2014 Week 2 CFB Game Picks
There were some great Week 1 games last weekend. Alas, Week 2 has several teams expected to finish in or near the College Football Playoff dining on cupcakes this weekend (eat up, Alabama; cupcakes are good for you). That being said, there are a couple of tasty matchups on the west coast, in Eugene, OR, and in Palo Alto, CA, in particular. LWOS got off to a decent start last week also, despite whiffing on the Thursday night clash in Columbia, SC. We’ll keep track of the previous week and season records, so you don’t have to.
Last Week: 8-2 (.800)
Season: 8-2 (.800)
Week 2 is almost ready to kick-off. Let’s get to it (all times Eastern).
Michigan State @ Oregon (Saturday, September 6th, 6:30 p.m., Fox)
This is the weekend’s marquee game, with huge College Football Playoff implications. Once again, a B1G team has a chance to uphold the once-proud conference’s honor. Once again, that team will fall short. Give me the Quack Attack at (very) loud Autzen Stadium.
Pick: Oregon 38, Michigan State 25
USC @ Stanford (Saturday, September 6th, 3:30 p.m., ABC)
A traditional California school rivalry game in a series that has gotten more chippy in recent years. The coaches claim to get along just fine, thank you very much. Yeah, right. Stanford quarterback Hogan plays well at home. In fact, he’s never lost a start at Stanford Stadium. His streak stands. Expect a big game from the new starter at free safety, Zach Hoffpauir.
Pick: Stanford 28, USC 20
Kansas State @ Iowa State (Saturday, September 6th, 12:00 p.m., ESPN)
So, do we believe that K-State is at least as good as FCS power North Dakota State? Yes. Yes, we do.
Pick: Kansas State 45, Iowa State 20
Missouri @ Toledo (Saturday, September 6th, 12:00 p.m., FOXS1)
This feels like a trap game for Mizzou. The MAC has been known to surprise a power conference team early in the season from time to time. Don’t see it happening here, though.
Pick: Missouri 31, Toledo 14
Michigan @ Notre Dame (Saturday, September 6th, 7:30 p.m. NBC)
These two teams will not meet in this traditional rivalry game for the foreseeable future due to Notre Dame’s agreement with the ACC. That is a shame. Big test this Saturday for both teams. I trust the team playing at home more.
Pick: Notre Dame 24, Michigan 14
Mississippi @ Vanderbilt (Saturday, September 6th, 4:30 p.m., ESPN)
The Derek Mason era could not have gotten off to a worse start. I cannot believe that the Dores will stay that bad, but don’t believe that they are even close to Ole Miss’ level either.
Pick: Mississippi 38, Vanderbilt 17
Maryland @ South Florida (Saturday, September 6th, 3:30 p.m., CBSSN)
These two programs both have been wildly unpredictable in recent years, but the Terrapins no longer have to play a linebacker at quarterback. Maryland wins.
Pick: Maryland 34, South Florida 14
Virginia Tech @ Ohio State (Saturday, September 6th, 8:00 p.m. ESPN)
Here’s another game that looked lopsided three weeks ago. Now? Not so much. Expect Bud Fosters Hokie defense to throw plenty of wrinkles at OSU’s RS Freshman quarterback J.T. Barrett. This one will be a fight, but the Buckeyes will scratch out another close win, this time at the Horseshoe.
Pick: Ohio State 21, Virginia Tech 20
Central Michigan @ Purdue (Saturday, September 6th, 12:00 p.m., ESPNN)
Purdue welcomes a second consecutive Michigan-based directional school to Ross-Ade Stadium, with an eye toward eclipsing last year’s win total after just two weeks. Hazell’s group gets it done for him. Barely.
Pick: Purdue 27, Central Michigan 24
Brigham Young @ Texas (Saturday, September 6th, 7:30 p.m., FOXS1)
This one looked great on paper this time last week. With David Ash’s concussion keeping him out of the contest, it’s a scary one for the Longhorn faithful. Taysom Hill ran all over UT last year, and he’ll do so again this year. Strong’s crew comes back to earth a bit.
Pick: BYU 35, Texas 14
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on Twitter – @dbking65. Please keep up with our College Football Coverage – @LastWordOnCFB. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport and “liking” our Facebook page.
For more on sports injury news, check out our friends at Sports Injury Alert.
Have you tuned into Last Word On Sports Radio? LWOS is pleased to bring you 24/7 sports radio to your PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. What are you waiting for? GO!
