Some Heisman candidates also showed out (albeit against much inferior competition), including Clemson running back Travis Etienne (12 carries, 205 yards, three touchdowns vs. Georgia Tech), Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields (234 yards passing, 61 yards rushing, five total touchdowns vs. Florida Atlantic), Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor (16 carries, 135 yards, two touchdowns vs. South Florida), Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (26-31, 336 yards passing, four touchdowns vs. Duke), and former Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts (508 total yards, six total touchdowns vs. Houston). We'll see who shows out in Week 2.
Game of The Week
#6 LSU @ #10 Texas
(Saturday, 7:30 PM, ABC)
The first top-ten matchup of the 2019 season takes place Saturday night in Austin, Texas. Heisman hopeful Sam Ehlinger started his season on a high note with a four-touchdown performance in Texas' 45-14 win over Louisiana Tech last week. He'll face a defense just a bit tougher than Louisiana Tech's Saturday night. The Tiger defensive unit is riddled with future NFL players, including safety Grant Delpit (great name), who had 1.5 tackles for a loss in last weekend's 55-3 win over Georgia Southern.
LSU quarterback Joe Burrow may not be as good as Ehlinger, but the former Ohio State backup is no slouch himself. Burrow had five passing touchdowns against Georgia Southern. The Tigers will lean on their defense, but Burrow will be integral in coming out of Austin with a victory. The Longhorn defense isn't on the same level as Georgia Southern's, but also isn't on the same level as some of the SEC defenses Burrow and the Tigers have faced.
Tom Herman's teams tend to play well against superior opponents, so he'll have his guys ready to play Saturday night. However, LSU is the more talented team, especially on the defensive side of the ball, so I think the Longhorns will fall at home.
Spread: LSU -6.5 Over/Under: 56
Prediction: LSU 35, Texas 24
Upset Alert
#12 Texas A&M @ #1 Clemson
(Saturday, 3:30 PM, ABC)
As I was perusing the second-week slate, I had a hard time finding an upset I truly believe will happen. So I said, "F--- it", and went with the number one team in the country. Do I feel confident that this will happen? No, but I'm willing to take this risk. I hope Texas A&M offensive lineman Jared Hocker moonlights as a (good) psychic.
When looking at the matchup, an upset is conceivable. Quarterback Kellen Mond is extremely talented, and he has skilled players around him. Mond and the Aggies nearly upset the top-ranked Tigers last season, then did upset the other Tigers (LSU) in seven overtimes. Although the A&M defense lost some key players, the unit did rank among the best defenses in the SEC in 2018. And star Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence didn't look very crisp last week against Georgia Tech. The ingredients are here for an upset.
The counter argument is the fact the this game takes place in Death Valley, the fact that Clemson is the defending National Champion, the fact the Lawrence will probably play much better this week, and the fact that even if he doesn't, Texas A&M will still have to find a way to stop guys such as running back Travis Etienne. But I don't care. I believe in Jared Hocker. I believe that there will be an upset.
Spread: CLEM -17.5 Over/Under: 64.5
Prediction: Texas A&M 32, Clemson 30
Unranked Game of the Week
Miami @ North Carolina
(Saturday, 8:00 PM, ACCN)
Although Miami lost its Week 0 meeting with Florida, the Hurricanes challenged the Gators and introduced new bling. Meanwhile, North Carolina won its Week 1 meeting with South Carolina, and head coach Mack Brown celebrated in dance. If nothing else, this matchup should provide entertainment on the sidelines and in the locker room.
The Miami defense gave Florida quarterback Feleipe Franks fits two weeks ago, picking him off twice and forcing four total turnovers. North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell could have trouble on Saturday night. The Tar Heels will probably try to lean on their running game, which gained 238 yards last week.
This might be a defensive game all around. North Carolina scored 24 points in last week's win over South Carolina, while Miami scored 20 in its loss to Florida. Miami's defense is filled with NFL talent, so it'll be hard for UNC to match that first week total this Saturday. I think Jarren Williams and the Hurricanes will come away with a win this weekend.
