Week 3 Predictions

      Welcome to Week 3 Football fans! This week features some fantastic games including the return of Lane Kiffin to Oxford, Mississippi. I don't want to waste any time this week with so many great games, so let's dive right into my predictions!

Week 2 Results: 14 - 8

Overall Results: 36 - 20

Week 3 Predictions:

Arizona State vs Kansas

     No one can figure out why this game is being played across the pond, but the Sun Devils and the Jayhawks are meeting at Wembley for a college football game in London. Both teams looked competitive against their SEC opponents last week, until the mistakes began to pile up. Kansas had 3 turnovers agianst Missouri and Arizona State had 4 against A&M. Both teams have some talent at QB, but Cutter Boley has looked really good for the Sun Devils so far this season. I think he has another big performance and Arizona State wins this Big XII Conference game in the UK. Sun Devils 27, Kansas 17.

North Carolina at Clemson

     Both of these teams have some serious issues to address in different areas. North Carolina has a number of administrative issues after the General Manager and Defensive Coordinator have both stepped down. Clemson's issues are more on the field, as they were embarrassed in the opener against LSU and struggled to fend off Georgia Southern at home last week. UNC looked strong in the opener against TCU in Ireland, especially with their defense allowing just 281 total yards against the Horned Frogs. Clemson's offense has been abysmal this season, and Freshman QB Tait Reynolds is set to start moving forward. This feels like the game where Dabo gets Clemson back on track, but I'm not sure this team has much juice in it. North Carolina looked tough but with so much off-field drama and players suspended along with coaches resigning, I think Clemson handles business. New QB should help spark the offense, Clemson wins 27-21.

Florida State at #10 Alabama

     The Seminoles upset the Tide when this game was played in Tallahassee last year, but it won't quite be as easy this year. Tuscaloosa is not an easy place to win, and despite SMU handing Florida State numerous opportunities to win, they couldn't pull off the upset in Week 1. The Noles are coming off a BYE week, but Alabama found another gear in the second half against Kentucky. I think Keelon Russell starts to find his stride in this game and Mike Norvell is one game closer to unemployment. Roll Tide 42-17.

#16 SMU at #23 Louisville

     This is my favorite game of the weekend and should be a phenomenal showcase of QB talent and high-powered offenses. Louisville fell short against Ole Miss in the season opener, more so due to penalties and msissed defensive assignments. The offense did their part racking up 469 yards and 38 points against the Rebels' defense. SMU survived the power outage at Florida State, despite giving the Seminoles multiple opportunities to take that game. Kevin Jennings is my Heisman favorite still, and his talent speaks for itself. If you have yet to watch him this season, he's truly showing his experience. So far he's thrown for 767 yards with 8 TDs and a couple of picks. Jennings uses his legs well, moving the pocket and extending plays. On the Cardinals' sideline, ex-Buckeye QB Lincoln Kienholz has been showing everyone in the nation there's some good football talent (much like myself) that comes out of South Dakota. In his first action as a starter he's thrown for 639 yards with 4 TDs and leads the team in rushing with 111 yards and 3 TDs through just 2 games. Hopefully RB Isaac Brown can get into a groove to help balance their offense out soon. This should be a back and forth shootout, but a big play on defense will certainly flip the game. Kevin Jennings and SMU is my pick to win the ACC, but this game gives either team the inside track to contend for the title with Miami. I think Louisville could push for a playoff spot, but this game is an important one to win. Give me the Ponies for a 36-33 win over the Cardinals.

Mississippi State at South Carolina

     Two unbeaten SEC teams line up as the Bulldogs take on the Gamecocks. Both teams are lead by big time playmakers at QB. LaNorris Sellers has experience but Kamario Taylor has the flash. The young buck has thrown for 581 yards and 7 TDs while adding another 145 yards and a TD on the ground. Sellers has 120 of his own yards on the ground with a TD, but they haven't played much competition yet. Defensively, the Cocks still have another level to get to with star defensive end Dylan Stewart expected to make his season debut today. I think this will be a tough home environment, so Mississippi State needs to play a clean game and try to force some turnovers. There's upset potential in the air, but I like the experience on South Carolina's sideline. I think that's the difference maker in a close game. Gamecoks defend home turf 30-27.

Florida International at Florida Atlantic (Shula Bowl)

     One of my favorite G6 battles of the season is the Shula Bowl in honor of Miami Dolphins coaching legend, Don Shula. The Panthers and the Owls both have Shula coaching tree connections in their history, and have a fun rivalry building. FAU has dominated the series throughout history with a 17-5 record, but FIU pulled an upset last year and is primed to go back-to-back. The Owls had a big win over Navy last week and while they didn't win, FIU was competitive with USF in Week 1. Both teams have dynamic passing attacks led by experienced QBs in JJ Khol (FIU) and Caden Veltkamp (FAU). Each have more than 600 passing yards through two games and some reliable pass catchers to throw to downfield. I think this could be a shootout in South Florida, so look for a lot of yards and points. While I think FAU is improving, I like the Panthers to have a big season and it jump starts with a win here. FIU beats FAU 40-35 in the Shula Bowl.

Florida at Auburn

     The Gators have yet to face a worthy opponent this season, but a road trip to Auburn will tell us a lot about John Sumrall's team. He faces off against a familiar foe with Alex Golesh leading the Tigers now, both coaches coming up from the American Conference. Auburn's defense was tremendous in the opener against Baylor, specifically their tackling. Offensively, Byrum Brown has struggled a bit, throwing 3 picks and being sacked 5 times in that Baylor game. If the Gators can get pressure early, an extra possession from a turnover could be huge. This should be a very competitive game, so look for the defenses to put a few highlights on the tape. Give me the Gators to renew this old SEC rivalry with a road victory 27-23.

