College picks:
Rivalries are renewed in Iowa and Utah, while Oregon travels to Ohio State, Texas to Arkansas and N.C. State to Mississippi State.
Games to watch in college football’s Week 2:
Oregon at Ohio State Saturday, noon ET, Fox Tipico Sportsbook line: Ohio State by 13 1⁄2
The Pac-12 picked up one marquee win last week when UCLA took down LSU. The Ducks (1-0) will try to provide another one for the league, but they’ll have to do it on the road. The Buckeyes got off to a solid start in Big Ten play at Minnesota, making freshman QB C.J. Stroud’s debut a success. He has a few freshman moments, but having standout WR Chris Olave in his arsenal certainly helped. Oregon, also breaking in a new signal-caller in Anthony Brown, was also in a dogfight with Fresno State in its season opener. But the combined performance on the ground from RBs C.J. Verdell and Travis Dye, along with Brown himself, was an encouraging sign for the Ducks.
Prediction: As long as the early start isn’t a factor, this could be a highly entertaining shootout. We’ll give the nod to the Buckeyes (1-0) on their home turf, but the Ducks should keep it close throughout.
Ohio State, 38-34
Iowa at Iowa State Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, ABC Tipico Sportsbook line: Iowa State by 4 1⁄2
A victim of the 2020 pandemic schedule, the CyHawk Trophy showdown is back, and fans in Iowa should be in for a treat. The contest has long-term implications as well, with both teams harboring hopes of challenging for their respective conference titles. At first glance, the Cyclones’ close call against Northern Iowa last week might be viewed as cause for concern. But UNI is a perennially strong FCS program that often gives one of its in-state rivals from the upper division a run for its money. The biggest concern for Iowa State (1-0) might be the ease with which the Hawkeyes (1-0) disposed of a then-top-20 ranked Indiana squad in their Big Ten debut. Prediction: Both teams feature strong defenses and veteran quarterbacks that shouldn’t make many mistakes. Expect a low-scoring, hard-hitting tussle that could come down to a late field goal.
Iowa State, 23-20
Texas at Arkansas Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN Tipico Sportsbook line: Texas by 6 1⁄2
These once and future conference rivals renew acquaintances, with both programs in differing stages of reinvention. First-year Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian had more in his inherited cupboard, and QB Hudson Card and RB Bijan Robinson both impressed in a solid opening performance against a ranked Louisiana-Lafayette squad. Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman had a lot more rebuilding to do, though the three Southeastern Conference wins the team managed in 2020 showed significant progress. QB K.J. Jefferson’s debut against Rice last week was shaky at times, and he’ll need to be sharper as the competition level ramps up.
Prediction: While Arkansas (1-0) is moving in the right direction, and the home crowd figures to provide an early boost, the Longhorns (1-0) are still more talented.
Texas, 31-17
North Carolina State at Mississippi State Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2 Tipico Sportsbook line: N.C. State by 2 1⁄2
It was a difficult week for the ACC’s topranked teams, but N.C. State took care of its business with a dominant win against South Florida. The Wolfpack (1-0), a potential challenger to Clemson in the Atlantic Division, now venture into SEC territory in search of a quality nonconference victory. The Bulldogs (1-0), who needed everything they could muster to stave off Conference USA contender Louisiana Tech, could also use another ‘W’ before venturing into the teeth of their conference slate. N.C. State QB Devin Leary was picked off once but otherwise had a clean outing against the Bulls, with plenty of ground support from RBs Zonovan Knight and Ricky Person. Mississippi State’s air-raid is now under the direction of Will Rogers, who had a solid 83% completion rate but was sacked three times. Prediction: Games coached by Mike Leach are rarely boring, so figure on things getting wild again in Starkville with the cowbells clanging. A more balanced Wolfpack attack, should prevail. N.C.
State, 45-34
Utah at BYU Saturday, 10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
Tipico Sportsbook line: Utah by 7 1⁄2 This was another traditional rivalry game that was missed by fans last season, so its return will be met with great enthusiasm. The Cougars (1-0), still independent but Big 12 bound in the future, look to start 2021 2-0 against the Pac-12. The Utes (1-0), expected to contend in what suddenly looks to be a crowded Pac-12 South Division, should provide a stiff test. BYU QB Jaren Hall overcame a sluggish start to turn in a solid outing against Arizona, with a lot of help from WR Neil Pau’u. Baylor transfer Charlie Brewer also got in some good work in his Utes’ debut against Weber State, though he can expect a bit more resistance from the Cougars’ multiple blitz packages. Prediction: Utah enters on a nine-game winning streak in this series, though seven of those were decided by eight points or fewer. This one also figures to be close, and possibly the Cougars can snap the streak on their home field.
BYU, 34-31