Spread: MIA -4.5 Over/Under: 47.5
Prediction: Miami 27, North Carolina 20
Other Top 25 Games
Friday
Marshall @ #24 Boise State
(9:00 PM, ESPN2)
I watched a movie about Marshall once. I don't know a whole lot more about the Marshall football team. I do know the Boise State football team plays on a blue field and seems to have a really good true freshman quarterback in Hank Bachmeier, who orchestrated a comeback victory last week.
Spread: BSU -12 Over/Under: 57
Prediction: Boise State 38, Marshall 24
Saturday
Cincinnati @ #5 Ohio State
(Noon, ABC)
Former Ohio State interim coach Luke Fickell will lead Cincinnati against its big brother Saturday. Justin Fields and Ryan Day's Ohio State offense looked good through one quarter last week, then stalled after that. It can't stall this week against Cincinnati, and I don't think it will.
Spread: OSU -16 Over/Under: 53.5
Prediction: Ohio State 42, Cincinnati 24
Army @ #7 Michigan
(Noon, FOX)
The Wolverines have to take on an entire Army on Saturday, but luckily for Michigan, the army isn't that good at football. The Black Knights do have the triple option factor in their favor, so they might stick with Michigan for awhile, but Shea Patterson and the Wolverines should pull away.
Spread: MICH -22.5 Over/Under: 47.5
Prediction: Michigan 35, Army 21
Rutgers @ #20 Iowa
(Noon, FS1)
IS RUTGERS "BACK"??!! The short answer is, "No", but the long answer is, "Probably not". The Scarlet Knights looked good against Massachusetts, so that's not saying much. Iowa is not Massachusetts. I checked. They aren't even in the same part of the country.
Spread: IOWA -20 Over/Under: 49
Prediction: Iowa 32, Rutgers 10
#21 Syracuse @ Maryland
(Noon, ESPN)
Not only is Syracuse's mascot an orange, which I find funny, they also have a head coach named Dino Babers, which is a great name. Babers' team will not have an easy test in Maryland Saturday. In fact, the Terrapins are favored against the Orange. I think the "underdogs" will win.
Spread: MD -2 Over/Under: 58
Prediction: Syracuse 31, Maryland 28
Northern Illinois @ #13 Utah
(1:00 PM, PAC12)
Utah easily dispatched of BYU last weekend, forcing three turnovers and holding the Cougars to 12 points. Northern Illinois won't have much better luck. Zack Moss (who ran for 187 yards and a touchdown last week) and the Utes should run over the Huskies.
Spread: UTAH -21.5 Over/Under: 44
Prediction: Utah 33, Northern Illinois 14
Central Michigan @ #17 Wisconsin
(3:30 PM, BTN)
Speaking of running over people, Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor ran over South Florida last week. The final score of the Wisconsin-South Florida game was 49-0. This game might be closer, but only a little bit.
Spread: WIS -35 Over/Under: 52
Prediction: Wisconsin 42, Central Michigan 3
#25 Nebraska @ Colorado
(3:30 PM, FOX)
The first week wasn't all peaches and cream for the Cornhuskers, who had a bit of trouble with South Alabama on the way to a 35-21 win. Colorado has some talent (and a lot of mountains, I've heard), but I think Adrian Martinez and company will play much better this weekend.
Spread: NEB -4 Over/Under: 64.5
Prediction: Nebraska 35, Colorado 24
New Mexico State @ #2 Alabama
(4:00 PM, SECN)
Nothing to see here. Carry on.
Spread: ALA -55.5 Over/Under: 64.5
Prediction: Alabama 62, New Mexico State 7
Murray State @ #3 Georgia
(4:00 PM, ESPN2)
Nothing to see here. Carry on.
Spread: UGA -48.5 Over/Under: 61.5
Prediction: Georgia 60, Murray State 3
Northern Colorado @ #22 Washington State
(5:00 PM)
Nothing to see here. Keep on keeping on.
Spread: WSU -36.5 Over/Under: 63
Prediction: Washington State 48, Northern Colorado 10
South Dakota @ #4 Oklahoma
(7:00 PM)
Jalen Hurts scored seven touchdowns against Houston last week. He might score seven touchdowns against South Dakota this week.
