CFW Week 2 Forecast – “We spend to win”
Flop, flop, fizz, fizz
Oh, what a relief it is
Six teams who flopped and fizzled last week will be feeling the relief this week – big time. It will be easy going for Texas, Clemson, Notre Dame, Alabama, Boise State and North Carolina. For those six teams, the relief can’t come soon enough.
Texas, 14-7 losers to Ohio State, plays San Jose State. Clemson, 17-10 losers to LSU, plays Troy. Notre Dame, 27-24 losers to Miami, is off this week. Alabama, 31-17 losers to Florida State, plays ULM. Boise State, 34-7 losers to South Florida, plays Eastern Washington. North Carolina, 48-14 losers to TCU, plays Charlotte. It can’t get any easier than that. Relief is at hand.
Unlike opening weekend, there aren’t really any marquee games on the slate in Week 2. It’s hard to top a weekend when you had Texas-Ohio State, LSU-Clemson, Notre Dame-Miami, Alabama-Florida State and Bill Belichick on the menu. Still, although lacking so-called marquee games, there are several games this weekend that have the potential to be real donnybrooks, barn burners, knock-down drag outs, nailbiters and thrillers.
I’m talking about Michigan-Oklahoma, Baylor-SMU, Iowa-Iowa State and Kansas-Missouri. Any one or all of those games could have you sitting on the edge of your seat in the fourth quarter. And four more games are full of curiosity and fascination – Illinois-Duke, South Florida-Florida, Ole Miss-Kentucky, Arizona State-Mississippi State and Virginia-NC State. So, I’d say hang onto your cold pizza, order your chili dogs and make sure your favorite beverage is well stocked.
Oklahoma State plays at Oregon this week. Cowboys’ coach Mike Gundy said about Oregon, “They spend a lot of money.” To that statement, Oregon coach Dan Lanning responded, “We spend to win.”
It has been a heck of a week this week with all that has been said and written about Arch Manning, Bill Belichick, Kalen DeBoer, Florida State and Alabama. Some of it has been positive and some has been negative. All I can say is they have 12 more weeks to turn things around – for the better or for the worse.
Ohio State replaced Texas as the No. 1 team in the country in this week’s AP Poll. The Top 5 teams in the AP Poll are 1. Ohio State, 2. Penn State, 3. LSU, 4. Georgia, 5. Miami.
Saturday, ESPN’s College GameDay is in Norman, Oklahoma, for the Michigan-Oklahoma game. FOX Sports’ Big Noon Kickoff is in Ames, Iowa, for the Iowa-Iowa State game. SEC Network’s SEC Nation is in Columbia, Missouri for the Kansas-Missouri game. ACC Network’s ACC Huddle is in Durham, North Carolina for the Illinois-Duke game. Enjoy the pregame shows.
Touchdown Tom
September 4, 2025
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com
Touchdown Tom’s Predictions for
Week Two’s 10 Biggest and Most Intriguing Games….and then some
GAME OF THE WEEK:1. #15 Michigan (1-0) at #18 Oklahoma (1-0) – (Big Ten vs. SEC) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – Last week, the feature game of the week was Texas at Ohio State – SEC vs. Big Ten. This week, the feature game of the week is Michigan at Oklahoma – Big Ten vs. SEC. The Big Ten hosted last week. The SEC hosts this week. And it’s a chance for the SEC to get even. This could end up Michigan’s running against Oklahoma’s passing. Last week Wolverines running back Justice Haynes rushed for 159 yards. OU quarterback John Mateer passed for 392 yards. Sooners coach Brent Venables really needs this win. He gets it – Oklahoma 28, Michigan 24.
RUNNER-UP: 2. #33 South Florida (1-0) at #13 Florida (1-0) – (AAC vs. SEC) – 4:15 pm ET, Saturday, SECN – Before last weekend’s games, this contest would not have made my 10 biggest games. But, after South Florida knocked off #25 Boise State, 34-7, it not only made the Top 10, it also is the No. 2 game this week. USF quarterback Byrum Brown played a solid game last week. The Bulls will be fired up. The Gators got good play out of two quarterbacks last week. Florida may go with the D.J. Lagway/Tramell Jones tandem again. On the ground, running back Jadan Baugh was productive for the Gators. South Florida may be fired up, but Florida wants to win too. Albert steers the Bulls – Florida 30, South Florida 20.
