There’s a little dip in store for college football fans this week after the season opened up with a massive Week 1 schedule which featured plenty of must-see matchups.
While there’s not as much firepower here in Week 2, there are a handful of top-25 matchups on the docket, leading off with No. 3 Texas at No. 10 Michigan in the Big House at noon (FOX).
Then there’s a SEC-ACC matchup between No. 14 Tennessee and No. 24 N.C. State that will go a long way in determining if both squads will be able to compete in their respective conferences.
And we’ve also got our first major rivalry of the season with the Cy-Hawk game between Iowa State and No. 21 Iowa, kicking off at 3:30 p.m.
takes a look at those three games along with our Week 2 best bets.
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The third-ranked Longhorns are a 7.5-point favorite in this Saturday’s noon matchup in Ann Arbor, as Michigan isn’t the same team that won the national title just a few months ago.
The Longhorns, however, are.
Led by Heisman Trophy hopeful Quinn Ewers, who currently sits fifth in odds at quarterback, Texas comes into the Big House riding a 52-0 drubbing of Colorado State in the opener.
Ewers threw for 260 yards and three touchdowns in the win, while much-hyped backup Arch Manning threw for 95 yards and his first collegiate TD as well.
Michigan, which has only lost three games in the last three seasons, kicked off its 2024 campaign with a ho-hum 30-10 win over Fresno State.
The Wolverines, which lost double-digit starters to the NFL Draft as well as their head coach to the L.A. Chargers in the offseason, were led by new quarterback Davis Warren, who threw for just 118 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Even though this game will be in Michigan Stadium, Texas will be too much for the defending national champions.
Texas vs. Michigan Predictions for Sept. 7
Rivals Iowa State and Iowa will kick off Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City for the 71st Cy-Hawk game.
The last six rivalry games have been decided by 10 points or less with Iowa winning five of them. But the last time this game was in Kinnick Stadium, the Cyclones won in 2022.
Here’s another stat, 17 out of the last 19 Cy Hawk Series have gone Under the point total.
This will be a defensive battle, as the Hawkeyes continuously boast one of the best in the nation. But can they score? That’s the question.
Iowa State will throw everything it has into this one, and while it may not win Saturday, the Cyclones will keep it close.
Iowa State vs. Iowa Predictions for Sept. 7
This SEC-ACC showdown between Tennessee and N.C. State will take place Saturday night at 7:30 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
The Vols and their explosive offense enter this week’s game after putting up 69 points on Tennessee-Chattanooga in the season opener, while the Wolfpack had to score 21 fourth-quarter points to beat Western Carolina in Week 1.
And while NCSU’s Grayson McCall threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns – all to WR Kevin Concepcion – don’t let that fool you. The Wolfpack defense gave up more than 360 yards to the Catamounts.
Tennessee’s offense scored 45 points in the first half, while quarterback Nico Iamaleava threw for 314 and three scores. Running back Dylan Sampson also had a day, rushing for 124 yards and three touchdowns, and receiver Don’t’e Thorton Jr. had three catches for 105 yards and two TDs, showing the Vols’ balance and quick-strike ability.
These two teams will light it up, with the Vols scoring more.
Tennessee vs. NC State Predictions for Sept. 7
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Mike Szvetitz is the General Manager and Content Director for . Szvetitz is a 24-year veteran reporter and editor, including serving 17 years as a sports editor in Florida, Alabama and Virginia, covering everything from preps to pros. His "View From The Lazy Boy" column won multiple state and national awards. He can be reached at mszvetitz@timesdispatch.com.