Week Two College Football Preview
By Matt Hetzler 9/6/2016
Week one is in the books and it delivered big time! The opening week was filled with upsets, narrow escapes, and blowouts. Week one sent some playoff favorites packing (LSU, Oklahoma) and gave life to unexpected teams. (Houston, Texas, Wisconsin) Week two won’t pack as big of a punch as opening weekend but there are still some great games on tap. Week two offers us an in-state rivalry with Penn State and Pittsburgh. Week two delivers college football at Bristol Motor Speedway, which will set the record for most fans in attendance. Week two is here and it’s going to be a good one!
Below are 15 games that are on my slate of games to watch. Tyler (Mr. Arena Fanatic) and I will give our predictions for each game. Here we go!
Heavy Favorites:
Tulsa @ 3 Ohio State (-30) 9/10 3:30pm ABC
J.T. Barrett had the Buckeyes offense rolling on Saturday in the tune of 77 points. Barrett left little doubt that he is one of the top QB’s in the country. Tulsa has a great opening win by dominating San Jose St. Dane Evans will have to be on target in this one if Tulsa wants to pull the massive upset.
Tyler’s pick: Ohio State 52-24
Matt’s pick: Ohio State 59-17
Western Kentucky @ 1 Alabama (-29) 9/10 3:30pm ESPN2
Alabama opened up the 2016 season by dismantling USC 52-6. Alabama clearly appears to the best team in the nation but will get their best shot from the Hilltoppers. WKU QB Mike White threw for over 500 yards in the opening win over Rice.
Tyler’s pick: Alabama 48-17
Matt’s pick: Alabama 45-16
Utah State @ USC (-16.5) 9/10 2:00pm Pac 12 Network
USC returns home after a crushing loss to Alabama last Saturday. Juju Smith-Schuster will need to show up in this game and Browne has to be better. Utah State has a solid RB in Devante Mays. I’m tempted to go upset here but USC pulls it out in the 4th quarter.
Tyler’s pick: USC 40-23
Matt’s pick: USC 33-23
13 Louisville (-14.5) @ Syracuse 9/9 8:00pm ESPN2
Lamar Jackson had 8, yes 8 TD’s at half against Charlotte. The defense was suffocating and shows why Louisville was so high on our preseason rankings. Eric Dungey threw for 355 yards in the opener against Colgate. Amba Etta-Tawo was a breakout star in that game with 12 receptions and 210 yards.
Tyler’s pick: Louisville 42-13
Matt’s pick: Louisville 38-20
Washington State @ Boise State (-12) 9/10 10:15pm ESPN2
Washington State opened the season with another loss to a FCS school for the second consecutive season. Luke Falk and Gabe Marks are a dynamic duo for the Cougars. Boise State dominated ULL in the opener. Washington State’s defense gave up 606 yards to EWU so Boise State should continue to roll behind Brett Rypien.
Tyler’s pick: Washington State 30-27
Matt’s pick: Boise State 45-38
Competitive Matchups:
Cincinnati (-6.5) @ Purdue 9/10 12:00pm Big Ten Network
Cincinnati was less than sharp in the home opener against UT-Martin. Hayden Moore and the offense struggled for most of the game. Purdue found success behind the running of Markell Jones. This is a big game for both programs and should be a good one.
Tyler’s pick: Purdue 24-20
Matt’s pick: Cincinnati 31-24
Middle Tennessee @ Vanderbilt (-5.5) 9/10 4:00pm SEC Network
Vanderbilt struggled in the season opener against South Carolina. The offense finished with 73 passing yards and 242 total yards. On the other side Middle Tennessee’s offense was a high powered scoring machine. Brent Stockstill and Richie James are a dynamic duo for the Blue Raiders. Vanderbilt’s defense will have it hands full and the offense needs a second weapon behind Ralph Webb. Vanderbilt is on upset alert this week.
Tyler’s pick: Middle Tennessee 28-27
Matt’s pick: Middle Tennessee 31-20
UConn @ Navy (-3.5) 9/10 3:30pm CBS Sports Net
This is a matchup of strength vs strength. UConn’s rush defense against a high powered rushing attack. UConn allowed for only 40 yards rushing while Navy posted 427 yards rushing last weekend. Bryant Shirreffs is the key for the Huskies offense. I expect a low scoring game in this one.
Tyler’s pick: Navy 23-17
Matt’s pick: Navy 19-13
North Carolina (-9.5) @ Illinois 9/10 73:30pm Big Ten Network
UNC lost a tough game in Atlanta to Georgia and now travels to Illinois. UNC needs to lean more heavily on the running attack in this one. Wes Lunt looked sharp in the home opener for the Illini. The defense held Murray State to only 165 yards and -10 rushing. Nick Chubb ran all over the UNC defense and the Illini finished with almost 300 rushing yards in week one. Lovie Smith gets a big chance for a huge win in this one.
