CFW Week 2 Forecast - Manning, Texas looking for revenge

 CFW Week 2 Forecast – Manning, Texas looking for revenge

The week of conference challenges:

Big Ten vs. SEC and Big 12 vs. SEC

 

One week down, already four coaches are in trouble

 

Just one week into the season and already three coaches have established they are going to get fired this season – Rutgers’ Greg Schiano, Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell and Florida State’s Mike Norvell. And a fourth – Michigan’s Kyle Whittingham – had fans chanting for his firing during his debut game with the Wolverines. There are three Big Ten coaches in that group. Last year, the SEC had a kettle full of firings. Looks like it could be the Big Ten this year.

 

Speaking of the Big Ten and SEC, this is the week of the Big Ten-SEC challenge – Ohio State at Texas, Oklahoma at Michigan and Mississippi State at Minnesota.

 

Ohio State at Texas is the Game of the Week. The Longhorns will be out for revenge. Ohio State has defeated Texas twice in the last 21 months. Arch Manning will be out for revenge. Will Bevo go on a Buckeye diet?

 

Oklahoma at Michigan is the Runner-Up to the Game of the Week. Will we hear, “Fire Kyle, fire Kyle” from the fans in the stands this week? Oklahoma better take its own clock keeper to the game. The Big 12 better take its own referees too. Mississippi State at Minnesota is under the radar, but one or both of these teams could be better than expected. And this could be one heck of a ball game.

 

It’s also the week of the Big 12-SEC challenge – Arizona State at Texas A&M, Arkansas at Utah and Missouri at Kansas. Arizona State at Texas A&M could be a slaughter for the Aggies. But there is no guarantee of that. Arizona State fans must be wondering, “Why did we ever let Sam Leavitt go?”

 

Arkansas at Utah should answer the question, “Are the Razorbacks really as bad as everyone thinks they are.” Conversely, it should answer the question, “Is Utah as good as everyone thinks the Utes are.” Tune in and find out. Missouri at Kansas revives an old, old rivalry from the Big Eight and original Big 12 days. The Tigers and the Jayhawks don’t care for each other. Let me rephrase that – the Tigers and the Jayhawks don’t like each other.

 

We’ve got two excellent intra-conference affairs this week. Arizona at BYU in the Big 12 and Alabama at Kentucky in the SEC. BYU is a co-favorite to win the Big 12. Arizona is considered a dangerous dark horse. This contest has the potential to be an exciting game.

 

Alabama at Kentucky is one of those curious games. The Crimson Tide are favored, but first-year Kentucky coach Will Stein supposedly has the Wildcats fired up – big time. At the SEC Media Days when Stein was asked why Kentucky will win this season, he quickly and boldly responded, “Because of me.” Who knows? Kentucky may surprise Alabama on offense.

 

And last but not least, we’ve got a good SEC-ACC battle, along with an ACC-Big Ten encounter. Tennessee travels to Atlanta to take on Georgia Tech. After losing a game they should have won last week, the Yellow Jackets should be fired up. But the Vols showed lots of potential in their opener last week.

 

Last year, Illinois cleaned Duke’s clock. So, the Dookies will be out for revenge – big time. However, will that revenge have enough force behind it? At the least, Duke at Illinois should be an interesting affair.

 

There is an eleventh game that almost made the Top 10 – UCF at Pitt. UCF put 73 points on the board last week. Pitt quarterback Mason Heintschel put seven touchdown passes and 453 yards in the record books last week. In his second year coaching UCF, does Scott Frost have the Knights ready to compete? UCF at Pitt could turn out to be one of the better games of the week.

 

Two of those four troubled coaches – Mike Norvell and Luke Fickell – get a break this week. Florida State has the week off and Wisconsin hosts Western Illinois. But two of the four – Kyle Whittingham and Greg Schiano – will be sweating bullets. Michigan hosts Oklahoma and Rutgers plays at Boston College.

 

In the wake of Michigan’s controversial win over Western Michigan last week, the NCAA has established a new and standardized protocol for clock timing across all conferences. The new policy mandates that the clock embedded in the broadcast feed serve as the official clock for replay reviews. Under the new policy, Western Michigan would have won the game against Michigan last Saturday. There would not have been a second Hail Mary pass. Last week, the clock embedded in the broadcast feed showed 0:00 remaining when the Western Michigan defender touched the ball from the back of the end zone on the Hail Mary pass attempt. However, when the Big Ten officials viewed the replay, they used their own clock to determine that there was still one second left.

