A handful of Week 1 outcomes set the stage for what needs to be an epic season of faculty soccer. Just a few different applications leaned on FCS opponents to hit the turbo button on hype and expectations.
Week 2 affords the possibility for groups to both change or fortify these narratives in opposition to stiffer competitors, that includes in-state battles, rekindled rivalries, upset specials and a top-10 tilt in The Large Home.
Honorable Point out: BYU at SMU (Friday), No. 23 Georgia Tech at Syracuse, Baylor at No. 11 Utah, South Carolina at Kentucky, Michigan State at Maryland, No. 19 Kansas at Illinois, Oregon State at San Diego State.
(All level spreads come from BetMGM; click on right here for reside odds. All kickoff instances are Japanese and on Saturday until in any other case famous.)
10. USF (1-0) at No. 4 Alabama (1-0), 7 p.m., ESPN
Earlier than somebody jumps within the feedback complaining in regards to the large level unfold, do not forget that this identical matchup final season — when the Tide limped to a 17-3 win in Tampa and the sky was falling for Bama followers — was a 34.5-point unfold. I’m not suggesting there shall be a repeat of that in Tuscaloosa, however this sport may be seen via the lens of all that has modified for the Tide for the reason that earlier assembly, when quarterback Jalen Milroe received benched and other people brazenly questioned whether or not Nick Saban was washed.
Now Milroe is a Heisman contender and Saban (very a lot NOT washed) is sitting subsequent to Pat McAfee on Saturday mornings. Credit score to USF as properly. This system has made vital strides beneath second-year coach coach Alex Golesh and has a dynamic quarterback of its personal in Byrum Brown. I’ll be tuning in to see how Milroe and the Kalen DeBoer-led Crimson Tide fare in opposition to the Bulls a 12 months later.
Line: Alabama -30.5
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9. UTSA (1-0) at Texas State (1-0), 4 p.m., ESPNU
It’s the I-35 Rivalry between two of the highest Group of 5 contenders. Each are coming off underwhelming Week 1 victories however have been picked second of their respective preseason convention polls, with an opportunity to nab that G5 School Soccer Playoff spot if the remainder of the season goes their method. Texas State, led by coach GJ Kinne and quarterback Jordan McCloud, was my preseason Playoff sleeper select of the Solar Belt, however the Bobcats will want a win over Jeff Traylor and the Roadrunners, who’ve ambitions of their very own within the AAC and have gained 5 straight within the rivalry. If these stakes aren’t sufficient, Kinne performed quarterback for Traylor as a high-school senior — and their bond runs even deeper than that.
Line: Texas State -1.5
8. No. 17 Kansas State (1-0) at Tulane (1-0), Midday, ESPN
Ok-State made straightforward work of an FCS opponent final week whereas flashing its run-game efficiency, racking up 283 yards at 9.1 yards a pop. And after a few ACC favorites face-planted out of the beginning blocks, the trail to 2 Large 12 applications making the 12-team Playoff subject appears a lot wider, which completely advantages the Wildcats. However happening the highway to face Tulane is a more durable process after the Inexperienced Wave dominated its personal FCS opponent with a robust debut by redshirt freshman quarterback Darian Mensah. Reminder: Tulane upset Ok-State in Manhattan two years in the past, a Wildcat group that went on to win the Large 12.
Line: Kansas State -9.5
7. Appalachian State (1-0) at No. 25 Clemson (0-1), 8 p.m., ACC Community
Are the Tigers on upset alert? I’m not able to predict this one both, however App State does have a historical past of taking down the massive boys, most lately sixth-ranked Texas A&M on the highway in 2022. The Mountaineers have been preseason favorites within the Solar Belt and appeared stable of their Week 1 win, with QB Joey Aguilar throwing for 326 yards and two touchdowns. In the meantime, Clemson’s tough displaying in opposition to Georgia — and the following anti-Dabo discourse — makes the Tigers a must-watch in opposition to any opponent with a pulse. App State definitely qualifies.
Line: Clemson -17.5
The Pokes took care of enterprise in opposition to an admirable South Dakota State aspect — as a top-20 group ought to — and working again Ollie Gordon II picked up the place he left off in 2023 with 126 speeding yards and three touchdowns. Can Oklahoma State present the identical promise in opposition to an SEC opponent? Any speak of Sam Pittman’s scorching seat received back-burnered after Arkansas’ 70-0 shutout in Week 1, and Boise State switch QB Taylen Inexperienced appeared good in his Razorbacks debut. However this showdown in Stillwater — reviving a regional rivalry that’s been dormant since 1980 — ought to supply a clearer sense of what to anticipate from each groups.
