College Football Week 2 Picks & Predictions: OU-Michigan, Ohio State-Texas & More

Week 2 is here, and we have another slate to break down.

I sat down with the guys to go through some of the biggest college football matchups on the board. We talked through the keys to each game, the players who could swing the outcome and what I expect to happen when these teams finally get on the field.

There are some spots where I think the talent gap is simply too much to overcome, a couple of games that could turn into offensive showcases and one massive showdown in Austin that might come down to whichever quarterback avoids making the last mistake.

Arizona State vs. Texas A&M (-14.5)

We start in College Station, where Arizona State goes on the road to face Texas A&M.

The biggest thing separating these teams for me is the overall talent on Texas A&M’s roster. The Aggies simply have more of it from top to bottom, which means Arizona State probably needs Texas A&M to help keep this game close with turnovers, penalties or other self-inflicted mistakes.

One area I want to see Texas A&M lean into is its running game, particularly with Marcel Reed involved. His mobility is one of the best weapons this offense has, and the Aggies have an opportunity to make it a much larger part of what they do.

Arizona State allowed 4.1 yards per carry against Morgan State despite putting 70 points on the board. That makes Rueben Owens an interesting player in this matchup because Texas A&M should have opportunities to establish itself on the ground.

The Aggies can also create some problems outside. Arizona State does not have a starting corner listed above six feet, while Texas A&M has Isaiah Horton at 6-4. That size difference gives the Aggies another matchup they should be able to attack.

Ultimately, I do not think Arizona State has enough horses to match Texas A&M for four quarters. If the Aggies avoid giving the Sun Devils extra opportunities, they should be able to control this game.

Prediction: Texas A&M 34, Arizona State 17

Oklahoma (-5.5) vs. Michigan

Hard Rock Bet‘s line for this game caught my attention immediately.

Oklahoma is only favored by 5.5 points, and I cannot figure it out.

Michigan struggled badly in its first game, and now Bryce Underwood has to deal with an Oklahoma defense that presents an entirely different challenge. If Michigan is going to have any chance of winning this game, Underwood either has to look dramatically better or the Wolverines need somebody else at quarterback to provide a spark.

Oklahoma also creates some interesting problems offensively with its personnel groupings. The Sooners are willing to use multiple tight ends, which does more than simply put bigger bodies on the field. Every additional tight end creates another gap the defense has to account for in the running game.

That puts a lot on Michigan’s defensive ends. They have the size and physical ability to hold up, but Oklahoma is going to make them prove it against a scheme that can use those tight ends heavily in the run game.

Michigan’s defense is probably the unit that has to keep this game competitive. John Mateer can get out of rhythm mechanically and make questionable throws, so the Wolverines need to find a way to create turnovers and give their offense short fields.

Oklahoma also has enough speed to create explosive plays if Michigan loses its discipline in the secondary.

I know the number says this should be relatively close. I just do not see it that way.

Prediction: Oklahoma 31, Michigan 3

Mississippi State (-115) vs. Minnesota

This might be one of the sneakiest games of the weekend.

Mississippi State takes its offense on the road to Minnesota, and the challenge for the Golden Gophers is figuring out how to prepare for the pace and spacing they are about to see.

There simply are not many teams in the Big Ten operating the way Mississippi State does. The Bulldogs want to play fast, spread the field and force a defense to deal with Kamario Taylor across essentially every part of it.

That makes preparation a major issue for Minnesota. How do you accurately recreate that offense during the week? And once the game begins, can you keep Mississippi State from turning it into the type of track meet the Bulldogs want?

The best answer may be Minnesota’s own offense.

Rather than trying to match Mississippi State possession for possession at high speed, the Gophers should want to hold onto the football, extend drives and keep Taylor standing on the sideline. The longer Minnesota can dictate the pace, the fewer opportunities Mississippi State has to create explosive plays.

That becomes especially important because Taylor can stress a defense almost anywhere. He is the obvious X-factor in this game because Mississippi State looks completely different with him at quarterback.

Minnesota also has to account for the speed surrounding him. Anthony Evans can create problems in space, while Mississippi State has enough in the running game to punish a defense that becomes too concerned with everything happening on the perimeter.

I expect Minnesota to make this difficult, but I think Mississippi State’s offense eventually creates enough explosive plays to get out of Minneapolis with the win.

Prediction: Mississippi State 31, Minnesota 27

Alabama (-10.5) vs. Kentucky

Both Alabama and Kentucky gave us pretty vanilla looks offensively in Week 1, so this matchup should tell us significantly more about what each team actually wants to be.

