After a long offseason, college football returns this week. There are always things to watch every week of the season. Here are 5 things to watch in college football week 2.
One of the best early season matchups features Texas traveling to Michigan to take on the Wolverines. Texas looked good in week 1, as they defeated a Colorado State team that should be competitive in the Mountain West 52-0. Quin Ewers passed for 260 yards, three touchdowns and one interception on 20/27 passing. Although they lost a few running backs in the preseason, Texas ran for 190 yards on 4.6 yards per carry. The defense wasn’t threatened by a team that has some decent offensive talent.
Michigan lost a lot from their national championship team from next season. That showed in their season-opening game against Fresno State. They won 30-10, but it took a while to build up that lead. Davis Warren started for Michigan at quarterback and struggled. He passed for just 118 yards, one touchdown and one interception on 15/25 passing. The rushing attack also didn’t look as potent. Their defense should be stout this season, only allowing 10 points to Fresno State, but they will be tested by Texas.
The Battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy has been interesting over the last several years. This year, the winner could really support their case to make a 12-team playoff. Iowa State opened up the season with a win over North Dakota 21-3. North Dakota is a talented FCS team, so they were tested. Quarterback Rocco Becht passed for 267 yards and two touchdowns. He was thrown into the fire last season as a true freshman and looks improved. They rushed for just 3.9 yards per carry, but their defense stepped up allowing just the three points.
Iowa uncharacteristically scored 40 points in their season-opening win against Illinois State. Cad McNamara threw for 251 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. They also rushed for 241 yards. The defense is projected to be one of the best in the country and they did well by giving up no points. It will likely be a low-scoring game, but the winner sets themselves up well for the future.
When group of five teams play power five teams, it will mean more with one of the 12 CFP spots going to the group of five. Group of five teams have a chance to bolster their cases to make the CFP with big wins over teams in larger conferences. There are a few games to watch this weekend that could feature teams playing in the CFP.
Boise State travels to Oregon to take on the Ducks. The Broncos won on the road against Georgia Southern in week 1, while Oregon had a close call with Idaho, but won. A win would be big for Boise State’s case to make the CFP. USF will play Alabama after playing them close last season. The Bulls are expected to do better than their seven wins last season and could make a push toward the CFP with a win.
Nico Iamaleava was a highly-touted recruit who secured a lot of NIL dollars to go to Tennessee. He mostly sat and learned in his first season. When Joe Milton prepared for the 2024 NFL Draft, Iamaleava started the bowl game against Iowa. In all his games played in 2023, Iamaleava passed for 314 yards and two touchdowns. In week 1, he played well with 314 passing yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions against FCS-level Chattanooga.
In week 2, Tennessee plays against NC State. The game is in Charlotte and the Volunteers are favored by over a touchdown. The bowl game went solidly for Iamaleava, but this will be his first big game with something on the line. NC State was ranked in the preseason. Although they struggled in week 1 against Western Carolina, they have talent and could make things tough for Tennessee. A good game for Iamaleava could help Tennessee start on a path towards the CFP and simultaneously help himself get some Heisman recognition.
Last season, Colorado took headlines when they started out the season hot and defeated Nebraska 36-14. The Buffaloes defeated North Dakota State in week 1 in a close game. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way player Travis Hunter really impressed, while the defense likely still needs to improve. Colorado is over a touchdown underdog against the Cornhuskers.
Nebraska finished 5-7 in Matt Rhule’s first season as head coach. They have built a lot in the offseason and brought in highly-touted quarterback Dylan Raiola. In week 1, Nebraska defeated UTEP handily. Raiola looked sharp with 238 yards and two touchdowns. Their defense also played well, allowing just seven points. The matchups on the outside will be interesting to watch and the winner of the game will have a lot of momentum going in their season.
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