Frogs O’ War Staff Picks: College Football Week 2

Week Two is a bit of a come down from the high of the elite first week of the college football season. While the national stage does not feature the big time ranked matchups, the Big 12 delivers the biggest games of the weekend: Rivalries revived, trophies on the line, and conference title contenders battle it out while much of the rest of college football cedes the weekend to the start of NFL season.

Big 12

Iowa State Cyclones vs. Iowa Hawkeyes – Sat. Sept. 6, 11:00 AM, FOX

Anthony: ISU has won two of the last three El Assico showdowns, but hasn’t won in Ames since 2011. Even as ISU has looked impressive to open the season while the Hawkeyes offense was lifeless in a win over FCS Albany last week, Iowa finds enough to take it.
Austin: Okay, okay, Iowa State has played twice the games Iowa has, but Rocco Becht has 10 times the number of passing yards as the Hawkeyes. The Cyclones win by a score.
Caleb: Iowa seems to be the measuring stick for how good Iowa State’s season will be in a given year and we’ve already seen Iowa State come out to a hot start this season. I think Iowa State’s defensive line has proven to be in good enough shape to slow the run, which is all Iowa really has, so I’ll take the Cyclones at home.
Drew: Iowa State has looked excellent through the first two weeks this season with Rocco Becht not missing a beat despite losing his two top receivers to the draft this offseason. This game is close almost every year but I have the Cyclones winning this one at home.
Russ: I really like what I’ve seen from Rocco Becht so far. Cyclones get the win.

Baylor Bears at SMU Mustangs –

Sat. Sept. 6, 11:00 AM, CW Network

Anthony: Rooting for Bane to treat Gerald J. Ford Stadium like it is Heinz Field. But in the case that someone here has to win give me Rhett Lashlee to win the chess match over Dave Aranda. Ponies win in Dallas and Kevin Jennings gets his mojo back.
Austin: Baylor wins a high-scoring affair behind another superb game from Sawyer Robertson.
Caleb: Ah yes, the little brother bowl. I wasn’t impressed with Baylor in the trenches against Auburn and nonplussed by SMU’s skill positions outside of Romello Brinson against East Texas A&M so I envision them both to be on equal footing. SMU was undefeated at home last year so I predict they hold serve against Baylor.
Drew: Expect plenty of fireworks in this game as Baylor looked excellent on offense and very porous on defense against Auburn. Jackson Arnold was able to torch Baylor on the ground in Waco and Kevin Jennings will present a similar problem for the Bears with his legs. However, I have Baylor winning this one with the defense making a few adjustments to stop the QB run and Sawyer Robertson outpaces SMU’s offense.
Russ: Can I choose neither team? Kidding, I’ll pick the Bears to bounce back against the Mustangs.

Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Kent State Golden Flashes – Sat. Sept. 6, 11:00 AM, TNT/HBO

Anthony: Just a pitiful excuse for a non-conference schedule from the tortilla tossers. TTU wins vs. the worst FBS team.
Austin: The Red Raiders decimate the Golden Flashes and score 60-plus once again… if Behren Morton plays.
Caleb: Cody Campbell get’s another big win to pitch to the donors how investing millions of dollars into NIL really works.
Drew: Texas Tech had no trouble taking down an inferior opponent last week and that will continue with an easy win over Kent State.
Russ: Even if Behren Morton doesn’t play, I’ll take the Red Raiders to roll here.

Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Oregon Ducks – Sat. Sept. 6, 2:30 PM, CBS

Anthony: Really bummed for Hejny that he’s injured and doesn’t get the chance to play in this one; think he could’ve sparked something for the Pokes in Eugene, and perhaps Zane Flores is able to, but Ducks roll with ease. Oregon may even pour it on after Mike Gundy poked the Nike bear this week.
Austin: Oregon wins handily. TCU transfer Hauss Hejny looked the part before going down with an injury, which appears to be a tougher blow than expected for Oklahoma State.
Caleb: Oregon looked like a very complete team in week 1, high end talent and experience meshed well and Dante Moore was in control of that offense. Oklahoma State has the second best twitter presence in the Big 12 (in my opinion) so I’m pulling for the Zane Train while Hejny heals up, but Oregon provides too tall of a task for the Pokes.
Drew: As fun as it would be to watch Oklahoma State pull off the upset, Oregon is the more talented team and the Cowboys will be without Hauss Hejny for the next few weeks due to an injury. I have the Ducks by a significant margin here.
Russ: It’s so unfortunate that former Frog Hauss Hejny suffered an injury last week. Oregon dominates here.

Kansas Jayhawks at Missouri Tigers – Sat. Sept. 6, 2:30 PM, ESPN2

Anthony: Real risk of a disaster week for the Big 12 with TCU on a bye week. Jalon Daniels outduels Beau Pribula and keeps KU in striking distance, but falls just short. MIZ.
Austin: Kansas comes away with the upset. Perhaps this is finally the year Jalon Daniels and the Jayhawks are to be taken seriously, and it’ll start with a huge win against the Tigers.
Caleb: Kansas has looked solid in their first two cupcake games and I do predict a bounce back from their 5-7 finish in 2024, but Eli Drinkwitz has built a solid program in CoMo. This will be a good first test for each team but I think Mizzou wins this at home.
Drew: I really like what I have seen from Jalon Daniels through the first two games as he appears to have bounced back from a rough 2024 with improved accuracy and decision making. I expect Lance Leipold to be fully in his bag for this rivalry game, but I can’t see the Jayhawks winning this on the road. I’ll take Missouri here.
Russ: This will be an upset pick of the week for me. Kansas has been impressive so far and a win over an SEC program would bode well for the Big 12.

Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Bowling Green Falcons – Sat. Sept. 6, 2:30 PM, ESPN+

Anthony: A sneaky in-state rivalry that could get nastier than the Bearcats would like, but Cincy does enough to earn the win.
Austin: The Bearcats cover the 23.5 spread and drop 50-plus on the Green Falcons.
Caleb: Cincy out a lot of fixable mistakes on film against Nebraska and probably feel like they were a few bounces from winning. I expect them to come out angry and drop the hammer on Bowling Green.
Drew: Cincinnati bounces back from a disappointing week one loss with a blowout win here.
Russ: Bearcats pick up their first win of the season.

Colorado Buffaloes vs. Delaware Blue Hens – Sat. Sept. 6, 2:30 PM, FOX

Anthony: Both QBs play for the Buffs, each leading multiple TD drives as Coach Prime gets his first win with Travis Hunter on his roster.
Austin: The Buffaloes win by a landslide, and Julian Lewis has Coach Prime rethinking his quarterback rotation.
Caleb: Delaware was the first state to ratify the US Constitution in 1787 but I have no living memory of watching their college football team play. I agree with Austin, Colorado rolls into an accidental QB controversy after Juju slings it in trash time. Buffs by a wide margin.
Drew: Colorado by 30+ points.
Russ: Easy win for the Buffaloes.

West Virginia Mountaineers at Ohio Bobcats – Sat. Sept. 6, 3:00 PM, ESPNU

Anthony: I see Rich Rod’s squad actually going on the road and putting a massive beatdown on the Bobcats. It will fly under the radar and not get the respect it deserves, but it’ll be a sneak peek at what the ‘Eers will become by conference play.
Austin: The Mountaineers win against a better-than-advertised Ohio Bobcats squad.
Caleb: Western Virginia played with confidence in week 1 and I see that carrying into week 2. Former TCU recruiting target Nicco Marchiol commands the offense well and they roll over the Bobcats coming off of a close loss against Rutgers in week 1.
Drew: I think this game will be much closer than West Virginia fans want it to be. Ohio came close to pulling off the upset against Rutgers last week and this game is in Athens, Ohio. I still have West Virginia winning, but I expect it to be very close.
Russ: As Austin and Drew have indicated, Ohio will make this a game, but the Mountaineers will win.

Kansas State Wildcats vs. Army Black Knights – Sat. Sept. 6, 6:00 PM, ESPN

Anthony: What in the world is going on with the Wildcats? This will be a nice get-right spot after the tough loss in Ireland and the narrow escape in its FCS game. K-State rolls.
Austin: Wow, do I want to go with the Army? Unfortunately, I just can’t. Losing to FCS Tarleton State is a cardinal sin. Kansas State wins, and dare I say the Wildcats out-rush the Black Knights?
Caleb: Avery Johnson punches in a couple scores, in true family fashion, and Kansas State has their first comfortable victory of the season. 2-1 will feel hollow though, as the expected leaps & bounds Johnson was supposed to make as a passer this offseason are absent thus far. Shout out to Tarleton State for beating this Army team as well, marking a quick ascent from D2 to D1 in the past few years.
Drew: Kansas State barely escaped North Dakota last week and the triple option can cause issues for defenses but since Army lost to Tarleton State last week, I have Kansas State by multiple scores in this one.
Russ: Wildcats recover from a narrow escape of North Dakota to roll over the Black Knights.

Houston Cougars at Rice Owls – Sat. Sept. 6, 6:00 PM, ESPN+

Anthony: Don’t think Rice pulls off the shocking upset like in 2023. With former Owl star RB Dean Conners now across town with the Cougars, UH has a much better roster and gets the win.
Austin: Rice displayed some pretty sick uniforms, but regardless of how good the Owls will look on the field, it won’t help them defeat their in-city rival—the Cougars score 40-plus in a lopsided victory.
Caleb: I expect this game to be a solid battle for Harris County. Rice slugged out a win against the Ragin’ Cajuns in Week 1 and are turning things around under a first year coach. Houston’s defense looked stout in week 1 and that’ll be the ultimate difference maker. Weigman shines as the Cougars clear.
Drew: Connor Weigman looked comfortable in his first start for Willie Fritz and Houston last week and I have the Cougars winning this one on the road over Rice.
Russ: Houston keeps rolling with a lopsided win over Rice.