#11 BYU at Colorado State

     The Cougars earned a tough conference win against Arizona last week and has a dangerous road trip to TCU taking on the Frogs next week. Squeezed in between is a sneaky upset opportunity in Fort Collins, Colorado. The Rams are 2-0 to start the season an have new energy around the program under head coach Jim Mora. He's got the Rams' offense humming through two games, but the Cougar defense is one of the toughest they'll face this season. BYU is primed to to be the Big XII Playoff team this year, but the offense needs to find a second gear. Last year's Big XII offensive player of the year was Cougar RB LJ Martin. He has yet to find the endzone in 2026 and has just 152 yards through two games. He's one of the best backs in the nation, especially in compliment to Bear Bachmeier's dual-threat ability. Look for him to have a break out game. BYU can't over look Colorado State, but I think the Rams will hang around for a bit. Cougars beat the Rams 34-21.

Michigan State at #3 Notre Dame

     A rivalry renews as Sparty travels to South Bend to take on Notre Dame. The Irish have dominated so far this season, and while we haven't seen what all Michigan State can be, I know Pat Fitzgerald will have them ready. Senior RB Cam Edwards has been a workhorse for the Spartans, rushing for 250 yards and 3 TDs through two games, averaging over 5.2 yards per carry. Michigan State will need to get him going early if they want to hang around in this one. Notre Dame was challenged a bit by the fellow BIG 10 Badgers, but ran away with that game in the second half. Quarterback CJ Carr is looking like the Heisman hopeful we've all dubbed him to be. I'm anxious to see what Sparty's defense looks like as the Huskers visit them next week, but I don't think they'll be able to slow down the Irish. It's tough to win in South Bend, Notre Dame 38, Michigan State 17.

West Virginia at #25 Virginia

     A very under the radar game on this Saturday slate, but don't forget to turn the channel over to this game from time to time. Both teams have fantastic rushing attacks, with the Mountaineers ranking 8th so far this season and the Cavaliers ranking 18th. West Virginia's offense runs through dual-threat QB Michael Hawkins Jr. The Sophomore has 6 total TDs this season but will be up against a tough defense with Virginia. They've yet to give up double digit points in a game and held NC State to 168 total yards in Week 1. Virginia has Beau Pribula at QB and he's looked better than advertised in my opinion. The offense has gone over 400 total yards in both games this season and the important thing is Virginia does not commit many penalties. Only 8 penalties through 2 games. West Virginia cleaned things up from 7 penalties in their opener against Coastal, but that could be a big drive killer with two teams that love to run the ball. I like Virginia at home, but WVU will put a couple of statement drives together. Cavaliers beat the Mountaineers 33-24.

Colorado at Northwestern

     The Buffs flexed a bit in the opener against Georgia Tech, so they've got experience on the road this season. Northwestern is hoping QB Aidan Chiles can spark up the offense, throwing for 273 and 1 TD in their opener against the Jackrabbits of South Dakota State. He added another TD on the ground, but Colorado will look to contain his dual-threat ability with specialized blitz pressure. The Buffs racked up 3 sacks and 8 tackles for loss against Georgia Tech, and that's where I think Northwestern could struggle. I would love to wave the BIG 10 flag and have the Wildcats beat the Buffs, but I think Colorado earns another solid win on the road 20-17.

Virginia Tech at Maryland

     Death, taxes and James Franklin hating Maryland. The ex-Penn State head coach squares off yet again with the rival Terps, this time from the Hokie sideline with his new team in Virginia Tech. They've started the season strong, but this will be the first real test. Everything for Maryland runs through QB Malik Washington. The Sophomore has over 500 yards and 3 TDs through the air so far this season and is looking to lead an impressive campaign. James Franklin doesn't lose these games though, and he'll likely look to run up the score on Maryland. Hokies win it 31-20.

#7 LSU at #8 Ole Miss

     The game of the week features LSU at Ole Miss as Lane Kiffin returns to take on the team he left right before the College Football Playoffs. The atmosphere will be insane down at the Grove, and these fans want nothing more than to watch Kiffin burned at the state at mid-field. I'm sure they'll settle for a Rebel win, but it won't come easy. LSU's defense has been one of the best this season, allowing just 284 total through just two games against Clemson and Louisiana Tech. The Tigers tried to pull the wool over folks with some extra players on the injury report earlier this week, but I fully expect QB Sam Leavitt to be starting for the purple and gold. On the other side, Rebs QB Trinidad Chambliss is one of the best players in the nation. Another Heisman contender, he was the primary reason Ole Miss nearly played for the natty last season. Chambliss was dynamic against Louisville in the opener, and so far this season has more than 600 total yards and 6 TDs. His legs constantly extend plays and he will make some big plays to keep his offense on the field. Both teams will look to establish the run game, so keep an eye on Tigers' RB Dilin Jones and Rebels' Back Kewan Lacy. Both backs average nearly 5 yards per carry and aren't afraid of a running through contact. For pure chaos reasons, let's say Hotty Toddy as the Rebels get revenge on their former head coach. Ole Miss 33, LSU 31.

