College football is back in full swing. There are always things to watch every week of the season. Here are 5 things to watch in college football week 2.
The biggest matchup of the weekend will have Michigan traveling to Oklahoma to take on the Sooners. Michigan won their season-opener against New Mexico, 34-17. Freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood showed some flashes, passing for 251 yards and a touchdown. The defense didn’t play their best game, but they are working with several new starters. Linebacker Jaishawn Barham will miss the first half of the game against Oklahoma due to targeting in the second half against the Lobos.
Oklahoma defeated Illinois State 35-3 in their week 1 game. Their offense, which features a lot of new faces via the transfer portal, including quarterback John Mateer, played well, but left some things on the table. The defense played well, holding Illinois State to just three points. The offense will have a tall task against Oklahoma, but they have the talent to be successful. It should be a good game with the winner having CFP hopes and the loser having to battle a tough season ahead.
A big rivalry is happening in week 2, when Iowa plays Iowa State. The Hawkeyes won their lone game of the season against Albany, winning 34-7. Their offense was better, although they need new quarterback Mark Gronowski to show more, as he passed for just 44 yards. The defense should be stout as always, so if the offense improves, they could make some noise in the Big Ten this season.
Iowa State has played two games this season, as they defeated Kansas State in week 0 and South Dakota in week 1. The offense is averaging 48.5 points per game through the two contests with quarterback Rocco Becht playing well, even in a rainy game in week 0. The defense is allowing 14.5 points per game and has some key players in defensive lineman Domonique Orange and cornerback Jontez Williams. Rivalries usually make great games and this one is sizing up to be a good one as well.
Illinois will have a tough matchup when they travel to Duke this week. The Fighting Illini were ranked 12 in the preseason top 25 and defeated Western Illinois 52-3. Luke Altmyer returned at quarterback behind an experienced offensive line, which should have the offense humming. The defense only allowed three points in the season-opener and they too have a lot of experience, including edge rusher Gabe Jacas and defensive back Xavier Scott.
Duke is coming off a good season with Manny Diaz at the helm last season. They started slow against Elon, but then won 45-17. Their offense has some hope with Tulane transfer Darian Mensah at quarterback, as he threw for 389 yards and three touchdowns. The defense didn’t play their best game, but they have NFL talent on the defensive end in cornerback Chandler Rivers. Illinois has hopes of making the CFP this year, but a stop at Duke could derail those hopes for the time being.
James Madison has a chance to be the group five representative in the CFP and they have a showcase game against Louisville this week. They defeated Weber State 45-10 in week 1. Alonza Barnett is a solid quarterback, while running back George Pettaway is a star and rushed for 99 yards in the season-opener. The defense will need to step it up in this game, especially against the Cardinals.
Louisville had a good week 1 game, defeating Eastern Kentucky 51-17. Jeff Brohm’s offense is playing well, albeit with quarterback Miller Moss throwing two interceptions in the first game of the season. The defense didn’t play up to their potential and will have a tough task against JMU. If James Madison wins, they will be the frontrunner for the group of five spot in the CFP, but a good showing and then winning their conference could also be a path to the future. Louisville is looking to improve on their 9-4 record this season.
USF got a big win over Boise State in week 1 and now has a taller task, going up against Florida. The Bulls scored 34 points in week 1, with a lot of their production coming from the dual-threat abilities of quarterback Byrum Brown. He passed for 210 yards and rushed for 43 more. The defense shut down Boise State, which gives them some momentum going into the game against Florida.
Florida defeated LIU 55-0 in week 1. Star quarterback DJ Lagway had an efficient game, passing for 120 yards and three touchdowns. Having him healthy after some injury scares is huge for Florida’s season. The defense pitched a shutout in week 1 and has talent at all levels. They’ll have hopes of the CFP, but so too will USF if they can win this game.
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