Predictions for the biggest games in Week 2 of the college football season

We're onto Week 2 of the 2024 college football season after an incredible opening slate of games last weekend. All season long, the Maroon and White Nation staff is making their picks for the biggest games of each week.

Here are the records from our contributors through one week of the 2024 season:

Chase Brumfield: 8-2

Reed Green: 5-5

Andrew Miller: 7-3

Let's make some picks!

National Games

Iowa State at 21 Iowa

Chase: I'll take the Hawkeyes at home. Iowa wins

Reed: Even with Iowa’s offensive woes in the past few years, they have dominated the
rivalry, only losing once since 2015. With an improved offense, I think Iowa wins this edition of the Cy-Hawk Trophy comfortably. Iowa wins

Andrew: I'm buying into the Cyclones as a Big 12 contender, but the Hawkeyes run this series. And now Iowa has an offense! Iowa wins

UTSA at Texas State

Chase: Texas State takes this one. Texas State wins

Reed: I think UTSA has the edge in the coaching department with a more experienced staff who knows how to win these types of games. UTSA wins

Andrew: GJ Kinne is a rising star. His program is electric, and UTSA seems to be in a bit of a transition year. I'll take the Bobcats. Texas State wins

Colorado at Nebraska

Chase: The Huskers get it done. Nebraska wins

Reed: In year 2 of Matt Rhule, Nebraska looks much improved on offense with Dylan Raiola at quarterback. They are deeper, better coached, and I think the atmosphere and pressure gets to Sanders to the point he’ll make one or two key mistakes. Nebraska wins

Andrew: The Huskers may finally have the offense they needed to be dangerous. Lincoln will be rocking, and that defense should give CU problems. Nebraska wins

Texas Tech at Washington State

Chase: Give me Texas Tech. Texas Tech wins

Reed: Wazzu has taken a few steps back after Leach left at the end of the 2019 season, and I think the Red Raiders are more talented, as they should wear down the Cougars in the second half. Look for Tech to be a potential surprise team in the Big 12. Texas Tech wins

Andrew: "The Pirate Bowl" should be a ton of fun. We've got a pair of Air Raid programs that will light up the scoreboards but can't play a lick of defense. Wazzu looked to be the better of the two last week, and considering the travel for Tech and the usual wackiness that comes with playing in Pullman, I'll take the Cougs. Washington State wins

SEC Games

3 Texas at 10 Michigan

Chase: I'll take the Longhorns in Ann Arbor. Texas wins

Reed: Michigan lost a lot of talent off of last year’s team, and their week 1 showing
proved that. Texas will come in with a “chip on their shoulder,” and I think Texas wins this by at least two touchdowns. Texas wins

Andrew: I've gone from thinking Texas rolls to now believing this will be close. The Michigan defense is still elite. But some level of scoring is needed to win, and the Horns have a huge edge there. Texas wins

Arkansas at 16 Oklahoma State

Chase: Oklahoma State will handle business here. Oklahoma State wins

Reed: The Cowboys have the best running back in college football, and Gordan will look to make a statement in this game. Arkansas did look impressive in week 1, but that was against Arkansas Pine-Bluff and I think Oklahoma State wins this easily. Oklahoma State wins

Andrew: Domination of Arkansas Pine-Bluff isn't changing my opinion of the Hogs. Oklahoma State is the far better team, and Stillwater is a tough place to play. Oklahoma State wins

Cal at Auburn

Chase: Auburn wins at home. Auburn wins

Reed: In one of the most unaesthetically pleasing games last season, Auburn escaped with a 14-10 win. This Auburn team looks to be improved, but so is Cal. However, I believe the Jordan-Hare crowd gets to the Golden Bears early. Auburn will look to ride the home field atmosphere into a crucial early-season win. Auburn wins

Andrew: I think Cal could be a surprise team in the ACC, but Auburn looks way better on offense with their additions at WR. And Jordan-Hare's home field advantage will be too much for the Bears. Auburn wins

South Carolina at Kentucky

Chase: Wildcats over Gamecocks. Kentucky wins

Reed: After last week’s showing versus Old Dominion, I do not see South Carolina putting up much of a fight against the Wildcats, who boast one of the best defensive lines in the SEC. Kentucky wins

Andrew: South Carolina is awful while Kentucky looks solid. There's no reason to pick the Gamecocks unless you think their current two-game win streak in this series matters. I don't. Kentucky wins

14 Tennessee vs 24 NC State in Charlotte

Chase: The Vols will take this one. Tennessee wins

Reed: NC State struggled late in the game versus West Carolina which was telling, and I think Tennessee has too much offensive fire power for the Wolfpack to keep up with. Tennessee wins

Andrew: Even ignoring Week 1 weirdness vs WCU, Dave Doeren, despite all his success in Raleigh, has struggled with out of conference power conference opponents. The Pack just don't ever seem up for those games. And I'm not sure their defense is quite ready for what they're facing from the Vols. Tennessee wins

Mississippi State Bulldogs vs Arizona State Predictions

Chase: The Bulldogs get the win in the desert. Mississippi State wins 28-21

Reed: I think the Bulldogs win this one. Arizona State is much improved from last season, but I believe State will win the key battle up front with their offensive line protecting a veteran QB in Blake Shapen. Mississippi State wins 41-30

Andrew: I've come really close to flipping my preseason prediction after Week 1. I just get a weird feeling this game could go poorly for State. But I'll stick to my guns for now and trust Blake Shapen to outduel Sam Leavitt in a shootout. Mississippi State wins 37-35