North Dakota at Nebraska

     The Huskers wrap up non-conferene play with FCS North Dakota coming to Lincoln. The last time the Fighting Hawks visited Nebraska, Scott Frost got his final win as a Husker head coach, winning 38-17. The Huskers have played 6 quarters very well against lesser competition after starting slow against Ohio in the opener. They should have no problems putting up points again and the defense should be able to contain North Dakota. Anthony Colandrea and the Husker offense have looked to be in sync, but the lack of competition concerns me as we don't truly know what this team looks like. The first real test comes in East Lansing next week, but another tune up game gives Nebraska a chance to find more rhythm. Jamal Rule and Mekhi Nelson have been a great tandem in the backfield, and I want more plays designed for Jacory Barney Jr. He's sensational in space and could be one of the most electrifying players in the country if given the right opportunities. I'm hoping the Huskers can apply more pressure from the defensive line, as opposing QBs have had a lot of time to throw in the first two weeks. Another big day for the Huskers, but the real challenge starts next week. Nebraska 42, North Dakota 13.

Quick-Hit Predictions:

#2 Georgia at Arkansas - Arkansas golf courses are offering discounted tee times so fans don't have to watch this game. Not sure what Georgia truly is yet, but they should handle business in Fayettville. Bulldogs over the Hogs 42-10.

NC State at Vanderbilt - Vandy's new 5 star QB Jared Curtis will get the start as the Commodores host the Wolf Pack. NC State has an experienced team, but struggled to stop the run against Virginia a couple of weeks ago. CJ Bailey hasn't shined like we thought and although Vandy hasn't looked great I do think they win at home 30-21.

Kentucky at #9 Texas A&M - The Wildcats started strong against Alabama last week, but couldn't get things moving in the second half. I think they'll find a similar fate against the Aggies. Gig 'Em for 38-20.

New Mexico at #24 Oklahoma - The Sooners offense has been disappointing this season and things are starting to reflect the 2025 season. They come back home after the Michigan trip to host an under the radar New Mexico team. The Lobos won't win it, but they should keep it closer than Sooner fans would like. Boomer Sooner 31-17.

James Madision at San Diego State - The Dukes make a cross country trip to take on the Aztecs of San Diego State. JMU has rolled so far this season, but SDSU will be their toughest test to date. UCLA held the Aztecs in check last week, so we'll see what James Madison can replicate from what their former head coach just did. While I do like the Dukes, this game kicks off at 7 PM local time which is 10 PM James Madison time. It's hard to play against your body clock, especially with teams of even skill level, so give me San Diego State at home 30-20.

NDSU at Sac State - College Football's newest members square off in a late night showdown out West. I realize the hypocrisy of going against my body clock rule I just emphasized, but NDSU is far better than Sac State, so talent wins out. Go Bison 38-10.

Purdue at UCLA - Late night, cross country trip for the Boilermakers against a tough Bruins team that loves to run the rock. Boiler down and the Bruins win 38-14.

Thank you for reading my Week 3 Predictions and be sure to check out my Week 3 Episode of Inside Heart Football. There's a ton of great football at the NAIA division and the Heart of America Athletic Conference is top of the ranks. A great game set up between Grandview and Benedictine today along with the rest of the Saturday slate. Be sure to tune in Thursdays at 6 PM!

Nebraska vs Bowling Green

USA Drone Show

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando

Week 2 Predictions

      After an eventful Week 1, I'm sure we can expect more of the same for Week 2! There's a great slate of games to look at this weekend and I've got my breakdown from the Huskers' win over Ohio. I'll also give some thoughts on a few other games and teams that stood out to me in Week 1. Let's get to it!

     Nebraska came alive in the second half to defeat Ohio 49-21. Despite the slow start in the first half, Nebraska's offense put up 35 points in the second half to go with 523 yards of total offense. I've got my GOOD, EXPECTED and BAD break down for the Huskers performance.

GOOD - Jamal Rule. After the opening game performance, I've seen enough to make him RB1. I'm sure the Huskers will still operate under the guise of a committee in the backfield, but Rule was clearly the best playmaker of the bunch. He racked up 169 total yards with 3 TDs, bursting through the line with great vision and speed. I'm excited to see what spark he continues to bring and hope the Huskers feed him 12-15 times per game minimum.

EXPECTED - Slow start and Colandrea's legs. Starting with the slow start, Nebraska started a bit sluggish in this game, going into the half with just a 1 point lead. Defensively, they gave up a big pass on the opening play and a score two plays later. Hit in the mouth quick, the Blackshirts gave up three straight scoring drives to start the game and let Ohio's QB Poulos be the Bobcats' leading rusher with 70 yards on the ground. Offensively it took a bit for the receivers to get in synch with Anthony Colandrea, and they need to clean up some drops. However, I chalk that up to first game rust and should get better over the nex couple of weeks. The other thing I expected was Colandrea's legs being a key factor in extending drives. His scrambling ability not only extended plays, but picked up multiple first downs. This is something that will be crucial for the Huskers all season long.

BAD - Pass rush & penalties. The Blackshirts are still struggling up front and lack a stellar pass rush. The defense did settle in late in the first half and were lights out for a majority of the second half. However, Poulos had plenty of time to survey the field on pass plays and easily broke contain when he wanted to scramble. The lack of pass rush will continue to be an issue in BIG 10 play, so I expect Rob Aurich to get creative with blitz packages later this year. Last but not least, the Huskers again struggled with penalties. They had 9 compared to Ohio's 2, and while some of those should get cleaned up from week to week, it's never a stat you want to lead in.

