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Dominick Petrillo's Week 2 college football preview and must-watch games. How to watch the top games for Week 1 including Kansas vs. Missouri and more.
Another week and another set of games.
While the slate this week does not look as enticing as Week 1, those are the weeks where surprises usually happen. Let us hope we get some great games.
Stories abound this week. Luckily for the likes of Texas, Alabama, and Clemson, they should have an easy time. If they don’t? Their fans really need to worry.
Baylor Bears at 17 SMU Mustangs
When/How to Watch: Saturday, 9 P.M. EST on The CW
Game Line: SMU -2.5
Point Total: 66.5
While both Baylor and SMU started their seasons at home, SMU did so against East Texas A&M while Baylor started against SEC opponent Auburn. The vast difference in opponents also led to different results.
SMU easily pulled off a 42-13 win as Auburn was beating Baylor 38-24 in Waco.
Although SMU is only two years into Power Four, the money being thrown around by its wealthy boosters has already made the Mustangs a team to reckon with in the ACC.
Whole lot more where that came from 😏
Kevin Jennings ready to run it back for another big season with @SMUFB. pic.twitter.com/nXwjqnZEQv
— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) July 14, 2025
Dave Aranda and his 8-5 season in 2024 saved his job for 2025. If his defense, something he is known for, does not get better, this could be his last season as head coach of the Bears. Something he might be ok with, as he seems to prefer being a coordinator anyhow. This game will be a test for both schools to see who is more prepared to continue building and who might take a step back
Iowa Hawkeyes at 16 Iowa State Cyclones
When/How to Watch: Saturday, Noon EST on FOX
Game Line: Iowa State -3
Point Total: 41.5
The Cy Hawk trophy is up for grabs in this game. But with both teams undefeated thus far, there is even more at stake.
Both the Cyclones and the Hawkeyes came into this season with the potential of a playoff berth. Iowa State started solidly with a 24-21 win over Kansas State in Dublin, Ireland. After deciding not to take an immediate bye week, the Cyclones came home to Ames and blitzed South Dakota 55-7.
While the Cyclones were winning against FCS power South Dakota, the Hawkeyes were taking care of their own business against Albany. Beating the Great Danes 34-7.
Iowa State has been more battle-tested and has played two games to Iowa’s one. We will now find out if this extra game has allowed the Cyclones to work out more bugs or if Iowa can remain undefeated heading into a Week 3 game at home against a UMass team that is one of the worst teams in the FBS.
Illinois Fighting Illini at Duke Blue Devils
When/How to Watch: Saturday, Noon EST on ESPN
Game Line: Illinois -2.5
Point Total: 49.5
Neither of these two teams had any trouble in Week 1. The Blue Devils were able to pull away from Elon for a 45-17 victory while Illinois was dismantling Western Illinois 52-3.
The fact that Duke allowed 17 points at home against Elon might leave a bit of concern for fans. But they did run away and hide, something that better teams are supposed to do, and something many other teams did not do in Week 1.
Darian Mensah's Duke debut:
😈 27/34
😈 389 YDS
😈 3 TD @DukeFootball pic.twitter.com/sXX54r54f3— ACC Network (@accnetwork) August 29, 2025
Illinois, one of the 2025 most hyped teams, is setting up for a potential playoff run. The Illini will likely be battling for a final spot with the likes of Oregon, Indiana, and Iowa in the Big Ten. A win against Duke could go a long way in resume-building, especially if Duke can continue the success of 2024 and win nine games again. This will be an important measuring stick game for both teams. The winner might be out of the playoff hunt before it starts.
Kansas Jayhawks at Missouri Tigers
When/How to Watch: Saturday, 3:30 PM EST on ESPN2
Game Line: Missouri -6.5
Point Total: 50.5
Kansas looked good in two games. Of course, these two games were against Wagner and Fresno State. So, there is that. Jalon Daniels is still healthy, and as a veteran, his leadership will be key against SEC opponent Missouri, which comes in after winning its first game by a score of 61-6 over Central Arkansas.
One meaningful thing did come out of the game for Missouri as Beau Pribula has cemented himself as the starter in Columbia. After entering the game, Pribula managed 23 of 28 passing for 280 yards and two TDs. He also added to this with his legs as he finished with 65 yards and two rushing TDs. If he can succeed to this level in this game, Kansas will find difficulty in gaining a road win. If Pribula comes back down to earth a bit, Kansas has the weapons to make this a fun and high-scoring game on Saturday afternoon.
