College Football week 2: Upsets Brewing, Hidden Gems, and a Scheduling Manifesto
Week 2 of the college football season is upon us, and already the storylines are thickening. From potential power Five clashes to compelling matchups in the lower divisions, there’s plenty to dissect. Let’s dive into the games that matter, offering insights beyond the betting lines and projections.
Power Five Spotlight: Key Games to Watch
Utah at Wyoming (Saturday,TBD)
When I’m in charge of all college football scheduling,a ranked Power Conference team will visit Laramie’s War Memorial Stadium every year. It’s a unique environment, a true cauldron of college football atmosphere. Utah should ultimately prevail in its first trip there in 15 years,but don’t underestimate the Cowboys. Wyoming will hit hard and force the Utes’ remodeled offense to work harder than it has so far.
* Current Line: Utah -23.5
* SP+ Projection: Utah by 20.4
* FPI Projection: Utah by 20.1
Duke at Tulane (8 p.m., ESPN2)
This matchup features a fascinating storyline: the Darian Mensah Bowl. Mensah’s new team, Duke, travels to face his former squad at Tulane. Following a heartbreaking fumble that cost them a win against Illinois, the Blue Devils need a fast rebound to avoid falling to 1-2. Tulane, simultaneously occurring, has already proven its mettle with a victory over a Power Five opponent (Northwestern). They genuinely look like a team poised for a significant season.
* Current Line: Tulane -1.5
* SP+ Projection: Tulane by 7.4
* FPI Projection: Tulane by 6.1
Minnesota at Cal (10:30 p.m., ESPN)
keep a close eye on Cal’s true freshman quarterback, jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. He’s excelled in his early tests, displaying remarkable accuracy (69% completion rate) and poise under pressure (minimal sacks taken). However, Minnesota presents a considerably tougher challenge.The Gophers rank third nationally in yards allowed per dropback, and they generate pressure effectively without relying on blitzes. This game will be a true test of Sagapolutele’s development.
* Current Line: Gophers -2.5
* SP+ Projection: Gophers by 3.6
* FPI projection: Gophers by 0.6
Smaller-School Showcase: Don’t Miss These Games
The beauty of college football extends far beyond the Power Five conferences. Here are three lower-division games that deserve your attention.
Division III: No. 2 Mount Union at No. 15 Grove City (1 p.m., YouTube)
Mount Union, coming off a 37-29 win over a top-20 Wheaton team, faces a tough road test at Grove City. Grove City’s defense is a force to be reckoned with, having forced seven turnovers against the 2023 national champion Cortland last week.The key question: can Mount Union quarterback mikey maloney and the Purple Raiders score enough to overcome a stingy Grove City defense? You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opDSC0YEtXk&list=PLOu9FJsqieqeFzrwH78aWjs7j2tkPTZrj
* SP+ Projection: Mount Union by 1.8
Division III: No. 16 Wisconsin-Oshkosh at No. 1 North central (2 p.m.,YouTube)
Wisconsin-Oshkosh is showing serious courage,following up an Oregon trip and a win over Linfield with a visit to the Division III powerhouse,North Central. North Central could promptly compete at the FCS level,but this is a challenging season opener for the reigning champions.