Arizona State Sun Devils at Mississippi State Bulldogs – Sat. Sept. 6, 6:30 PM, ESPN2

Anthony: A scary scary spot for the Big 12, Brett Yormark desperately needs this one. Your conference favorite cannot lose to the unquestioned worst team in the SEC. ASU is a legit contender and MSU is legit garbage, but I’m seeing a series of weird bounces going for the Bulldogs and State pulls off a major upset.
Austin: Is this Arizona State’s first legitimate road test post-College Football Playoff? Probably not. The Sun Devils win by double-digits.
Caleb: What a far fall from grace Mississippi State has had in recent years, I have a tough time finding 4 wins on their schedule. This isn’t one of them, Sam Leavitt & the Devils rebound from a sloppy performance against NAU to chain the dawgs up.
Drew: Mississippi State was one of the worst teams in college football last season and I do not have a lot of faith in Blake Shapen to keep up with Sam Leavitt and Jordyn Tyson. I’ll take Arizona State in this one.
Russ: Sun Devils give it to an SEC opponent on the road.

BYU Cougars vs. Stanford Cardinal – Sat. Sept. 6, 9:15 PM, ESPN

Anthony: Is Bear Bachmeier really THAT DUDE? Not sure this is enough of a challenge to find out this week, but he puts up another gaudy stat line to chop down the Tree. Cougars roll.
Austin: The Cougars pull it out. Stanford’s week one loss was abysmal, there’s no chance the Cardinal keep it close.
Caleb: Noted ACC stalwart Stanford will have their work cut out for them as they enjoy their shortest travel for a road game against the Brigham Battling Bachmeiers. I don’t foresee Bear having to make any tough throws to win this one, as the young QB gains confidence with another win under his belt.
Drew: Stanford did not look good in a week one loss to Hawaii and winning at night in Provo is a very tall task. I’ll take BYU in this one.
Russ: Stanford blew a lead in its loss against Hawaii. Cougars get the win here.

Top National Games

South Florida Bulls at Florida Gators – Sat. Sept. 6, 4:15 PM, SEC Network

Anthony: I’m not moved by USF’s win over a post-Jeanty Boise State. Gators romp.
Austin: Florida wins. The Bulls have earned some hype leading up to this matchup, and rightfully so. But DJ Lagway and the Gators are the better team.
Caleb: All the USF hype is manufactured to make them look like a solid win for Florida come CFP selection time. Same reason every SEC school is squeezed into the top 25. That said, Florida wins.
Drew: As impressive as USF’s week one win over Boise State was, I cannot see them overcoming the talent gap and knocking off Florida in the Swamp. I’ll take the Gators here.
Russ: Shout out to South Florida for winning me some money against Boise State. Alas, Florida wins here.

Michigan Wolverines at Oklahoma Sooners – Sat. Sept. 6, 7:30 PM, ABC

Anthony: Brent Venables vs. a freshman QB in Norman? C’mon man. Michigan pulled all kinds of gymnastics to avoid Sherrone Moore being suspended for this game thanks to his involvement with the rampant cheating in Ann Arbor over the last half decade, but the Wolverines get stomped by the Sooners nonetheless. Moneyline Mateer makes a statement
Austin: I’m rolling with the Sooners in this clash of the bounce-back squads. John Mateer is a revelation at quarterback for Oklahoma, whose quarterback play was subpar a season ago. The same can be said of Bryce Underwood at Michigan, but Mateer’s experience trump’s Underwoods.
Caleb: Underwood even making it to Michigan is a clear indicator to me that the Wolverines are trying to spend their way out of a post-Harbaugh spiral. OU, on the other hand, is getting right after a tough first year in the SEC where they got pushed around before landing the top transfer portal QB. He looked the part in week 1 and I’m willing to bet that he keeps it up, even against the stout Michigan defense. Boomer!
Drew: I am very excited for this game between two teams looking to bounce back from disappointing 2024 seasons. John Mateer brings some much needed explosiveness to the Oklahoma passing game and Brent Venables should have the defense playing well. On the other end, Bryce Underwood looked ready for the spotlight in his first start last week. I think the more experienced quarterback with homefield advantage takes this one and the Sooners take down the Wolverines.
Russ: I’m not sure how impressive either team was last week, but I’ll take the more experienced John Mateer and Oklahoma at home over the Wolverines.

Vanderbilt Commodores at Virginia Tech Hokies – Sat. Sept. 6, 7:30 PM, ACC Network

Anthony: Diego Pavia has been talking tough and the ‘Dores pulled some insane upsets last season, but as soon as Enter Sandman starts in Lane Stadium, that SEC swagger will evaporate. Hokies win.
Austin: I like Vanderbilt in this affair. The Commodores aren’t a bad team, they just unluckily reside in the SEC. Vanderbilt wins a close one on the road before taking on South Carolina a week from today.
Caleb: You’re going to have to wrestle Diego Pavia’s eligibility from his cold, dead hands as he’s back with a vengeance to run roughshod through the SEC. Virginia Tech is just in the way of that this week as they drop their second straight in non-conference play.
Drew: This should be a fun game between two experienced quarterbacks in Kyron Drones and Diego Pavia. While the Hokies were closer to upsetting South Carolina than the final score would indicate, I still have Vanderbilt picking up a solid road win in this one.
Russ: Diego Pavia has a nice game and the Commodores win on the road.