Oklahoma State Cowboys at 6 Oregon Ducks
When/How to Watch: Saturday, 3:30 PM EST on CBS
Game Line: Oregon -28.5
Point Total: 57.6
After finishing 3-9 in 2024, many people think it is time for Mike Gundy to head out to the pastures of Stillwater. Instead, he is back for another season and has decided it was smart to poke the bear, or duck in this case, before going to Eugene to take on Oregon.
In his Tuesday press conference, Gundy alluded to the amount of money Oregon has spent building its roster. Starting with the Ducks spent $40 million on their 2024 roster. This led Dan Lanning to correctly say this is what it takes in college football nowadays, and lament how Oklahoma State could do the same if it had the money.
Stack ‘em up.@NatureMade x #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/W1hqRhQpmO
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) September 1, 2025
With Oregon far more talented than Oklahoma State in all areas of the game, except for the uglier uniform colors, the Pokes are set to get beaten badly. But at least now, they can blame it on their coach angering the opponent, forcing them to run up the score.
20 Ole Miss Rebels at Kentucky Wildcats
When/How to Watch: Saturday, 3:30 PM EST on ABC
Game Line: Ole Miss -10.5
Point Total: 50.5
This is the game that caused Ole Miss and Lane Kiffin to miss the inaugural 12-team playoff. The Rebels saw a bad Kentucky team in 2024 and took for granted they would easily pull off the victory. Instead, Kentucky pulled off a 20-17 upset and left Ole Miss on the outside looking in.
This season, Ole Miss is looking to go into Lexington and get revenge. Austin Simmons, the new starting QB for the Rebels, will look to take down Zach Calzada, the 24-year-old Kentucky QB who has made his rounds before landing with the Wildcats for his final season of college football.
Kentucky beat Toledo in Week 1. But they did not look like the better team as Toledo made a fourth-quarter charge to come back and cover the point spread and almost win. This week, the same cannot be done against the Rebels.
If Ole Miss plays like it can, this will be a four-TD victory. But Ole Miss always seems to have that game where they play to the level of lesser competition. Let us hope this is not the one for a second year in a row.
USF Bulls at 13 Florida Gators
When/How to Watch: Saturday, 4:15 PM EST on SEC Network
Game Line: Florida -17.5
Point Total: 55.5
The country watched as group of six favorite Boise State went into Tampa Bay and got throttled by the USF Bulls on Thursday. Unfortunately for the Broncos, it was the only game on at the time, and the committee understood the game was not as close as the 34-7 finish.
On the other side of the scale, Florida played the Long Island University Sharks. A team that, even for an SEC non-conference opponent, is embarrassing. Lucky for the Gators, the game was not close as they managed to pull out a 55-0 win. The largest margin of victory under coach Billy Napier and the biggest win for Florida since beating Vanderbilt 56-0 in 2019.
This was where the good stopped for the Gators as sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway, who only played for one half, was inconsistent while throwing for 120 yards and three TD on 15-18 passing. This inability to get the ball down the field has a lot to do with Lagway, a potential superstar, missing all of spring and summer activities due to shoulder and foot issues. He has had little time to get comfortable with his offensive playmakers, and it showed in the game.
With the next two games for Lagway and the Gators coming against LSU and Miami, he'd best use this week to find that comfort.
15 Michigan Wolverines at 18 Oklahoma Sooners
When/How to Watch: Saturday, 7:30 PM EST on ABC
Game Line: Oklahoma -5.5
Point Total: 45.5
Both transfers, John Mateer of Oklahoma and freshman Bryce Underwood of Michigan, had solid outings in their first starts of the season. Both also played teams in Illinois State (Mateer) and New Mexico (Underwood), who posed no challenge to either team. This meant that both had the ability to relax and get a game under their belts before this elite matchup.
The true freshman QB showed out on Big Ten Saturday Night. #B1GFootball pic.twitter.com/KXqybzxVRZ
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) August 31, 2025
Mateer gets his first big challenge at home, while Underwood must go to the hostile and football-crazed environment of Memorial Stadium in Norman. This could be the deciding factor in who wins this one.
If Underwood proves to have ice in his veins, Michigan has the talent to win against an Oklahoma team that will be playing with its scheduled starting five on the offensive line for the first time of the season.
The Sooners, knowing he was more important for the game against the Wolverines, left five-star OL recruit Michael Fasusi to prepare for this game. If he is as good as Oklahoma hopes, it will be difficult for Michigan to get to Mateer. If he has his own jitters, Michigan can get to Mateer and cause another panic surrounding Brent Venables at Oklahoma.
One key to watch in this game will be the suspension of Michigan LB Jaishawn Barham for the first half after receiving a targeting penalty in the second half against New Mexico. If the Wolverines can still get a pass rush and avoid big pass plays through the first half, the return of Basham in the second half could prove to be a boost for the defense.
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