BYU at SMU

Friday, September 6th
4:00 pm PT, ESPN2

In this matchup we get two teams that could really use a win.

BYU needs to recapture that post-Big 12 swag. The Cougars finished 5-7 (2-7) last year and are a howl away from their 10-win 2021 season.

SMU avoided the Week one loss to Nevada and has jumped out the gate to a 2-0 start.

The Key to this matchup will be whether the Cougar offense has enough explosives to hang with the Mustangs. SMU’s passing offense hasn’t found its rhythm yet, but the team averages 44 points per outing, nonetheless.

It feels likely they’ll put up more than 30 against BYU.

The Cougs need to grit this out. Jake Retzlaff threw for over 300 yards against Southern Illinois, but they don’t want to get into that style of matchup against the Stangs.

They should consider getting LJ Martin a few extra touches to bore up the game.

Football is fun, SMU wins a close one.

SMU 31, BYU 24

Baylor at No. 11 Utah

Saturday, September 7th
12:30 pm PT, Fox

When you think of star players in the Big 12 it’s easy to think of Ollie Gordon, Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter, and maybe even Jalon Daniels.

But the best duo in the Big 12 could be Cam Rising and Brant Kuithe. Rising’s accolades speak for themselves but it feels like people forgot that Kuithe is a freaking beast.

He opened his season with four catches, three touchdowns, and 69 yards.

Baylor will likely struggle this year. It’s not like the Bears are going to be awful but it takes a lot to beat the mighty MUSS.

BU’s quarterback Dequan Finn only threw for 192 yards and two interceptions in the opener—not a good sign heading into a historically good Utah defense.

For all of these reasons, but mainly Rising’s Goldilocks hair, I’m picking the Utes.

Utes two-step on Baylor.

Utah 41, Baylor 28

Cal at Auburn

Saturday, September 7th
12:30 pm PT, ESPN2

The first thing to know about this game is that the third and fourth quarters will likely be longer than ten minutes. Auburn was beating Alabama A&M by 49 last week so they decided to shorten the game.

California didn’t look good last week. They were outgained by UC Davis, which is damn embarrassing. The Golden Bears forced three turnovers which is probably why they’re not getting hated on more.

The key to this contest should be whether or not Cal’s offense can move the ball consistently. The Tigers’ defense isn’t elite, but it’s still a solid enough unit against a confusing Cal offense.

Jaydn Ott also might not be quite 100 percent he’ll need to shine if the Bears are gonna pull off the upset.

If California didn’t nearly beat Auburn last year, they might have the element of surprise on their side.

But they don’t, and the Tigers will win.

Auburn 30, Cal 20

San Jose State at Air Force

Saturday, September 7th
4:00 pm PT, CBS Sports

This is the hardest pick I had to make this week.

There’s something in me that wants to believe in San Jose State’s offense, even without Chevan Cordeiro. But it’s a bit troubling that they needed a second-half comeback to knock off Sacramento State.

The X factor in this contest is whether Spartans head coach Ken Niumatalolo has an inside read at stopping the triple option due to his familiarity with the system, being the former the Head Coach at Navy.

The Air Force should dominate on the ground. The Spartans defense ranked 104th in the nation at stopping the run last year which should prove troubling against a Falcons offense that is always elite running the thang.

I really want to pick San Jose State, I’ve always liked the city of San Jose. But I can’t do it with Cordeiro.

Falcons fly high, no lie.

Air Force 24, San Jose State 21

Colorado at Nebraska

Saturday, September 7th
4:30 pm PT, NBC

It’s always fun when we get to renew a Big 12 rivalry.

In this matchup we got a Colorado team coming off a niceish win in week one, versus Nebraska who took care of business in a blowout against UTEP.

The key to this contest will be star players versus a better team. The Buffaloes have THE two guys on the field in Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, but the Cornhuskers’ front seven could cause CU some serious problems.

The other main storyline to watch in this contest will be the battle between the two signal callers. Sanders is the dude that everyone’s talking about, but freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola could be next.

If the Huskers didn’t finish 5-7 overall and end 2023 on a four-game slide, they’d probably have the confidence to win this game.

The Buffs don’t lack confidence, they find a way.

Colorado 35, Nebraska 28

Texas Tech at Washington State

Saturday, September 7th
7:00 pm PT, Fox

Texas Tech has to be better than their opening game indicated right?

