Week 1 of the college football season was maybe the most chaotic we’ve seen in years. We had the usual string of Power 4-FCS blowouts, but more than a few games had us on the edge of our seats. With the first true college football Saturday on the horizon, let’s take a look at the must-see games of Week 2. All times are on Saturday, Sept. 7, at Eastern Standard Time unless otherwise noted.
No. 3 Texas at No. 10 Michigan
Noon on FOX
Week 2 starts with a bang as the defending national champion Michigan Wolverines play host to the Texas Longhorns. Being the first top-10 matchup of the season, this game will have enormous playoff implications. With multiple ranked opponents remaining on their schedules, the loser’s chances of receiving a playoff bid come December could be reduced significantly.
Like last year, the Wolverines are relying heavily on the running game. But after losing quarterback J.J. McCarthy and receivers Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson, the Michigan passing attack has been reduced to smithereens.
So if the Wolverines need to go through the air, quarterback Davis Warren will just need to find their new secret weapon: tight end Colston Loveland. Last week, the junior caught 8 passes, including a touchdown against Fresno State. The Idaho native has been an impact player for the Wolverines both as a receiver and a blocker, cementing his place as the best tight end in the land. But if Loveland is unable to find space against the incredible Texas secondary, things could get ugly in a hurry for the hosts.
For Texas, Quinn Ewers will need another big outing in a hostile environment to come away with a victory. Unlike the Michigan offense, the Wolverine defense is just as good — if not better — than it was last season.
Ewers is no stranger to big games. Last year against Alabama, he had one of his best performances of the season, throwing for 349 yards and 3 touchdowns. If he can pull off a similar stat line against the Wolverines, Texas should be able to come out with a victory.
Prediction: Texas wins 24-17
Iowa State at No. 21 Iowa
3:30 p.m. on CBS
Saturday brings with it the first true rivalry game of the season as Cy-Hawk descends on Iowa City. Not only is it a perennially weird game (fellow sickos, take heed), it’ll hold some significant playoff implications. An Iowa State victory could make them the favorites as an automatic qualifier from the Big 12. A win for the Hawkeyes would add some weight as a potential at-large bid.
As with most battles on the plains, the line play will be the most interesting matchup on the field. The Iowa State linebacking corps is riddled with injuries. In order to win, the Cyclones’ lackluster defensive front needs to come up big. Their offensive line has not exactly inspired confidence, either. They were the lowest-graded unit amongst Power 5 schools last season, according to PFF.
Iowa has the ability to dominate in the trenches. The offensive line is one of the better front fives in the Big Ten and should be able to deal with the opposing pass rush with relative ease. For Iowa, the game plan should be to simply let the big dogs eat. If they do, the rest will follow.
Prediction: Iowa wins 22-10 (It’s Iowa; there’s going to be a safety.)
No. 14 Tennessee at No. 24 NC State
7:30 p.m. on ABC
Tennessee is feeling itself, and rightfully so. While last week’s 69-3 domination over the FCS Chattanooga isn’t exactly unexpected, the quality of play from Nico Iamaleava was, nonetheless, immense. In just his second start with the Volunteers, the sophomore seems to have already found his footing on the big stage in Knoxville.
Though, the NC State defense should present the first true test of Iamaleava’s abilities at this level. The Wolfpack secondary is one of the best in the nation and will punish any rookie mistakes made by the Tennessee quarterback. If Iamaleava’s hot streak continues, talk of a Vols playoff berth could become very loud.
For NC State, the challenge will be to keep edge rusher James Pierce Jr. at bay. While the Wolfpack line excelled against Western Carolina last week, they will be forced to deal with arguably the most disruptive defender in the country. Quarterback Grayson McCall has been known to struggle under pressure, so keeping a clean pocket will be paramount. If tackles Anthony Belton and Jacarrius Peak fail that task, a rocky start could turn into a nightmare scenario for NC State.
Prediction: Tennessee wins 38-24
Luca Tedesco is a football writer for Belly Up Sports For more great college sports content, visit Belly Up Universities and follow him on Twitter/X at @LucaTedesco712.
