College Football Week 2 Picks, Predictions, and Looking Beyond Arkansas vs TCU

Last week’s record 12-4

After one of the most entertaining first weeks in college football history, week 2 looks to be something of a dud. With nary an elite matchup to be had, Arkansas V TCU looks like the most interesting game of the week. Since this post can’t consist of only 1 game (can it?) let’s take a look at some other “marquee” matchups this week in college football.

*All times Saturday and Central Time unless listed.*

Friday Night:

#13 Louisville @ Syracuse 7 PM

As much as I’d love to see Bobby Petrino lose this one and tumble out of the rankings, I don’t think this Dino Babers led team is quite ready to knock off a top fifteen team.

Spread: Louisville -14.5

Louisville 35 Syracuse 20

Morning Slate

Penn State @ Pitt 11 AM

After week 1 I’m feeling about the same about each of these teams. The line is pretty close as well. Energy should be high for this “renewed” rivalry, so I’m going to side with the home team on this one.

Spread: Pitt -5

Penn State: 21 Pitt 27

Afternoon Slate

Georgia State @ Air Force 1 PM

I admit, not a lot of star power in this one, but there isn’t much on, and this matchup features Air Force’s incredibly cool “Shark” jerseys. Plus, the triple-option is always fun to watch.

Spread: AF -19

GSU 24 AF 38

Kentucky @ Florida 2:30 PM

These games have been close in recent history, not to mention Florida is trying to make this their 30th straight win over Kentucky. Both teams looked shaky last week, so if Stoops can get the Wildcats hyped up to break the streak they may be able to catch Florida napping.

Spread: Florida -16.5

Kentucky 20 Florida 27

Primetime Slate

Arkansas @ #15 TCU 6 PM

The one we’ve been waiting for! Seriously, this game is the crown jewel of week two and should be entertaining to say the least. I was excited for this game prior to the season, now I’m afraid our chances of winning are much smaller. Obviously TCU will air this one out and our secondary will likely get smoked, however I don’t think TCU is strong enough in the trenches to stop either our rushing attack or our defensive line (Yes, I did see last weeks game). My brain is telling my TCU, but my heart is saying “Go Hogs!”, and you know what popular Eurodance band DHT always says! (Please hyper-link to DHT – Listen to your heart Youtube music video if possible).

Spread: TCU -7.5

Arkansas 30 TCU 28

South Carolina @ Miss St 6 PM

South Carolina edged out Vandy last week, meanwhile, MSST lost to South Alabama on a missed field goal. I’m gunna call that Karma for the blocked field goal at Arkansas last year. The Bulldogs are favored, as they should be.

Spread: MSST -6.5

SCAR 23 MSST 28

Arkansas State @ Auburn 6:30 PM

How amazing would it be to see Arkansas State beat Auburn right after they took it on the chin from Clemson? Sadly, we will never know.

Spread: Auburn -19

Arkansas State 21 Auburn 42

BYU @ Utah 6:30 PM

This game has the chance to be really fun! Utah rolled in week 1, and BYU edged Arizona. By my metric that means this one could be really competitive. Plus it’s a rivalry game! Give me the Utes at home.

Spread: BYU +3

BYU 24 Utah 31 (OT)

UNC @ Illinois 6:30 PM

This is another matchup that should be pretty fun to watch. UNC played well against UGA last week in a losing effort, but Illinois does have Lovie Smith… I’m giving the edge to the Tarheels.

Spread: UNC -8.5

UNC 30 Illinois 20

#17 Tennessee vs Virginia Tech 7 PM

Virginia Tech is another team I feel is consistently overrated. It was nothing against Frank Beamer, but I just never bought in on any hype. Now that Fuente is driving the car, I like where things are headed. Tennessee has a lot of problems they need to figure out. They can’t rely on a lucky bounce in OT winning them another game. Right now I think Virginia Tech is the more polished football team.

Spread: VT +11.5

Tennessee 24 VT 28

PAC-12 After Dark

Texas Tech @ ASU 9 PM

TTU is the underdog in what could be the highest scoring game of this young college football season. The O/U is 79.5, but I pose to you a different O/U that I just made up: how many total defensive stops do you see happening in this game? O/U 4.5.

Spread: TTU +2.5

TTU 52 ASU 45

Cal @ SDSU 9:30 PM

After seeing how potent Cal’s offense could be this year (albeit against UH), this game suddenly catches my attention. SDSU is a perennial contender for the MWC crown, and plays like a champ week in and week out. Fittingly, SDSU are home favorites. The Aztecs avenge the Rainbow Warriors this week.

Spread: Cal +7

Cal 24 SDSU 33

BONUS: Next Upset?

Lots of teams lost to FCS opponents in week 1. Who do I think is next to join the ranks of UVA, WSU, ISU, and Buffalo? As much as I wish it would be Jacksonville State sneaking a W over a disappointed LSU, I think it’s going to be Toledo falling to the Maine Black Bears! I’ll certainly take both, though.