Week 1 CFB thoughts:

- Western Michigan beat Michigan, no time should've been added back just like in 2009 when no time should've been added back for Texas

- Louisville needs to clean up penalties and they would've beat Ole Miss without much trouble, can't shoot yourself in the foot

- SMU survived despite shooting themselves in the foot, should've won that game by double digits

- Baylor snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, but kudos to Auburn and their tackling

- Very impressive win by UCLA on the road at Cal, Bob Chesney will make them dangerous

- LSU dominated Clemson and Dabo might be cooked and Lane is the Evil Villain you just can't stop watching

Week 1 Results: 18 - 8

Overall Results: 22 - 12

Week 2 Predictions:

#23 Missouri at Kansas (Boarder War)

     A 14-year hiatus of one of the most hated rivalries, the Tigers and the Jayhawks meet again for the Boarder War. Kansas didn't hold back any punches on social media, highlighting the rivalry history dating back to the civil war roots and pointing out very clearly which side of the line Mizzou was on. Both teams dominated lesser competition in their openers, so this will be a true test of who they are. The Jayhawks play host for this game, and Sophomore QB Isiah Marshall leads the offense now. His dual threat ability should help extend some drives and counter Mizzou's Austin Simmons at QB. Turnovers are key in this one and both teams were in the negative last season. We'll go for the upset here, Rock Chalk Jayhawks beat the Tigers 27-24.

Arizona State at #10 Texas A&M

     The Sun Devils travel to Aggie Land as they take on the 12th Man at Kyle Field. Again, neither team was tested in Week 1, so we'll find out a lot more about Cutter Boley and Arizona State as takes on the Aggie defense. Marcel Reed is always dangerous with his legs, as long as he keeps the sticks moving Texas A&M should be fine. I think their defense is too much to handle for the Sun Devils and they win at home 35-17.

#11 Oklahoma at Michigan

     It was difficult to imagine having more hatred for Michigan going into Week 1, but after an additional second was added back to the game clock (from a secret clock that is somehow now existing), the Wolverines stole one of the great upsets of the young season. Michigan honestly looked abysmal outside of their opening drive, and Bryce Underwood struggled throughout the game. The defense was solid, but now have to host a dominant Oklahoma team with experience across the board. John Mateer is healthy and looks ready to put up big numbers this season after throwing for 225 yards and 3 TDs in the opener. Most importantly, the Sooner defense is about to completely wreck the Michigan O-line and it's going to be one of the best sights of the weekend. I say this with a full nation of football fans backing me, Boomer Sooner for a big win in the Big House 35-10.

#12 Alabama at Kentucky

     Wildcat head coach Will Stein wants Kroger field rocking as the Tide roll in for an early season SEC battle. Bama QB Keelon Russell makes his first road start and is looking for a big win to start his career. He certainly looked dynamic in the opener against ECU, utilizing his dual threat ability for 86 yards and a TD on the ground in addition to his 256 yards through the air. We'll see how Kentucky handles his legs, needing an extra defender to hang in the box and spy on Russell. Ex-Notre Dame QB (and Husker Portal Recruit) threw for 301 yards with 4 TDs in their opener against Youngstown State. I'm not sold on the Tide this year, but I do think they handle the Kentucky Wildcats. Roll Tide 34-17.

Arizona at #15 BYU

     The Cougars host the Wildcats in what should be a very entertaining game. Both teams have dynamic QBs leading the way in Bear Bachmeier and Noah Fafita. Tune up games went well, so this one will quickly show us how dangerous both of these teams are. I am a big fan of Noah Fafita, but the BYU rushing attack is difficult to contend with, especially at home. Give me LJ Martin for a big game and BYU wins 31-20. Arizona did just add two key players who are now cleared for competition from last year's team with reeligibility. Ismail Mahdi was their leading rusher and Max Harris was third on the team in tackles. We'll se how much playing time they get in with their first game back on the roster.

Mississippi State at Minnesota

     The SEC vs BIG weekend features a hidden gem between lower tier teams in Mississippi State and Minnesota. The Bulldogs travel North as the Gophers look to row the boat to a home victory. Minnesota is an underdog at home, but have veteran leadership with Drake Lindsey back under center. The Junior threw for 264 yards and 1 TD in the opener, but he had just 6 picks all of last season, doing well to take care of the ball. Mississippi State is lead by Sophomore Kamario Taylor, who threw for 354 yards and 4 TDs in their opener against Louisiana Monroe. He'll face a much tougher secondary up North, and look for Minnesota to apply pressure, they ranked 9th in the nation with 39 sacks last season, averaging 3 per game. I'll wave my BIG 10 flag here and go with the Golden rodents to beat the Bulldogs 23-17.

UCF at Pitt

     The Panthers demolished Miami (OH) in the opener with Sophomore QB Mason Heintschel throwing for 453 and 7 TDs. One can only hope he'll put up similar numbers on the Scott Frost-led Knights of UCF. The boys from Orlando put up a strong rushing attack in Week 1, and I'm a big fan of QB Alonza Barnett III. However, I don't think they'll be able to keep pace with Pitt and I love watching Scott Frost lose. Bit win at home for the Panthers 41-20.

Cal at Syracuse

     The Golden Bears' debut under Tosh Lupoi did not go well as the Bruins spoiled it with a 21-point fourth quarter. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele looked like the star he's been known to be at times, but had two costly interceptions where he tried to play some hero ball. The Golden Bears were also 0/3 on 4th down, giving up a number of short fields to UCLA. Syracuse is glad to have Steve Angeli back after he missed a majority of last season from a torn achilles. I really like the weapons available to JKS on the Cal offense, but traveling across country is no easy task. This is one I thought they'd take at the beginning of the season though, so I'll go with the Golden Bears in a close one 30-28.

