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The 2024 College Football is underway. Fan bases across the country still have hope that their team can reach the 12-team CFP (not you, Florida State). With an expanded playoff field, more programs are entering the season with dreams of winning it all than ever before. These are the 20 key matchups to watch in Week 2…
BYU @ SMU
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Here we have a classic Big 12/ACC battle. Weird, right? The Cougars (1-0) will head to Dallas for a battle with SMU (2-0) on Friday night. BYU had no trouble putting away Southern Illinois in its first game. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff tossed three TDs among his 20 completions, and BYU’s defense held the Salukis to 11 first downs. SMU began its season with an unimpressive win over Nevada and thumped Houston Christian, 59-7, last weekend.
Arkansas @ Oklahoma State
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This game features two teams with drastically different expectations. The visiting Arkansas Razorbacks (1-0) don’t figure to contend in the SEC, while Oklahoma State (1-0) is one of the favorites to win the Big 12. Arkansas generated nearly 700 total yards in its 70-0 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff but we won’t know much about the team until this weekend’s game. OK State comfortably handled South Dakota St. — the FCS champions — and should be ready to unleash star running back Ollie Gordon II against Arkansas.
Texas @ Michigan
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One season after nearly playing in the National Championship Game, Texas (1-0) and Michigan (1-0) will meet in Ann Arbor. Michigan may be the defending champion and the home team for this tilt, but Texas will be the favorite. The Longhorns return star QB Quinn Ewers and looked very good in their Week 1 win over Colorado State. Meanwhile, Michigan’s offense lost a ton of talent and may take some time to find its footing. This game will go a long way in helping the victor reach the 12-team CFP.
Kansas State @ Tulane
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These two programs have met twice previously. Tulane has won both matchups, with the most recent victory coming in 2022. That season, Tulane finished 12-2 and won the Cotton Bowl while K-State lost to Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. This time around, the Wildcats (1-0) are healthy favorites over the host Green Wave (1-0). Both teams dominated their first opponent — K-State won 41-6 and Tulane won 52-0, respectively — but K-State fields the better team. Avery Johnson’s ability to beat you with his arm and legs will result in the Wildcats’ first win over Tulane.
California @ Auburn
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Last year, California let one slip away at home against Auburn in an eventual 14-10 defeat. Now, we are set for a showdown at Jordan-Hare. The Golden Bears (1-0) are led by stud running back Jaydn Ott — Ott rushed for over 1,200 yards as a sophomore in 2023 — while Auburn (1-0) will turn to QB Payton Thorne to spearhead the attack. In Auburn’s win over Alabama A&M, Thorne threw for 322 yards and four TDs while adding 49 yards and one score with his legs.
South Carolina @ Kentucky
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A rivalry will be renewed this weekend in Lexington as the Wildcats (1-0) look to end South Carolina’s (1-0) two-game winning streak in the series. The teams begin their SEC slate with varying degrees of confidence. The Gamecocks looked rather bad in their 23-19 win over Old Dominion, needing two fumble recoveries inside the 10-yard-line to set up their only two TDs. Meanwhile, Kentucky thumped Southern Miss, 31-0, behind a great defensive effort — Southern Miss finished with 131 yards — and three TD passes from Brock Vandagriff.
Iowa State @ Iowa
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Another rivalry game early in the season pitting Iowa (1-0) against Iowa State (1-0). Iowa has dominated the Cy-Hawk Game over the years and has won 7-of-8 over the Cyclones since 2015. State is coming off a 21-3 win over North Dakota that saw QB Rocco Becht account for all three scores. Iowa’s defense pitched a shutout in its opener (40-0), but it was the offensive performance that turned heads across the country. The Hawkeyes received a three-TD game from QB Cade McNamara and a 119-yard, two-TD effort from tailback Kaleb Johnson. These two teams have scored a combined 50 points in the past two meetings, so expect another grind.
Michigan State @ Maryland
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This Big Ten matchup has been one-sided the past two seasons as Maryland has handled Michigan State with ease (27-13 and 31-9). So, what do the Spartans (1-0) have up their sleeves for the Terrapins (1-0) this time around? State failed to impress in its 16-10 win over FAU. QB Jordan Chiles threw for 114 yards and tossed two interceptions, so we expect the team to lean on RBs Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams (101 yards, one TD) and Nate Carter once again. Maryland hammered UConn, 50-7, behind huge efforts from QB Billy Edwards Jr. (311 yards, two TDs) and WR Tai Felton (7/178/2). This may be a one-sided game for the third year in a row.
Baylor @ Utah
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We are rather intrigued by this matchup. Last season marked the first time the two programs squared off and Utah pulled out an ugly 20-13 win. Now, the Utes (1-0) will host Baylor (1-0) with their star quarterback under center for the second time in over a year. Cam Rising returned to action last week and threw five TD passes in Utah’s 49-0 win. As for Baylor, dual-threat QB Dequan Finn accounted for three scores in a 42-point win over Tarleton State. This game is a big step up in competition for both teams.
Kansas @ Illinois
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This matchup should be a lot of fun. Both the Jayhawks (1-0) and Illini (1-0) dismantled their first opponent. Kansas took down Lindenwood 48-3 and Illinois toppled Eastern Illinois 45-0. Kansas is led by multiple stars on offense including QB Jalon Daniels and RB Devin Neal. Illinois has a dual-threat QB of its own in Luke Altmyer. In last year’s meeting between these two teams — a 34-23 Kansas victory, Altmyer threw for 202 yards and rushed for 70 and two TDs.