 

NBC rules expert and former NFL official Terry McAulay didn’t understand how Big Ten officials found enough evidence to put one second back on the clock. “The ball isn’t even close to touching the player when the clock goes to zero,” McAulay said. “Their system either had a different sync, or whatever, and they came up with one second. I don’t see that happen. The ball was clearly still in the air when the embedded broadcast clock went to zero. The Big Ten is going to have to tell us how they got one second left on this play.”

 

Personally, I don’t understand why Big Ten officials, instead of MAC officials, were being used in the game. The visiting team is supposed to have the choice of using their officials or the home team’s officials. Certainly, as the visiting team, Western Michigan would have chosen MAC officials.

 

The drama is over in Baton Rouge. The LSU roster will be locked for the season after adding two players, but not the two ex-NFL players who were attempting to play for Lane Kiffin. The two former NFL players will not be added to LSU’s final 105-man roster. The roster is now locked for the 2006 season. Apparently, the suits and threats from the SEC and its commissioner Greg Sankey worked.

 

The pregame shows on Saturday morning: ESPN’s College GameDay is in Austin, Texas, for the Ohio State-Texas game. FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff is in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for the Oklahoma-Michigan game. SECN’s SEC Nation is in Lexington, Kentucky, for the Alabama-Kentucky game. ACCN’s ACC Huddle is in Atlanta, Georgia, for the Tennessee-Georgia Tech game.

 

My primary viewing this weekend will be Missouri-Kansas on Friday night. Then on Saturday, a 12 noon split between Arizona State-Texas A&M and Oklahoma-Michigan. Alabama-Kentucky and Arizona-BYU split at 3:30 pm. Ohio State-Texas at 7:30 pm. When Ohio State-Texas ends, I’ll join the Arkansas-Utah game in progress to finish out the night.

 

September 10, 2026

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. #1 Ohio State (1-0) at #4 Texas (1-0) – (Big Ten vs. SEC) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – Ohio State won last year in Columbus in a low-scoring affair – 14-7. I think the offenses will open it up more this year. Both offenses are stronger. Both offenses have almost everyone back from last year. They are loaded with experience. Texas has a more experienced defense. Ohio State has a rebuilt defense. But the talent is there. Neither team can afford to make a mistake. Mistakes could determine who wins, who loses. The attention will be on Texas quarterback Arch Manning and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin. Their receivers have to help them out. Texas has Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo. The Buckeyes counter with Jeremiah Smith. The running backs have to help out too. Ohio State has Bo Jackson. The Longhorns counter with Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers. From a coaching perspective, the pressure will be on Texas’ Steve Sarkisian. He lost last year. Ohio State coach Ryan Day should be more relaxed. This game is a classic. Bevo spits out Buckeyes – Texas 23, Ohio State 21.

 

RUNNER-UP: 2. #11 Oklahoma (1-0) at #28 Michigan (1-0) – (SEC vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, FOX – Michigan’s performance last week took some of the glam out of this game. Still, it should be a good one. Against Western Michigan, the Wolverines obviously had Oklahoma on their minds. Michigan could lose this game because the poor performance against WMU may still be wearing on their minds. This is a game of psychology and emotions. It’s mental. But coaches have a way of dealing with those things. The good ones do. And we’re dealing with two good coaches here. The concern for Michigan has to be its offense. It was non-existent against Western Michigan. The defense was there but the offense wasn’t. Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood needs to step up. OU quarterback John Mateer is the better of the two. Oklahoma won this game in Norman last year – 24-13. The Sooners will do it in Ann Arbor this year. The Sooners clock the Wolverines – Oklahoma 21, Michigan 13.

 

REST OF THE BEST: 3. #29 Arizona (1-0) at #15 BYU (1-0) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, FOX – BYU is loaded on offense and defense. Arizona is good, but the Wildcats aren’t loaded. BYU’s offense stands out with quarterback Bear Bachmeier and running back L.J. Martin. Martin was on several preseason All-American teams. Arizona’s only hope is quarterback Noah Fifita. He’s good. But he doesn’t have the talent around him that Bachmeier does. BYU also has the home field advantage. Arizona could keep it close. It’s a Cougar day in Provo – BYU 24, Arizona 23.

