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NCAAF Week 2 Preview


By Owen Pannell | KZA Sports


Week 2 doesn’t have the eye-catching games that Week 1 had, but I’m just as excited for it. There’s a lot of quality football that’s going to be played, and I can’t wait. Here’s all you need to know to be ready for Week 2.


Biggest Games


1. Michigan at Oklahoma (-2.5) - 7:30 pm ET

The game of the week. Norman is hosting College Gameday, it’ll be weird without Lee, and the eyes of the college football world will be on this primetime game. A true freshman QB going against one of the best defensive minds in college football, in the Palace on the Prairie, will be an absolute madhouse. The cards play in the Sooners’ favor, but it certainly won’t be easy.


2. Iowa at Iowa State (-3.5) - 12:00 pm ET

This rivalry is one of the most underrated in college football. The battle for Iowa is always a good one, and I expect nothing less on Saturday. The Cyclones are favored, but just slightly, as the Hawkeye defense will surely challenge Rocco Becht and the Iowa State offense.


3. Kansas at Missouri (-6.5) - 3:30 pm ET

A rivalry reinstated. The Jayhawks look to go 3-0 in non-conference play, but it won’t be easy. Playing at an SEC school is always very tough, especially for a team like Kansas. Missouri is definitely beatable, though, and Kansas has looked pretty solid so far this season. It could really go either way.


4. Illinois (-3.5) at Duke - 12:00 pm ET

Illinois is a potential playoff team, but Duke is not a pushover. Led by Darian Mensha, the Blue Devils look to make an attempt at the playoffs. Both teams must win this game to achieve their CFP aspirations, so it’ll definitely be some high-level football.


5. South Florida at Florida (-17.5) - 4:15 pm ET

South Florida looked great last Thursday vs. the Broncos, but going into one of the hardest places to play, against a very good Florida team with aims to make a playoff run, the deck is stacked against them. If Byrum Brown and his squad can pull off a major upset, they would certainly be the frontrunner for the G6 playoff spot.


Friday Night Football


There are only a few games not on Saturday this week, and they’re all on Friday, so let’s take a look at Saturday’s appetizer.


  • James Madison at Louisville (-12.5) - 7:00 pm ET

Yeah, it’s not the greatest Friday slate when this is the best game. But it’s football, we’ll take it. Louisville has a decent squad this year; they can definitely make some noise in the ACC. However, JMU is one of the best Group of 6 teams, and they want that playoff spot. This is a huge game for the Dukes, and they could definitely pull off an upset.


  • Northern Illinois at Maryland (-17.5) - 7:30 pm ET

The only other game really worth watching on Friday. Maryland is looking to avoid an upset to the Huskies, who took out Notre Dame a year ago. True freshman QB Malik Washington makes his 2nd career start, but with Northern Illinois barely beating Holy Cross, I don’t see this game being an issue for the Terps.


Biggest Storylines


  • How good is Bryce Underwood?

Underwood is going to be tested a lot on Saturday, and if he delivers, the college football world should be pretty scared. I expect he’ll definitely have some freshman moments, but he has the talent to bring the Wolverines to victory.


  • Is Kansas good enough to win the Big 12?

If Kansas beats Missouri, we have to consider them a potential playoff team. They are good enough to beat most of the Big 12 if they take out Mizzou.


If Oklahoma State goes out and loses by 35+, they are in trouble. They don’t even have to win the game, but a single-digit loss would honestly be huge for them. QB Hauss Hejny, who emerged last Thursday night, is unavailable in a huge blow for the Pokes.


Players to Watch


  • USF QB Byrum Brown

Brown looked great vs. Boise State last week, and if he looks great vs. the Gators, that’s an amazing sign for South Florida.


  • Troy RB Tae Meadows

Meadows had a great Week 1. It’ll be extremely difficult to do that again vs. one of the best defensive lines in college football, but it’ll be interesting to see how he does.


  • Oklahoma WR Keontez Lewis

Lewis was Mateer’s top target last weekend vs. Illinois State. Whether or not he remains that vs. better competition remains to be seen.


  • SMU QB Kevin Jennings

In a huge matchup vs. Baylor, the Mustangs need Jennings at the top of his game. 250 yards with a couple TDs and no turnovers would be a massive success in my opinion.


  • Oklahoma DE R Mason Thomas

Thomas wants to make Bryce Underwood feel pain on Saturday night. If he gets multiple sacks, that will be an elite game for him and will give the Sooners a great chance to win.


  • Michigan RB Justice Haynes

An amazing Week 1 performance has the Sooners, who struggled to stop the run, pretty worried. Haynes must be a difference-maker for the Wolverines.


  • Duke QB Darian Mensah

This is Mensah’s time to shine. A big game vs. a good Illinois defense would be the perfect time to go off—he needs to be great for a Blue Devil victory.


Game Predictions


  • James Madison at Louisville (-12.5): Louisville

  • Northern Illinois at Maryland (-17.5): Maryland

  • Michigan at Oklahoma (-2.5): Oklahoma

  • Illinois (-2.5) at Duke: Illinois

  • Iowa at Iowa State (-3.5): Iowa State

  • Baylor at SMU (-2.5): SMU

  • Virginia at NC State (-2.5): Virginia

  • Oklahoma State at Oregon (-29.5): Oregon

  • Ole Miss (-10.5) at Kentucky: Ole Miss

  • Kansas at Missouri (-6.5): Kansas

  • West Virginia (-3.5) at Ohio: West Virginia

  • South Florida at Florida (-17.5): Florida

  • North Carolina (-13.5) at Charlotte: North Carolina

  • Army at Kansas State (-17.5): Kansas State

  • Houston (-13.5) at Rice: Houston

  • Arizona State (-6.5) at Mississippi State: Arizona State

  • Vanderbilt at Virginia Tech (-1.5): Vanderbilt

  • Boston College at Michigan State (-4.5): Michigan State

  • UCLA (-2.5) at UNLV: UNLV

  • San Diego State at Washington State (-1.5): San Diego State

  • Sam Houston at Hawai’i (-6.5): Hawai’i

  • Fresno State at Oregon State (-3.5): Oregon State

  • UConn at Syracuse (-6.5): Syracuse

  • Western Kentucky at Toledo (-6.5): Western Kentucky

  • Tulsa (-3.5) at New Mexico State: Tulsa


KZACFBpicks Scoring System


  • 35+ = 0.5 points

  • 21.5–34.5 = 1 point

  • 15.5–21 = 1.5 points

  • 11–15 = 2 points

  • 7–10.5 = 2.5 points

  • 3.5–6.5 = 3 points

  • 0.5–3 = 3.5 points

  • +0.5–3 = 4.5 points

  • +3.5–6.5 = 5 points

  • +7–10.5 = 5.5 points

  • +11–15 = 6 points

  • +15.5–21 = 6.5 points

  • +21.5–34.5 = 7.5 points

  • +35+ = 10 points


You can find Owen Pannell on X here.

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