AP Top 6
1.Alabama 1-0 (0-0) Next Game: Mercer
2.Georgia 1-0 (0-0) Next Game: UAB
3.Ohio State 1-0 (1-0) Next Game: 12.Oregon
4.Oklahoma 1-0 (0-0) Next Game: Western Carolina
5.Texas A&M 1-0 (0-0) Next Game: at.Colorado
6.Clemson 0-1 (0-0) Next Game: South Carolina State
Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of AP Poll)
12.Oregon at. 3.Ohio State (Saturday, 12 PM ET, FOX)
Behind Georgia-Clemson, this game is probably second in anticipation for the average fan in college football. Oregon struggled with talented Mountain West team Fresno State, having to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter. The Ducks also lost potential number one pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Kayvon Thibodeaux, to a sprained ankle. It is unclear if he will be able to play in Columbus, despite Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal saying, “We’re optimistic its nothing serious” per espn. Ohio State, who has been the class of the Big Ten for it seems like a decade, struggled with a gritty Minnesota team before coming back and winning. Despite the loss of Thibodeaux, the battle between Ohio State’s offense and Oregon’s talented defense is going to be the treat of 9/11 for all college football fans.
UAB at. 2.Georgia (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ESPN2)
Despite never seeing the end zone, Georgia’s offense put themselves in a position to win against Clemson and their defense did the rest. The Dawg’s defense pummeled new Clemson starting QB DJ Uiagalelei and got a tough, hard-nosed victory over the tigers. I expect the dawgs to do the same thing against UAB. Projected Score: Georgia 38, UAB 10
5.Texas A&M at. Colorado (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, FOX)
Texas A&M easily beat Kent State in week one, but a trip to Boulder against a former Big 12 foe won’t be as easy. However, I see Texas A&M handling Colorado, despite getting a slower start than a week ago. Projected Score: Texas A&M 45, Colorado 24
Mercer at. 1.Alabama (Saturday, 4 PM ET, SECN)
Alabama crushed Miami and I expect them to do the same thing to Mercer. Projected Score: Alabama 56, Mercer 6
10.Iowa at. 9.Iowa State (Saturday, 4:30 PM ET, ABC)
GameDay announced Saturday night it was headed to Ames for the battle between instate rivals, Iowa and Iowa State. With Iowa State’s pis poor showing in week 1 against Northern Iowa, Iowa’s win over Indiana gives them the momentum to potentially come into Ames and get a win. This game will be close. Projected Score: Iowa 28, Iowa State 24
South Carolina State at. 6.Clemson (Saturday, 5 PM ET, ACCN)
Clemson should use a gut-wrenching loss to Georgia and destroy South Carolina State. Projected Score: Clemson 52, South Carolina State 6
Western Carolina at. 3.Oklahoma (Saturday, 7 PM ET, PPV)
Oklahoma, who almost lost to Tulane a week ago, will have less trouble versus Western Carolina. Projected Score: Oklahoma 63, Western Carolina 12
15.Texas at. Arkansas (Saturday, 7 PM ET, ESPN)
A rematch of one of the many, “games of the century”, comes to you Saturday night in Fayetteville. In 1969, with the hogs and horns ranked number one and two respectively, and President Richard Nixon in the crowd, Texas defeated Arkansas and went on to win the national championship that season. Even so, these two battled for football glory in the Southwest Conference all the way up until the hogs left the SWC following the 1991 season for the SEC and the conference disbanded. Now, with Texas on the verge of a move to the SEC, as soon as next season, Arkansas wants to show the longhorns there is no easy ride in the SEC. Arkansas had a lackluster first half against Rice, their week one opponent, getting down 17-7 in the second half, before rattling off 31 unanswered points to win, 38-17. Texas handled Louisiana easily 38-18, setting up an interesting match up in northwest Arkansas. It will be the first time the two rivals have met since 2014, where Arkansas defeated Texas in the Texas Bowl, 31-7. Projected Score: Texas 35, Arkansas 27
Washington at. Michigan (Saturday, 8 PM ET, ABC)
Michigan and Washington’s week ones were a tale of two different stories. Washington was upset by Montana, 13-7, and Michigan destroyed Western Michigan 47-14. The way that Michigan’s offense played was the way it needed to play against an opponent of the caliber of Western Michigan. Their defense played elite as well. But, Washington’s offense, by their one touchdown output against Montana, needs to be prepared to fix those issues. Projected Score: Michigan 27, Washington 20
