3 Teams on Upset Alert in Week 1

Alabama opening the 2015 season with a loss is not ideal. However, it is not an impossible feat.

The most important player on the field is your quarterback, and Nick Saban has yet to announce who that will be. In fact, Saban may end up playing two quarterbacks in Saturday's game. Granted, the starting quarterback(s) could end up proving doubters wrong, but there are also other factors to consider.

The Crimson Tide lacks experience at wide receiver. There is plenty of talent at the position, but that means nothing if the wide receiver is not on the same page as his quarterback. In other words, Alabama's offense may be out of tune until a full-time starter at quarterback is established.

Alabama's offensive question marks may not even matter. Wisconsin has the means and the talent to take down the mighty Tide in its own right. The Badgers finished 4th in total defense last season, and they return six starters from that side of the ball. They also return a much improved Joel Stave at quarterback. If all else fails, Wisconsin can turn to Corey Clement. Clement rushed for over 900 yards last season in a backup role.

Alabama's offense will more than likely get the job done despite some of the preseason concerns. If not, Saban's elite defense should pick up the slack. Either way, Wisconsin is still not a team to underestimate.

Texas has been in a downward spiral over the last couple of years. The Longhorns need a big win, and a road victory over a ranked Notre Dame is about as big as it gets.

Charlie Strong's first season has head coach was not glorious. Texas went on a late streak and became bowl eligible only to be embarrassed by Arkansas in the bowl game. Strong's "tough love" approach to his team should pay off in his second season now that he has had more time to establish his system.

Strong has had another year to groom quarterback Tyrone Swoopes, who shares many similarities with former Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Swoopes is not the passer that Bridgewater was, but he can be lethal outside the pocket. Johnathan Gray will join Swoopes in the backfield to help provide a powerful one-two punch.

Notre Dame, meanwhile, will roll in with a new found confidence after taking down LSU in the Music City Bowl last season. The Fighting Irish returns 17 starters from that team, which does not include quarterback Malik Zaire. Zaire could prove to be the next big thing, but he has to prove it.

Texas is going to have a tough time taking down a very talented Notre Dame on the road. However, Strong is a defensive minded coach, and you will see his defense go after Malik Zaire. This could be a battle in the trenches and should be a fun one to watch.

It must seem outrageous to put the defending national champions on upset alert in week one. Ohio State is loaded with talent, but there are important things to consider when looking at this matchup.

The same players that took down Ohio State last season are the same players that have a chance to do it all over again. Only this time, Virginia Tech will be a more experienced team. The Hokies' leading passer, rusher, and top three receivers all return this season along with a secondary that will be one of the nation's best.

Ohio State has just as much talent, but some of the bigger names will be missing from this matchup. The Buckeyes will be without wide receivers Jalin Marshall, Corey Smith, Dontre Wilson, and All-American defensive lineman Joey Bosa.

The absence of the team's best receivers could prove to be a major issue. Especially since it was announced that JT Barrett and Cardale Jones will split time in this game. Just like in chemistry, certain chemicals are not meant to be mixed. Rotating two different quarterbacks with a group of inexperienced receivers could cause an unsafe balance.

Ohio State is still a very good team with or without the four suspended players. However, the defending national champions always have huge targets on their backs. The Buckeyes will obviously be seeking revenge, but it may not matter in such a hostile environment. We will have to wait till Monday night to see how it all plays out.