College Football Week 2 Predictions: Tex-Mich, Colo-Neb, Kan-Ill, Ga Tech-Syr and more

Week 1 saw dominant outings from Georgia, Penn St, and Miami, along with several well-played games that came down to the wire.

Week 2 has just two ranked vs. ranked tilts on the schedule but don’t let that fool you with a plethora of equaled matched contest on the docket. Weekends that look calm on paper tend to pay off the College Football fans.

Marquee Matchups

#3 Texas vs. #10 Michigan: Last year, the Longhorns beat Alabama on the road. This year, Texas is the favorite to beat Michigan on the road. The point spread has ballooned up to +7.5 after opening in the 4 to 5 range at multiple betting sites. Texas played better in Week 1, to no one’s surprise, given the Wolverines are in the process of finding their offense. That said Michigan has one of the best if not the top defense in the nation. The Longhorns lost another starting RB similar to last year but the QB, O-Line, and enough playmakers at WR should be enough to get the job done. As long as Texas doesn’t turn the ball over, which would give a much-needed boost to Michigan’s offense.

The Pick: Texas wins but +7.5 Michigan.

#14 Tennessee vs. #24 North Carolina State: One of these coaches will get a mayo shower when the Vols and Wolfpack square off in the Duke’s Mayo Classic. NC State has to stay in this game in the 1st half to have a legit chance in the 4th. The Wolfpack are coming off a solid season but do have quite a few new faces, including former Coastal Carolina QB Grayson McCall. The Vols looked great in Week 1, but NC State needed a comeback to win against an FCS opponent. The key here is Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava and that Vols offense. The bottom line is that the Vols have too much offensive talent at the skilled positions and in the trenches on the line to overcome the Wolfpack.

The Pick: Tennessee -10

Under The Radar

#19 Kansas vs. Illinois: All week long this College Football podcaster has been going back and forth whether to put this in the upset special area. This Big-12 vs. Big Ten contest is defiantly flying under the radar. The Jayhawks offense with a healthy Jalon Daniels at quarterback is a force to be reckoned with. The Fighting Illini will look to control the ball playing keep away while they attempt to wear down Kansas’s defense. The last 6 games of the 2023 regular season Illini was 3-3. The item that stands out was how close each game was win or lose. The Illini defense needs to show up in the red zone and create a turnover or two. And to be fair that seems like the recipe for both defenses to win.

The Pick: Kansas -5 

Colorado vs. Nebraska: Yet another Big-12 vs. Big Ten matchup but this time with a built-in rivalry. Last year the game was close until the Buffs pulled away in the 2nd half. The 4 turnovers by the Cornhuskers were the main issue. Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders will get his but will their running game do something? Speaking of running game, Nebraska rushed for 222 yard on 5.4 a clip. The underdog role is a plus for coach Deion Sanders but fellow 2nd year head coach Matt Rhule is no slouch. If you can find over 7 points bet the Buffs.

The Pick: Nebraska -7 

Saturday Upset Special

-Duke in a minor upset as a +2.5 dog to Northwestern.

-East Carolina in a minor upset as a slight +1.5 dog to Old Dominion.

Hardcore Barnburners

#21 Iowa vs. Iowa State: Hate to sound like a broken record but here we go with another Big Ten vs. Big-12 matchup. Generally a highly competitive game with a point total 35.5 lends itself to being a close game late in the 4th quarter.

The Pick: Iowa -3

#22 Georgia Tech vs. Syracuse: Georgia Tech got a nice win over FSU in week zero and now look to go 2-0 in the ACC. The Yellow Jackets are ranked for the first time in 9 years but face a stiff test on the road. The Orangemen got down early last year and still managed to make it a good game, making for the perfect ingredients for a hardcore barnburner on Saturday.

The Pick: Georgia Tech -3

Against The Spread

Boise State +19.5 versus #7 Oregon

Illinois +5.5 versus #19 Kansas

PODCAST LINK: https://t.co/5SGtDEY3Jz

Quick Hits Recap

-Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan piled up 302 receiving yards and 4 TD’s in a 2nd half thrashing of New Mexico 61-39.

-Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty had 267 rushing yards 6 touchdowns, both single-game school records in the Broncos 56-45 shootout win over Georgia Southern.

-Miami QB Cam Ward made a stellar debut throwing for 3 TD’s and throwing for 385 yards as the Canes destroyed rival Florida 41-17 in the swamp.

-Iowa accumulated 492 yards of offensive which is the most over the last 5 years in a 40-0 victory over Illinois State.

-Florida State is the 3rd FBS team to lose its first 2 games as double digit favorites over the last 45 years.

Written by Chris Carlson Host of The College Ball Show Podcast available at blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio &  Follow on Twitter at @RopeADopeRadio