REST OF THE BEST: 3. #11 Illinois (1-0) at #40 Duke (1-0) – (Big Ten vs. ACC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN – Duke is known for pulling off some surprises. But the surprise may not be there this week. In the opener against Elon, the Dookies were all passing and no running. They did rack up 548 total yards, but most of that was off the passing of Darian Mensah – 389 yards. Illinois has a balanced attack – the passing of Luke Altmeyer and the running of Aidan Laughery. Balance comes out on top. Not a Dookies day – Illinois 31, Duke 20.
4. #12 Arizona State (1-0) at Mississippi State (1-0) – (Big 12 vs. SEC) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN2 – Interesting contrast of teams here. Arizona State is picked to win the Big 12. Mississippi State is picked to finish at the bottom of the SEC. ASU is led by quarterback Sam Leavitt. He led the Sun Devils in both passing and rushing in their game last week. Miss State relies on the play of quarterback Blake Shapen. This could be a tricky game for ASU. The Sun Devils may not be as good as people think they are. Conversely, Miss State may not be as bad as people think they are. Bully gets forked – Arizona State 27, Mississippi State 26.
5. #43 Baylor (0-1) at #17 SMU (1-0) – (Big 12 vs. ACC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, CWN – Baylor took a tough loss from Auburn last week. The Bears hung with the Tigers for a while, but ultimately, Auburn won out. So, the Bears will be looking to rebound. Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson had a good game against Auburn – 419 yards passing. Bears running back Bryson Washington had a poor game. Against a much weaker opponent last week, SMU didn’t look all that good. But we know the talent is there. The Bears come out of hibernation – Baylor 30, SMU 28.
6. Iowa (1-0) at #16 Iowa State (2-0) – (Big Ten vs. Big 12) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, FOX – Ah, the battle for the CyHawk Trophy – always a fun time. Iowa actually scored 34 points last week. That’s something an Iowa team rarely does. Hawkeye coach Kirk Ferentz normally doesn’t allow his team to score that many points. The best part of the Iowa offense was running back Xavier Williams. Meanwhile, Iowa State is off to an impressive 2-0 start. The Cyclones have looked good under quarterback Rocco Becht. Last week Iowa State had 529 total yards. I don’t know what kind of bird Cy is, but he out birds Herky. Becht rocks ’em – Iowa State 20, Iowa 17.
7. #20 Ole Miss (1-0) at Kentucky (1-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – Remember last year? Ole Miss was undefeated at 4-0 and a 2-2 Kentucky team came into Oxford and upset the Magnolias. I’m sure Ole Miss hasn’t forgotten it. The Magnolias put 63 points on the board last week. New quarterback Austin Simmons passed for 341 yards. He also threw two interceptions. Ole Miss had 695 total yards. Kentucky had a tougher time last week. The Wildcats won, 24-16. But Kentucky was playing a tougher opponent. The best part of Kentucky was running back Donte Dondell. He rushed for 129 yards. “Memories, light the corners of my mind. Misty watercolor memories, of the way we were” – Ole Miss 30, Kentucky 15.
8. #39 James Madison (1-0) at #30 Louisville (1-0) – (Sun Belt vs. ACC) – 7 pm ET, Friday, ESPN2 – James Madison has a chance to make a name for itself in the world of college football this weekend. Actually, the Dukes have made a name before, knocking off Virginia Tech and North Carolina. Whether or not JMU can take care of business in Louisville remains to be seen. The opportunity is there. Last week, the Dukes took care of business against Weber State, 45-10. Louisville, on the other hand, has a lot of talent – quarterback Miller Moss and running back Isaac Brown. The Cardinals had 542 total yards last week. The Dukes get duked – Louisville 30, James Madison 21.
9. Kansas (2-0) at #32 Missouri (1-0) – (Big 12 vs. SEC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN2 – Two big rivals from the old Big Eight going at it this weekend – the Jayhawks and the Tigers. Both teams are off to a good start. But one has to stumble. Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels has looked good in two games. The Jayhawks had 631 total yards last week. Missouri wasn’t bad with 560 total yards. Mizzou has a new quarterback – Beau Pribula. He looked good. Running back Ahmad Hardy looked good too. This could be some battle. Truman doesn’t pass the buck – Missouri 34, Kansas 33.
10. #42 Virginia (1-0) at NC State (1-0) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN2 – Two teams who are perhaps under the radar at early season. One or both could end up surprising. Virginia quarterback Chandler Morris passed for 264 yards last week. Morris also led his team in rushing. NC State survived East Carolina last week. Quarterback C.J. Bailey passed for 318 yards. Hollywood Smothers rushed for 76 yards. Both coaches are on shaky ground and need the win. The Pack is on the prowl – NC State 28, Virginia 27.
YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:
West Virginia (1-0) at Ohio (0-1) – (Big 12 vs. MAC) – 4 pm ET, Saturday, ESPNU – This is a classic trap game for the Mountaineers. After all, it’s Pitt next week. So, you know where their minds are. They better get Pitt out of their heads. Ohio is a tricky team with a talented quarterback – Parker Navarro. Navarro can run and pass. Last week, he had 239 yards passing and 93 yards rushing. WVU played multiple quarterbacks last week. At least two of them will probably see action this week – Nicco Marchiol and Scotty Fox. The best part of WVU last week was running back Jahiem White. He had 93 yards rushing. The Mounties need to hold onto the ball this week – four fumbles last week. The Eers escape – West Virginia 31, Ohio 30.
Akron (0-1) at #35 Nebraska (1-0) – (MAC vs. Big Ten) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, BTN – The Huskers get to cool their heels this week. Even though they are from Ohio, Akron is no Cincinnati. Not even close. The Zips only had 228 total yards last week. Nebraska had its issues against Cincinnati. But there were good signs too. Quarterback Dylan Raiola passed for 243 yards. Running back Emmett Johnson had 108 yards rushing. The Huskers defense gave up a lot of rushing yards – mostly to Cincy quarterback Brendan Sorsby. Not to worry this week. Akron quarterback Ben Finley is no Sorsby. It’s a Corn Dog day in Lincoln – Nebraska 38, Akron 6.
Austin Peay (1-0) at #4 Georgia (1-0) – (UAC vs. SEC) – 3:30 pm ET, ESPN+ – Uga has another cupcake this week. This week, it’s even a bigger cupcake than last week. The Dawgs are going to get fat eating cupcakes. Actually, Austin Peay did beat Middle Tennessee last week – 34-14. The Dawgs better beware. Last week, Georgia took it easy against Marshall. Kirby Smart played just about everybody. Everybody may play this week too. Uga is a Peach – Georgia 49, Austin Peay 9.
San Jose State (0-1) at #7 Texas (0-1) – (MWC vs. SEC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ABC – Texas should be back in stride this week. Arch Manning is likely to take out his Ohio State frustrations against San Jose State. In fact, I wouldn’t want to be San Jose State this week. Bevo will take out his frustrations too. Both teams were big disappointments last week. The Spartans will be big disappointments again – Texas 45, San Jose State 3.
Southern Illinois (1-0) at Purdue (1-0) (Missouri Valley vs. Big Ten) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, BTN – Purdue actually looked good last week. The competition wasn’t that strong, but the Boilers didn’t struggle. They may struggle some this week. The competition is a little tougher. Purdue quarterback Kiael Kelly was the Boilers leading passer and rusher last week. Kelly passed for 87 yards and rushed for 63 yards. Bring out the big drum – Purdue 30, Southern Illinois 10.
ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:
East Texas A&M (0-1) at #14 Florida State (1-0) – (Southland vs. ACC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ACCN….
FIU (1-0) at #2 Penn State (1-0) – (C-USA vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, BTN….
West Florida (1-0) at Kentucky Wesleyan (0-0) – (Gulf South vs. Great Midwest) – 1 pm ET, Saturday….
Warner (0-0) at Stetson (0-1) – (Sun vs. Pioneer) – 6 pm ET, Saturday….
Florida A&M (0-1) at Florida Atlantic (0-1) – (SWAC vs. AAC) – 6 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+….
North Carolina A&T (0-1) at UCF (1-0) – (CAA vs. Big 12) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+….
Bethune-Cookman (0-1) at #5 Miami (1-0) – (SWAC vs. ACC) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+….
Quotes of the Week
“People don’t want to criticize Arch because he’s a Manning,” ESPN’s Desmond Howard.
“Did Dabo see the second half?” LSU coach Brian Kelly, responding to Dabo Swinney’s comments on the LSU-Clemon game.
“My message is that our team is, I think we have a good football team that can do some big things still this year,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer.
“We’re trying to fix what was broken last week and we’re on to this week,” Colorado coach Deion Sanders.
“Florida State ran through our ass like shit through a tin horn, and we could not stop them,” former Alabama coach Nick Saban, on the Alabama-Florida State game.
The next posting of College Football Week – CFW -Week 2 Results – will be released on Monday morning, September 8.
Touchdown Tom
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