College football schedule week 2: 3 under the radar games to watch

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Sep 2, 2023; Waco, Texas, USA; Texas State Bobcats head coach G.J. Kinne avoid the powerade bath following the game against the Baylor Bears during the second half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports /

College football schedule week 2: Texas State Bobcats at UTSA Roadrunners

2:30 PM CT on ESPN+

For the 2nd-straight week, I’m taking us to the Lone Star State for a game featuring the UTSA Roadrunners. But I’m not picking this game because of UTSA. I’m picking it because of the high-flying Texas State Bobcats.

If you thought Colorado over TCU was the biggest upset in the state of Texas last week, you’d be mistaken. That would be Texas State going into Waco as a four touchdown underdog and lighting up the Baylor Bears.

Texas State is in their 1st year under HC GJ Kinne. Kinne comes to San Marcos after one season as the head man of FCS Incarnate Word, where he, alongside offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich, coached up one of the most exciting offenses in all of football.

Kinne and Leftwich brought their wide-open scheme and a ton of transfers to Texas State to reinvigorate a program that’s been disastrous since moving up to the FBS in 2012. And it took them just one game to have a breakthrough.

The Bobcats put up 42 points on a Baylor squad that’s just two years removed from winning the Big 12. Two-time transfer QB TJ Finley looked nothing like the player we remembered from his time at LSU and Auburn, going 22/30 for 298 yards and three TDs.

Texas State plays a brand of offense in line with the Veer and Shoot scheme that’s taking over the sport (think Tennessee or even Colorado). They’re going to spread you out, play fast, and test your defensive backs early and often.

It’s a ton of fun to watch.

UTSA didn’t have nearly as exciting a start to the season. They stumbled in a 17-14 loss to Houston. QB Frank Harris wasn’t his usual self, throwing three interceptions. But make no mistake. This is still a very talented squad capable of competing with almost anyone.

I think UTSA’s offense should get back on track against a Texas State defense that’s still very susceptible, but I also expect Texas State to hit their shots against UTSA. That scheme is just incredibly difficult to deal with.

There should be points in this one.

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