Often times it feels like we come away from Week 1 with a handful of overreactions to chew on, but this year the first full weekend of college football didn’t really produce a lot of those.
Sure, the MAC in a couple of cases took it to the Big Ten, but no one is truly calling into question the relative strength of those two leagues. And yes, controversy from Saturday night’s contest in Ann Arbor still has the media and fans alike waiting to hear what, if anything, will come from what looked by all accounts available to the public like a blown call that altered an outcome.
But beyond that, it was simply just nice to have college football back from near sun up to well past sun down.
Week 2 figures to carry slightly higher stakes, with several matchups that could significantly alter the perception of teams participating.
I expect my perfect record (3-2 against the spread) to begin taking hits starting this weekend.
Let’s take a look at the best of the Week 2 slate.
Embed from Getty Images5 Games You Need to Watch This Weekend
#11 Oklahoma at Michigan (Saturday, 12 PM ET – FOX)
The media storm surrounding Michigan’s victory last weekend has only died down a little bit, which was to be expected. However, what was unexpected and has added fuel to the flame is the awkward and disconnected engagement between Wolverines head coach Kyle Whittingham and his current starting quarterback Bryce Underwood. The uncertainty created by it coupled with the reality that Michigan will need to be much better in multiple areas to beat Oklahoma is the kind of juicy drama that bring this game almost in line with another matchup occurring this weekend, coincidentally between these two teams’ biggest rival.
Michigan’s 276 yards of offense last weekend was the lowest total in the Big Ten, and while Western Michigan should be commended for executing its gameplan to near perfection, the Wolverines must find a way to move the ball more effectively. That figures to be an incredibly tough task against an Oklahoma team that once again appears to be one of the stingiest in the country. Following the beatdown that Clemson received at the hands of LSU last weekend, it is becoming increasingly difficult to determine which coach (Dabo Swinney or Brent Venables) was largely responsible for Clemson’s success during its heyday. With that said, it might not even matter if Michigan fixes a lot its problems from last weekend – the Sooners can win anyway as they have a clear identity and a true gamer at quarterback. Michigan faithful – take note of what this those two things really look like this weekend.
My Pick: 28-24 Oklahoma (does not cover -5.5 spread)
Arizona at #15 BYU (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET – FOX)
Neither team strayed from the FCS ranks for its Week 1 opponent, so it was always understood that this matchup would be the first true test for the Wildcats and Cougars. A clash of differing offensive philosophies will ensue in Provo on Saturday afternoon, with BYU’s methodical yet potent offensive attack favoring the ground game will contend with an Arizona approach that can be lethal through the air behind the arm of Noah Fifita. Last season it took two overtimes for the slightly favored Cougars to dispatch the Wildcats and BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier was held to his third second lowest QBR of the year. This should be another hotly contested affair with many of the same faces dominating the headlines.
The Wildcats were gashed on the ground by LJ Martin and Bachmeier last year and I expect Arizona defensive coordinator Danny Gonalez to make it a point not to be beaten that way again. There should, therefore, open up opportunities for Bachmeier to take advantage over the top. Of course, keeping the ball out of the hands of the opposition is BYU’s preferred method of controlling games, but the Cougars are the more dynamic of the two teams and I think it will require some level of creativity to win this one. Another close game is expected, but BYU will get the job done at home.
My Pick: 30-21 BYU (covers -7.5 spread)
Memphis at Boise State (Saturday, 6 PM ET – USA)
In Week 0 the Tigers put the country on notice by traveling to Las Vegas and beating a UNLV squad that many thought was a frontrunner to compete for the G6 auto-bid to the Playoff this season. While not delivering exactly the same result, the Broncos created similar buzz by hanging tough with the No. 2 team in the country on the road, solidifying its standing as a true auto-bid contender as well. Now something must give, as Memphis again travels West to take on Boise State in what very much feels like yet another Playoff elimination game for Charles Huff’s group.
Boise State’s performance against Oregon verified something that Broncos fans have already known since last season: that the running game has been just fine without Ashton Jeanty. The Broncos were able to get a push against a solid Big Ten defensive front and that could be a concern for Memphis, which was able to wreak havoc against a suspect UNLV offensive line. The Tigers do present some issues offensively thanks to the threat that Marcus Stokes provides with his legs along with Jaylin Carter, who has already racked up 280 yards on the ground. However, Boise State clearly emphasized open field tackling in the offseason and looks very disciplined defensively in that way. It is perfectly reasonable to have been impressed with both teams thus far, but the Broncos should win this one if Maddux Madsen plays with the maturity that he did against Oregon.