Tyler’s pick: North Carolina 36-20
Matt’s pick: Illinois 28-27
Cal @ San Diego State (-7.5) 9/10 10:30pm CBS Sports Net
Davis Webb had an eventful debut for Cal in Australia. Webb threw for over 400 yards and 4 TD’s. Webb will be challenged by a stout SDSU defense. The Aztecs also have Donnel Pumphrey who should feast on a Cal-D that gave up 248 rushing yards to Hawaii. Webb gives Cal a chance but I like the Aztecs defense in this one.
Tyler’s pick: San Diego State 32-17
Matt’s pick: San Diego State 35-27
Can’t miss games!
Texas Tech @ Arizona State (-3) 9/10 10:00pm Fox Sports 1
There should be plenty of fireworks in this game. Texas Tech is led by Pat Mahomes who accounted for 6 TD’s in the opener. Tech scored 69 points and accumulated over 750 yards of offense. Arizona State should be able to find big holes against a soft Tech D. Manny Wilkins could have a big game but I will take Tech and Mahomes in this one.
Tyler’s pick: Texas Tech 45-40
Matt’s pick: Texas Tech 50-38
Arkansas @ 15 TCU (-7.5) 9/10 7:00pm ESPN
Arkansas survived a scare in week one against La Tech. The offense struggled big time and Austin Allen had a couple terrible decisions. Arkansas’s defense was stout and really carried the Hogs to that win. TCU was tested by a South Dakota State team who put up 41 points on the Frogs. Kenny Hill looked spectacular with over 400 passing yards. Arkansas will need its defense to slow down the Frogs offense to have a chance in this one.
Tyler’s pick: TCU 32-20
Matt’s pick: TCU 38-27
BYU @ Utah (-3.5) 9/10 7:30pm FOX
The Holy War will be on display in primetime on Saturday night. BYU is coming off a win over Arizona in the opener. Taysom Hill and Jamaal Williams both had big games in their returns to the lineup. Utah has one of the best defenses in the country and will be a tough task for the Cougars. Troy Williams will be the key for the Utes in this game.
Tyler’s pick: BYU 27-20
Matt’s pick:Utah 24-21
Penn State @ Pittsburgh (-5) 9/10 12:00pm ESPN
Both defenses played solid in week one allowing 20 points combined. This matchup features two great backs in Barkley for Penn State and James Connor for Pitt. Trace McSorley looked good in his Penn State debut. The key to this game will be Barkley against the Pitt defense who allowed 53 rushing yards last week. This will be a low scoring, physical game won in the trenches.
Tyler’s pick: Pittsburgh 27-20
Matt’s pick: Penn State 14-10
Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee (-12) 9/10 8:00pm ABC
Virginia Tech and Tennessee clash at Bristol Motor Speedway this Saturday. There will be 150,000 fans in the stands for this game. Jerod Evans is the key in this one for the Hokies offense. Evans has one of the best receivers in the country in Isaiah Ford. Tennessee struggled with Sun Belt favorite Appalachian State. Dobbs and the rushing attack managed only 127 yards rushing as the OL was dominating all game. This will be a major test for both teams, especially Tennessee. We will find out this weekend if Tennessee is for real or not. Butch Jones will have his team ready to go in this one.
Tyler’s pick: Tennessee 24-23
Matt’s pick: Tennessee 38-24
Below are 15 games that are on my slate of games to watch. Tyler (Mr. Arena Fanatic) and I will give our predictions for each game. Here we go!
Heavy Favorites:
Tulsa @ 3 Ohio State (-30) 9/10 3:30pm ABC
J.T. Barrett had the Buckeyes offense rolling on Saturday in the tune of 77 points. Barrett left little doubt that he is one of the top QB’s in the country. Tulsa has a great opening win by dominating San Jose St. Dane Evans will have to be on target in this one if Tulsa wants to pull the massive upset.
Tyler’s pick: Ohio State 52-24
Matt’s pick: Ohio State 59-17
Western Kentucky @ 1 Alabama (-29) 9/10 3:30pm ESPN2
Alabama opened up the 2016 season by dismantling USC 52-6. Alabama clearly appears to the best team in the nation but will get their best shot from the Hilltoppers. WKU QB Mike White threw for over 500 yards in the opening win over Rice.
Tyler’s pick: Alabama 48-17
Matt’s pick: Alabama 45-16
Utah State @ USC (-16.5) 9/10 2:00pm Pac 12 Network
USC returns home after a crushing loss to Alabama last Saturday. Juju Smith-Schuster will need to show up in this game and Browne has to be better. Utah State has a solid RB in Devante Mays. I’m tempted to go upset here but USC pulls it out in the 4th quarter.
