Here at the SN Underdog Challenge, we don’t hand out mulligans. If we did, our three experts who picked Tulane last week would be in line for one. Unfortunately, Green Wave QB Michael Pratt’s foot injury derailed Tulane’s chances of taking down the Fighting Lane Kiffins, along with Edward Sutelan’s quest for a 3-0 start in his Underdog Challenge debut.
Yes, it’s just one week, but there’s a clear leader in the clubhouse, as the rest of us are playing catch-up to Sutelan’s exceptional 13-point Week 2 performance. There’s more than enough time to catch up, and despite a rather unappealing Week 3 slate, upsets feel aplenty.
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.
Underdog Challenge Standings
Place
Name
Record
Points
1.
Edward Sutelan
2-1
13
2.
Mike DeCourcy
1-2
7.5
3.
Nick Musial
1-2
4
T4.
Bill Trocchi
0-3
0
T4.
Bill Bender
0-3
0
Sutelan sits as the early leader after nailing Texas’ (+7) upset of Alabama and Washington State’s (+6) win over Wisconsin. DeCourcy knew that Cincinnati (+7.5) shouldn’t have been getting over a touchdown against Pittsburgh, while I was fortunate to capitalize on an undervalued Miami bunch (+4). As for Trocchi and Bender, their time will come, as things can change on a dime.
MORE: Week 3 against the spread picks for Top 25
Buckle up for this week’s upset picks.
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Mike DeCourcy, Senior writer
Virginia Tech (+7) over Rutgers
File this selection under the heading: Rutgers football can’t have nice things. The Scarlet Knights are off to a 2-0 start, including a conference win against Northwestern, and neither opponent came within two touchdowns. Certainly, the Knights are capable of winning this game, but it feels like they’ll get up on that mountain, this close to 3-0, and suddenly realize how high they’ve climbed. This is no Beameresque batch of Hokies, but they can get the job done.
Purdue (+2.5) over Syracuse
Let’s give some credit to the Boilermakers for playing a third consecutive major opponent in their non-conference schedule, two of which came from power conferences. Not everybody out there is doing that. The Boilers aren’t picking the pads of FCS victims out of their teeth. They’re playing against real dudes. That might mean taking an L this week; Syracuse is one of the fastest-improving programs, from 1-10 in 2020 to 5-7 and, last year, 7-6. But can the Orange get it done under the lights on the road? I say: too soon.
BYU (+7.5) over Arkansas
The Cougars’ lifeless opening game against Sam Houston is one reason for that big number against them. It’s not easy to be confident in their chances after that. And Kedon Slovis’ track record isn’t exactly filled with consistency. But he says he’s having a blast in the Cougars’ offense, and he has had his moments. This could be a big one.
BENDER: Shedeur Sanders’ incredible stats
Bill Trocchi, Senior editor
Virginia Tech (+7) over Rutgers
Rutgers has Michigan next week, which is a lookahead spot. The Knights have admittedly looked decent, but Virginia Tech has been better than expected and I don’t quite believe in Rutgers yet.
MORE BENDER: Tebow on Ewers’ rise
Georgia Tech (+17.5) over Ole Miss
In their last seven games as an underdog, Georgia Tech has pulled four upsets. Two of those were as underdogs of 20-plus points. Ole Miss has a big lookahead game at Alabama next week and looked a bit shaky for most of the Tulane game against a backup QB last week. Brent Key does it again for the Jackets.
Purdue (+2.5) over Syracuse
Syracuse has cruised with two easy home wins, but life is different on the road. Last year, Syracuse beat Purdue 32-29 in the final seconds, aided by two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, a defensive holding penalty and a pass interference call on the final drive. Zebras won’t be as friendly on the road.
Bill Bender, Lead college football writer
Pittsburgh (+2.5) over West Virginia
Pitt won the Backyard Brawl 38-31 last year, but they are a road underdog this time after allowing 216 rushing yards in a Week 2 loss to Cincinnati. The run defense tightens up against the Mountaineers, and Phil Jurkovec makes enough pass plays in the passing game without turning the ball over to pull out a close victory.
Purdue (+2.5) over Syracuse
This is a risky pick. The Orange have allowed just seven points through two games, and Garrett Shrader is an experienced quarterback averaging 10.1 yards per attempt. How does that translate on the road against Purdue? The Boilermakers have already played two one-score games. Hudson Card leads a game-winning drive late, and Purdue avenges last year’s 32-29 loss to the Orange.
Houston (+7.5) over TCU
The Cougars nearly rallied from a 28-0 deficit against Rice in Week 2 but still lost 43-41. It seems inevitable that the Cougars and Horned Frogs will open Big 12 play with a shootout – and the over/under at 64.5 looks like easy money, too. Donovan Smith will frustrate the Horned Frogs’ defense, and if it gets wild in the fourth quarter that favors the home team.
Edward Sutelan, Digital content producer
Indiana (+10) over Louisville
The Hoosiers’ defense has been stout this season, holding down a dangerous Ohio State offense to just 23 points in the season opener and Indiana State to just seven the following week. Louisville’s offense has had no problem scoring this year against Georgia Tech and Murray State, but it will be tested in Indianapolis. If Indiana’s offense can click close to the way it did against the Sycamores, the Hoosiers have a good shot at pulling off the neutral site upset.
Old Dominion (+14) over Wake Forest
Old Dominion has become a trap site for ACC teams in recent years, with Virginia Tech losing to the Monarchs in both 2018 and 2022. Wake Forest will be the next ACC team to head to the Lions’ Den and be tested against ODU. Grant Wilson has looked dynamic to start the year under center for Old Dominion, and he could be primed to lead an upset over Wake in what could be a high-scoring contest.
Charlotte (+7.5) over Georgia State
The 49ers looked for a quarter like they might pull off an upset against Maryland after jumping out to an early 14-0 lead before giving in to the Terrapins’ rushing attack late in the contest. But the defense still played well enough against one of the nation’s better quarterbacks in Taulia Tagovailoa, and could make it tough on Georgia State QB Darren Grainger, who has yet to throw a pick this season.
Nick Musial, Content producer
Ohio (+3) over Iowa State
Iowa State can’t win in this game. Take down Ohio in Athens; congrats. That’s what a Big 12 school should do to a MAC school. Get beat by a superior QB in Kurtis Rourke on the road, no bueno. Ohio’s a Week 0 Rourke injury away from taking down San Diego State and being 3-0. I’ll side with Rourke over unproven Cyclone’s starter Rocco Becht all day. Bobcats in a “stunner”.
North Texas (+4.5) over Louisiana Tech
I’ll never trust Sonny Cumbie as a favorite. The Bulldogs offense finally looked competent last week against Northwestern State, putting up 51 points, but it’s Northwestern State. North Texas exploits a susceptible Louisiana Tech run defense, winning outright as 4.5-point dogs. Hank Bachmeier doesn’t scare me.
Minnesota (+7.5) over North Carolina
The fact Gene Chizik’s defense allowed 219 yards on five yards per carry as 18-point home favorites against Appalachian State is a major red flag in their chances of limiting Minnesota’s effectiveness on the ground. Yes, Drake Maye is on another planet relative to Minnesota QB Athan Kaliakmanis, but as long as the Gophers are efficient with the run game on early downs, he doesn’t have to do much as a passer to secure a road win. Row the Boat.
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