College football Week 2 preview

The Horned Frogs rolled over Southern in their opener, and this matchup could bring much of the same considering SMU lost 46-23 at North Texas in Sonny Dykes' coaching debut. TCU has won six in a row and 16 of the last 18 against the Mustangs. It's also won five straight at SMU in the series.
Prediction: TCU 42, SMU 10

This contest might be a little more intriguing had Kansas State not struggled to beat FCS South Dakota at home last weekend. Bulldogs quarterback Nick Fitzgerald returns from his one-game suspension, but it would not be a surprise to see backup Keytaon Thompson get time regardless the score after throwing for five touchdowns and rushing for two against Stephen F. Austin.
Prediction: Mississippi State 31, Kansas State 14

The loss to Notre Dame has many wondering about Jim Harbaugh's fate, but the school says things are fine. Regardless what Harbaugh's status will be long term, the immediate future for the Wolverines should be better than what transpired last weekend. Michigan has won eight straight and 26 of 27 home games against non-conference opponents.
Prediction: Michigan 27, Western Michigan 13

The Badgers amassed 491 total yards and yielded 305 while dispatching of Western Kentucky last week. There could be more of the same this time around against the Lobos. Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor has Heisman potential after rushing for 145 yards and two touchdowns in the opener.
Prediction: Wisconsin 49, New Mexico 8

Oklahoma opened as a 25.5-point favorite, and the spread only got higher. The Sooners seem to be in good hands with Kyler Murray at quarterback and a defense that looks ready for anything. That's not good news for UCLA, which lost at home to Cincinnati in Chip Kelly's debut as coach and has issues at quarterback.
Prediction: Oklahoma 35, UCLA 9

The second of three warm-ups before Stanford comes calling on Sept. 22, the Ducks have a chance to get fat again after rolling to a 58-24 win over Bowling Green. Justin Herbert could be the most underrated quarterback on the West Coast, but he might not be in long enough to go completely off in what should be a one-sided affair.
Prediction: Oregon 49, Portland State 9.

Virginia Tech's defense made quite a statement by forcing Florida State into five turnovers, recording five sacks and holding its run game to 94 yards. The challenge won't be as a difficult this weekend, but the Hokies should still be ready to flex their muscle while showcasing some depth.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 41, William & Mary 6

Tua Tagovailoa is not only Alabama's starting quarterback, but also the  likely Heisman front-runner at the moment. Jalen Hurts will be used in various ways, according to coach Nick Saban, but he probably will be under center some in this one as the Crimson Tide should cruise. Alabama has won 30 consecutive games against non-conference home foes.
Prediction: Alabama 39, Arkansas State 7

All is right in the world of the Fighting Irish. They beat Michigan, moved into the top 10 and should have a relatively easy time with their fellow Hoosiers in this contest. After holding the Wolverines to 58 rushing yards, Notre Dame is brimming with confidence that shouldn't be tested in this one.
Prediction: Notre Dame 38, Ball State 12

The Buckeyes didn't allow the distraction of a rough preseason from them tying a record for an opener by scoring 77 in a 46-point rout of Oregon State. Interim coach Ryan Day should again be fine as a placeholder for Urban Meyer, as Ohio State has posted consecutive shutouts against the Scarlet Knights and outscored them 219-24 in the last four meetings.
Prediction: Ohio State 45, Rutgers 10

The Bulldogs have won the last three meetings in the series, but the Gamecocks are back in the Top 25 and ready to pull off the upset at home. However, South Carolina has totaled just 44 points in those last three games vs. Georgia, which pitched a shutout against FCS Austin Peay to open the season.
Prediction: Georgia 35, South Carolina 13

Losing to Auburn is nothing to be ashamed of, but the Huskies were hoping for a better offense than one that was pretty much relegated to field goals. That won't be the case this time with an FCS mate on the docket. Jake Browning should get back on track in Washington's tune-up before visiting Utah next weekend.
Prediction: Washington 34, North Dakota 15

At least for one week, Miami should be able to feel good about itself and put behind the disappointment of its opening loss to LSU. There are questions surrounding an offense that rushed for just 83 yards against the Tigers. However, none of that will matter in this case as the Hurricanes won't have much to worry about.
Prediction: Miami 42, Savannah State 13

