College Football: Week Two Preview

BYU celebrate after an improbable win over Nebraska. (Omaha.com)

Week One came and went for college football. We saw Stanford go down on the road to Northwestern, BYU victorious on a Hail Mary from their backup quarterback, Chad Kelly played well against UT-Martin, and the defending national champions played alright against the only team that defeated them last season in Virginia Tech.

This weekend, we already have a game with playoff implications, power teams trying to regain elite status, and of course some unexpected oddities. It’s the early weeks like this one that often blow up the script and that is why we watch!

Top 5 Games Of The Week:

Jim Harbaugh will look to guide his alma mater to their first win of the season on Saturday (Getty Images)

5) Oregon State at Michigan (Saturday, 12 pm EST, ABC)

Jim Harbaugh and his khaki pants make its highly anticipated Ann Arbor debut. The Wolverines go up against another Pac-12 team after falling on the road in Utah. Oregon State is coming off just a 26-7 win over Weber State, throwing for only 110 yards. If you like watching points be scored, you might want to watch something else. But if you love listening to the commentators talk about Wolverines tight end Jake Butt, this is the game for you!

4) #20 Boise State at BYU (Saturday, 10:15pm EST, ESPN2)

While everyone is still buzzing over the last second Hail Mary for BYU, it is time to start thinking about their next opponent. The Broncos are coming off a 16-13 nail biting win over Washington in its opener. Defensively, Boise State looked dominant, allowing only 179 yards overall. However quarterback Ryan Finley will have to step up if Boise State wants to inch their way closer to the familiar big bowl game territory.

3) #14 LSU at #25 Mississippi State (Saturday, 9:15 pm EST, ESPN)

Star RB Leonard Fournette will be the LSU offense in this early SEC matchup (Getty Images)

Leonard Fournette, Leonard Fournette, Leonard Fournette. LSU will rely heavily on the ground attack to open things up for quarterback Brandon Harris. Mississippi State gave up 300 yards through the air in week 1 and look to the Tigers to keep the air game going. The Bulldogs standout QB Dak Prescott was not perfect in week one, but he still did account for three touchdowns and showcased his ability as both a runner and a thrower. This is not the sexiest game the SEC has in store for us, but it is a critical contest for two teams trying to remind us fans that they belong.

2) #19 Oklahoma at #23 Tennessee (Saturday, 6 pm EST, ESPN)

We need to start with the gun slingers here. Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs threw for 205, and rushed for 89 yards while accounting for three touchdowns (2 passing and 1 rushing) against a Bowling Green team that did not give up. Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield threw for 388 yards and had a hand in four touchdowns against another MAC opponent in Akron.  In what some are anticipating as one of the biggest games at Neyland Stadium since Peyton Manning owned the place, Tennessee could announce its arrival and Oklahoma and coach Bob Stoops can announce its return.

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio (right) and star QB Connor Cook (left) will look for redemption vs Oregon after last year’s blowout loss (MLive.com)

1) #7 Oregon at #5 Michigan State (Saturday, 8 pm EST, ABC)

These two teams met just last season at Oregon and the Ducks led my Marcus Mariota scored the final 28 points to defeat the Spartans 46-27. Now walks in Eastern Washington transfer Vernon Adams Jr to take over at QB. Returning for the Sparty is Connor Cook who is looking to take the next step in his college career. It will be the defense that wins this game as both offenses will spend much of the evening doing what they please. Cancel all of your plans, stock your fridge, and buy some snacks because this will be the game to watch!

Some X-Factors To Keep An Eye On

LJ Scott, Michigan State, RB

At 233 pounds, the freshman rushed for 77 yards in his debut. Going up against a solid RB in Royce Freeman from Oregon, look for Scott to have a coming out party on Saturday.

Qadree Ollison, Pittsburgh, RB

With James Connor likely done for the season with a torn MCL, the Panthers relied heavily on redshirt freshman and Canisius HS alum Qadree Ollison. Ollison did not disappoint rushing for 207 yards on 16 carries with one touchdown.  Because of his performance, Ollison was named ACC Rookie of the Week.

– Brian Wolf (@b_wolf17)