeks of college football have seen some unexpected results, and it looks like Week 6 will deliver even more.

Let’s look at the games with upset potential.

Tulane vs. Houston

It’s finally happening. Houston is actually going to play a football game.

After they have had multiple games canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cougars will take the field tonight against Tulane.

Houston will look to improve on last year’s 4-8 record but will need to do it without quarterback D’Eriq King, who transferred to Miami.

Clayton Tune threw for more than 1,500 yards last season, after King decided to redshirt, but had only 11 touchdowns and threw nine interceptions. He has weapons returning, including stud wide receiver Marquez Stevenson, but Tune will need to be more accurate.

The Green Wave suffered an epic collapse two weeks ago against Navy, when it blew a 24-0 lead and lost, 27-24. Tulane bounced back with a dominant, 66-24 win over Southern Miss, in which it rushed for 430 yards.

Houston’s defense was horrific at times last year, and while it has brought brought in some solid transfers, inexperience could be costly.

Tulane should have enough to sneak out with a win.

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Virginia Tech vs. North Carolina

This has quickly become one of the most important games in the ACC this year.

North Carolina survived a pesky Boston College team last week. The Tar Heels offense has been efficient, but the defense showed some holes last weekend, as BC threw for more than 300 yards.

Unlike Boston College, Virginia Tech plans to run right at the Tar Heels. 

The Hokies are averaging more than 300 yards per game on the ground, and now they will see the season debut of starting quarterback Hendon Hooker, who has missed their first two games because of COVID concerns.

An offense that is already averaging nearly 42 points per game now looks more dangerous, and its run game should allow Virginia Tech to control the clock, protect the defense, and get an upset win.

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Oklahoma vs. Texas

It is desperation time for the Sooners.

A 1-3 start to the season would be devastating, and considering they are winless in conference play, it would all but eliminate them from the Big 12 title race.

The Oklahoma offense has done its part, but the horrendous play of the defense has been a massive letdown in their upset losses to Kansas State and Iowa State.

Texas hasn’t been much better defensively, and it is fortunate to not be winless in conference play, as well.

The Longhorns needed overtime to take down Texas Tech two weeks ago, then fell last weekend to TCU. Quarterback Sam Ehlinger has been outstanding, with 924 yards passing and 14 touchdowns, and he should be able to do serious damage against the Sooners defense.

Oklahoma QB Spencer Rattler has put up good numbers, but has not been able to perform in crunch time, with multiple interceptions at critical points in both of their losses.

Ehlinger’s experience and poise will carry the Longhorns to an upset.

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Duke vs. Syracuse

This line makes no sense, which means it’s either a trap or an opportunity.

Duke is 0-4 (albeit against tough competition) and leads the nation with a whopping 15 turnovers. The Blue Devils will face a Syracuse defense that has forced 10 turnovers and is expected to get back multiple starters who have missed time.

Duke has allowed more passing completions than all but one team in the ACC, but it is among the conference leaders in sacks. Syracuse’s offensive line has had problems this season, but it had a full week off to work on those issues. If the Orange can avoid turnovers and can take advantage of what should be multiple short-field opportunities, it should be a comfortable win for the home team.

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Pittsburgh vs. Boston College

Both of these teams enter off a loss, but Pitt’s was more painful.

The Panthers followed up a big win against a ranked Louisville team with a loss to NC State, on a last-minute touchdown, even though they were a heavy favorite. Turnovers continue to hurt them, as they rank in the top 10 nationally in fumbles lost. It has undone some of the great work their defense has put in.

The Eagles have played well this season, but fell for the first time last week to North Carolina Their offense has been clicking, with new QB Phil Jurkovec at the helm, and they are +5 in turnover margin.

If Boston College can run the ball enough to slow down Pitt’s outstanding pass rush, look for the Eagles to get the win and move to 3-1 on the season.

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