The young season’s first top-10 showdown highlights the Week 2 slate in college football, with plenty of other tempting matchups on the menu as well. OK, there are also quite a few potential laughers like there were in Week 1, but hey, that’s why we’re here to help you pick the games to watch.
In addition to the headliner with Michigan hosting Texas in Ann Arbor, the Saturday schedule offers another Top 25 clash on a neutral field along with a few current and former rivals squaring off. As always, be on the lookout for surprising developments around the country, but with that in mind, here’s the rundown of what we think will be the best choices for your viewing enjoyment.
No. 3 Texas at No. 9 Michigan
Time/TV: noon ET, Fox.
Why watch: It’s the first major test for these playoff participants from last season as the Longhorns pay a visit to the defending champion Wolverines. Michigan, however, looks a lot different than the squad that lifted the trophy eight months ago, both on the field and on the sidelines. Both teams warmed up against Mountain West Conference competition last week with somewhat different results. The Wolverines struggled to put away Fresno State, while Texas had no such trouble dispatching Colorado State in a whitewash. Michigan clearly faced the tougher opponent, but the pedestrian 269 total yards generated by the offense is nevertheless a concern. QB Davis Warren will need to be sharper against LB Anthony Hill Jr. and the Texas defense. Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers should also face more resistance from DE Josaiah Stewart and the Michigan pass rush, but a talented group of pass catchers like WR Isaiah Bond should help him escape pressure.
Why it could disappoint: Single results can be deceiving, and as we said Michigan was facing a tougher opponent. But the ease with which Texas rolled would suggest that if there’s a lopsided outcome, it will go the ‘Horns’ way. The Wolverines will probably need to make this a grinder, which might not make for the most compelling product.
No. 12 Tennessee vs. No. 23 North Carolina State
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC.
Why watch: A second ACC-vs.-SEC neutral site contest – this one in Charlotte, North Carolina, in as many weeks gets a prime-time slot. This time it is the Wolfpack from the ACC playing in its home state, and they hope for a much better showing than Clemson managed against Georgia in Atlanta. But the Volunteers will undoubtedly have a sizable fan contingent make its way to the Queen City from Knoxville, and they’ll be hoping to see a strong performance that matches those already turned in by other SEC contenders. Tennessee and QB Nico Iamaleava had a much easier time in their opening tune-up against an in-state FCS challenger, handling Chattanooga with little drama. If Iamaleava gets loose too often, he’ll make life even more difficult for DB Aydan White and the Wolfpack’s active secondary. N.C. State took well over three quarters to pull clear of Western Carolina, and touted transfer QB Grayson McCall had to shake off an early interception before finding his rhythm. His main concern this time will be Vols DE James Pearce Jr
Why it could disappoint: Again, one probably shouldn’t read much from a single datapoint. But another slow start from the Wolfpack would not be advisable. We still need to see what Tennessee can do when met with actual resistance, but the Volunteers would seem to be the likelier candidate to make this a rout.
Time/TV: 10 p.m. ET, Peacock.
Why watch: One of Week 1’s breakout stars looks to impress once again on an even bigger stage in this potential #BigTenAfterDark special. In a curious twist, Boise actually owns a 3-0 record all-time against Oregon, though they haven’t met since the 2017 Las Vegas Bowl. The Broncos and standout RB Ashton Jeanty, who ran for 267 yards and six TDs at Georgia Southern, might find the going a bit tougher against the Ducks. Oregon was somewhat slow out of the gate last week against Idaho and will be eager to turn in a performance worthy of a playoff contender. QB Dillon Gabriel put up a more than respectable 380 yards against the Vandals, but the fact that he needed to attempt 49 passes might be an indictment of his O-line’s inability to create holes in the ground game. That wasn’t an issue for Boise State, but Jeanty will likely need some semblance of air cover from QB Maddux Madsen to keep Ducks LB Bryce Boettcher and Co. at bay.
Why it could disappoint: Taking a hit in the polls is rather inconsequential in the grand scheme of the season, but the Ducks figure to be a bit more focused this week. Though the Broncos would go on to win the Mountain West last season, their early trip to Washington did not go well. They must avoid digging an early hole to stave off a similar fate in Eugene.
Time/TV: noon ET, ABC.
Why watch: We come now to the more speculative portion of the preview, in which we stipulate that both teams’ membership in power conferences does not always guarantee entertaining football but we can hope. The Cowboys are among the Big 12 holdovers theoretically in the best position to challenge for the league title. They can reinforce that perception if they handle their business against a visitor from the SEC. The Razorbacks for their part are projected to finish somewhere in the middle of the pack at best in their conference but have a chance to make a more positive statement. We didn’t learn much about Arkansas in its romp past Arkansas-Pine Bluff, but QB Taylen Green and RB Ja’Quinden Jackson got in some useful reps. They shouldn’t have nearly as much room to operate against LB Nick Martin and the Cowboys’ experienced back seven. Oklahoma State had a tougher time with perennial FCS power South Dakota State, but veteran QB Alan Bowman and RB Ollie Gordon II also put up good numbers. The effort to keep them contained will be led by Razorbacks LB Brad Spence.
Why it could disappoint: The myth of SEC superiority in all things football has already taken a hit with the league suffering three losses in Week 1. Should this one go off the rails, it would seem more plausible that it will be the Cowboys, ranked and playing at home, putting up the high score.
Iowa State at No. 21 Iowa
Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS.
Why watch: The annual showdown for the Cy-Hawk Trophy finds these in-state rivals coming off impressive outings in their respective tune-up games. Curiously, the visiting team has gone home with the hardware in each of the last four series meetings, with the Cyclones prevailing the last time they ventured to Iowa City in 2022. As with just about any game involving the Hawkeyes, points will be hard to come by, although the Iowa offense has more potential with QB Cade McNamara back at the controls after missing most of last season due to injury. Cyclones QB Rocco Becht is also back, and he must continue to play error-free football to avoid giving the Hawkeyes any opportunities with a short field. The stars of the game figure to be on the defensive side, where names to know include Iowa LB Jay Higgins and Iowa State DB Jeremiah Cooper.
Why it could disappoint: Did we mention this will probably be a low-scoring affair? The last time either team exceeded 27 points in this series was the atypical 44-41 Iowa overtime victory in 2017. On the other hand, it’s rarely a blowout regardless of how the respective teams fare later, and the decisive play can happen at any time.
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC.
Why watch: We don’t often feature a pair of unranked squads in this space, but this one will get a lot of attention. The atmosphere in Lincoln should be electric as these former Big Eight rivals renew acquaintances. Add in a little bad blood from last year’s encounter, a coach who is arguably the sport’s most polarizing figure and a young quarterback hoping to restore a once proud program to respectability, and you have a perfect recipe for appointment TV. The Buffaloes got all they wanted from annual FCS contender North Dakota State, but QB Shedeur Sanders and WR/DB Travis Hunter flashed their potential to create highlights at any time. Cornhuskers’ followers were equally excited about the debut of freshman sensation QB Dylan Raiola, who threw for a pair of TDs with no picks last week against Texas-El Paso.
Why it could disappoint: The Buffs still have issues at the line of scrimmage on both sides. We should find out fairly soon if the ‘Huskers are equipped to take advantage.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College football Week 2 games to watch start with Michigan-Texas
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