In a recent list of According to Grant Hughes of 247Sports, two teams from the Big 12 Conference have been named as teams to watch for upsets in the first week.
The two teams, West Virginia and Colorado, are listed as underdogs and favorites in two different ways and are in danger of losing their game in week one.
Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes were the first Big 12 team Hughes named as a team in danger of losing their opening game. The Buffaloes are considered 9.5-point favorites over the North Dakota State Bison, who have quickly become a popular upset pick in the sports betting community.
“North Dakota State is an FCS stronghold and has seven wins against Power Five opponents since the 2010 season, including a victory over No. 13 Iowa in 2016,” Hughes said. “The Bison finished the 2023 season 11-4 and are expected to be among the FCS’ top teams again this season after star quarterback Cam Miler returned for his senior year. Colorado lost 41 players to the transfer portal, including star running back Dylan Edwards, after a disappointing 4-8 finish. Deion Sanders and Co. have bolstered the team’s talent profile with 43 new transfers, but there are still many pieces to put together before facing a well-coached, experienced North Dakota State team in Week 1. We still believe the Buffaloes can do it under the lights in a hostile environment at Folsom Field, but don’t be surprised if the Bison get to them.”
Following the Buffaloes are the West Virginia Mountaineers, who earned praise in a completely different place than Colorado. The Mountaineers receive 8.5 points as underdogs in their home game against Penn State in Morgantown.
“Penn State entered as a double-digit favorite, but bookmakers have lost some faith in the Nittany Lions in recent weeks,” Hughes said. “West Virginia allowed just 170.6 passing yards per game at home last season, which ranked 13th nationally. Penn State’s passing offense hampered the team at times last season, and the only member of that spring squad with 1,000 receiving yards in his career — KeAndre Lambert-Smith — transferred before fall camp. On offense, the Mountaineers return quarterback Garrett Greene and a strong backfield that ranked 4th nationally in rushing yards last season. Penn State beat West Virginia 38-15 at home last season and is expected to have a better team in 2024, but this game is not a sure thing for the Nittany Lions.”
With the 2024 college football season just a week away, both teams have the opportunity to knock off a top team or emerge as the favorite.
