Ranking and Predicting the Top 10 CFB Games of Week 2

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Last Week: 6-4

Overall: 10-5

10. #20 Ole Miss at Kentucky

Last year, we saw a huge upset in this matchup, when Kentucky went into Oxford and upset Ole Miss, which eventually led to the Rebels missing the playoff. While I think Ole Miss is the much better team, Kentucky’s style of play is a cause for concern for Lane Kiffin’s team. I’m not predicting an upset, but I could see it happening.

Ole Miss 24, Kentucky 17

9. Vanderbilt at Virginia Tech

This is a very intriguing battle between two mid-tier power four teams, and a rematch of last year’s Week 1 matchup when Vanderbilt knocked off the Hokies in overtime. Virginia Tech’s offense concerned me against South Carolina, but with it being the first game under a new offensive coordinator against a great defense, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt heading forward.

Virginia Tech 27, Vanderbilt 20

8. USF at #13 Florida

This is possibly the best group of five versus power four showdown we’ll get all season, as the early favorite to get the group of five playoff spot in USF goes on the road to the swamp to face my biggest playoff darkhorse in America in Florida. I think the Bulls keep it close for a half, but ultimately Florida’s talent is too much.

Florida 35, USF 20

7. UCLA at UNLV

Another contender for best group of five versus power four matchup is UCLA going on the road to UNLV. This is a battle of two teams that I really have no idea what to make of at the moment. The Bruins are coming off a game where they were absolutely massacred by Utah on their home turf, but was that more a testament to how good Utah is or how bad UCLA is? On the other side, UNLV struggled with an average FCS team in Week 0, but then turned around the next week with a solid performance against Sam Houston. I’m just going with home-field advantage and picking the Rebels by a late field goal.

UNLV 30, UCLA 27

6. #12 Arizona State at Mississippi State

The top six games this week is where we really get into the must-see games. Arizona State goes on the road to a hostile, cowbell-filled environment in what should be a great game. The Sun Devils looked shaky last week against Northern Arizona, while the Bulldogs went on the road and looked solid against a good Southern Miss team. I think this one will be a shootout, with ASU winning with a late touchdown.

Arizona State 37, Mississippi State 30

5. Baylor at #17 SMU

I see another shootout in this matchup, but this one is easier to see coming. Both offenses are much better than the defenses, so it should be very entertaining. Baylor struggled at times in a home-loss to Auburn, while this will be the first game we see the level of SMU this year.

SMU 45, Baylor 34

4. #11 Illinois at Duke

An experienced and hyped Illinois team takes on its first test of the season by going on the road to face a Duke team coming off a 9-win season in Manny Diaz’s first season. What more could you ask for? It’ll be interesting how QB Luke Altmeyer fares against Duke’s stingy defense, but I think he’ll do enough to get the Illini the win.

Illinois 27, Duke 21

3. Kansas at Missouri

The Border War is finally back after a 14-year hiatus, and I have it as a top three game of the week. Both teams have looked great against inferior competition up to this point, but I love the way that Kansas is playing on both sides of the ball and I think they make a statement by upsetting Missouri on the road en route to contending for the Big 12 title.

Kansas 28, Missouri 26

2. Iowa at #16 Iowa State

Iowa State already has a big win under its belt against Kansas State in Ireland, and I think they get another one against in-state rival Iowa. Though the Cyclones have looked much better thus far, this game always comes down to the very end, and so it would not surprise me if the Hawkeyes pulled off the minor upset.

Iowa State 24, Iowa 21

1. #15 Michigan at #18 Oklahoma

This has to be the obvious choice for the top game this week, unless you’re factoring in the rivalries in the previous two matchups much more than I am. I’ll have an article going more in-depth on this game coming out later today (Thursday), but these are two even, borderline playoff teams in my eyes. I think Oklahoma squeaks it out thanks to homefield advantage.

Oklahoma 27, Michigan 24