The Red Raiders barely beat FCS Abilene Christian, it took overtime to do so. In that contest ACU threw for more than 500 yards against Tech and put up more than 50 points—that’s sluffin.

But even more troubling for the Raiders is that star running back Tahj Brooks is listed as questionable. If he’s out, Washington State fans may consider cracking an Ol’ Crimson prematurely.

The Cougars will need to tighten up their defense, but the playmaker combination of Kyle Williams, Wayshawn Parker, and Kris Hutson feels like too much for Tech to deal with.

WSU quarterback John Mateer also had a hot start in the opener, throwing for 352 yards and six combined touchdowns.
In the Mike Leach battle, I’m going with the latter.

Cougs win by a touchdown.

Washington State 38, Texas Tech 31

Boise State at No. 7 Oregon

Saturday, September 7th
7:00 pm PT, Peacock

Oregon’s concern is whether they can handle the State of Idaho’s best team. The Vandals gave them a hell of a run last week.

For the record, the Ducks have never defeated the Broncos, going 0-3 since their first meeting in 2008.

All eyes will be on Ashton Jeanty in this one.

UO isn’t likely to stop him but may contain him if they maintain their gaps. Oregon’s front seven is arguably more complete than Boise State’s offensive line.

For the Broncos, the key to winning is in the capable hands of Maddux Madsen.

Jeanty may have received all the hype after Game One, but the Ducks should have a scheme ready for the sophomore QB. His 267 yards and six touchdowns speaks volumes.

Oregon is heavily favored but they’ll need their wideouts to step up to win in blowout fashion. It feels highly unlikely that the Ducks will have close back-to-back battles with teams from the Potato State.

UO wins comfortably.

Oregon 42, Boise State 27

Oregon State at San Diego State

Saturday, September 7th
7:30 pm PT, CBS Sports

I wonder if Oregon State misses DJ Uiagalelei? Just a thought.

In this matchup, we have two teams trying to find themselves. The Beavers have a new head coach in Trent Bray and this will be his first real test.

OSU looked solid in the opener knocking off Idaho State and running all over their souls, and the Beavers tallied 362 yards on the ground.

Against San Diego State, they’ll likely need signal-caller Gevani McCoy to do a bit more passing.

The Aztecs struggled in week one, trailing Texas A&M commerce by three points at half. SDSU has a new head coach in Sean Lewis, who prefers an uptempo “Bling Blaww, Burr” offense.

Marquez Cooper led the way for the Aztecs in the opener, rushing for 223 yards and two touchdowns.

In the battle of the two new coaches I usually like the team with more depth.

Beavers snap the dragon.

Oregon State 30, San Diego State 27

Mississippi State at ASU

Saturday, September 7th
7:30 pm PT, ESPN

Many people feel that the Sun Devils are primed to make a massive turnaround this season after their Week 1 destruction of Wyoming.

But many people forget that most teams play well after receiving a pick-six on the first pass of the game. Arizona State is obviously improved, but one win is just one win. Good teams show consistency.

The key in this matchup will be ASU’s wideouts versus Mississippi State’s secondary. Arizona State lost their two best playmakers in the offseason in receiver Elijhah Badger and tight end Jalin Conyers.

On the flip side, the Bulldog corners are unproven. Miss State also has questions on their defensive line.

Both squads are projected to finish toward the bottom of their respective conferences and a win here would be pretty sweet.

Sparky doesn’t do sweet, Hail State.

Mississippi State 35, Arizona State 21

Utah State at No. 13 USC

Saturday, September 7th
8:00 pm PT, Big Ten Network

This is probably gonna be a difficult night for Utah State.

The Aggies played well in the opener but lost star running back Robert Briggs Jr. to a broken leg for the remainder of the year.

USU quarterback Spencer Petras also suffered a sprained ankle in week one and might be out for this contest. This could lead to a captivating story.

Utah State’s backup quarterback is former Ute Bryson Barnes. The same Barnes who beat USC last season as Utah’s signal caller. Obviously, he has a worse roster supporting him, but he’s done it once.

As for the Trojans, don’t drink the fruit punch. SC likely would’ve won this game either way, but with the injury to Briggs, the only way they’ll lose this contest is the night before.

Expect Miller Moss to shine and for the Trojans to win this one big in L.A.

USC 45, Utah State 14

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