Week 2 Preview

We got our first look at most teams last week. We are still not in the meat of the season but we have 2 top 25 matchups again this week, one of which could make or break either team’s title hopes. Week 2 has some interesting games so let’s get started.

Notable Games
Battle Between the Hedges Perhaps the game with the most at stake this weekend is 6South Carolina at 11Georgia. These two have been the powers of the SEC East the past few years. This game could have SEC and national title implications. The winner of this game will have the advantage in the SEC East. Both teams have something to prove after last weeks games. South Carolina won but Jadaveon Clowney did not look like he was in football shape. He was out of breath and barely lasted one play at a time. Georgia lost their opener at Clemson and will seek redemption in their home and SEC opener. Aaron Murray has yet to throw a TD and he is now without his top receiver, Todd Gurley, after he tore his ACL celebrating. This is the game I am looking forward to most this weekend. I am picking South Carolina to beat Georgia by a TD or less.

12Florida at Miami(FL) This will be the first true test for each of these Florida teams. I go into this game asking the same questions about both teams: How good is Florida/Miami this year? Will Florida/Miami be able to be competitive in the SEC East/ACC Coastal? After this game, we should know about how well both of these teams are going to be this year. It should be a pretty good game. I am picking Florida to win by a TD or more.

The End of a Rivalry? This week College Gameday goes to Michigan for the last game in the Notre Dame v Michigan rivalry, at least for the foreseeable future. Both teams are ranked in the top 25: Notre Dame at 14 and Michigan at 17. Last year, ND won 13-6. I think this year might be a little more high scoring. ND has also lost some key players in Everett Golson(suspension) and Manti Te’o(draft). I just don’t see Notre Dame having the firepower to beat Michigan in the Big House. I am picking Michigan to beat Notre Dame by at least a TD.

Big 12 Conference Battle in Norman West Virginia comes to 16Oklahoma to start the Big 12 conference season. West Virginia didn’t look great only beating William and Mary by a TD while Oklahoma beat ULM 34-0. But, this is a conference game. I think West Virginia will get a little better and so will Oklahoma. It will also help to have the home crowd. Oklahoma has too many weapons for West Virginia to keep up with. I am picking Oklahoma to win by 2TDs.

First Real Game for USC 25th ranked USC has their home opener against Pac 12 conference foe Washington State. USC did not blow Hawaii out of the water last weekend, but maybe that was because they had to travel there. They don’t have to travel this week so maybe they will look a little better. USC still hasn’t named a starting QB, so they will play both Max Wittek and Cody Kessler. USC is still looking to prove themselves and remain ranked. I am picking USC to beat Washington State by about 2TDs.

Is Arkansas Really Better? Last week we saw the new Bielema Era of Arkansas football begin. This week Samford and Arkansas will battle it out in Little Rock at War Memorial Stadium. I am excited because it will be my first game there. Though it is a “home game” for Arkansas, they still have to travel about 3 hours to get there. Will the running game from last week stay strong? Will QB Brandon Allen have another great game? Will the freshmen once again step up? All of these questions should be answered on Saturday evening. Look for true Fr. RB Alex Collins to have another great game as well as true Fr. TE Hunter Henry. They have played their first game and set the bar high, hopefully they can set it even higher this weekend.

Top 25 Games
2Oregon at Virginia
San Diego State at 3Ohio State
South Carolina State at 4Clemson
San Jose State at 5Stanford
Sam Houston State at 7Texas A&M
Eastern Kentucky at 8Louisville
UAB at 9LSU
13Oklahoma State at UTSA
15Texas at BYU
Syracuse at 19Northwestern
Tennessee Tech at 21Wisconsin
Southern Miss at 22Nebraska
Buffalo at 23Baylor
SE Louisiana at 24TCU

Other Games
Arkansas State at Auburn
WKU at Tennessee
Arizona at UNLV