It’s now Week 2 of the college football season, and we have yet two more headline games to watch. The Oregon Ducks travel to Columbus to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes, and the Cy-Hawk Trophy game is the biggest of the day. With today being the 20th anniversary of the tragic 9/11 attacks, I wanted to thank all the people that ran into the fires to save people’s lives. Also, I want to recognize that we lost so many lives on that day. I hope that sometime today you take some time to remember what happened twenty years ago. Anyways, without further ado, here are my picks for this week:
Boston College (1-0) (-37.5) at UMass (0-1)
These in-state rivals have played for so long, but the rivalry is so lopsided. The last time the Minutemen have won against Boston College was back in 1978. There’s not a lot to be said: Boston College wins their eleventh straight game over UMass.
Tune into Boston College at UMass at 3:30 PM ET on FloSports.
Tennessee State (0-1) (-3) vs. Jackson State (1-0)
With the game being in Memphis, Tennessee, I think Eddie George’s team will get home-field advantage, so I’ll take the Tigers. Yeah, Tennessee State Tigers.
Tune into Tennessee State vs. Jackson State at 7 PM ET on ESPNU.
South Carolina (1-0) (-2.5) at East Carolina (0-1)
South Carolina is only a 2.5-point favorite when they visit ECU. I think it should be a lot more. The Gamecocks have won the last four against the Pirates. South Carolina will win their fifth straight game against them today.
Tune into South Carolina at East Carolina at 12 PM ET on ESPN2.
Buffalo (1-0) at Nebraska (1-1) (-14)
With how bad Nebraska has been recently, a game against Buffalo suddenly becomes more interesting. I think Adrian Martinez will be too much of a threat, as well as the 95-degree heat in Nebraska. The Cornhuskers have won six of the last seven games against MAC opponents; they will make it seven of the last eight after today. However, expect Buffalo to cover.
Tune into Buffalo at Nebraska at 3:30 PM ET on Big Ten Network.
Tulsa (0-1) at Oklahoma State (1-0) (-12.5)
Oklahoma State has won the last eight meetings against Tulsa, dating back to 1999. They’ve won the past 22 times at home against the Golden Hurricane. I’m excited to see what this Oklahoma State offense looks like. Maybe Shane Illingworth has another great game. The Cowboys will have to defend the run, however. Deneric Prince ran for 151 yards and a touchdown last game. If they can play well on defense and look like last week’s offense, Oklahoma State will win the Bank of Oklahoma Turnpike Classic once again.
Tune into Tulsa at Oklahoma State at 12 PM ET on Fox Sports 1.
Rutgers (1-0) (-2.5) at Syracuse (1-0)
Even though Syracuse is 92-33-4 in home openers, I think Rutgers will start the season 2-0 for the first time in years. Rutgers has won six of the last eight games against Syracuse. The Scarlet Knights also have won three of the past four games at Syracuse. If they can get their run defense going, Rutgers wins by a field goal on the road.
Tune into Rutgers at Syracuse at 2 PM ET on ACC Network.
Appalachian State (1-0) at #22 Miami (FL) (0-1) (-7.5)
Miami got off to a rough start, losing to #1 Alabama in Atlanta. They get a much easier matchup, but they should not overlook the Mountaineers. The Hurricanes’ defense has to be on point because Chase Brice threw for 259 yards and two touchdowns. Miami has not lost a home-opener since 2006, which is a streak I think continues after today.
Tune into Appalachian State at Miami (FL) at 7 PM ET on ESPNU.
NC State (1-0) (-1) at Mississippi State (1-0)
After coming off their largest comeback in program history last week against Louisiana Tech, the Bulldogs aim to keep the momentum going into a tough out-of-conference matchup against NC State. Mississippi State is second in FBS in completion rate, which can tear apart NC State’s pass defense. The Wolfpack have lost eight of the last nine games against SEC opponents; it will be nine of the past ten after today.
Tune into NC State at Mississippi State at 7 PM ET on ESPN2.