 

4. #41 Arizona State (1-0) at #10 Texas A&M (1-0) – (Big 12 vs. SEC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ABC – Texas A&M is heavily favored. But Arizona State is capable of keeping this game close. The Aggies have quarterback Marcel Reed and receiver Mario Craver. They are good – very good. ASU has a totally new and totally rebuilt offense. But the Sun Devils have a good coach in Kenny Dillingham. Mike Elko is a good coach too. The Aggies are out to prove something because they feel like they are underrated in the polls. Aggies take the Sun out of the Devils – Texas A&M 28, Arizona State 23.

 

5. #12 Alabama (1-0) at Kentucky (1-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – In the series history, Alabama is 39-2-1 against Kentucky. The last time the Wildcats beat the Crimson Tide was in 1997. In the last five meetings between the schools, Alabama has won by scores like 63-3, 48-7, 34-6, 49-21 and 38-20. So not only does Kentucky almost always lose to Alabama, but Kentucky almost always gets clobbered by Alabama. Most likely this year, Kentucky will lose to Alabama. Whether the score will be close or not remains to be seen. Alabama’s offense may not be all that better than Kentucky’s offense. But Alabama’s defense is far superior to Kentucky’s defense. Still, Kentucky will put up a fight. New coach Will Stein has inspired the Wildcats. He was an offensive coordinator at Oregon. However, Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer wants to make a statement this year. The Tide turns the blue grass red – Alabama 28, Kentucky 15.

 

6. Arkansas (1-0) at #20 Utah (1-0) – (SEC vs. Big 12) – 10:15 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – Arkansas is under a new coach – Ryan Silverfield. And the Razorbacks are supposed to be the worst team in the SEC this season. Utah is under a new coach too – Morgan Scalley. But the Utes are supposed to be one of the better teams in the Big 12 this season. We’ll find out Saturday just how good Utah is and how bad Arkansas is. Utah’s threat is quarterback Devon Dampier. Also, his backup Byrd Ficklin. Arkansas doesn’t have any known threats. But the unknown can be dangerous sometimes. The Utes lead the Pigs to the slaughter – Utah 28, Arkansas 18.

  

7. #23 Missouri (1-0) at Kansas (1-0) – (SEC vs. Big 12) – 8 pm ET, Friday, FOX – This game is called the “Border War.” The teams first met in 1891. Missouri leads the series 57-55-9. That’s a pretty close series. Missouri and Kansas stopped playing each other in 2012. This is the second of a two-game series that began last year. In last year’s game, Missouri won 42-31. So this is the Jayhawks last chance to get back at the Tigers until 2031 when they are next scheduled to meet for a two-game series. Missouri All-American running back Ahmad Hardy, who suffered a leg injury during the offseason, will not be back for the Kansas game. That gives the Jayhawks an advantage. However, Missouri has the upper hand at quarterback with Austin Simmons. Missouri’s defense is considered a weak spot for the Tigers. So many unknowns in this contest. Truman rocks – Missouri 30, Kansas 27.

  

8. Duke (1-0) at #37 Illinois (1-0) – (ACC vs. Big Ten) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, FS1 – Last year, Illinois beat Duke big time – 45-19. It was an embarrassing loss for the Dookies. Both teams have transfer quarterbacks. Illinois goes with East Carolina transfer Katin Houser. Duke has San Jose State transfer Walker Eget. Houser is probably the better of the two. The Dookies hope to make amends for last year’s loss. That’s a tough assignment. The Devil can’t find his blue dress – Illinois 21, Duke 11.

  

9. Mississippi State (1-0) at #38 Minnesota (1-0) – (SEC vs. Big Ten) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, CBS – These may not be two of the better teams playing this weekend, but this could be one of the better and/or more exciting games. In Week 1, both teams showed signs of improvement over last year. Miss State has an intriguing quarterback in Kamario Taylor. He could be a surprise this season. Minnesota has experience with quarterback Drake Lindsey and running back Darius Taylor. Goldie holes Bully – Minnesota 20, Mississippi State 19.