Line: Oklahoma State -7.5
5. Colorado (1-0) at Nebraska (1-0), 7:30 p.m., NBC
One other renewed rivalry, this one from the previous Large 12 (and Large Eight) days, now that includes a Large 12 group as soon as once more. Travis Hunter caught three touchdowns, Shedeur Sanders threw for 445 yards and Coach Prime made his standard postgame headlines after Colorado pulled out a win over North Dakota State final week. However essentially the most anticipated facet of this sport may be Nebraska true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola. The five-star recruit fueled the hype by going 19-for-27 for 238 yards and two touchdowns within the Cornhuskers’ 40-7 win over UTEP. Now he faces a Buffs’ protection that gave up 449 yards to NDSU, and is on the helm of a Nebraska group that shall be trying to avenge final 12 months’s 36-14 loss in Boulder.
Line: Nebraska -7.5
4. Boise State (1-0) at No. 7 Oregon (1-0), 10 p.m., Peacock
The jury continues to be out on the Geese, who dropped from No. 3 to No. 7 within the AP Ballot after an uninspiring 24-14 win over FCS Idaho final weekend, a sport through which Oregon was favored by 49.5 factors. The Geese fully dominated the field rating, together with 380 passing yards from quarterback Dillon Gabriel on 41 of 49 completions. However a missed subject purpose, fumble and a few failed fourth-down makes an attempt saved the sport shut and dolloped some skepticism onto Oregon. Boise State gained a 56-45 shootout with Georgia Southern that featured 1,112 yards of mixed offense, together with 267 speeding yards and 6 touchdowns for Broncos stud working again Ashton Jeanty (who yours really simply occurred to pick in The Athletic’s Heisman draft). If the Geese get their act collectively, I’d guess the over (61.5 factors) on this one.
Line: Oregon -19.5
3. No. 14 Tennessee (1-0) vs. No. 24 NC State (1-0), 7:30 p.m., ABC
For these tuning into the Duke’s Mayo Traditional, add Vols quarterback Nico Iamaleava to the checklist of much-hyped gamers who backed it up in Week 1. The redshirt freshman went 22-of-28 passing for 314 yards and three touchdowns in a blowout win over Chattanooga, gassing up the Knoxville devoted. Tennessee completed with 718 yards of whole offense. Coastal Carolina switch QB Grayson McCall appeared fairly good in his NC State debut as properly, however the Wolfpack struggled with Western Carolina and have been trailing getting into the fourth quarter earlier than scoring 21 unanswered. NC State gained’t have that very same luxurious in opposition to what has the early makings of one other high-octane Tennessee offense.
Line: Tennessee -7.5
2. Iowa State (1-0) at No. 21 Iowa (1-0), 3:30 p.m., CBS
The Cy-Hawk collection hasn’t been high-scoring these days, and that can most likely be the case once more, regardless of the Hawkeyes placing up 40 within the first sport beneath new offensive coordinator Tim Lester. The over/beneath is 35.5, and the final Cy-Hawk matchup to surpass 45 mixed factors was Iowa’s 44-41 extra time win in 2017. Nevertheless it needs to be one other high-stakes slugfest between intrastate rivals with dark-horse Playoff hopes. The Cyclones had a workmanlike win over North Dakota however will have to be higher working the ball in opposition to an Iowa protection that allowed solely 189 whole yards to Illinois State. Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz is again on the sideline after a one-game suspension. Iowa has gained seven of the previous eight over Iowa State.
Line: Iowa -3
1. No. 3 Texas (1-0) at No. 10 Michigan (1-0), Midday, Fox
“Large Midday Kickoff” heads to Ann Arbor for a blue-blooded heavyweight conflict. Michigan let Fresno State crawl inside six factors within the fourth quarter earlier than slamming the door shut, but it surely might want to get rather more from a new-look offense that didn’t high 300 yards and scored solely two of the group’s three touchdowns. Beginning quarterback Davis Warren struggled, and working again Donovan Edwards by no means received revved up. The Wolverines should determine issues out in opposition to a Texas squad that blanked Colorado State 52-0, together with 260 yards and three touchdowns from Fansville’s personal Deputy Quinn Ewers. The Longhorns went on the highway for a large Week 2 win over Alabama final 12 months on their option to the Playoff. Michigan will get an opportunity to show simply how stout its nationwide title protection may be.
Line: Texas -7.5
(Picture of Donovan Edwards: Gregory Shamus / Getty Photos)
