Illini will stave off upset

Not really liking this Upset Alert Saturday, probably because #myILLINI are first AND foremost on the potential chopping block.

Facing wildly underrated (and, frankly, not rated at all) Duke, No. 11 Illinois -- favored by 2.5 points -- will have its hands full in Durham, N.C., today at noon. Both teams come in 1-0, but while the hype seems to have followed the Fighting Illini from their 10-3 campaign in 2024, everyone seems to be oblivious to the fact that the Blue Devils were 9-4 last season ... and may be better this season.

It appears they've upgraded at QB, with Tulane transfer Darian Mensah (2,723 yards and 22 TDs passing for the Green Wave in '24), and WR, with '24 FCS All-American and Harvard transfer Cooper Barkate. Both went off against Elon last weekend, with Mensah posting a career-best 389 yards passing.

Sixth-year RB Anderson Castle, who ripped off a 63-yard carry against Elon, completes the winning transfer trifecta for Duke on offense. He previously played at App State, and provides half of what could be a unique battle in this day and age between two white guys worthy of being featured RBs on their respective Power-4 teams.

Illini junior Aidan Laughery, who had 101 yards rushing and 2 TDs (including a 57-yarder) in last weekend's blowout win over Western Illinois, would be the other half.

The key, to me, though, is whether Illinois EDGE Gabe Jacas (2 sacks last weekend) and Co. can get to Mensah.

If not ... there could be problems for Bret Bielema's boys.

Others to be wary about:

No. 12 Arizona State (-6.5) at Mississippi State, 7:30 p.m. Starkville, Miss., at night, with the cowbells going crazy, and no more Cam Skattebo for the Sun Devils? No sure W for the favorites.

No. 13 Florida (-18.5) vs. South Florida, 4:15. Ummm, the Bulls just manhandled then-No. 25 Boise State last week. What are they doing as a 3-TD underdog this week?

Colorado (-23.5) vs. Delaware, 3:30. Perhaps wishful thinking on my end with the Blue Hens new to the FBS level. But we'll see.

BEST MATCHUPS OF THE WEEK

Missouri (-5.5) vs. Kansas, 3:30. One of the best rivalries in the sport ... that is rarely talked about. Absolutely love Penn State transfer Beau Pribula at QB for the Tigers.

Michigan State (-3.5) vs. Boston College, 7:30. Middling programs in their respective conferences (Big Ten and ACC) that rise up every now and then. Catch the wave this time.

No. 16 Iowa State (-3.5) vs. Iowa, 7:30. Even though the Hawkeyes have won 47 of 71 meetings, the Battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy is often one of the most entertaining games of a season.

No. 18 Oklahoma (-4.5) vs. No. 15 Michigan, 7:30. Two of the biggest names in the game, primed to prove something. 'Nuff said.