 

10. #18 Tennessee (1-0) at Georgia Tech (0-1) – (SEC vs. ACC) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – Georgia Tech’s loss to Colorado took some of the luster off this game. However, that loss should have the Yellow Jackets inspired and fired up to play better this week. Tennessee could have their hands full. At least for a while. Ultimately, the strength of Tennessee should prevail. Tennessee’s freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon looked good in the Vols opener. So did running back DeSean Bishop. Granted the competition wasn’t the toughest, but Brandon and Bishop played well. Tennessee offers more on offense than does Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets had no running game against Colorado. The Vols take the sting out of Buzz – Tennessee 27, Georgia Tech 14.

 

 

YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:

 

Wake Forest (1-0) at Purdue (1-0) – (ACC vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, FS1 – Purdue looked like an improved football team in its opener. The passing game of quarterback Ryan Browne looked good. The defense looked good. But Wake Forest will be tougher than Indiana State. The Demon Deacons looked good passing and running in their opener. This game will be a good test for both teams. It should be a close and exciting game. Neither team should run away from the other. The Deacons get steamed – Purdue 27, Wake Forest 26.

 

Western Kentucky (0-1) at #2 Georgia (1-0) – (C-USA vs. SEC) – 12:45 pm ET, Saturday, SECN – Georgia had it easy in its opener. The Dawgs won’t have it any tougher this week. Well maybe a smidgeon tougher. So Western Kentucky will basically be another scrimmage game for Georgia. The Dawgs played four quarterbacks in their opener. They should play at least three, if not four, quarterbacks this week. They might even play the cheerleaders. WKU was blown off the field by Nevada in its opener. Uga pops the Toppers – Georgia 52, Western Kentucky 10.

 

UT Martin (1-1) at West Virginia (1-0) – (OVC vs. Big 12) – 1 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+ – The test for WVU this week is to see if the Mountaineers can play two halves instead of just one half. Last week, WVU’s offense and defense were invincible in the first half. They were invisible in the second half – non-existent. UT Martin should be an easier opponent than Coastal Carolina. Quarterback Michael Watkins and running back Cam Cook should shine against the Skyhawks. Mountaineers knock the Hawks out of the sky – West Virginia 42, UT Martin 14.

 

Campbell (2-0) at #27 Florida (1-0) – (CAA vs. SEC) – 5:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+ – Florida was awesome last week, especially the offense. The Gators’ offense hasn’t looked that good in a long, long time. They racked up 624 total yards. Quarterback Aaron Philo came through and running back Jadan Baugh was amazing. Baugh rushed for 160 yards. Campbell will be an easier opponent than Florida Atlantic. So this one should be another romp in The Swamp. Albert goes for a Camel ride – Florida 49, Campbell 12.

 

Bowling Green (0-1) at Nebraska (1-0) – (MAC vs. Big Ten) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, FS1 – The Huskers will find this MAC team easier than last week’s MAC team. Bowling Green isn’t as good as Ohio. Ohio gave Nebraska a tough time of it for a while. The Huskers didn’t get their act together until the second half. Last week, Bowling Green lost to Tarleton State by 7 points. The Falcons will lose a lot worse to Nebraska this week. Last week, Nebraska displayed a good mix of running and passing. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea and running back Jamal Rule looked good. They likely will look better this week. Herbie goes bowling on the Green – Nebraska 52, Bowling Green 14.

 

 

ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:

 

Florida A&M (1-1) at #7 Miami (1-0) – (SWAC vs. ACC) – 8 pm ET, Thursday, ACCN….

South Florida (1-0) at Army (1-0) – (AC vs. AC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, CBSSN….

 

UCF (1-0) at #33 Pitt (1-0) – (Big 12 vs. ACC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN2….

Stetson (1-1) at Bethune-Cookman (0-1) – (Pioneer vs. SWAC) – 4 pm ET, Saturday….

 

Buffalo (1-0) at FIU (0-1) – (MAC vs. C-USA) – 6 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+….

Navy (1-0) at Florida Atlantic (0-1) – (AC vs. AC) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPNU….

 

 

Quotes of the Week

 

“Thank you for staying here,” Florida coach Jon Sumrall to his running back Jadan Baugh.

 

“I love being a Gator,” running back Jadan Baugh, responding to Florida coach Jon Sumrall.

 

“He’s the best back in the country,” Florida wide receiver Bailey Stockton, on Gators running back Jadan Baugh.

 

“If I see any College GameDay signs with my name, image or likeness on them, we are kicking ESPN out of the SEC,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey.

 

Touchdown Tom

https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com

 

The next CFW – Week 2 Results – will be posted Monday morning, September 14.