Missouri (1-0) at Kentucky (1-0) (-5.5)
Will Levis had himself a game last week (18-for-26, 367 yards, four touchdowns), giving the Wildcats a blowout win over UL-Monroe. Since Kentucky is home, and they lead the series 7-4, I’ll take Kentucky real close.
Tune into Missouri at Kentucky at 7:30 PM ET on SEC Network.
Stanford (0-1) at #14 USC (1-0) (-17)
USC has won three of the last four home games against the Cardinal. With Kedon Slovis throwing the ball to Drake London, I’m taking the Trojans. However, Stanford has won six of the last eleven games against USC. Expect a close one in Los Angeles.
Tune into Stanford at USC at 10:30 PM ET on FOX.
Washington (0-1) at Michigan (1-0) (-6.5)
This game was a coin-flip as well for me. After losing to FCS Montana last week, Washington comes into Ann Arbor with a chip on their shoulder. Michigan is 7-2 at home under the lights. I think Michigan’s offense will prevail and beat Washington by one possession.
Tune into Washington at Michigan at 8 PM ET on ABC.
Pittsburgh (1-0) (-4) at Tennessee (1-0)
Pitt has won the first and only two meetings against the Volunteers. This game has been named the “Johnny Majors Classic” in honor of the late legendary head coach and player. Tennessee will win because of the toughness they get from playing in the SEC.
Tune into Pittsburgh at Tennessee at 12 PM ET on ESPN.
#6 Texas A&M (1-0) (-17) at Colorado (1-0)
I said in the rankings post that I was concerned about Texas A&M quarterback Haynes King’s decision-making, as he threw three picks against Kent State last week. I’m even more concerned that Texas A&M has never won at Colorado. However, the most recent game took place in 2009. The Aggies are a lot better now, highlighted by their running back depth. Aggies win in Denver, but closer than the experts think.
Tune into Texas A&M at Colorado at 3:30 PM ET on FOX.
#15 Texas (1-0) (-6.5) at Arkansas (1-0)
Texas started the season off with a blowout win over ranked Louisiana. They performed better than any other ranked Big 12 team to kick off this season. Texas is led by quarterback Hudson Card and star running back Bijan Robinson. Arkansas has won four of the last six meetings between the old rivals, but I think Texas’s offense is too much for Arkansas to handle.
Tune into Texas at Arkansas at 7 PM ET on ESPN.
#21 Utah (1-0) (-7) at BYU (1-0)
The Holy War is an underrated rivalry in college football. Utah leads the series 59-31-4, winning the last nine games against the Cougars. With one of the toughest defenses in the Pac-12, along with BYU trying to survive the post-Zach Wilson era, I think the Utes will win their tenth straight game against BYU. Also, welcome to the Big 12, BYU.
Tune into Utah at BYU at 10:15 PM ET on ESPN.
Air Force (1-0) (-6) at Navy (0-1)
The home team has won in this series dating back to 2012; Air Force last won at Navy in 2011. Navy got blown out last week to Marshall, even more reason I think they’ll win. The Midshipmen will be playing with a chip on their shoulder. Navy wins by a field goal.
Tune into Air Force at Navy at 3:30 PM ET on CBS.
#12 Oregon (1-0) at #3 Ohio State (1-0) (-14.5)
The Buckeyes are 9-0 against Oregon. It helps that they’re at home, celebrating their 100th year at Ohio Stadium. Kayvon Thibodeaux, the best player in college football, is not going to play today, but I was going to pick Ohio State anyways, a team highlighted by a loaded offense.
Tune into Oregon at Ohio State at 12 PM ET on FOX.
#10 Iowa (1-0) at #9 Iowa State (1-0) (-4.5)
The most anticipated game in this rivalry’s history is a top-10 matchup later today. Iowa blew out Indiana at home last week, while Iowa State had a close call against FCS Northern Iowa. The Cyclones are highlighted by QB-RB duo Brock Purdy and Breece Hall. However, with Iowa’s tough defense, and winning the last five games against the Cyclones, I’m taking the Hawkeyes in an upset win on the road.
Tune into Iowa at Iowa State at 4:30 PM ET on ABC.
Calhoun's Corner 