Upset alert hit like an avalanche last weekend after five of the nation's top-10 teams went down, shifting the conference championship and College Football Playoff discussion across the sport at midseason. Week 8 represents one of the lighter slates of the season, but that's exactly when college football usually delivers. Several top-20 teams with CFP aspirations are playing away from home and trying to balance pressure and execution in hostile environments.
With the first CFP rankings set to release the first Tuesday in November, the nation's perceived best only have two more weekends to hammer down their resumes before the initial pecking order is set. Here's a glance at Saturday's matchups that could go awry for the teams most are expecting to win. This is UCF's third consecutive game in the Big 12 against a ranked foe, and Scott Frost thought he was finished with these brutal schedules after leaving the Big Ten.
While the Knights have caught the short end of the stick in terms of draws, challenges present opportunities, and this is the first crack at a quality opponent at home. UCF's 3-0 at the Bounce House this season, and the slate lightens up after Saturday. Keyone Jenkins is gearing up for his fifth straight start under center in relief of the injured Alonza Barnett III, but hasn't faced a defense at the level of BYU's.
The Cougars must avoid a let down coming off the high of beating Notre Dame last weekend. At what point will Michigan's offense put together a full game? Is that even possible for the Wolverines?
Saturday's chore comes in the form of Indiana, an elite team with a defense aiming to deny Michigan any semblance of confidence on that side of the field. Tommy Carr is the better option at quarterback, and there's limited film on him for Bryant Haines and the Hoosiers' defensive staff. This was included in this week's upset alert because the betting line screams competitive game.
And twice this season, Indiana has failed to push away from league competition on the road despite winning (Northwestern and Nebraska). It's a must-win for Indiana if the Hoosiers intend on getting a top-four seed in the CFP. There's a scenario brewing that could place three Big 12 teams in the CFP this season, but only if Houston upsets Utah this weekend and hands the Utes their first loss.
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