For Alabama, I want to see whether the Crimson Tide answers some of the questions that remained after the opener.

The traditional running game is still one of them. Alabama did not show much variety in its run scheme, and I have a hard time believing that is everything this offense plans to use throughout the season. We did not see much pin-and-pull action or counter, and the offensive line still had some moments that concerned me.

If Alabama comes out with a more polished and creative rushing attack against Kentucky, the Crimson Tide could take control quickly.

There is also the question of how much more Alabama will use Keelon Russell in the quarterback run game. His ability is obvious, but he also has to do a better job protecting himself when he runs. It is possible Alabama intentionally kept that part of the offense quiet in Week 1 and will begin introducing more of it as the season progresses.

Kentucky’s challenge is finding consistent offensive life against an Alabama defense that I believe is one of the best in the country.

Yhonzae Pierre was incredibly disruptive in the opener, recording a sack and a pick-six. Alabama can move him around the defense enough that an offense cannot simply identify where he is and consistently set its protection toward him.

Kentucky cannot afford to repeatedly go three-and-out and hand the football back to Alabama. Even drives that reach midfield and end with punts could have value if they allow Kentucky to possess the ball and prevent the Crimson Tide from constantly playing on favorable fields.

Kroger Field has produced some strange games against highly ranked SEC opponents before, but I think Alabama eventually separates itself here.

Prediction: Alabama 31, Kentucky 20

Tennessee (-12.5) vs. Georgia Tech

I think Georgia Tech is going to have a major problem dealing with Tennessee at the line of scrimmage.

Colorado already had success running the football against the Yellow Jackets, and now Georgia Tech has to deal with a Tennessee offense capable of attacking that same weakness.

The Volunteers should be able to put significant pressure on Georgia Tech’s defensive front with their running game. I have some questions about Tennessee’s rotation at right tackle, but that does not change how favorable the overall matchup looks up front.

The bigger question might be on the other side of the football: how does Georgia Tech consistently score?

The Yellow Jackets managed only one touchdown against Colorado, and that came as a result of a special teams play. Now they are facing a Tennessee defense with better personnel and a scheme that should be even more difficult to move the football against.

If Georgia Tech is going to find anything offensively, Justice Haynes probably has to be the centerpiece. His usage against Colorado was strange after he received a heavy workload early and then seemingly disappeared for stretches of the game. Georgia Tech cannot afford that here.

Tennessee also has another dimension Georgia Tech has to prepare for with Faizon Brandon as a runner. After watching the film, this is not just a quarterback who will scramble when things break down. Tennessee is willing to call designed runs for him, including in the red area.

That puts even more stress on a Georgia Tech defense that already has enough to worry about.

I expect Tennessee to do most of the heavy lifting offensively. Georgia Tech may find some points later, but the Volunteers should have too much firepower.

Prediction: Tennessee 42, Georgia Tech 27

Ohio State (+1.5) vs. Texas

We finish with the biggest game on the slate, as Ohio State goes to Austin to face Texas.

These are two rosters that are close enough in talent that I expect the result to come down to a small number of critical plays. The home environment obviously belongs to Texas, but eventually one of these quarterbacks is going to have to make a play that changes the game.

Both Arch Manning and Julian Sayin were much less experienced when these teams met last season. That is no longer the case.

Manning has now played in major rivalry games and difficult road environments. Sayin has gone through rivalry games, postseason football and the Big Ten Championship. Neither quarterback should be overwhelmed by the moment.

The question is which one avoids the mistake that decides it.

The receivers around them will play a major role. Texas is going to do everything it can defensively to prevent Jeremiah Smith from taking over the game, which means Ohio State needs other players to punish the Longhorns when they devote extra resources to him.

Texas has its own difference-maker on defense with Colin Simmons.

Ohio State has been able to limit his impact in previous meetings, but Simmons remains the type of player who can wreck a game by himself. Texas has shown a willingness to move him around rather than simply line him up in the same spot every snap, which can help create the one-on-one matchup it wants.

That is especially interesting because Ohio State had issues at right tackle against Ball State. Whether Phillip Daniels remains there or somebody else gets an opportunity, the Buckeyes have to be much better at that position against this Texas defensive front.

The other difference in this matchup is Will Muschamp. His ability to create uncomfortable situations for Sayin, limit the damage from Smith and use the home environment to Texas’ advantage could become one of the biggest factors in the game.

I expect another physical, low-scoring matchup where one late play determines everything.

In the end, I think Ohio State makes just enough of those plays.

Prediction: Ohio State 24, Texas 21