CFB Week Two Picks And Predictions.
This week is headlined by #20 Ole Miss at #24 Tulane, #23 Texas A&M at Miami, and game of the week - #11 Texas at #3 Alabama,
No. 11 Texas traveling to Tuscaloosa to take on the Crimson Tide is the game of the week. Texas looks to avenge their loss from last year's matchup in Austin. This game looks to be a lot closer with Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers back healthy.
Game Predictions
#10 Notre Dame (-7.5) at NC State, (11 AM, ABC)
Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman looked the part of a elite college quarterback week one vs. Navy. Notre Dame and Hartman face a steeper challenge this week heading into a rowdy environment against a team that he has struggled against in the past. In Hartman's career he's 1-2 against NC State dating back to his days at Wake Forest. Could Notre Dame be on upset alert this weekend? I think Saturdays matchup is different than his time at Wake. He has more talent he's ever had around him and looks primed to have a strong season.
Pick: Notre Dame 34 Nc State 24. Notre Dame covers.
#12 Utah (-7.5) at Baylor (11 AM, ESPN)
Baylor's coming off one of the most embarrassing losses in program history. Where Texas State quarterback T.J. Finley threw for 298 yards and three touchdowns en route to an 42-31 victory. To make matters worse Baylor is without starting quarterback Blake Shapen for at least the next three weeks. This feels like a tough spot for Baylor to be able to compete here. Especially if Cam Rising comes back and gets to play a defense that allowed 300 yards to Texas State. Even if it's Bryson Barnes at quarterback for the Utes I still like Utah here.
Pick: Utah 37 Baylor 24. Utah covers.
Ole Miss heads down to New Orleans to take on a talented Tulane team. This Tulane team can score with almost anyone in the country led by quarterback Michael Pratt. I do think that eventually the Ole Miss offensive line and Quinshon Judkins will wear down Tulane as the game goes on.
Pick: Ole Miss 34 Tulane 24. Ole Miss covers.
#23 Texas A&M (-3) at Miami (2:30 PM, ABC)
Texas A&M's won last years matchup 17-9 at Kyle Field. Aggies travel to Miami taking on an improved Hurricanes roster. I think this is the Aggies' game to lose. They have the talent advantage and I like the hire of Bobby Petrino to be the play caller for Connor Weigman and this offense.
Pick: Texas A&M 35 Miami 31. Texas A&M covers.
#13 Oregon (-6) at Texas Tech (6:00 PM, FOX)
What Bo Nix and the Oregon offense did last week to Portland State is illegal in 45 out of 50 states. Bo Nix looked like a Heisman contender and looked like he's having fun in this offense. On the other side Texas Tech blew a 17-3 lead to Wyoming. Wyoming came back and won in overtime. I'm not worried about this matchup if I'm a Ducks fan and think Oregon wins in convincing fashion.
Pick: Oregon 45 Texas Tech 24
Game of the week and potential game of the year candidate. Alabama squeaked out a win in Austin last year after Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers went down with a shoulder injury in the first quarter. If Ewers stays in that game Texas wins. We're in 2023 though where this game is being played in Tuscaloosa. Alabama under Nick Saban has an insane home record of 104 wins and eight losses. The eight losses are by a combined 37 points or 4.6 points per loss. Alabama's last non conference loss came from Louisiana-Monroe in Saban's first season back in 2007. In other words teams don't come into Bryant-Denny Stadium and win often.
Pick: Alabama 34 Texas 24
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