2017 Week 2 Preview

Week 1 of the college football season did not disappoint! The final three games of the weekend were especially exciting. Texas A&M blew a 44-10 lead, Virginia Tech and West Virginia went down to the wire, and Tennessee needed two overtimes to get by pesky Georgia Tech. We also finally got to watch the much-hyped opener between Alabama and Florida State. I learned that everyone is chasing Bama this season. They looked really, really good. Unfortunately, there were a significant amount of injuries last week. I really hope that trend doesn’t continue.

I’d like to send good thoughts to those in the path of Irma. Please be safe and evacuate if you need to! This is bigger than football.

Notable Games
5Oklahoma at 2Ohio State
Both of these teams got big wins last week. Ohio State was trailing after a half to Indiana, but came back strong in the second half. Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield only played in the first half against UTEP and only missed one pass. Ohio State’s defense should be a little bit more difficult of a test. We all know Oklahoma is going to put up points, and I think Ohio State’s offense will be able to match it. I think this is going to be a great game.
I am picking Ohio State

13Auburn at 3Clemson
I can’t wait for this game. I am really looking forward to seeing how both QBs do against Power 5 defenses. Auburn’s Jarrett Stidham didn’t have the greatest game in his Auburn debut. He had some turnover issues and had smaller numbers than I expected from him. Kelly Bryant had a good game against Kent State, but that doesn’t really tell us much. I think Clemson is the better team in this one and their defense will be the difference. I think it will stay close until the 4th quarter.
I am picking Clemson

14Stanford at 6USC
This was a really tough pick for me. Last week USC gave up some big plays to Western Michigan. Stanford was very explosive two weeks ago when they played Rice in Australia. The departure of Christian McCaffrey doesn’t seem to have hurt the Cardinal offense too much. USC’s Sam Darnold didn’t play like a Heisman winner last week, and he will need to step it up for this game. I expect both teams to put up a good number of points. This one might come down to the final drive.
I am picking USC

15Georgia at 24Notre Dame
I read somewhere that this will be the first game in 50ish years that Georgia will play north of the Mason Dixon. That isn’t completely accurate since they played Colorado in Boulder in 2010. Boulder is just slightly north of the MDL, but still, it’s just the second game north of the Mason Dixon in 52 years. That’s a long time. Georgia lost their starting QB, Jacob Eason, but backup Fromm did very well. That being said, Notre Dame should be a tougher test than Appalachian State. Georgia’s defense looked strong, holding the Mountaineers scoreless until late in the 4th quarter. Notre Dame made a strong showing against a rebuilding Temple team. As of right now I’m sure if Notre Dame has really earned their ranking.
I am picking Georgia

Boise State at 20Washington State
Boise State had some trouble with Troy at home last week. That is cause for concern, but it is possible that they were looking ahead to this game. Washington State beat their FCS opponent this season (something they haven’t done in either of the last two seasons). The Cougars only put up 31 points last week and Luke Falk didn’t throw for 400 yards. I expect Boise State to scare Wazzu early, but the final score might not show it.
I am picking Washington State

South Carolina at Missouri
Missouri score a lot of points last week. 72 to be exact. That’s probably equivalent to half the total number of points scored by Missouri in 2015. But the flip side to that is the defense allowed 43 points to Missouri State. The Bears hung with the Tigers in the first half but couldn’t keep it going in the second half. South Carolina played a good one against NC State and came out on top. I think the Gamecock defense is going to be an eye opener for the Tigers, but I still expect a shootout.
I am picking South Carolina

23TCU at Arkansas
Let’s start with the good news: the Hogs are back in Fayetteville! Now the not so great news: they are playing TCU. Last season’s game was a thriller in Fort Worth. (It shouldn’t have been, but that’s not the point.) While Arkansas beat Florida A&M by 42 points, they didn’t look great. The offense, specifically the passing game, was out of sync. The defense looked decent, but this will be their first true test. TCU blanked Jackson State and scored a ton of points, but playing in DWRRS will be a little harder. With the new construction turning our stadium into a bowl, it will be loud. I cannot wait watch my Hogs play in person. I’m also terrified, but that’s normal.

Top 25
Fresno State at 1Alabama
Pittsburgh at 4Penn State
Montana at 7Washington
Cincinnati at 8Michigan
Florida Atlantic at 9Wisconsin
10Florida State BYE (game vs ULM canceled due to Irma)
11Oklahoma State at South Alabama (Friday)
Chattanooga at 12LSU
16Miami BYE (game at Arkansas State canceled due to Irma)
17Louisville at North Carolina
Delaware at 18Virgina Tech
Charlotte at 19Kansas State
21South Florida BYE (game at UConn canceled due to Irma)
22Florida BYE (game vs Northern Colorado canceled due to Irma)
Indiana State at 25Tennessee

Other Games
Western Michigan at Michigan State
Nebraska at Oregon
Louisiana at Tulsa
Mississippi State at Louisiana Tech
Utah at BYU
San Diego State at Arizona State
Houston at Arizona
*Memphis at UCF canceled due to Irma