College Football Week 2 Preview

Joey Goodsir

 

Although the fading away of summer and the incoming of another wild school year is upon us, there is a gleaming light that penetrates the darkness. What is it you might ask? It’s football. One of the most beloved seasons on the calendar in this country, America can look forward to the brown-tinged leaves and grass.  They can look forward to the schools, the colors, the students, the fans, the tailgates, the bands, the stadiums, and the pageantry that really make up this whole thing we like to call “Saturday”, a little over a dozen times in the fall months. There is a simple beauty to feeling the warm yet brisk feel of the air on a Friday night, high school games complete, knowing that with a sleep and then sunrise will come one exciting day.

Thankfully, these feels arrived for 2018 last weekend, as a labor day slate of openers did exactly what they all do: say a lot, but with greatly unknown significance. A lot happened to start this college football season last week, but time (and more games) will tell us how much those events matter. Week two is the first step in this process. That is what we are here to preview, so let’s get right to it!

These previews are simple: I am here to break down the most important game of each time slot of your Saturday. Although college football is terrible at cooperating with what is on paper, I will try my best to tell you what will happen in each of those games with a score prediction. Outside of those games, just “who I’ve got” in matchups that are worth an honorable mention.

 

Noon Game Of The Week

UCLA @ #6 Oklahoma

 

Quick Essentials

When: 12:00 CT

TV: FOX

Rain (Above 40%)? No (Source: weather.com)

Where: Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (Norman, OK)

Last Time: UCLA 41-24 in 2005 (OU leads 3-1 all-time)

The genuine noon slot is in the eastern time zone, so it’s kind of nice that our first “Noon Game of The Week” actually is going to get started at noon! This game features the Oklahoma Sooners, who ended a quality 2017 season with a loss in an all-time legendary Rose Bowl game against Georgia (also was a playoff semifinal). They start the 2018 season with an obvious gap at the quarterback position, with 2017 Heisman Trophy Winner Baker Mayfield getting picked #1 in the NFL Draft (with the obligatory award of being sent to Cleveland). They replace him with redshirt junior and future MLB player Kyler Murray. With a year of development under Mayfield, Murray is certainly a solid replacement. Although we probably won’t see him live up to Mayfield’s career, it’s not like there is a gaping hole on this Oklahoma team. With a six ranking as well, expectations are high. Last week, they destroyed Lane Kiffin’s Florida-Atlantic squad 63-14.

Along with some high expectations there should be some confidence, as the Sooners take on a UCLA Bruins team that has some serious question marks. After a stunning loss (27-17) to Cincinnati to kick off the season, UCLA’s starting QB Wilton Speight (Grad transfer from Michigan) is day-to-day with a back injury. He had a pretty shaky performance prior to that. It will be a key storyline to this game to see if Speight will receive playing time, or if Head Coach Chip Kelly will give us another look at freshman Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

This Big 12/PAC 12 game pairs a productive Oklahoma offense and an improved UCLA defense. It also pairs a shaky Sooner defense with an even shakier Bruin offense, and this will be the key side of the ball for both teams as to determine who will get the win. I think Oklahoma’s defense has the superior performance, considering all the questions and lack of productivity out of the UCLA offense.

Oklahoma Wins, 38-17

 

Other Noon Games of Note (Picks Bolded):

11:00 CT:

#18 Mississippi State @ Kansas State (ESPN)

Duke @ Northwestern (ESPNU)

Western Michigan @ #21 Michigan (FS1)

New Mexico @ #5 Wisconsin (BTN)

 

Afternoon Game Of The Week

#3 Georgia @ #24 South Carolina

 

Quick Essentials

When: 2:30 CT

TV: CBS

Rain (Above 40%)? No (Source: weather.com)

Where: Williams-Brice Stadium (Columbia, SC)

Last Time: UGA 24-10 in 2017 (UGA leads 50-18 all-time)

This is quite possibly the best game of the weekend, with two ranked teams in an SEC season opener, and it should be quite the battle. South Carolina has the home field advantage. Coming off a 9-4 season (7-1 in SEC, win over Michigan in Outback Bowl) last year, the Gamecocks displayed a productive offense to start 2018, winning 49-15 against Coastal Carolina to open the season. Head coach Will Muschamp has got a lot on his plate this week, as he takes on a mighty Georgia defense.

The Bulldogs won almost everything last year (13-2, 7-1 SEC, lost National Championship vs. Alabama). Now, they’re hungry to make that one slight improvement and end this season on top. They started their climb with a 45-0 shutout over Austin Peay at home. Now, things get more difficult as they travel into Columbia.

This game, like the noon game, will partly be decided upon the performances of both weaker sides of the ball (UGA offense vs SC defense). Although Georgia gets an edge in this matchup, home field advantage will cut things closer and keep the score down. The biggest key factor will be a very strong Bulldog defense. They return seven upperclassmen this year, and their efforts will give the offense enough room to work with, even in a road environment.

