MC&J: Ohio State hits the road for a clash with Texas in college football’s Week 2 slate

Last week was about as good of a start to the season as we could have asked for.

About the only things that are sticking with me is trusting Rutgers as a 30-point favorite over UMass last Thursday, along with seeing Ohio State cover late. Had the Buckeyes not scored that final touchdown, I would have been on the mark when it comes to my Buckeye score prediction.

Now to hope this week brings us similar success.

At least now we have a little bit to go on after seeing each team at least once. While I’m not going to say things are going to get easier going forward, at least it wouldn’t be quite as much of a guessing game as it usually is in the first week.

Arizona State v. No. 10 Texas A&M (-14.5) – Saturday 9/12 12:00 p.m. ET – ABC

Both the Sun Devils and Aggies played cupcakes in their season openers, beating Morgan State and Missouri State by a combined score of 120-7. Kentucky transfer Cutter Boley was outstanding in his first start at quarterback for Arizona State, tossing six touchdowns.

The Sun Devils had three receivers go for over 100 yards in the blowout, but the difficult level will obviously be turned up on Saturday when they head to Kyle Field.

Texas A&M had a tough time getting things going in the first half, only leading Missouri State 19-0 before looking better in the second half. Back for another season in College Station are quarterback Marcel Reed, running back Rueben Owens II, and receiver Mario Craver. The offense also brought in Alabama transfer Isaiah Horton, who went for 76 yards and a score on his four catches.

Even though Texas A&M has designs on returning to the College Football Playoff for a second straight season, I think they get pushed by the Sun Devils. While I don’t see Arizona State springing the upset on the road, I do think they keep the final score within two touchdowns.

Texas A&M 28, Arizona State 17

No. 12 Alabama (-10.5) v. Kentucky – Saturday 9/12 3:30 p.m. ET – ABC

A 48-10 win over East Carolina doesn’t fix everything in Tuscaloosa. New starting quarterback Keelon Russell impressed in his debut, totaling 340 yards against the Pirates. What is concerning about the Crimson Tide is the inconsistency of wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams.

Following a solid freshman season, Coleman-Williams regressed last year, and to start this year he ditched the gloves and dropped a couple passes. It’ll be tough to trust Coleman-Williams throughout the season because obviously the drops are in his head.

Kentucky had little trouble with Youngstown State in Will Stein’s first game as head coach, beating the Penguins 45-13 in Lexington. Notre Dame transfer quarterback Kenny Minchey threw four touchdowns in the victory, cementing himself as starting quarterback of the Wildcats.

Kentucky has made life difficult for a lot of SEC foes who have traveled to Lexington over the last few years and it’s likely they do the same to Alabama on Saturday.

Alabama 27, Kentucky 24

Arizona v. No. 15 BYU (-7.5) – Saturday 9/12 3:30 p.m. ET – FOX

Arizona has the look of being a difficult out in the Big 12 this year. The Wildcats have an experienced starting quarterback in Noah Fifita, who threw for 279 yards and two scores in a 35-7 win over Northern Arizona.

The Lumberjacks could get nothing going on the ground against Arizona, totaling -7 yards rushing. BYU could be in a lot of trouble if the Wildcats can replicate the five sacks they recorded in their season opener.

Unfortunately for Arizona, BYU has quarterback Bear Bachmeier and running back L.J. Martin returning in the backfield from a team who only lost two games last season, both to Texas Tech. As if the Cougars weren’t scary enough on offense, true freshman Legend Glasker caught three touchdowns in his BYU debut last week.

Despite Arizona having the talent to keep pace with the Cougars, the home-field advantage in Provo will allow BYU to win by more than a touchdown.

BYU 31, Arizona 21

No. 11 Oklahoma (-5.5) v. Michigan – Saturday 9/12 12:00 p.m. ET – FOX

Michigan’s first game under Kyle Whittingham was an all-around embarrassment. The Wolverines should have lost to Western Michigan but were gifted an extra second and then somehow Bryce Underwood hit a hail mary to beat the Broncos.

As if winning in that fashion wasn’t embarrassing enough, then fans stormed the field. Imagine Ohio State fans doing the same after barely squeaking by a team like Bowling Green.

A huge reason why Michigan struggled on Saturday night was because of the play of Bryce Underwood. The quarterback was just 12-22 for 170 yards, a touchdown, and a interception. That isn’t the type of performance from someone getting as big of a bag as Underwood is. The Wolverines also couldn’t get much going on the ground, rushing for just 106 yards.

Unlike Michigan, Oklahoma handled their business in their opener against UTEP, defeating the Miners 51-0. John Mateer picked up where he left off last season, throwing for 225 yards and three scores. The Sooners also forced two turnovers and returned a punt for a touchdown.

Michigan will likely look better than they did last week, but they aren’t at the level of Oklahoma.

Oklahoma 27, Michigan 17

Iowa State v. No. 21 Iowa (-13.5) – Saturday 9/12 7:30 p.m. ET – NBC

This year’s edition of El Assico will have a different look, as Iowa State has turned to Jimmy Rogers after Matt Campbell left Ames to take the Penn State job. Rogers has a tough task this season since less than 50 percent of the team’s production from last year’s team is back.

