Look Ahead to a Loaded Week 2 in College Football
Week 2 is loaded in college football. Although there is only 2 ranked v. ranked games, there is plenty of intriguing matchups that will go on to eventually tell the story of the 2023 college football season. Here are some games I am excited to watch on Saturday:
#11 Texas @ #3 Alabama -7
Texas looks for revenge from a year ago when the Crimson Tide went into to Austin and secured a 20-19 victory on a last second field goal. However, this will not be an easy test because Nick Saban hardly ever loses in Tuscaloosa. In fact, Nick Saban is 103-8 with 25 straight wins at home, including 19 straight wins at home at night. In addition, Nick Saban is 28-2 against his former assistants. History is against the longhorns but what does the film say? The strength of both teams is their defense, especially the front 6 for each team. Both offensive lines struggled to an extent in the openers and neither created a huge push while run blocking and both gave up more pressure than you would like to see. Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers was excellent in the RPO passing game and mid-range passes but was 0-6 in passes over 20 yards. Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe is a phenomenal athlete who has developed as a passer since last season. I think Steve Sarkisian will have a very specific game plan for his old boss a lot like he did last year when Ewers lite up the tide for 144 yards passing yards in the 1st quarter before he had to leave the game with an injury. Two starting Crimson Tide defensive backs are questionable with injury, so I see the longhorns trying to attack them through the air and hope Ewers is on target through the air. Alabama will want to utilize Milroe’s running ability as well as their stable of running backs. This has all the makings of a heavy weight fight and I anticipate a very highly competitive game. I believe Texas has more play makers, but Alabama has Nick Saban, so has of right now I would agree with the spread and say Alabama wins 27-20.
#23 Texas A&M @ Miami +4.5
The aggie offense looked good displaying their new play caller and offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino. In particular Sophomore quarterback Coner Weigman was impressive throwing for 5 touchdowns. Sophomore wide receiver Evan Stewart hauled in 8 catches for 115 yards and 2 touchdowns. This aggie offense has the potential to be lethal with a plethora of wide receivers and a good crop of running backs lead by Amari Daniels. Their defense is a force as well lead by Josh DeBerry and Edgerrin Cooper. On paper the Aggies should win this game but it’s not played on paper, it will be played in Miami, Florida home of the Hurricanes. The canes have a vaunted rushing attack and ran for 250 yards in the opener against Miami Ohio. I’m excited to watch this game as it will be a real test for both teams and anxious to see how the newlyweds of Fisher and Petrino worked together in this one.
#13 Oregon @ Texas Tech +7
Oregon scored 81 points in their opener against FCS Portland State. Bo Nix returns at quarterback for the Ducks, and he has been a consistent force in Eugene since arriving a year ago after transferring from Auburn. Nix has a pair of extremely talent receivers in Troy Franklin and Gary Bryant Jr, each having 7 receptions for over 100 yards and 2 touchdowns in their season opener. Texas Tech comes off an embarrassing double overtime loss to Wyoming in Laramie last week. You know what makes that loss better? Beating Oregon in Lubbock this Saturday night. To do so, the Red Raiders will need a great game from Senior quarterback Tyler Shough (pronounced Shuck), the defense will have to be better than last week as the Cowboys rushed for 171 yards, and the Red Raiders will have to commit less penalties (7 for 69 yards last week). Joey McGuire had a lot to say this offseason, but if he starts off the year 0-2, he can talk all the big game he wants but nobody will be listening anymore.
#20 Ole Miss @ #24 Tulane +7.5
Ole Miss scored 73 points last week against FCS Mercer and now go on the road to New Orleans to face gritty Tulane. The Green Wave are led by Senior quarterback Michael Pratt who was very impressive in a 37-17 win over South Alabama. Last year Tulane knocked off the Big XII champ Kansas State on the road and then defeated Pac-12 runner-up USC in the Cotton Bowl. They will not be intimated by the Rebels of Ole Miss, who are led by quarterback Jaxson Dart and sophomore running back Quinshon Judkins. This should be a great game and I think 7.5 points is too many to give Tulane at home, so I expect this game to be played within a touchdown either way. One of these home underdogs are going to win outright this week and if I had to pick one, I’d put my money on Tulane to upset Ole Miss.