A 15th consecutive victory is in the cards for the Knights, who weren't really expected to skip a beat with Scott Frost no longer in the picture. McKenzie Milton is a star and a quality NFL prospect. UCF gets a chance to fine-tune some things before traveling to North Carolina next week for its first real test.
Prediction: UCF 54, South Carolina State 14

In what will be a familiar scene this season, Will Grier-to-David Sills starred in West Virginia's victory over Tennessee last week. Grier actually completed passes to 11 different players in that game and even more can make catches as the Mountaineers take on a Penguins squad that reached the FCS championship game two seasons ago.
Prediction: West Virginia 60, Youngstown State 16 

LSU entered the season as one of the bigger mystery teams in the country. But an impressive win over a Miami team ranked in the top 10 might have shed some light on how good Ed Orgeron's team can be. It's obviously early, but Nick Brossette might be the next in a line of LSU star running backs. He could have 100 yards rushing by halftime this weekend.
Prediction: LSU 31, Southeastern Louisiana 11

Dabo Swinney and Jimbo Fisher meet again, but one of them is coaching at a different school. The two have been competitive over the years with Fisher at Florida State, but Clemson should have too much talent for Fisher's first Aggies team to handle. Expect both Tigers quarterbacks, Kelly Bryant and Trevor Lawrence, to be factors.
Prediction: Clemson 30, Texas A&M 15

Jarrett Stidham was an impressive 26-of-36 for 273 yards with a touchdown against Washington to open the season. He probably won't play a full game this time, but his efficiency might not lack as he's blossoming into one of the more dependable quarterbacks in the nation.
Prediction: Auburn 52, Alabama State 12

Florida enters the Top 25 after blasting Charleston Southern 53-6, and the Gators will try for a ridiculous 32nd straight victory over Kentucky. Feleipe Franks threw five first-half touchdowns last week, but the task will be tougher as the Gators open SEC play. If Franks is able to live up to his talent and play even above average for new coach, Dan Mullen, Florida will be fine.
Prediction: Florida 25, Kentucky 16

The Nittany Lions won last year's meeting but lost at Pitt in 2016. Penn State needed overtime to beat Appalachian State at home last week, which makes this a possible upset special. PSU yielded 451 total yards against the Mountaineers, so there is need for improvement on the defensive side of the ball for James Franklin's group.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 31, Penn State 30

The Pac-12 regular-season game of the year comes early. USC took both meetings last season, the last of which came in the conference championship game. Stanford's Bryce Love gained just 29 yards on 18 carries last week against San Diego State, but he had 285 and two rushing touchdowns vs. the Trojans in 2017. USC yielded 308 yards on the ground to UNLV in last weekend's victory.
Prediction: Stanford 24, USC 20

A Broncos defense dubbed the "Kings of Chaos," had its way with Troy by recording five sacks, intercepting a pass and returning two fumbles for touchdowns last weekend. UConn committed three turnovers in a loss to UCF, so it could end up being another rough night for the visitors on the blue turf of Boise.
Prediction: Boise State 41, Connecticut 13

The Spartans looked less than stellar in squeaking by Utah State at home to open the season. Things won't get any easier against the Sun Devils, who held UTSA to two total rushing yards last weekend. Michigan State has dropped its last three regular-season games against Pac-12 teams on the road.
Prediction: Arizona State 23, Michigan State 20 

Let's hop in the time machine to the late 1980s and early '90s when Tom Osborne's Cornhuskers and Bill McCartney's Buffaloes were mixing it up for the Big Eight title. These programs have not met since 2010, when Nebraska won its third straight in the series. Scott Frost's coaching debut with the Huskers will wait a week after weather postponed their opener last weekend.
Prediction: Nebraska 27, Colorado 23

The Cy-Hawk trophy will again be on the line when the Cyclones and Hawkeyes meet in Iowa City. Iowa has averaged 39 points while winning the last three in the series, but last year it needed overtime to win 44-41 at Ames. Iowa State's opener was postponed by weather, so its season begins here.
Prediction: Iowa 31, Iowa State 28