No. 3 Texas at No. 10 Michigan
Saturday, Sept. 7 — Michigan Stadium — Ann Arbor, Michigan
11 a.m. on FOX
The Longhorns walk into “The Big House” with a Texas-sized load of momentum after putting up 52 points on Colorado State in Week 1. However, the Michigan defense will be much harder to decode for Texas junior quarterback Quinn Ewers. The Wolverines looked shaky on offense versus a Group of Five opponent, and coach Sherrone Moore will need to fix things fast if he hopes to keep Michigan among the elite of college football. The Longhorns bring the boom and prove to Wolverine fans why everything’s bigger in Texas.
Prediction: Texas 27, Michigan 16
No. 14 Tennessee vs. No. 24 NC State
Saturday, Sept. 7 — Bank of America Stadium — Charlotte, North Carolina
6:30 p.m. on ABC
Tennessee looked like a well-oiled machine as it procured over 700 total yards of offense, headlined by three passing touchdowns from freshman QB Nico Iamaleava and three rushing touchdowns from junior running back Dylan Sampson. NC State and graduate QB Grayson McCall were efficient offensively but gave up 21 points to a Football Championship Subdivision team in Western Carolina. The Volunteers are deadly on both sides of the ball and hand the Wolfpack a steep loss that sends them stumbling into next week.
Prediction: Tennessee 45, NC State 14
South Florida at No. 4 Alabama
Saturday, Sept. 7 — Bryant-Denny Stadium — Tuscaloosa, Alabama
6 p.m. on ESPN
Both squads come into this matchup off huge wins against their Week 1 opponents. When these two teams faced off last season, the Crimson Tide were still looking for their QB1 and only defeated the Bulls by 14 points. This season, though, redshirt junior QB Jalen Milroe is the definitive starter under center. With a new coaching regime in Tuscaloosa, USF junior QB Byrum Brown might be in for a rude awakening. The Crimson Tide and new coach Kalen DeBoer will prove that Alabama is not playing around.
Prediction: Alabama 31, South Florida 10
Arkansas at No. 16 Oklahoma State
Saturday, Sept. 7 — Boone Pickens Stadium — Stillwater, Oklahoma
11 a.m. on ABC
Arkansas came into this season with several doubts and proceeded to score 70 points in Week 1. While it was against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, it looks like new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino has the Razorbacks firing on all cylinders. However, coach Mike Gundy has the Cowboys set up for a Big 12 championship and College Football Playoff appearance. Junior RB Ollie Gordon II looks to strengthen his Heisman candidacy versus an Arkansas defense that only gave up seven rushing yards last week. The Razorbacks get hogtied and are brought back to reality by the Cowboys.
Prediction: Oklahoma State 24, Arkansas 10
