Top five Week 2 college football games: TV info, predictions, start time

Week 1 of college football is in the books and the sport proved once again why it is one of the best. Oregon and Michigan played closer games than they would have liked while Colorado needed all 60 minutes to claim a victory over North Dakota State. Statements were made by USC, Notre Dame, Georgia and Miami, while others like Florida and Florida State have questions to answer.

Another quality slate of games awaits in Week 2. Here are the top five, ranked in inverse order.

5. Boise State at No. 7 Oregon | Saturday | 10 p.m. ET | Peacock

Last week, Oregon looked shaky in a 24-14 win over Idaho while Boise State showed its offensive prowess in a 52-point explosion at Georgia Southern. This one will come down to which defense can stop the opposing team’s best player. Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty ran for 267 yards and six touchdowns on 20 carries last week. The Ducks will have to slow him down, but the Broncos need to find a way to get to Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel. In his Ducks debut, Gabriel was comfortable in the pocket, completing 41 of 49 passes. Efficiency like that on Saturday will doom Boise State.

Prediction: Oregon finds its stride and wins a fun one, 45-28.

4. Arkansas at No. 16 Oklahoma State | Saturday | noon ET | ABC

Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman could use a big win. He’s entering the season on the hot seat, so a win over a nationally ranked Power 4 team would be huge. New offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino had the offense looking improved and it’ll need to be just as good to keep pace with Oklahoma State. OSU running back, Ollie Gordon II, is a Heisman contender, but the Hogs may have the defense to stop him. According to PFF, Arkansas’ defensive tackles and edge defenders registered 41 tackles for a loss or no gain in 2023, the second most among SEC schools. Four defensive linemen who played 300 snaps or more returned for 2024. Here comes their first big test of the season.

Prediction: Ollie Gordon II makes a Heisman statement, leading the ‘Pokes to a 42-17 win.

3. Colorado at Nebraska | Saturday | 7:30 p.m. ET | NBC

There is a lot at stake in this one. Both teams are surrounded by hype with second-year coaches trying to restore their respective program to its former glory. It’s also an old Big 12 rivalry that was renewed last season when the Buffs took down Nebraska, 36-14. Keep an eye on the quarterbacks. Highly touted freshman Dylan Raiola and potential NFL Draft No. 1 pick Shedeur Sanders will provide the theater.

Colorado’s rebuilt offensive line needs to keep Sanders upright. He was sacked only once last week against North Dakota State, and as he proved again: when he is given time to throw, he’s nearly unstoppable.

Prediction: Nebraska gets a big win for head coach Matt Rhule. It’s a shootout, 38-33.

2. No. 14 Tennessee vs. No. 24 NC State | Saturday | 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN

These two teams meet in Charlotte under the lights on Saturday. NC State’s 38-21 win in Week 1 against Western Carolina wasn’t convincing, especially considering WCU’s 361 yards of offense was more than NC State allowed in seven games last season. The Wolfpack D must be better against Tennessee.

This will be a battle of wills between a typically staunch NC State defense and an explosive Tennessee offense. Look for Vols quarterback Nico Iamaleava to make a statement in primetime.

Prediction: Tennessee keeps it rolling with a 34-17 victory, giving the SEC another round of bragging rights over the ACC.

1. No. 3 Texas at No. 10 Michigan | Saturday | noon ET | Fox

Two powerhouses playing on campus is college football bliss. 

The Wolverines got off to a slow start in their opener against Fresno State while Texas shut out Colorado State 52-0. Perhaps Michigan’s slow start was to be expected seeing that it has a new head coach, quarterback and a slew of other starters on both sides of the ball. They won’t be afforded any time to figure it out in this one. 

The matchup that will decide the game is Michigan’s running game against Texas’ defense. The Longhorns defense only allowed 82.4 rushing yards per game in 2023. Last week, the unit allowed 118 yards rushing. If Texas lets Michigan get a lead and running backs Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings take over, Big Blue will get a big W.

Prediction: Texas wins a nail-biter 24-20. Quinn Ewers is efficient and Texas does just enough against Michigan’s running game to come away with a resume-boosting victory.