Week 1 of the 2024 college football season largely went as expected, with top teams like Georgia, Ohio State, Texas, and Oregon securing victories—though Oregon had some unexpected trouble against FCS opponent Idaho.
Notre Dame pulled off an impressive road win against Texas A&M, while LSU stumbled in a loss to USC, leading to a frustrated post-game press conference from head coach Brian Kelly. Meanwhile, Florida State, ranked No. 10 at the start of the season, has tumbled out of the AP Top 25 after starting 0-2 with losses to Georgia Tech and Boston College.
There are only two matchups between ranked teams this weekend — No. 3 Texas visiting No. 10 Michigan and No. 14 Tennessee taking on No. 24 North Carolina State. Despite that, Week 2 offers plenty of excitement. Here are the top five games to watch:
No. 3 Texas at No. 10 Michigan (Noon ET)
Betting Line: Texas -7 | Total: 42
This is the marquee matchup of the week. Texas, coming off a dominant 52-0 win over Colorado State, enters as a 7-point favorite. The Longhorns will look to extend their momentum from last year when they ended Alabama’s 21-game home winning streak. Now, they face a Michigan team defending its own 23-game home streak.
Michigan’s offense, led by new quarterback Davis Warren, looked shaky in a 30-10 win over Fresno State. The Wolverines will need to step up against a Texas team that will aim to exploit any weaknesses up front.
Baylor at No. 11 Utah (3:30 p.m. ET)
Betting Line: Utah -14.5 | Total: 55
Utah is projected to win the Big 12 in its debut season, and while this is technically a non-conference matchup due to scheduling quirks, it’s an important test. Quarterback Cam Rising looked sharp in a 49-0 rout of Southern Utah last week, throwing for 254 yards and five touchdowns. The Bears’ defense will need to tighten up to slow him down.
Baylor’s new QB Dequan Finn, a transfer from Toledo, is still finding his rhythm after throwing two touchdowns and two interceptions in a 45-3 win over Tarleton State. He’ll need to limit mistakes against a Utah defense that doesn’t give much away.
No. 14 Tennessee vs. No. 24 North Carolina State in Charlotte, NC (7:30 p.m. ET)
Betting Line: Tennessee -9 | Total: 60.5
Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava impressed last week, completing 22 of 28 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns in a 69-3 blowout win over Chattanooga. With 14 different receivers contributing, Tennessee’s offense looks poised to compete for a College Football Playoff spot if they can maintain consistency.
North Carolina State, however, barely escaped Western Carolina, winning 38-21. QB Grayson McCall completed 65% of his passes for 318 yards, but he’ll be up against one of the nation’s top defenses, led by Tennessee’s future NFL prospect James Pearce Jr.
Colorado at Nebraska (7:30 p.m. ET)
Betting Line: Nebraska -6.5 | Total: 55.5
This matchup promises a thrilling quarterback battle. Nebraska’s freshman QB Dylan Raiola, a highly touted recruit, is fresh off a solid debut where he threw for 238 yards and two touchdowns in a 40-7 win over UTEP.
Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, another QB to watch, threw for 445 yards and four touchdowns in a close win over North Dakota State. With Sanders and two-way star Travis Hunter leading the Buffaloes, Nebraska will need to rely on its defense to slow down Colorado’s high-octane offense.
Boise State at No. 7 Oregon (10 p.m. ET)
Betting Line: Oregon -19 | Total: 61
Oregon is looking to put their Week 1 struggles against Idaho behind them. QB Dillon Gabriel, a Heisman favorite, faced pressure and was sacked three times in the Ducks’ narrow 24-14 victory over the Vandals. Oregon will need to clean up mistakes and penalties if they want to have a smoother outing against Boise State.
The Broncos will rely heavily on running back Ashton Jeanty, who rushed for 267 yards and six touchdowns in last week’s 56-45 win over Georgia Southern. However, this will be Boise State’s toughest test yet, as Oregon’s defense is a step up from what they faced last week.