Duke at Illinois

     The Blue Devils are coming off a 17-3 victory over a rebuilding Tulane where they held the Green Wave to just 3/14 on 3rd down and 0/2 on 4th down. Sophomore Running Back Nate Sheppard racked up 227 on 35 carries and added two touchdowns. We'll see if he's given a similar workload at Illinois, but the Illini defense isn't what we'd typically expect form looking at their opener against UAB. The Blazers put up over 400 yards, converted over 50% of their third downs and had 23 points on the boad by the end of the night. While not enough to win, certainly enough to put dents in the armor. Look for the Blue Devils to build a similar gameplan. Offensively, ECU transfer QB Katin Houser looked solid and should shine on this team. I'll go with the Illini at home 27-17.

Memphis at Boise State

     Two of the top G6 teams square off on the blue turf. Memphis dismantled UNLV in Week 0 with a tremendous pass rush and the Broncos just fell short on the road against the Ducks last week. I think the Tigers are looking to make a statement on the road yet again, but Boise is a tougher environment than UNLV. The running back battle is the feature of this game, with Boise's Sire Gaines and Memphis' Jaylin Carter. Whoever can keep the rushing attack consistent throughout the game will have a big advantage. It's hard to beat the Broncos on the smurf turf though, so I'll take Boise State at home 34-24.

#18 Tennessee at Georgia Tech

     Freshman QB Faizon Brandon makes his first road start as the Vols head to Atlanta to take on the Yellow Jackets. Georgia Tech has had extra time to sit on their last minute loss to Colorado last Thursday night, hoping to make amends from their blocked field goal that would've won the game. Alberto Mendoza wasn't anything spectacular, and the Georgia Tech offense stalled to just 288 total yards and was 5/13 on third down. Tennessee didn't have any issues in the opener against Furman, but Georgia Tech's defense should pose a stronger threat. I said Tennessee wouldn't finish better than 7-5, so I'm throwing down the "prove it" gauntlet and taking the Ramblin' Wreck to bounce back at home. GT 24, UT 21.

Iowa State at #21 Iowa (Battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy)

     Iowa and Iowa State meet in Iowa City as they battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy. The Cyclones are rebuilding after most of their team followed former head coach Matt Campbell to Penn State, but Jimmy Rodgers does have some experience on his squad with Arkansas State transfer Jaylen Raynor at QB. Raynor has more than 10,000 total yards and 71 total touchdowns in his career, so we'll see how he handles the Hawkeye defense. Iowa is still trying to figure out their QB situation, but the weapons look to be plenty. Senior RB Kamari Moulton ran for 183 yards in the opener and transfer wideout Tony Diaz hauled in 7 catches for 84 yards and a TD. Some impressive numbers that Iowa fans aren't used to in the passing game. They should handle business as Iowa State rebuilds. Hawkeyes at home 23-13.

#1 Ohio State at #4 Texas

     The big game of the week takes place in Austin as the Horns rematch with the Buckeyes. Arch is a year older, a year wiser and has better weapons. At least, that's what all the storylines are about. Ohio State's offense is as good as ever, but the defense lost multiple top picks in the draft, so how quickly can they reload? I think they have plenty of talent to slot in, so I'm looking for which QB makes the big plays. Both Arch and Julian Sayin are two of the best in the nation, surrounded by the best talent money can buy. However, who makes more mistakes? This game will quickly be determined by turnovers and missed opportunities. Opposing defenses will provide a tough test for each QB in this one, but I think the Buckeyes prevail. While Sayin may not be the best player on his team, he does well to keep things clean and moving in that offense. Feed Jeremiah Smith and watch the fireworks. Should be a good one in Austin, but I'm putting the horns down (always) as Ohio State defeats Texas 27-17.

Bowling Green at Nebraska

     The Huskers host Eddie George and the Falcons for a night game in Lincoln for Week 2. Nebraska started slow against Ohio, but found their groove in the second half, putting up 35 points and working in multiple offensive weapons to get the rock. Anthony Colandrea's legs are proving to be a great tool in extending drives, so look for the Huskers to continue running him. Bowling Green is searching for answers after losing at home to Division II Tarleton State. Despite holding the Texans to 1/10 on third down and owning time of possession, the Falcons were out-gained by nearly 100 yards and gave away two turnovers. Let's hope the Huskers have similar success and are able to work some kinks out from the first game. I expect a heavy dose of Jamal Rule complimented by Nelson and Mozee, but would love to see some bigger plays with downfield passing. Husker defense needs to apply pressure and force more turnovers. Nebraska should win this easily 56-7.

Quick Hit Predictions:

#6 Oregon at Oklahoma State - The Pokes looked anything but put together in their loss against Tulsa and now face an Oregon team in need of a get right game after squeaking out against Boise. Ducks big 45-7.

Washington State at Kansas State - Colin Klein had his offense drop 71 points in their opener against Nicholls, but Wazzu's defense poses a much tougher threat. The Cougars fell short in the Apple Cup thanks to some missed field goals and 3 turnovers. If they clean things up it could be a different story, so look for Kriby Moore to get his team back on track. I think they put up a strong fight, but it's hard to win in Manhattan. K-State defeats Wazzu 33-17.