My Pick: 33-24 Boise State (does not cover -9.5 spread)
#18 Tennessee at Georgia Tech (Saturday, 7 PM ET – ESPN)
It was expected that Georgia Tech would have a difficult time replacing Haynes King at quarterback, even with the younger brother of the most recent Heisman Trophy winner transferring in from Indiana to take his place. The Yellow Jackets recorded their fewest offensive yards on the ground in four years in the opener against Colorado, a team that was generally speaking overhauling that side of the football. To avoid starting the year 0-2 for the first time under Brent Key, the Yellow Jackets will need to upset a Tennessee squad that again appears ready to try to overwhelm its opposition offensively. Overlook Key’s group at your own risk, however – Georgia Tech is 5-1 as an underdog and 7-7 overall against Top 25 opponents since he took over the program.
The Volunteers had to be pleased with the debut of their true freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon, who threw for 309 yards and three touchdowns and no interceptions in the team’s opener. It was largely academic, however, and Faizon is likely to get more successful and exotic looks from the Georgia Tech defense. I think this game will come down to the run games of each team. Georgia Tech didn’t technically look great stopping Colorado on the ground last weekend, but it did face 49 attempts against the Buffaloes. If Faizon shows his youth and the Yellow Jackets can fare similarly at stopping the run, then Key has a shot at once again proving to be a thorn in the side of a Top 25 foe.
My Pick: 30-20 Tennessee (does not cover -13.5 spread)
#1 Ohio State at #4 Texas (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET – ABC)
When these two programs squared off in Columbus last season, two inexperienced quarterbacks were being handled with kid gloves by their respective coaching staffs. This time around should produce a much different story, with both Arch Manning and Julian Sayin being regarded as veterans at the collegiate level at this point. The level of success that each has experienced over the past year has varied, but this much is clear: the early season showdown between the Buckeyes and Longhorns has high potential to be a precursor to round two several months down the road.
Ohio State’s comfortable victory over Ball State last weekend did highlight a potential issue on the offensive line. The area was tagged as a concern as the calendar turned to 2026, derailing the Buckeyes’ previous season and still exhibited some signs of rustiness in this season’s opener. Arthur Smith’s offensive tendencies require that the line does its job for the team to be successful, and it will be going up against one of its toughest tests of the season on Saturday evening. If Ohio State wins in the trenches, it wins this game. I do think that Ohio State firing on all cylinders is every bit as capable, if not more so, than Texas’s offense, though my assessment guided by last weekend alone is that the Longhorns will hold a slight edge in this one. The Longhorns were very efficient against an underrated opponent. It also feels very much like Steve Sarkisian’s group needs this victory more than the Buckeyes do, with so many other opportunities for Ryan Day’s team to prove themselves in the rugged Big Ten.
My Pick: 27-24 Texas (covers -1.5 spread)
Embed from Getty Images5 Games to Keep an Eye On This Weekend
Arizona State at #12 Texas A&M (Saturday, 12 PM ET – ABC)
Before the Sun Devils travel to London next week, they have an arguably more grueling road test at Kyle Field. Neither team was shy about putting points on the board during Week 1, but we should see an at least slightly subdued offensive output from both sides in this one.
#16 Penn State at Temple (Saturday, 12 PM ET – ESPN2)
Matt Campbell got very used to playing an in-state rival around this time the past five seasons at Iowa State and will continue the trend with Penn State. The Nittany Lions are heavy favorites here but Temple could be scrappy at home. The Owls have been victorious only once in the past 83 years against Penn State, a 2015 matchup which was the only other time this millennium the game has been played in Philadelphia.
UTSA at Texas State (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET – The CW Network)
Despite Texas State being soundly beaten in Austin last weekend, there were signs that the Bobcats will be dangerous the rest of the season as projected. G.J. Kinne’s program has been a thorn in the side of UTSA the past two seasons and may be again in 2026. While the game was already out of hand by this point, garbage time offensive production by UT-Rio Grand Valley suggests the Roadrunners may again be relying on their offense to win track meets. The Bobcats won’t mind that approach.
San Diego State at UCLA (Saturday, 7:15 PM ET – Big Ten Network)
Bob Chesney’s tenure in Los Angeles got off to an expected start, with UCLA exploding for 277 yards on the ground against Cal. It will be interesting to see whether the Bruins will change the approach against a San Diego State defense that appears to be much better stopping the run than it does the passing game.
North Dakota State at Air Force (Saturday, 10 PM ET – FS1)
The Bison have found life in the FBS so far to be pretty similar to being in the FCS, beating its first two opponents by an average of 32 points this season. Things will ramp up significantly for North Dakota State this weekend, however, when it makes its first road trip to take on what is expected to be a Mountain West Conference title contender in Air Force. Colorado Springs will be a lot different than the friendly confines of the Fargodome.
