My official Week 2 thread

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Okay, we've seen most of the big teams play for the first time in 2014, and already people are panicking going "OHHHH, OUR SEASON'S OVER ALREADY! or " YEAH!! THIS ONE GAME WE WON PROVES WE'RE WINNING IT ALL!!"

So now that the juices are flowing, let's start looking at Week 2... and hope that we'll all be more level-headed.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Top 10 games of Week 2

In terms of important games, this week's definitely has a lower number of them. The good news is that now we're starting to learn about these teams... and we'll learn a lot more about a few of them come this Sunday (At least until you're in the middle of gouging yourself on wings at your first NFL party of the year). So, without further adieu...

It's the Top 10 Games of College Football 2014 Week 2!​

(All times are Eastern)
10. Arizona @ UTSA [8:00 tonight, FOX Sports 1] (Beating out such highly-anticipated games as Oklahoma @ Tulsa and Missouri @ Toledo is this game in San Antonio. The reason? The Roadrunners actually has a chance to beat their big-league opponent; Arizona still has questions to answer, and UTSA has a lot of seasoned kids ready to go).

9. East Carolina @ South Carolina [7:00, ESPN U] (Look. After what happened against Texas A&M, we all know South Carolina is gonna whip the Pirates all the way back to Greenville. But here's the interesting part: How bad will the beatdown be? The fans in Columbia are hoping it's bad, 'cause Georgia is right after this and they're hoping that their defense isn't as bad as it looked 7 days ago).

8. Western Kentucky @ Illinois [12:00, Big 10 Network] (My pick for "sleeper game of the week". The Hilltoppers will shoot for a repeat of last week's performance, while the Illini must defend the shield of the Big 10. No need to put more pressure on the Spartans later on, right Illinois?)

7. Pittsburgh @ Boston College [7:00 Friday, ESPN] (This may be ugly as hell, but both Pitt and BC will relish an early head-start in the ACC. Oh, and a reminder to Pittsburgh: Boston College is a better team than Delaware. Just wanted to let you know).

6. Colorado State @ Boise State [10:15, ESPN2] (This game in Boise squeezes out the epic match between New Mexico St. and Georgia State for my pick for "Best Mid-major game of the week". And I do see why: The Broncos need to reassert themselves after letting the Ole Miss game in Atlanta slip away, while the Rams will look to continue their happy times they started after an always-big win over the Buffaloes).

5. Virginia Tech @ Ohio St. [8:00, ESPN] (Ah, this is more like it! It's time to learn what the Buckeyes REALLY can do without Braxton Miller. As for the Hokies, can they reenter the national stage with a signature win in the Horseshoe? Let's find out!)

4. BYU @ Texas [7:30, FOX Sports 1] (In terms of overall talent, Texas has the advantage. Every other advantage goes to BYU: QB [David Ash is out for Texas, momentum [BYU beat Texas last year], and quietness [Charlie Strong just suspended 2 of his defensive players]. Either way, someone's season will get ruined in Austin).

3. Michigan @ Notre Dame [7:30, NBC] (For the final time in the foreseeable future, the Wolverines and Fighting Irish will face off for land and recruits in the Midwest. And the names are there: Brady Hoke vs. Brian Kelly, Devin Gardner vs. Everett Golson, and 2 defenses that needs to be tested. So yeah, I think the pressure's on for both teams).

2. USC @ Stanford [3:30, ABC] (Like the 3 games above this one, I've been waiting for this showdown to occur. Stanford's been masters of the Trojans in recent years, but their national title hopes went splat thanks to USC last year. As for USC, they're under pressure already from the fans mainly because they won't be able to run over 100 plays like they did last week against Fresno. It'll be up to Cody Kessler to stop Kevin Hogan and start the climb back up for Southern Cal... or else Stanford's on it's way to California supremacy again).

And finally, at 6:30 on FOX...

The NCAA proudly presents... Our Main Event!

Two green-hued teams... One looking to conquer the West Coast and defend the supreme honor of the Big 10... The other, a fast team looking for the win to bolt them back to serious contention. The strong-armed game manager Connor Cook and his unbreakable defense... verses the flashy Marcus Mariota and the running backs from hell.

One team will leave with their heads held high... while the other will suffer a defeat so devastating it might... and in Michigan State's case would... end their playoff hopes.
​

Ahem... Now for my picks for "Best mid-major game" and "Most potential Bust of the week".

Mid major game of the week: Colorado State @ Boise State (See above).
Game with the best chance to be a bust: Ball State @ Iowa (After Iowa got pushed by Northern Iowa [again], Ball State thinks they have a chance to take Iowa out. *Holds back laughter* Okay Ball State, but when Iowa whips your butt, don't come crying to me).

And that's it from me! Well, almost. Next will come my Top 25 picks.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Week 2 predictions

Excluding the FBS vs. FCS games, here are my picks for the Week 2 games including Top 25 teams.

Florida Atlantic 3 @ (2) Alabama 40
(7) Michigan State 28 @ (3) Oregon 35
(4) Oklahoma 45 @ Tulsa 11
San Jose State 10 @ (5) Auburn 49
Virginia Tech 19 @ (8) Ohio State 27
Memphis 7 @ (11) UCLA 46
(14) USC 24 @ (13) Stanford 27
(15) Ole Miss 30 vs. Vanderbilt 12
Michigan 28 @ (16) Notre Dame 22
(17) Arizona State 51 @ New Mexico 10
(20) Kansas State 25 @ Iowa State 6
East Carolina 22 @ (t-21) South Carolina 42
San Diego State 15 @ (t-21) North Carolina 33
(24) Missouri 34 @ Toledo 16

I'll return later with more posts, but for now I leave this thread to you guys...