Spread: OKLA -39 Over/Under: 75.5
Prediction: Oklahoma 62, South Dakota 17
#18 UCF @ Florida Atlantic
(7:00 PM, CBSSN)
Florida Atlantic played admirably on the road against Ohio State last week, and now the Owls host in-state foe Central Florida. UCF smashed FAMU (which I'm assuming stands for Florida A&M University) in Week 1, and although they'll be tested in Week 2, Brandon Wimbush and the Knights should notch another victory.
Spread: UCF -10.5 Over/Under: 67
Prediction: UCF 40, Florida Atlantic 28
Tulane @ #10 Auburn
(7:30 PM, ESPN2)
Before I get into this, I want to know whose idea it was to name a team the Green Wave. That's like calling a team the Algae Water. After coming back to beat Oregon last Saturday night, Auburn must avoid a letdown against the Tulane Algae Water. I think the Tigers will. Also, why do they chant, "War Eagle", when they're the Tigers...
Spread: AUB -17.5 Over/Under: 51.5
Prediction: Auburn 35, Tulane 21
UT Martin @ #11 Florida
(7:30 PM, ESPNU)
After getting a scare from Miami two weeks ago, CJ Henderson and the Gators should play much better against Tennessee-Martin, which might be the best college team with "Tennessee" in its name.
Spread: FLA -44.5 Over/Under: 59
Prediction: Florida 52, UT Martin 14
Buffalo @ #15 Penn State
(7:30 PM, FOX)
Penn State absolutely OBLITERATED Idaho last week, outgaining the Potatoes Vandals 673 to 145 in a 79-7 win. Witness Protection member Ricky Slade was one of five running backs to find the end zone for the Nittany Lions. There likely won't be as many touchdowns this week, but there could be.
Spread: PSU -29.5 Over/Under: 56
Prediction: Penn State 45, Buffalo 21
Nevada @ #16 Oregon
(7:30 PM, PAC12)
Poor, poor Ducks. Behind the NFL arm of Justin Herbert and the speed around him, they were ready to help put the PAC-12 back into the Playoff conversation this season. Then they blew another lead in a big game, showing that they might not be ready for the bright lights. Nevada, fresh off an emotional win, is on the other end of the spectrum. That won't be enough to carry the Wolfpack to victory.
Spread: ORE -24 Over/Under: 61
Prediction: Oregon 42, Nevada 20
Western Michigan @ #19 Michigan State
(7:30 PM, BTN)
Two of the top three teams in Michigan (don't @ me) meet Saturday night in East Lansing. MSU mustn't take WMU lightly, but I'm not too worried about the Spartans getting upset by the Broncos (I am a little worried, though).
Spread: MSU -16 Over/Under: 46.5
Prediction: Michigan State 28, Western Michigan 14
California @ #14 Washington
(10:30 PM, FS1)
It's that time again. Time for #Pac12AfterDark. Anything could happen. Many points will be scored. Many games will not end until the next day (in the Eastern Time Zone). This one shouldn't get too wild, as Jacob Eason and Washington are much better than California.
Spread: WASH -13.5 Over/Under: 43.5
Prediction: Washington 32, California 17
#23 Stanford @ USC
(10:30 PM, ESPN)
The Top 25 slate ends with two Californian teams with banged-up quarterbacks. USC quarterback JT Daniels is out for the season after tearing his ACL, and Stanford quarterback KJ Costello is questionable for Saturday night. Assuming Costello plays, USC might have some trouble with a freshman backup under center.
Spread: USC -1 Over/Under: 45
Prediction: Stanford 24, USC 17
Last Week: 21-3 vs. Spread: 8-15-1 Over/Under: 14-10
Season: 22-4 vs. Spread: 10-15-1 vs. Spread: 15-11
Stats and info via ESPN.com, SI.com, Twitter.com, SportingNews.com, and OddsShark.com
Lines via OddsShark.com
Lines as of Thursday afternoon
No me gusta el futbol americano, pero el escritor... ��
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