Good morning football readers! I apologize for the late post but to be completely honest, I'm on a bachelor party weekend and it's going a little too well. Nonetheless, I wanted to make sure you got all my thoughts and opinions on all the big games this weekend. Hope y'all enjoy your College Football Saturday, and I hope I get my voice back soon to cheer on the Huskers.
Week 2 Record: 8 - 8
Overall Record: 22 - 15
#22 Penn State at Auburn
The Nittany Lions travel down south to take on War Eagle. The Tigers will rely heavily on star RB Tank Bigsby to run the rock. He's the focal point of Auburn's offense, so Penn State will need to tackle well. Offensively, look for Sean Clifford to keep slinging it and test that Auburn defense. He will need to be complimented by Nick Singleton. Penn State's new RB is a star in the making, already racking up 210 yards on just 20 carries. The road atmosphere will be tough, but I don't think Auburn has enough firepower to keep pace. Penn State 28, Auburn 21.
UTSA at #21 Texas
The Longhorns fell to Bama last week by 1 point at home, and lost their star QB Quinn Ewers in the process. Backup QB Hudson Card also injured his ankle in the game, and has been limited all week. There is a lot of recover just outside the injuries from a loss like last week's, and now they have to host a very dangerous UTSA Roadrunner squad. Look for this one to be close, and if it's close for too long UTSA will take it. The Texas defense looked legit last week though, so I'll give them the nod. Longhorns 33, Roadrunners 24.
#11 Michigan State at Washington
Sparty takes it on the road to the PNW with a game against the Huskies. Having visited that campus over the summer, I know the UW faithful will be rowdy and ready for this one. Ex-Indiana QB Michael Penix Jr. is now with the Huskies and has plenty of experience taking down BIG 10 foes. Both units have yet to be tested so this will show a lot about each team. Sparty's defense is not one to let up though, so look for lots of pressure on Penix Jr. I have always been a big fan of him, especially during his time as a Hoosier. I have a really difficult time picking this game, but I'll take the Spartans due to Mel Tucker's experience. Big test for new HC Kalen DeBoer, but Sparty edges this one out 27-24.
Texas Tech at #16 NC State
The Red Raiders travel to the East Coast to take on the Wolfpack. Watch out for a shootout in this one, we have two gunslinging QBs in Devin Leary (NC State) and Donovan Smith (TTU). Leary is a veteran and has nearly 450 yards with 5 TDs and just 1 pick so far this season. Smith is a dangerous dual-threat QB that NC State doesn't often see much of in the ACC. This one has sneaky upset written all over it, but I'm not sure TTU is quite to the level of back-to-back upsets in consecutive weeks. Wolfpack hold off the Red Raiders at home, but this one is close. NC STate 38, TTU 35.
#12 BYU at #25 Oregon
The Cougars had a big win at home over Baylor last week, but now get on the road to Eugene to take on the Ducks. Oregon has a chance to make a new statement with a victory over BYU, but that won't be very easy. This will be a spicy QB battle once again as Jalen Hall and Bo Nix lead their respective offenses. It's tough to get a read on Oregon's defense, but I'm guessing they'll step it up in this one. I think BYU has something special going on though, so I'm taking to Cougars. BYU wins on the road 31-28.
#13 Miami at #24 Texas A&M
Texas A&M not only lost $1.5 Million to Appalachian State, but also College Gameday after their loss to the Mountaineers. The Aggies dropped 18 spots in the rankings after last week, and now have to recover against a very motivated Hurricanes squad. Both offenses are still trying to find their rhythm with these teams, but defense will be the focus of tonight. Expect a battle in the trenches and lots of pressure on the QBs. Jimbo Fisher needs a big win quick to erase the App State memory, and Miami needs a big win to establish the Mario Cristobal culture. This is a tough one, but I'll look to the Aggies to bounce back. Another good one in College Station! Texas A&M 35, Miami 31.
Troy at Appalachian State
When you take $1.5 Million and College Gameday from a Top 10 Team, you get your own game analysis in my predictions! The Mountaineers could easily be 2-0 but lost a shoot out to UNC 63-61 in the opening week. Regardless, they have a high-powered offense with playmakers all across the field. Ex-Clemson QB Chase Brice leads the charge with nearly 500 yards and 7 TDs through the air. He's got a lot of talented receivers to throw to, and watch out for the ground game with Camerun Peoples. This is a team about to flex their muscles. Mountaineers win 42-21.
#6 Oklahoma at Nebraska
There's not much to say other than this is a big chance for the Huskers to make a statement. New head coach, historic rivalry, and a top 10 team visiting Lincoln all point in the direction of a perfect upset. The Husker offense has proven to be able to put up points, but OU is run by one of the best defensive minds in College Football. They have yet to be tested this year, so this will be a good matchup for the spread attack of the Huskers. On defense, the Blackshirts have been taken away, and until some tackles are made, I don't think they will be given back. As usual, Oklahoma has a lot of speed, so the Huskers will need to wrap up and tackle well. QB pressure on Dillon Gabriel will be crucial for victory. This game has a lot of emtotions wrapped up in it for Husker fans, and I'm excited to see the game management done by Micky Joseph. Huskers will have some fire in this one, but unfortunately the Sooners will be a little too tough to stop. Boomer Sooner as OU wins this one 41-28.
Quick Hit Predictions:
Fresno Stat at #7 USC - Quick home stint against the Bulldogs between PAC-12 Road games to Stanford and Oregon State? Upset watch on this one for sure. I think the Trojans pull it out, but Lincoln Riley better make sure his team isn't asleep. USC 34, Fresno State 24.
Purdue at Syracuse - The Orange and Boilermakers meet up for what is likely to be a gunslinging shootout. Both teams feature QBs that love to air it out. I'll say BoilerUp in this one, and it will be a fun game to watch if you're looking for an interesting one. Purdue 38, Syracuse 35.
Cal at Notre Dame - Marcus Freeman has yet to get his first win as ND's head coach. They host Cal from the PAC-12 in this one who are led by ex-Purdue QB Jack Plummer. Watch out for the air raid over the top of the Irish. They need a win soon to get things back on track. Notre Dame holds them off 30-21.
Tulane at K-State - The Green Wave could catch the Wildcats peeking ahead to Oklahoma in this one, so upset watch is on high alert in Manhattan. Deuce Vaughn running the ball complimented by Adrian Martinez on the ground is the best way to go as K-State can rely on their defense again. I think the Power Cats handle it though and beat the spread. 35-17 K-State.
Kansas at Houston - The Cougars have had back to back OT games and now host a sneaky good KU offense. Rock Chalk on the road as they upset Houston 38-34.
Mississippi State at LSU - Mike Leach is looking to spoil Brian Kelley's first SEC game with an unmatched air raid attack. This just feels like a Bulldog upset. Mississippi State wins a stunner 31-27.
SMU at Maryland - Watch out for the Ponies on the road. Maryland has a big road trip to Michigan next week and could easily be sleeping on SMU. Not a wise choice and QB Tanner Mordecai will make them pay. SMU upsets the Terps on the road 36-31.
Thanks for reading my predictions and big shout out to the Appalachian State Chancellor for giving 3 students a year of tuition for the best College Gameday signs. GO BIG RED!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
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