 

[rmilia1]

My upset pick for the week is Toledo over Mizzou. Rockets are solid and Mizzou looked sketchy against SDSU, Going to Toledo is never fun

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Pitt vs. Boston College

Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Boston College Eagles - Recap - September 05, 2014 - ESPN

Huh... Maybe the Panthers actually have something this year.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Wash. State vs. Nevada

Washington State Cougars vs. Nevada Wolf Pack - Recap - September 05, 2014 - ESPN

for the Wolfpack. HUGE win for them over Washington State! As for the Cougars... well, it depends on what they do over the next 2 weeks, but right now it doesn't look good.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Kansas State vs. Iowa State

Kansas State Wildcats vs. Iowa State Cyclones - Recap - September 06, 2014 - ESPN

I told you guys that Iowa State wouldn't stink until late in the season! And it showed in this very fun game. But Kansas State's comeback win was the best-case scenario for everyone, 'cause now we can hype up Auburn's trip to "The Little Apple" to the moon (Game's on 9/18).

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Nebraska survives

McNeese State Cowboys vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers - Recap - September 06, 2014 - ESPN

Okay, I expected Purdue to have issues in 2014. But Nebraska got scared before the Miami game? Now all the Big 10 fans are hoping that the Spartans and Buckeyes come through for them later tonight.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Western Kentucky vs. Illinois

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini - Recap - September 06, 2014 - ESPN

I TOTALLY nailed this game being great! The Illini (and Maryland and Iowa to a lesser extent) came through in the clutch to help the Big 10 as much as they could. Now let me check on Washington real quick...

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

East Washington vs. Washington

Eastern Washington Eagles vs. Washington Huskies - Recap - September 06, 2014 - ESPN

We have a leader in the clubhouse for "Best Game of Week 2" as the Huskies survive a war with the FCS Eagles from Cheney.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Northern Illinois vs. Northwestern

Northern Illinois Huskies vs. Northwestern Wildcats - Box Score - September 06, 2014 - ESPN

HUGE road win for the kingpins of the MAC. This combined with Central Michigan's triumph means I now can't wait for their game together on October 11th.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Eastern Kentucky

Eastern Kentucky Colonels vs. Miami (OH) RedHawks - Box Score - September 06, 2014 - ESPN

Hey College Gameday guys: If you're wondering why the FCS teams keep taking these "beatdown" games, THIS is why. Okay? This is why.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Navy vs. Temple

Navy Midshipmen vs. Temple Owls - Recap - September 06, 2014 - ESPN

I KNEW I forgot something on Thursday! I forgot THIS game between a Temple team that crushed Vandy and a Navy team that scared Ohio State. Needless to say, it delivered.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

New Mexico State vs. Georgia State

New Mexico State Aggies vs. Georgia State Panthers - Recap - September 06, 2014 - ESPN

Best under-the-radar game of the week by far. And a great finish, to boot.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

USC vs. Stanford

USC Trojans vs. Stanford Cardinal - Recap - September 06, 2014 - ESPN

It's ironic, isn't it friends? The most important game of the week so far turns out to be the ugliest. For Southern California, expect EVERYBODY to declare them back to an elite level. In my opinion, USC's win is indeed huge for them (first win in Stanford since 2008), but we'll see what happens in 3 weeks when they play Oregon State.

As for Stanford, Kevin Hogan ran out of luck (no pun intended) as his running game went "ZZZZZZZ" at the worse possible moment. Stanford also returns to conference play in 3 weeks, but now they'll be fighting for survival against Washington.

 

[mutiger]

My upset pick for the week is Toledo over Mizzou. Rockets are solid and Mizzou looked sketchy against SDSU, Going to Toledo is never fun

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Michigan State vs. Oregon

Michigan State Spartans vs. Oregon Ducks - Recap - September 06, 2014 - ESPN

And now it's time for me to talk about the Big 10 trifecta of shame. First, this main event match-up between the Spartans and Ducks. For the Spartans, they were good for 3 quarters and I now think they can take the conference. They just have to finish, as Oregon's conditioning was too much in the end.

As for Oregon, well done for not just Mariota, but coach Helfrich. If Helfrich wanted to be taken seriously as a coach, he's on his way thanks to this: Oregon got challenged, and didn't fold. Now let's see if the Ducks can keep it up in PAC-12 play.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Virginia Tech vs. Ohio State

Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Ohio State Buckeyes - Recap - September 06, 2014 - ESPN

For this game, I actually think it's less about bad Ohio State and about a good Virginia Tech team. Look, we knew Ohio State was hobbled, but what a good job the Hokies did! This is their highest-ranked opponent they've ever beaten, and now I'm feeling a lot better about picking the Hokies in the ACC... and about me bailing on the Buckeyes.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Michigan vs. Notre Dame

Michigan Wolverines vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Recap - September 06, 2014 - ESPN

I'm willing to give Michigan State and Ohio State the benefit of a doubt (one was playing Oregon, and the other is still figuring out what to do without Braxton Miller). But THIS is where the Big 10 must draw the line. This was Michigan's last shot at Notre Dame... and they get shut out (First time since the 80's)?! And they looked bad while doing it?

Well, now we know why everyone is so down on the Big 10. Ann Arbor, you guys have a historic program and it shouldn't be like what we saw last night. And Brady Hoke, either step it up, or go home and let someone else steer the program.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Memphis vs. UCLA

Memphis Tigers vs. UCLA Bruins - Recap - September 06, 2014 - ESPN

Come on, UCLA! You're making me look bad for picking you to make the playoff. Do you know what's next up for you guys? The Texas Longhorns... in Arlington! These guys are bad news! They're mean, vicious...