Wake Forest at Purdue - The Boilermakers tend to drag the BIG 10 down on the P4 stage, but have an opportunity at home with the Demon Deacons. Both teams had no issue in the opener, but certainly a bigger test awaits with a P4 opponent. I'd love to see the BIG 10 represent well here, but I like Wake Forest to win 34-21.

Old Dominion at Virginia Tech - A rematch from the big upset a year ago. This ODU team is talented and experienced, but James Franklin doesn't lose these types of games, just the important ones. Hokies handle business 38-10.

USF at Army - The Bulls struggled to get their offense in gear against the FIU Panthers in Week1, while Army racked up 569 rushing yards. The competition was minimal, but the ground game for Army could put USF in a bind, especially as they take control of the clock. Give me the Black Knights at home 24-17.

SDSU at UCLA - Bob Chesney had the Bruins flying around on defense and running the rock on offense. Look for another big game from RBs Anthony Woods and Wayne Knight as UCLA beats the Aztecs 30-17. Those two put up 179 yards and 5 TDs together against Cal.

#13 Texas Tech at Oregon State - Don't go sleeping on my Beavers now. Despite falling to Houston in Week 1, new HC JaMarcus Sheppard had the Cougars struggling. Oregon State hung around late in the 4th after forcing 2 turnovers and balancing the time of possession. Playing back at home could keep things close for a while. Regardless, Guns Up & Wreck 'Em. Texas Tech wins 38-21.

Arkansas at #20 Utah - The Hogs travel West to Salt Lake City as the Utes host an SEC opponent. A late night kick and two new coaches at the helm, I'll go with Utah to win 30-14.

Thanks for reading my Week 2 Predictions and enjoy Gameday. Don't forget to check out my second episode of Inside Heart Football. GO BIG RED!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando

Week 1 Predictions

      After a soft launch of the season last week we are set for a full five day slate of College Football heading into Labor Day Weekend. This post will have all the games from Thursday to Monday that you need to know about. Clearly I need to shake off the rust after going .500 in Week 0 and missing on all the big games. Luckily this week there are so many games to cover, so let's get to the predictions. Enjoy five days of college football!

Week 0 Results: 4 - 4

Week 1 Predictions:

Akron at Wake Forest

     You might wonder why I'm kicking off Week 1 predictions with Akron at Wake Forest, but for those unaware, the Zips ran one of the most unique fan promotions leading into the season. Season ticket holder for Akron were entered into a competition where a winner was selected and they got to work with the Akron coaching staff to design playcalls for the opening drive. Truly every armchair quarterback's dream, and I hope this first drive is nothing short of perfection. I do think Wake comes away with the victory, but you'll want to tune in for Akron's first drive no matter what! Demon Decons beat the Zips 30-14.

Colorado at Georgia Tech

     Deion returns to Atlanta as the Buffaloes open the season with the Yellow Jackets. The Rambllin' Wreck of Georgia Tech will be looking to run over around and through Colorado's defense, one that ranked second to last (135th) in the nation last year. Star QB Haynes King is gone, but GT still has RB Justice Haynes to lean on while Alberto Mendoza finds his footing from the transfer portal. Despite some big roster shifts on both sides, I like Georgia Tech to dominate the line of scrimmage and utilize the run gmae effectively. I'm not sure Colorado will be much better against the run this season either. Georgia Tech 34, Colorado 10.

#7 Miami at Stanford

     The national champion runner-ups start their season with a cross country road trip to the Farm. Stanford is coming off a stellar win against Hawaii featuring a big lead lost, late game heroics and a scoop and score for the win. The Hurricanes are likely to be much tougher of an opponent, but I'm hoping Stanford can make things interesting for at least a little while. I expect QB Darian Mensah to put up some big numbers in the Miami offense this year, especially with weapons like RB Mark Fletcher Jr. and WR Malachi Toney. Anxious to see the revamped Miami defense after losing a lot of talent, but they should have enough to defeat the Cardinal. Miami over Stanford 38-14.

Liberty at James Madison

     In honor of my former student Tyler Hurst who is now the creative director at Liberty, I wanted to put this game on the big board. The Flames had a rough go of it last season, mustering just 4 wins and ending the season with 4 one-score losses, including 3 straight overtime losses. JMU is reloading after Bob Chesney moved to LA, now in charge of the Bruins. The Dukes lost a number of players in the transfer portal, so very little experience returns. They're a program that doesn't lose often though, and always have a tough environment for opponents to play in. The rebuild is on for Liberty, but it may have to wait a week as I'm picking the Dukes. In an odd history book twist, Liberty itself is defeated by James Madison 33-21.

Boise State at #2 Oregon

     The Broncos are the favorite in the (new) PAC-12, just like the Ducks used to be. Boise State and Oregon square off for an exciting Week 1 matchup. The Ducks are a heavy favorite as one of the top teams in the nation, so I can't wait for this one. If Boise can put up a fight, they'll certainly look the part of a playoff potential team. Dante Moore is looking for a big year after passing on the NFL, and the Ducks have arguably the best defense in the nation with 8 returning starters on defense. Hard to beat an experienced defense at home, sco Ducks for a 37-17 win.

Baylor vs Auburn

     Auburn has a fresh start with Alex Golesh in as head coach, and DJ Lagway has a fresh start with the Bears. Baylor is in desparate need of a big season, so an opening win against an SEC team would certainly help. Alex Golesh brought along his QB with Byrum Brown following him to Auburn, and the Tigers should look a little more lively on offense. It may take a game or two to fully get in gear, and I think Dave Aranda has a big season in him for Baylor. Sic 'Em with a statement win 31-21.