Tyler’s pick: USC 40-23
Matt’s pick: USC 33-23
13 Louisville (-14.5) @ Syracuse 9/9 8:00pm ESPN2
Lamar Jackson had 8, yes 8 TD’s at half against Charlotte. The defense was suffocating and shows why Louisville was so high on our preseason rankings. Eric Dungey threw for 355 yards in the opener against Colgate. Amba Etta-Tawo was a breakout star in that game with 12 receptions and 210 yards.
Tyler’s pick: Louisville 42-13
Matt’s pick: Louisville 38-20
Washington State @ Boise State (-12) 9/10 10:15pm ESPN2
Washington State opened the season with another loss to a FCS school for the second consecutive season. Luke Falk and Gabe Marks are a dynamic duo for the Cougars. Boise State dominated ULL in the opener. Washington State’s defense gave up 606 yards to EWU so Boise State should continue to roll behind Brett Rypien.
Tyler’s pick: Washington State 30-27
Matt’s pick: Boise State 45-38
Competitive Matchups:
Cincinnati (-6.5) @ Purdue 9/10 12:00pm Big Ten Network
Cincinnati was less than sharp in the home opener against UT-Martin. Hayden Moore and the offense struggled for most of the game. Purdue found success behind the running of Markell Jones. This is a big game for both programs and should be a good one.
Tyler’s pick: Purdue 24-20
Matt’s pick: Cincinnati 31-24
Middle Tennessee @ Vanderbilt (-5.5) 9/10 4:00pm SEC Network
Vanderbilt struggled in the season opener against South Carolina. The offense finished with 73 passing yards and 242 total yards. On the other side Middle Tennessee’s offense was a high powered scoring machine. Brent Stockstill and Richie James are a dynamic duo for the Blue Raiders. Vanderbilt’s defense will have it hands full and the offense needs a second weapon behind Ralph Webb. Vanderbilt is on upset alert this week.
Tyler’s pick: Middle Tennessee 28-27
Matt’s pick: Middle Tennessee 31-20
UConn @ Navy (-3.5) 9/10 3:30pm CBS Sports Net
This is a matchup of strength vs strength. UConn’s rush defense against a high powered rushing attack. UConn allowed for only 40 yards rushing while Navy posted 427 yards rushing last weekend. Bryant Shirreffs is the key for the Huskies offense. I expect a low scoring game in this one.
Tyler’s pick: Navy 23-17
Matt’s pick: Navy 19-13
North Carolina (-9.5) @ Illinois 9/10 73:30pm Big Ten Network
UNC lost a tough game in Atlanta to Georgia and now travels to Illinois. UNC needs to lean more heavily on the running attack in this one. Wes Lunt looked sharp in the home opener for the Illini. The defense held Murray State to only 165 yards and -10 rushing. Nick Chubb ran all over the UNC defense and the Illini finished with almost 300 rushing yards in week one. Lovie Smith gets a big chance for a huge win in this one.
Tyler’s pick: North Carolina 36-20
Matt’s pick: Illinois 28-27
Cal @ San Diego State (-7.5) 9/10 10:30pm CBS Sports Net
Davis Webb had an eventful debut for Cal in Australia. Webb threw for over 400 yards and 4 TD’s. Webb will be challenged by a stout SDSU defense. The Aztecs also have Donnel Pumphrey who should feast on a Cal-D that gave up 248 rushing yards to Hawaii. Webb gives Cal a chance but I like the Aztecs defense in this one.
Tyler’s pick: San Diego State 32-17
Matt’s pick: San Diego State 35-27
Can’t miss games!
Texas Tech @ Arizona State (-3) 9/10 10:00pm Fox Sports 1
There should be plenty of fireworks in this game. Texas Tech is led by Pat Mahomes who accounted for 6 TD’s in the opener. Tech scored 69 points and accumulated over 750 yards of offense. Arizona State should be able to find big holes against a soft Tech D. Manny Wilkins could have a big game but I will take Tech and Mahomes in this one.
Tyler’s pick: Texas Tech 45-40
Matt’s pick: Texas Tech 50-38
Arkansas @ 15 TCU (-7.5) 9/10 7:00pm ESPN
Arkansas survived a scare in week one against La Tech. The offense struggled big time and Austin Allen had a couple terrible decisions. Arkansas’s defense was stout and really carried the Hogs to that win. TCU was tested by a South Dakota State team who put up 41 points on the Frogs. Kenny Hill looked spectacular with over 400 passing yards. Arkansas will need its defense to slow down the Frogs offense to have a chance in this one.
