The first week of the 2024 college football season is in the books but there is still a long road ahead. What makes this upcoming slate even better are some of the matchups we get this weekend. Before it all kicks off, we’ve got Week 2 college football predictions for some national and regional games on Saturday.
Related: Week 2 college football schedule
Let’s dive into our Week 2 college football predictions, including a few big matchups with an additional spotlight on the UCLA Bruins and USC Trojans.
No. 4 Texas Longhorns vs No. 2 Michigan Wolverines
There’s no better matchup in Week 2 than the Texas Longhorns vs Michigan Wolverines. Two College Football Playoff teams from last season, the Longhorns return with arguably a stronger roster than last season. On the other side, Michigan’s defense is phenomenal but there are plenty of questions surrounding this Wolverines offense.
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Playing at Michigan Stadium certainly gives the Wolverines an edge and this is one of the few teams in the country with the talent in the secondary to match up with the Longhorns’ receiving corps. With that said, Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s blitz-heavy scheme is one a quarterback like Quinn Ewers, who has one of the sharpest minds at his position, can exploit. The Longhorns offense probably only needs to put up around 24-27 points in this one to win, given Michigan’s quarterback issues.
- Prediction: Texas Longhorns 24, Michigan Wolverines 20
Iowa State Cyclones vs No. 25 Iowa Hawkeyes
It’s the battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy, a series that the Iowa Hawkeyes have historically dominated (47-23). There’s been a bit more back-and-forth over the years, with the Iowa State Cyclones taking home the Cy-Hawk Trophy four times since 2011.
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One thing we’ll include in our Week 2 college football predictions, this rivalry game will be higher scoring than usual. The two programs combined for 50 total points in their last two meetings. This year, the Hawkeyes’ offense looks much improved under a new play-caller and while Cade McNamara isn’t one of the best quarterbacks in college football, he’s good enough. The Hawkeyes are only a 2.5-point favorite here, but we’re confident this will be the matchup that gets the nation to realize Iowa can finally score some points consistently.
- Prediction: Iowa Hawkeyes 27, Iowa State Cyclones 17
No. 15 Tennessee Volunteers vs No. 24 NC State Wolfpack
The Tennessee Volunteers are a 7.5-point favorite on the road against NC State on Saturday, it might not be enough. In Week 1, the Wolfpack got off to a sluggish start. Against Western Carolina, NC State trailed 21-17 entering the fourth quarter before rallying for a 38-21 win.
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IF NC State’s defense is going to allow 241 passing yards and 2 touchdowns to an FCS program, things could get ugly against Nico Iamaleava. While we’re not ready to proclaim the Tennessee Volunteers star is the most talented quarterback in college football, he is up there. The Wolfpack doesn’t have the talent or speed to necessarily keep pace with the Vols’ quick offense. An even bigger concern for NC State, after struggling in the trenches against Western Carolina, a Tennessee front featuring James Pearce Jr.
- Prediction: Tennessee Volunteers 34, NC State Wolfpack 24
Utah State Aggies vs No. 13 USC Trojans
It’s rare for season-defining wins to come early in the year but that’s exactly what the USC Trojans accomplished in Week 1. It would’ve been one thing if Lincoln Riley and Miller Moss beat the LSU Tigers at the Coliseum. Even more impressive is doing it in Las Vegas, with 70 percent of the crowd at Allegiant Stadium backing LSU.
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Utah State is 1-0 on the season, but that’s largely a byproduct of facing Robert Morris. Of concern for the Aggies is their two quarterbacks throwing 3 interceptions in the season opener, though, Bryson Barnes did lead the team in rushing (88 yards, 1 touchdown). After allowing 6.1 yards per carry to John Emery Jr last week, the key for USC will just be containing Utah State’s rushing trio of Barnes, Robert Briggs Jr and Rahsul Faison.
It’s a test that D’Anton Lynn’s group should pass quite easily, winning the battles in the trenches and consistently creating penetration in the backfield. As for the Trojans’ offense, Moss has a shot at his second consecutive 300-yard game and that could lead to a 100-yard performance for Kyron Hudson. Our main question will be if the Trojans can jump out to a big enough lead, giving fans a chance to see Jayden Maiava in action late in the game.
- Prediction: USC Trojans 41, Utah State Aggies 13
Related: USC Trojans depth chart