Tennessee vs. NC State
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One of the marquee games of Week 2 pits Tennessee (1-0) against NC State (1-0). The Volunteers opened their season with an impressive 69-3 win over Chattanooga, while NC State overcame a slow start to beat Western Carolina 38-21. This game pits a rising star at QB against a veteran gunslinger. Tennessee will trot out redshirt freshman Nico Iamaleava (314 yards, three TDs) and the Wolfpack will rely on Grayson McCall. A four-year starter at Coastal Carolina, McCall threw 73 TDs and only eight INTs over his first three years with Coastal.
Colorado @ Nebraska
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A rivalry renewed in 2023, Colorado (1-0) and Nebraska (1-0) are once again battling for bragging rights. Coach Prime’s Buffaloes avoided an upset in Week 1 by holding off FCS power North Dakota State 31-26. As was the case last year, Colorado is led by QB Shedeur Sanders and two-way star Travis Hunter. Nebraska is looking to avenge last year’s 36-14 loss and is entering the matchup with some confidence following last week’s 41-7 win over UTEP. Freshman QB Dylan Raiola lived up to the hype against the Miners and the Huskers will need him to keep pace with Sanders in order to win this weekend.
Appalachian State @ Clemson
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Can Clemson avoid a 0-2 start? The Tigers were embarrassed by No. 1 Georgia last weekend and the fanbase cannot be feeling great about the rest of the season. Now, the Tigers will play host to Appalachian State (1-0). The Mountaineers went 6-1 down the stretch last season and opened their campaign with a 28-point victory last week. A loss at home to App State would put a ton of pressure on Dabo Swinney. Look out…
Boise State @ Oregon
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These programs have met three times and Oregon is still searching for its first head-to-head win. The Ducks (1-0) dropped four spots to No. 7 in the AP Poll following their bizarre win over Idaho. Despite accumulating nearly 500 yards and holding Idaho to 217, Oregon struggled to a 24-14 win. Boise State (1-0) running back Ashton Jeanty is a stud — 267 yards and six TDs — but the Broncos allowed Georgia Southern to score 45 points in their Week 1 win. Look for Oregon’s offense to explode in this tilt.
Texas Tech @ Washington State
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One of the last soldiers of the Pac-12 is set to host a pedestrian Big 12 program this weekend. Washington State (1-0) put together a great offensive effort against Portland State to open the year — scoring 70 points — but also surrendered nearly 500 yards to an FCS team. Meanwhile, Texas Tech (1-0) survived a shootout with FCS Abilene Christian. Tech surrendered a 32-14 lead and needed a failed two-point attempt in overtime to escape with a 52-51 win. This game may be played in the 60s.
Mississippi State @ Arizona State
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The Sun Devils (1-0) and Bulldogs (1-0) are set to meet for the first time ever. Both programs started the year with convincing wins. Arizona State hosted Wyoming — 9-4 in 2023 — and took the Cowboys to the woodshed. ASU’s defense held Wyoming to 118 total yards and forced three turnovers. Offensively, QB Sam Leavitt threw two TD passes and the Sun Devils ran the ball 49 times to run out the clock. Mississippi State cruised to a 56-7 win over Eastern Kentucky behind a four-TD day from QB Blake Shapen. The Sun Devils may have the advantage this weekend by hosting the Bulldogs in a late game, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see MSU win.
Oregon State @ San Diego State
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A rematch of last year’s game in Corvallis between the Oregon State Beavers (1-0) and the San Diego State Aztecs (1-0). Oregon State saw its head coach, star running back and a handful of impact players leave in the offseason, but it ran Idaho State into the ground to secure a victory last week. The Beavers attempted 14 passes all game and ran 58 times — led by Jam Griffin (160 yards, two TDs) and Anthony Hankerson (155 yards, two TDs) — en route to a 38-15 win. SDSU trailed Texas A&M-Commerce…we don’t know who that is, either…at halftime before exploding for 42 points after the break. The Beavers should win this one.
Liberty @ New Mexico State
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If Liberty (1-0) wants to challenge for a spot in the College Football Playoff, it needs to knock off New Mexico State (1-0) this week. The Flames started 13-0 last season before losing to Oregon, 45-6, in the Fiesta Bowl. Kaidon Slater is back at QB and is joined in the backfield by Quinton Cooley. Cooley rushed for over 1,300 yards and 16 TDs in 2023 and started the year with 110 last week. The Aggies won 10 games last season and played Liberty in the Conference USA Championship Game and once again figure to be competitive within the conference.
Marshall @ Virginia Tech
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This is a game that lost some steam following Week 1’s results. Marshall (1-0) took care of business by manhandling Stony Brook, 45-3. However, Virginia Tech (0-1) laid an egg and lost to Vanderbilt. The Hokies trailed 17-0 before eventually seizing a 27-20 lead. However, they surrendered their brief lead with less than two minutes to play and went on to lose in overtime. Marshall won last year’s meeting, 24-17, and suddenly looks capable of winning once again.
UTSA @ Texas State
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To begin the season, UTSA (1-0) defeated Kennesaw State — a first-year FBS member — 28-16. Owen McCown had a nice day throwing the ball for the Roadrunners (340 yards and three TDs), but the team couldn’t get anything going on the ground. Overall, UTSA rushed for 76 yards on 34 carries. This week’s opponent, Texas State (1-0), toppled Lamar, 34-27. QB Jordan McCloud threw three TD passes and running back Ismail Mahdi trounced Lamar to the tune of 156 yards and one score.