Tyler’s pick: TCU 32-20
Matt’s pick: TCU 38-27
BYU @ Utah (-3.5) 9/10 7:30pm FOX
The Holy War will be on display in primetime on Saturday night. BYU is coming off a win over Arizona in the opener. Taysom Hill and Jamaal Williams both had big games in their returns to the lineup. Utah has one of the best defenses in the country and will be a tough task for the Cougars. Troy Williams will be the key for the Utes in this game.
Tyler’s pick: BYU 27-20
Matt’s pick:Utah 24-21
Penn State @ Pittsburgh (-5) 9/10 12:00pm ESPN
Both defenses played solid in week one allowing 20 points combined. This matchup features two great backs in Barkley for Penn State and James Connor for Pitt. Trace McSorley looked good in his Penn State debut. The key to this game will be Barkley against the Pitt defense who allowed 53 rushing yards last week. This will be a low scoring, physical game won in the trenches.
Tyler’s pick: Pittsburgh 27-20
Matt’s pick: Penn State 14-10
Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee (-12) 9/10 8:00pm ABC
Virginia Tech and Tennessee clash at Bristol Motor Speedway this Saturday. There will be 150,000 fans in the stands for this game. Jerod Evans is the key in this one for the Hokies offense. Evans has one of the best receivers in the country in Isaiah Ford. Tennessee struggled with Sun Belt favorite Appalachian State. Dobbs and the rushing attack managed only 127 yards rushing as the OL was dominating all game. This will be a major test for both teams, especially Tennessee. We will find out this weekend if Tennessee is for real or not. Butch Jones will have his team ready to go in this one.
Tyler’s pick: Tennessee 24-23
Matt’s pick: Tennessee 38-24
Matt's PicksTop 25 1. Alabama
2. Florida State 3. Ohio State 4.Houston 5. Michigan 6.Clemson 7. Georgia 8. Louisville 9. Tennessee 10. Texas 11. TCU 12. Stanford 13. Michigan State 14. Iowa 15. Wisconsin 16. Texas A&M 17. Washington 18. Oklahoma State 19. Ole Miss 20. Oklahoma 21. Notre Dame 22. Boise State 23. LSU 24. Baylor 25. Auburn Non-Power 5 Top Ten1. Houston (#4 nationally)
2. Boise State (#22 nationally) 3. San Diego State 4. Western Michigan 5. Southern Miss 6. South Florida 7. Marshall 8. Appalachian State 9. Western Kentucky 10. Toledo Heisman Top Ten1. Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia
2. J.T. Barrett, QB, Ohio State 3. Greg Ward Jr, QB Houston 4. Deondre Francois, QB, Florida State 5. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville 6. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford 7. Dalvin Cook, RB, FSU 8. Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson 9. DeMarcus Walker, DE, Florida State 10. Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma College Bowls and PlayoffsPeach Bowl: 4 Houston vs. 1 Alabama
Fiesta Bowl: 3 Ohio State vs. 2 Florida State Orange Bowl: Tennessee vs. Clemson Sugar Bowl: Georgia vs. Texas Cotton Bowl: Louisville vs. TCU Rose Bowl: Michigan vs. Stanford |
Tyler's PicksTop 251. Alabama
2. Ohio State 3. Houston 4. Clemson 5. Georgia 6. Iowa 7. Florida State 8. Louisville 9. Michigan State 10. Boise State 11. Texas A&M 12. Oklahoma 13. Michigan 14. Tennessee 15. Texas 16. Washington 17. USC 18. Wisconsin 19. San Diego State 20. LSU 21. TCU 22. Florida 23. Notre Dame 24. Southern Miss 25. North Carolina Non-Power 5 Top Ten1. Houston (#3 Houston)
2. Boise State (#10 Nationally) 3. San Diego State (#19 Nationally) 4. Southern Miss. (#24 Nationally) 5. Western Michigan 6. Appalachian State 7. MTSU 8. South Florida 9. Toledo 10. Marshall Heisman Top Ten1. Dalvin Cook, RB, FSU
2. Greg Ward Jr, QB, Houston 3. Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson 4. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville 5. Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia 6. Luke Falk, QB, Washington State 7. J.T. Barret, QB, Ohio State 8. Aaron Jones, RB, UTEP 9. Donnel Pumphrey, RB, San Diego State 10. Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU College Bowls and PlayoffsPeach Bowl: 4 Clemson vs. 1 Alabama
Fiesta Bowl: 2 Ohio State vs. 3 Houston Orange Bowl: Florida State vs. Michigan St. Sugar Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Georgia Cotton Bowl: Boise State vs. Texas A&M Rose Bowl: Washington vs. Iowa |
