Week 2 was kinder to me than week 1, but still not the standard that we set over here on my Top 5 games of the week. Last week brought us historical upsets, blowouts, and more head scratching than a lice clinic. We’ve got another fantastic week of football headed our way and I don’t want you wasting time reading an intro would you could be enjoying a preview!
Brief Recap of Last Week
– I’m not sure what to think of Michigan or Oklahoma for that matter. Michigan needed a literal Hail Mary just to get an opportunity to throw a Hail Mary in week 1 against Western Michigan, just to turn around and stone Oklahoma. Oklahoma’s offense looked horrible. John Mateer looked off rhythm, out of sync, and uncomfortable. Is that Michigan’s defense or is this what we should expect out of Mateer at this point? Time will tell.
– I picked Mississippi St. in all categories because I liked the upside of what Kamario Taylor could do. Full transparency I didn’t think there was a chance it would be this lopsided…but I will never apologize for being right and I was right on all three counts on this game (humbly).
– Georgia Tech kept it interesting in the first quarter, but then Faizon Brandon and the Tennessee offense got in a groove. I think the Yellow Jackets have proven to us that they won’t be a good team this year, Tennessee, however, we will keep the jury out on. I liked what I saw but I want to see them do that against a formidable opponent, which we won’t see until September 26thagainst Texas.
– BYU won this game by 11 points, but don’t get it twisted, that’s a very good Arizona team. It took a late 4th quarter TD for BYU to cover the spread, but I think we may have just watched a preview to the Big 12 championship – yes, I realize Texas Tech is in the Big 12 (more to come on that).
– Ohio St. owned this game for 3 quarters and then took their foot off the gas. Texas looked like a national championship caliber team (finally) in the 4thquarter and snatched victory from the jaws of defeat behind their veteran offensive line and running game. Ryan Day must be kicking himself for coaching “not to lose” instead of putting the Longhorns away. Both teams are solidified playoff caliber ball clubs.
1. 22 Houston at 13 Texas Tech *Friday
Similar to last week’s matchup between BYU and Arizona, Houston and Texas Tech could be a potential Big12 title game sneak peek. Houston brings veteran QB Connor Weigman, prodigal Willie Fritz son, RB Makhi Hughes, and stud WR Amare Thomas. This trio will put pressure on a Texas Tech defense that many think won’t miss a beat from last year. Texas Tech brings Will Hammond, the winner of the starting role after the Brendan Sorsby saga, and will be helped by RB committee Cameron Dickey, J’Koby Williams, and Quinten Joyner. I think Wille Fritz and the Cougars are a better overall team than the Red Raiders, and despite traveling to Lubbock as 7.5 point dogs, are able to get the win.
Houston 27 Texas Tech 24
Houston +7.5
Under 53.5
2. 16 SMU at 23 Louisville
This game has every ingredient of an offensive shootout more lethal than the showdown at the O.K. Corral. SMU and Heisman hopeful QB Kevin Jennings survived their first conference matchup against Florida State. However the tenured QB showed signs of weakness against the Seminoles as his turnover problem traveled with him to Tallahassee to the tune of 2 interceptions. Louisville, did not survive their first P4 matchup against Ole Miss, but they put the nation on notice as the Rebels needed a late FG to put the Cardinals away. Lincoln Keinholz showed the world why he was one of the most sought after QBs in high school and also in the transfer portal, but it’s not the gunslinger that the world needs to know about, it’s the UPS crew in the back field – Isaac Brown and Keyjuan Brown will show you what Brown can do for you. Both defenses leave a lot to be desired, especially in the passing game – hence the Tombstone reference in the first sentence. Give me the Cardinals to handle business in this one.
Louisville 41 SMU 34
Louisville -2.5
Over 59.5
3. Florida at Auburn
New coach, Jon Sumrall gets his first SEC on the road in Jordan Hare against the Auburn Tigers. QB Aaron Philo and OC Buster Faulkner have been as advertised thus far, but they’ve only played FAU and Campbell – can their success translate to Power 4 competition or more importantly, the SEC? Veteran RB Jadan Baugh, who is widely considered a top 3 running back in college football, can help with that acclimation, but can the Gator defense hold up – this will be the real test in my opinion. On the other side, new coach, Alex Golesh also brings a new QB in Byrum Brown, but Brown has been tested in the P4 this year and in the SEC last year (he and Golesh led the USF Bulls to victory over Florida in 2025). Brown has looked electric this year, but he’s also been his own insulator, turning the ball over 3 times against Baylor. Auburn’s defense is the highlight of this team though, as they return a lot of personnel from one of the top Ds in college football along with defensive playcaller DJ Durkin. I’m going to hold my nose and take the Florida leap of faith by taking the Gators in what should be a great SEC matchup.
Florida 28 Auburn 20
Florida -2.5
Under 52.5
4. 7 LSU at 8 Ole Miss
This game has more storylines than a 30-year-old, 11am soap opera, and just when you think the drama is over, more comes out – suing former players, listing starting QBs as doubtful, wiring tapping old offices (allegedly), tampering, and more! What we know is when you hate something this bad, you truly love it and are trying to overcompensate to keep others from knowing how you truly feel – or you really just hate each other. LSU and Lane Kiffin head to Oxford for the first time since Lane slipped out the back door at the berth of potential national championship run and this environment will be hostile in every sense of the imagination. Sam Leavitt and company will be facing a defense that got exposed in week 1 to Louisville, but the Rebs still have the secret weapon in Trinidad Chambliss. In my opinion, the emotions of this game will control the flow until the second half – when the real football starts. I think LSU and company have a more complete team and the Bayou Bengals will leave the grudge match victorious.
LSU 31 Ole Miss 30
Ole Miss +2.5
Over 58.5
5. West Virginia vs 25 Virginia *Charlotte, NC
Rich Rodriguez will lead his Mountaineers into Charlotte, North Carolina to face off against former player Tony Elliot and the Virginia Cavaliers (Elliot played WR under Rodriguez who was the OC at Clemson at the time). Virginia is on a sky-high trajectory (respectively) and West Virginia is on a…. trajectory – but I think the aim is higher than the college football world thinks. Rich Rod went and got the NCAA’s leader in rushing in Cam Cook to pair with dual threat QB and Oklahoma transfer Michael Hawkins. The Wahoos snagged QB Beau Pribula out of Missouri to pair with a veteran OL. Leaning on the experience of the trenches will give the Cavaliers the edge in this one.
Virginia 30 West Virginia 20
Virginia -9.5
Under 53.5
You must be logged in to post a comment.