Georgia Wins, 24-17

 

Other Afternoon Games of Note (Picks Bolded):

2:00 CT:

William & Mary @ #12 Virginia Tech (ACCNE)

Portland State @ #23 Oregon (PAC12)

2:30 CT:

Colorado @ Nebraska (ABC)

Arkansas State @ #1 Alabama (ESPN2)

Rutgers @ #4 Ohio State (BTN)

 

Night Game Of The Week

#2 Clemson @ Texas A&M

 

Quick Essentials

When: 6:00 CT

TV: ESPN

Rain (Above 40%)? Yes, 50% Chance with Scattered Storms (Source: weather.com)

Where: Kyle Field (College Station, TX)

Last Time: Clemson 25-24 in 2005 (A&M leads 3-1 all-time)

ESPN’s College GameDay, the pregame show and national tribal gathering place for CFB fans will be hosting Saturday morning’s show from College Station for this matchup. Their choice is very much legitimate considering that Kyle Field boasts a very large challenge for road opponents, as it is arguably the most hostile and passionate environment in the sport.

Texas A&M is coming off a roller coaster of a 7-6 season, and replaced Kevin Sumlin with former Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher. The team started 2018 with a 59-7 blowout of Northwestern State (Yes, that school exists), and is looking to make a national statement in the primetime slot.

The SEC West school takes on a defending ACC champion and CFP semifinalist Clemson Tigers team. They started their season with a win over Furman (48-7). The largest story line behind this team is a platoon-style split head coach Dabo Swinney is having between quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence and Kelly Bryant. Although Lawrence has seen some serious success, Bryant’s experience will give him the edge to start in this kind of big game.

The biggest question behind this game is about the degree to which the Aggies’ home environment effects play, and I think it does…for a half. A&M’s insecure offensive line will have some serious struggles keeping up with a loaded Tigers defensive line, and will leave the Texas A&M offense running for their lives. The score will reflect the second half more than it will the first.

Clemson Wins, 39-10

 

Other Night Games of Note (Picks Bolded):

5:00 CT:

Savannah State @ #22 Miami(FL) (ACCNE)

6:00 CT:

Southeastern Louisiana @ #11 LSU (ESPN2)

6:30 CT:

Kentucky @ #25 Florida (SECN)

Alabama State @ #7 Auburn (SECN)

7:00 CT:

#13 Penn State @ Pittsburgh (ABC: Saturday Night Football)

7:30 CT:

#17 USC @ #10 Stanford (FOX)

 

Late Game Of The Week

#15 Michigan State @ Arizona State

Quick Essentials

When: 9:45 CT

TV: ESPN

Rain (Above 40%)? NO. It’s Arizona.  (Source: weather.com)

Where: Sun Devil Football Stadium (Tempe, AZ)

Last Time: ASU 20-17 in 1986 (Series Tied 1-1 all-time)

Although the day probably ends for more people with the previous game, there will be some “PAC 12 After Dark” taking place on the western side of the country. The most notable of these games is the one above, as a Big Ten East team in the Michigan State Spartans travel out to participate. This game has a variety of wild story lines that keep a late game like this quite interesting.

This will be the first major test for Arizona State’s first year head coach Herm Edwards, who was last seen coaching the Kansas City Chiefs in 2008. Many find this to be an interesting choice for the position, as I do myself, and it has warranted an offseason of crazy quotes that perfectly satisfy the image of Edwards returning to the sidelines. This 2017 7-6 bowl-losing ASU team proved for a lot more optimism to begin this new season, as they defeated UTSA 49-7, lead by a decent offensive performance.

Edwards and the Sun Devils will passionately welcome a Michigan State team that has been through a lot. After a disastrous 3-9 season in 2016, coach Mark Dantonio successfully rebuilt the Spartans back into contention. Lead by an extremely promising redshirt junior QB in Brian Lewerke, MSU finished 10-3 (Won Holiday Bowl over Washington State). Although Michigan State football has had off-field problems problems problems problems over the offseason (which are worth mention but need not to be discussed further here), the Spartans are ready to make their mark in a powerful B1G East Division this year. It starts with a successful out-of-conference season, which could be headlined with a crucial win Saturday night. Although the offense once again looked solid to open the 2018 season, the defense didn’t provide too much assistance to a dominant win, so their game against Utah State last Friday night looked far less promising, and far more competitive (38-31).

 

This game will unquestionably depend on how Michigan State’s defense looks. The main question is whether their performance against Utah State was a blip or a true gauge on their quality. I think for the most part it will be revealed as a blip. A few loud scores from the home team early will allow for things to be a little more competitive, but by the 4th quarter, MSU will have full security of this game.

 

Michigan State Wins, 42-28

Enjoy your Saturday, everyone!