Oklahoma State at Tulsa

     An instate matchup that has a little more flare to it after Tulsa pulled the upset in Stillwater last season. A very different Pokes team lines up across from the Golden Hurricanes though, as 92 new players will don the orange behind new head coach Eric Morris. This one should feature a fun QB battle between OSU's Drew Mestemaker and Tulsa's Baylor Hayes. Mestemaker led the nation in passing last year, and I expect him to be near the top with another year in the Morris system. While I do think Tulsa is a dangerous team and should be in the post season, the Cowboys will have a quick turnaround under the new regime. Pokes get revenge and win 35-20.

Wyoming at Colorado State (Boarder War)

     One of the oldest rivalries out west, we're kicking off Week 1 with the 118th meeting between Wyoming and CSU in the Boarder War. Wyoming brings back some key pieces on offense, but have to rebuild a defense that gave up just 20.5 points per game last year. Jim Mora is now the head man at Colorado State after rebuilding UConn. This was one of my favorite hires during the offseason and I think the Rams will certainly be dangerous in the new PAC-12. Wyoming has won 8 of the last 10 in this series, including a 28-0 victory last year. I hope this rivalry continues despite CSU changing conferences, but for this game I like the Rams to get it done. Colorado State beats Wyoming, starting to flip the script in this rivalry.

Western Michigan at #16 Michigan

     A new era starts in Ann Arbor as long-time Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham is now wearing the maize and blue. The ground and pound approach shouldn't change too much for the Wolverines, but developing the passing game is a major priority for OC Jason Beck. The Broncos are a top team in the MAC, posing a uniquely quiet upset opportunity. Western Michigan brings back 7 starters on offense including QB Broc Lowry who has tremendous dual threat ability, accounting for 23 total touchdowns last year with 1,800+ through the air and another 900+ on the ground. The Wolverine defense is always a strength, but they will be tested in this one. I like Michigan to handle business at home, but don't be surprised if the Broncos hang around for a while. Michigan wins in the Big House 30-14.

UNLV at Hawaii

     Both the Rebels and Rainbow Warriors are in need of a bounce back game, unfortunately they have a tough conference opponent on the schedule. Two of the top teams in the Mountain West looking for a leg up in conference play. Jackson Arnold started hot for UNLV last week, but showed old tendencies as the pressure of Memphis wore them down. UNLV's protection became a serious concern after watching their opener last week. As for Hawaii, they didn't seem to realize a football game was happening against Stanford until the 4th quarter. The fierce comeback fell short after a strip sack led to a scoop and score for the Cardinal. Playing at home is always nice for a bounce back game, so I'll ride with Hawaii to win 33-27. Especially since I picked them to make the Mountain West Championship game.

UCLA at Cal

     Two new head coaches square off as old PAC-12 rivals clash out in Cali. UCLA brought in Bob Chesney from James Madison and Cal hired one of their own in Tosh Lupoi. Both head coaches inherit star QBs with Nico Iamaleava and Jaren-Kawe Sagapolutele for the Bruins and Golden Bears respectively. I think the Calgorithim has a better structure for Lupoi to build from, but Bob Chesney will have UCLA winning some big games later this season. It's a bit anti-BIG 10 in this case, but I like Cal to win their home opener behind a sensational showing from JKS. Golden Bears defeat the Bruins 34-21.

Clemson at #11 LSU

     All the talking stops Saturday night when the lights come on in Death Valley. While we're still waiting to see if any NFL players will be suiting up for LSU as the battle in the courts continues, two Tiger teams will clash on Saturday night. Dabo has thrown some shade and Lane Kiffin has quickly become a top tier villain in college football. LSU is expecting big things from Kiffin, but meshing all of these new players together could take some time. Clemson brings in a very experienced team with tremendous talent, but can they handle the toughest environment in College Football? This should be a fantastic game and as difficult as it is to pick against LSU in a night game, I think Dabo has one more big season in him. Clemson wins a thriller on the road to get revenge and reclaim the Death Valley title 26-23.

Washington State at #17 Washington (The Apple Cup)

     Wazzu is starting with a new coach for the thrid straight season as Kirby Moore takes over after Jimmy Rodgers departed for Iowa State. The Huskies are entering year three under Jedd Fisch, and have a dangerous roster matched with a manageable schedule up until the last couple of weeks. Star QB Demond Williams nearly left the team after being enticed by some extra money in the transfer portal, but ultimately decided to stay in Seattle. He leads an offense that brings back six other starters and averaged 34.1 points per game last year, tied for 17th best in the nation. Huskies get the dub in the Apple Cup 35-17.

Wisconsin vs #4 Notre Dame

     The Badgers and the Irish square off at Lambeau Field to start the season as Luke Fickell tries to cool off his seat. A win against a top 5 team to start the year would do wonders for his reputation in Madison, but the Irish won't be going down easy this season. After narrowly missing out on the Playoffs last season, Notre Dame is built for a championship run this year. CJ Carr could be a Heisman finalist when the dust settles, and while he doesn't have Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price to lean on any more, he'll be well protected in the pocket, giving him plenty of time to throw. Defensively, they should be one of the best in the nation. Wisconsin has a stout defense as well, but the offense will need to be much improved after mustering just 12.8 points per game last year, second worst in the nation. I don't think they'll quite match up to the Irish, so give me Notre Dame to win 38-14.