Arkansas State transfer Jaylen Raynor started for the Cyclones last week, but completed just 50 percent of his passes.

Iowa has a new quarterback. Hank Brown was 12-20 for 129 yards and a touchdown. Not exactly massive numbers but they look a lot better when considering the Hawkeyes ran for 289 yards in the 40-0 win over Northern Illinois. We have become accustomed to Iowa finding success despite inconsistent quarterback play since they are usually strong on defense and special teams.

Nearly two touchdowns might seem like a lot to lay in this one but not only are the Hawkeyes at home, they are definitely the more complete team entering this game. Iowa takes care of their in-state rivals under the lights at Kinnick.

Iowa 33, Iowa State 13

No. 1 Ohio State v. No. 4 Texas (-1.5) – Saturday 9/12 7:30 p.m. ET – ABC

How often do we get Ohio State as an underdog? You could probably could count on your fingers how many times the Buckeyes haven’t been the favorite over the last decade.

Over the last two seasons Ohio State has won both meetings with the Longhorns, beating Texas in the Cotton Bowl in January 2025, followed by a 14-7 win in Columbus in last season’s opener. Now Ohio State will try and complete the trifecta by beating the Longhorns three straight times at three different venues.

The Buckeyes looked great in their season opener against Ball State. Julian Sayin was nearly perfect throwing the football, Jeremiah Smith found the end zone twice, and Legend Bey looked like the next coming of Reggie Bush. Despite losing three first round picks from last year’s squad, the defense was again dominant, holding the Cardinals to just three points and under 200 yards.

Unlike last season when a lot was unknown about Arch Manning heading into the Ohio State game after he took over as full-time starter at quarterback, Manning completed 74 percent of his passes for 305 yards and four touchdowns against Texas State.

Manning has plenty of weapons to work with in NC State transfer running back Hollywood Smothers, along with receivers Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman. Then there is defensive star Colin Simmons, who likely has learned his lesson when it comes to making bulletin board statements prior to the clash with the Buckeyes.

In the end it is going to come down to coaching. Ryan Day just has Steve Sarkisian’s number. Even though Ohio State will be heading to Austin on Saturday night, it’s not like the Buckeyes aren’t familiar with taking on the Longhorns in tough environments since they already played the Texas in Dallas less than two years ago.

This has the makings of another tight game, but Ohio State finds a way to make it a hat trick against the Longhorns.

Ohio State 31, Texas 24

No. 23 Missouri (-4.5) v. Kansas – Friday 9/11 8:00 p.m. ET – FOX

Missouri 34, Kansas 24

Memphis v. Boise State (-8.5) – Saturday 9/12 6:00 p.m. ET – USA Network

Boise State 31, Memphis 20

No. 18 Tennessee (-12.5) v. Georgia Tech – Saturday 9/12 7:00 p.m. ET – ESPN

Tennessee 31, Georgia Tech 23

Arkansas v. No. 20 Utah (-12.5) – Saturday 9/12 10:15 p.m. ET – ESPN

Utah 41, Arkansas 21

Rutgers v. Boston College (-3.5) – Friday 9/11 7:30 p.m. ET – ESPN2

Rutgers 31, Boston College 27

No. 6 Oregon (-22.5) v. Oklahoma State – Saturday 9/12 12:00 p.m. ET – ESPN

Oregon 42, Oklahoma State 13

Howard v. No. 5 Indiana (-55.5) – Saturday 9/12 12:00 p.m. ET – Big Ten Network

Indiana 66, Howard 7

No. 16 Penn State (-23.5) v. Temple – Saturday 9/12 12:00 p.m. ET – ESPN2

Penn State 42, Temple 10

Wake Forest (-2.5) v. Purdue – Saturday 9/12 12:00 p.m. ET – FS1

Purdue 28, Wake Forest 24

Utah State v. No. 19 Washington (-27.5) – Saturday 9/12 3:30 p.m. ET – Big Ten Network

Washington 44, Utah State 14

Mississippi State v. Minnesota (-.5) – Saturday 9/12 3:30 p.m. ET – CBS

Minnesota 30, Mississippi State 20

Duke v. Illinois (-5.5) – Saturday 9/12 3:30 p.m. ET – FS1

Illinois 33, Duke 24

Eastern Michigan v. Michigan State (-17.5) – Saturday 9/12 3:30 p.m. ET – Big Ten Network

Michigan State 38, Eastern Michigan 14

Maryland (-12.5) v. UConn – Saturday 9/12 3:30 p.m. ET – CBS Sports Network

Maryland 35, UConn 31

Bowling Green v. Nebraska (-28.5) – Saturday 9/12 7:00 p.m. ET – FS1

Nebraska 48, Bowling Green 13

San Diego State v. UCLA (-12.5) – Saturday 9/12 7:15 p.m. ET – Big Ten Network

UCLA 34, San Diego State 17

Western Illinois v. Wisconsin (-37.5) – Saturday 9/12 7:15 p.m. ET – Big Ten Network

Wisconsin 49, Western Illinois 10

Louisiana v. No. 14 USC (-30.5) – Saturday 9/12 11:00 p.m. ET – Big Ten Network

USC 48, Louisiana 14

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