#24 Louisville vs #9 Ole Miss

     Arguably the most intriguing game of the weekend takes place in Nashville as the Cardinals take on the Rebels. Louisville is a dark horse to win the ACC and will be led by ex-Buckeye QB Lincoln Keinholz. He should feel very comfortable in a Jeff Brohm offense, likely putting up big numbers this season. On the other side, Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss proved himself to be one of the best in the nation last year after taking over for the injured Austin Simmons and leading the Rebels to the CFP Semi-finals. They're working with a lot of new pieces on the coaching staff, so we'll see if the offense clicks as well as last year. Both teams will also be relying on some talented running backs. Kewan Lacey had over 1,500 yards with 24 TDs for the Rebels last year, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. Isaac Brown and Keyjuan Brown averaged 8.8 and 7.3 yards per carry respectively, and both could be 1,000+ yard rushers this season now that they're healthy. I think Ole Miss is still a very strong team, but don't sleep on Louisville this year. Give me the Cardinals for the upset win 36-27.

#19 SMU at Florida State

     The Ponies will always be one of my favorite teams to watch and they're primed for a big year 3 in the ACC. They fell just short of back-to-back ACC Championships (and likely CFPs) due to the Calgorithim last year, so they spent the offseason building up the roster. Heisman hopeful QB Kevin Jennings is back with six of his closest friends on the offensive side of the ball. SMU racked up an average of 416 yards per game on offense last season, so look for them to push that number a little higher in 2026. Florida State needs this win probably more than any team in the nation. They've got a big opportunity with hosting in Tallahassee, but after last week's mediocre performance against New Mexico State, red flags are still up around the FSU program. I don't think Mike Norvell has the juice within this team any more, and I've got SMU in the playoffs. Pony up for a 34-13 win.

Ohio at Nebraska

     Nebraska opens the season with the Ohio Bobcats coming to Lincoln and both teams will be greeted at mid-field by a familiar friend for the coin toss. Former Husker & Bobcat head coach Frank Solich will do the honors and a new chapter of Husker football will begin. Lots of new faces for the Huskers, but none more talked about than QB Anthony Colandrea. The reigning Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year transfers to Nebrsaka in hopes of finally pushing this offense to score more than 30 points per game on average. A veteran offensive line should provide good protection and some running lanes, but no RB has broken out of the pack from fall camp. Colandrea is expected to utilize his legs quite a bit, so this offense should be more dynamic to watch than previous seasons. On the defensive side of the ball, Nebraska needs to get a push up front. The Bobcats have some new pieces as well, but this is a team that ranked 9th in the nation for rush offense last season. The Blackshirts struggled mightily against the run last year, so new DC Rob Aurich has his work cut out for him with Husker fans watching the front seven closely. I'm hoping we don't see this game stay competitive much beyond halftime, so give me a big Husker win for the opener with 40-17 over the Bobcats. GO BIG RED!

Quick Hit Predictions:

Toledo at Michigan State - Both teams are rebuilding, but I think Pat Fitzgerald rebuilds faster and will have the Spartans ready for week 1. Sparty over the Rockets 30-14.

Fresno State at #14 USC - The Trojans looked strong in their opener, but gave up some points late. Fresno brings in a better squad than San Jose State, so look for USC to tighten things up. Solid win 38-17.

ECU at #13 Alabama - I doubt Bama will have issues here, but don't sleep on the Pirates much this season. They're a fun team to watch and could provide a headache or two for a few drives. Roll Tide 33-10.

Oregon State at #23 Houston - The Beavers have a new staff and the rebuild has begun. Unfortunately they open the season with back-to-back games against two of the best from the Big XII. Not enough firepower to keep pace here, Cougars win it at home 45-17.

Coastal Carolina at West Virginia - The Mountaineers were just short of a bowl game last season, but I think Rich Rod has an interesting team this year. The Chanticleers are rebuilding with a new head coach, but I don't think it will take Ryan Beard too long to get things going. WVU wins 30-20.

Boston College at Cincy - Two programs that desperately need a win and to start the season strong. BC brings back multiple secondary players while Cincy brings back 3 of their starting Oline. I'll give the nod to the Bearcats at home. Cincy 27, Boston College 10.

Tulane at Duke - Not as dramatic of a game as last season after Darian Mensah had to face off against the team he transferred from, but new chapters for both schools start now. Manny Diaz and the reigning ACC Champions have a solid defense, but need to find new answers on offense. Tulane as been at the top of the American for the last 4 seasons, but have a new head coach in Will Hall. Duke wins 24-13.

FIU at USF - The Panthers and the Bulls meet in Tampa as Brian Hartline makes his head coaching debut. His talent for recruiting top tier wideouts should play well in the sunshine state, but don't overlook FIU. This team made a bowl game last season in year 1 with Willie Simmons. I like the Panthers with an upset 27-24.

Central Michigan at New Mexico - Unfortunately for the Lobos (my G6 Playoff pick), they've lost starting QB Jack Layne for the season after he needed another elbow surgery. Layne threw for over 2,400 yards and 13 TDs last year, so we'll see how the QB battle for the Lobos goes. Central Michigan brings in an experienced offense, so the Chippewaes should push this game late into the second half. I'm not backing off my Lobos pick though and New Mexico wins 31-21.

Thank you all for reading my Week 1 Predictions and enjoy a new college football season! Also, be sure to check out my new show Inside the Heart Football where I analyze all the teams in the Heart of America Athletic Conference in the NAIA. Watch weekly on Thursdays at 6 PM.

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando