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Jackson's college football predictions for Week 2 of the 2025 season. He picks the winners for all ranked games, including Michigan at Oklahoma and more.
Week 2 College Football Predictions
Week 1 of the college football season lived up to the hype, and as always, there were some surprising results. The week was highlighted by Alabama getting blasted in Tallahassee, LSU taking down Clemson on the road, Ohio State locking down Arch Manning, and Miami closing out a tight victory over Notre Dame. We’re just getting started, so we’re set up for an incredible season!
In Week 2, we’ll see just one “ranked vs. ranked” matchup. No. 15 Michigan and true freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood are set to travel to Normal to face No. 18 Oklahoma and potential Heisman candidate John Mateer. While this isn’t the prettiest slate on paper, this is college football, and something wild is going to happen. Let’s dive into the picks!
No. 25 Utah vs. Cal Poly
Last Saturday was a great start for Utah, a program looking to bounce back from a 5-7 campaign in 2024. Transfer QB Devon Dampier tallied 206 passing yards, 87 rushing yards, and three total touchdowns en route to a 33-point win over Nico Iamaleava and UCLA in Los Angeles.
This could be another great team under head coach Kyle Whittingham, and Cal Poly is unlikely to put up much of a fight. The Utes are getting the “tune-up” games out of the way before a challenging Big 12 schedule begins.
Prediction: Utah 45, Cal Poly 14
No. 24 Texas Tech vs. Kent State
Expectations are sky high for Texas Tech this season after bringing in the No. 2 tranfer portal class this offseason, and competing for a Big 12 championship and College Football Playoff spot is the goal. To do that, you have to take care of business against far inferior opponents. The Red Raiders delivered in Week 1, beating Arkansas-Pine Bluff by 60 points.
Now, the Kent State Golden Flashes, one of the worst teams in FBS football, are next. Here’s to another blowout in Lubbock.
Prediction: Texas Tech 58, Kent State 7
No. 23 Indiana vs. Kennesaw State
The Hoosiers entered last week’s game against Old Dominion as a favorite of more than three touchdowns, but Indiana ultimately delivered a 13-point win against the Monarchs. Winning is what matters, but it wasn’t the prettiest Week 1 showing for a program looking to prove last year was not a fluke.
That said, Kennesaw State is in its second year in the FBS and in its first year under head coach Jerry Mack. The Owls shouldn’t be expected to be competitive in this one.
Prediction: Indiana 42, Kennesaw State 10
No. 22 Tennessee vs. ETSU
So far, so good for seventh-year senior quarterback Joey Aguilar. Tennessee’s offense played with tempo in the 19-point win over Syracuse, something that seems to have been missing last year with Nico Iamaleava at the helm. The Vols have a three-headed monster at running back and a young but talented wide receiver room, so it will be interesting to see what the ceiling of this squad is in 2025.
Former Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara is the QB1 for ETSU, but needless to say, the talent discrepancy is wide in this matchup. Under Josh Heupel, Tennessee is known for showing little mercy against inferior programs.
Prediction: Tennessee 63, ETSU 3
No. 21 Alabama vs. UL Monroe
Alabama was shocked by Florida State in Week 1, and it was weird to see the Crimson Tide get pushed around and out “physicaled” at the line of scrimmage. The Kalen DeBoer era in Tuscaloosa is not trending in the right direction, but it’s a long season, and Alabama can still afford one more loss in the 12-team College Football Playoff era.
UL Monroe famously beat Nick Saban in 2007, his first season at the helm. While it’s fun to think about history repeating itself, that’s not happening in this spot. Expect Alabama to come out with an attitude and build momentum before SEC play begins.
Prediction: Alabama 41, UL Monroe 13
No. 20 Ole Miss at Kentucky
In the first SEC vs. SEC matchup of the year, we get a rematch from one of college football’s biggest upsets in 2024. Ole Miss was a fringe playoff team last season, while Kentucky was one of the worst Power Four programs. Yet, the Wildcats took down the Rebels in Oxford in a defensive slugfest.
Mark Stoops has a way of turning games into low-scoring, physical battles, and that’s his goal in this SEC opener. This will be the first real test for Rebels’ quarterback Austin Simmons. We expect another tight contest, but the Rebels will come out on top this time.
Prediction: Ole Miss 23, Kentucky 17
No. 19 Texas A&M vs. Utah State
It was not the most impressive Week 1 outing for Texas A&M last Saturday, and the game against UTSA was closer than it should have been. That said, many Power 4 opponents keep their game plans simple early in the year when facing Group of Five or FCS squads, so we won’t overreact to the lackluster 42-24 win over the Road Runners.
Next on the list is Utah State, another school that calls itself the Aggies. Led by former Utah quarterback Bryson Barnes, Utah State could surprise some people this year. However, Texas A&M simply has too much horsepower.
Prediction: Texas A&M 38, Utah State 10
No. 17 SMU vs. Baylor
After a Week 1 loss to Auburn at home, Baylor faces another tough test against a team that qualified for the College Football Playoff a season ago. SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings will face his first tough test since being embarrassed in Happy Valley in the opening round of the CFP, while Baylor wants to prove it is still ready to compete for a Big 12 crown.
This should be one of the tightest contests of the weekend, and it’s one of the best quarterback matchups on the Week 2 slate. Give us Jennings over Sawyer Robertson, and give us the SMU talent profile over Baylor’s.
Predictions: SMU 33, Baylor 30
No. 16 Iowa State vs Iowa
The Iowa-Iowa State feud is one of college football’s most underrated rivalries. Five of the last seven matchups have been decided by one score, including each of the last three. In Week 1 against Albany, Iowa once again dominated on the ground but did little in the passing attack. Meanwhile, the Cylones are 2-0 and have already faced two competent opponents.
To predict this Big 12 vs Big Ten showdown to be a blowout would be silly, but Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht will make the difference here.
Prediction: Iowa State 20, Iowa 17
No. 15 Michigan at No. 18 Oklahoma
ESPN’s College Gameday will be in Norman on Saturday, and for good reason. This Big Ten vs SEC throwdown is the best matchup of the weekend, and it’s one of the most interesting quarterback duels of the season. Washington State transfer quarterback John Mateer has a lot of hype surrounding him for Oklahoma, while true freshman Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood was the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2025 by many publications.
Defense comes first for both programs, so this should be a tight and low-scoring affair. With Underwood having to go against a Brent Venables defense in his first career road start in a big spot, we lean toward Oklahoma. If Underwood shows out, he might be the next great Michigan QB.
Prediction: Oklahoma 23, Michigan 20
No. 14 Florida State vs. East Texas A&M
Last week’s big winner, Florida State, must find a way to avoid a letdown performance after one of the biggest wins in the program’s recent history. Even a C-minus performance should be enough the handle the East Texas A&M Lions, but be careful, Seminoles. Who let the Lions schedule SMU and Florida State to begin the year?
After seeing the Noles handle Alabama last week, we’ll trust them to take care of business.
Florida State 50, East Texas A&M 10
No. 13 Florida vs. South Florida
Florida faced Long Island in Week 1, and DJ Lagway was not even the Gators’ leading passer. That said, we can’t take much away from that performance, but at least they handled business in a 55-0 beatdown. USF, on the other hand, dominated No. 25 Boise State and announced itself as a potential contender for the Group of Five College Football Playoff spot.
The Bulls, led by former Tennessee offensive coordinator Alex Golesh, have given Alabama problems in the past, so this team won’t be scared of Florida and The Swamp. This could be a close one in the first half before Florida’s talent ultimately overpowers South Florida the later into the game we go.
Prediction: Florida 37, South Florida 20
No. 12 Arizona State at Mississippi State
Is anyone calling “upset alert” in Starkville this weekend? It may surprise some people that Arizona State is under a one-touchdown favorite, but this was a tight contest in Tempe last season, despite ASU being a far superior team. This will be the Sun Devils’ first chance to prove themselves without running back Cam Skattebo.
Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, Arizona State still has potential future first-round draft picks Sam Leavitt and Jordyn Tyson to deal with.
Prediction: Arizona State 34, Mississippi State 24
No. 11 Illinois at Duke
The Blue Devils didn’t get out to a great start against Elon last week, but Tulane transfer QB Darian Mensah eventually got things going and finished with 389 passing yards and three touchdowns in a 45-17 victory. Illinois took care of Western Illinois, and Luke Altmyer tallied 217 passing yards and three scores. This is another early measuring-stick non-conference game, and picking this one is a challenge.
Although I believe Altmyer is fantastic, Mensah might be in the quarterback tier above him, and the Blue Devils are at home. Upset alert!
Prediction: Duke 24, Illinois 21
No. 10 South Carolina vs. South Carolina State
Fresh off a win over Virginia Tech is Atlanta, the Gamecocks get an easy outing in the home-opener in Columbia. In-state school South Carolina State, which is sure to receive a hefty check after this contest, inched out a one-point win over Wofford of the FCS last week.
If South Carolina doesn’t yank him early, LaNorris Sellers could put up ridiculous numbers on Saturday and pad his stats for the potential Heisman Trophy race.
Prediction: South Carolina 51, South Carolina State 7
No. 8 Clemson vs. Troy
It was a disappointing offensive showing for Clemson last week, but perhaps the LSU defense is just that good. Luckily, that loss doesn’t count against the Tigers in the ACC standings, so everything is still in front of Dabo Swinney and his team.
Cade Klubnik needs to get on track here before conference play kicks off.
Prediction: Clemson 63, Troy 6
No. 7 Texas vs. San Joe State
The expectations for Arch Manning were so high this preseason that he was never going to meet them. While he struggled in his first game as the clear QB1 in Austin, we must realize it was in a matchup with the defending College Football Playoff National Champions on their home turf. Manning will be fine, but he may not be a clear Heisman contender in 2025.
That said, Texas should use this “cupcake” matchup to give him some confidence and compile absurd counting stats. On the bright side of last week’s loss, the Texas defense looked elite.
Prediction: Texas 55, San Jose State 0
No. 6 Oregon vs. Oklahoma State
Here’s another unique non-conference matchup. Oregon put up 53 points last week against Montana State, and Dante Moore was efficient in his first start for the Ducks. Meanwhile, Oklahoma State didn’t look all that impressive in the 27-7 win over UT-Martin, which was disappointing after an abysmal season for Mike Gundy’s program last year.
The books project this one to be a snoozefest, and we’ll agree.
Prediction: Oregon 45, Oklahoma State 13
No. 5 Miami (FL) vs Bethune-Cookman
Head coach Mario Cristobal finally secured a signature win last Sunday as the Canes inched out a close victory over Notre Dame. However, he clearly coached “not to lose” in the second half, which almost cost him a win. He has to learn to trust sixth-year senior quarterback Carson Beck.
Luckily, there’s nothing to worry about in the Week 2 matchup with an FCS foe who suffered a 33-point loss against FIU last week.
Prediction: Miami 37, Bethune-Cookman 0
No. 4 Georgia vs. Austin Peay
After having to face arguably the toughest schedule in the country last year, Georgia kicked off its season against Marshall and will now face Austin Peay. This will serve as another tune-up game before SEC play begins. And we should expect another easy and simple victory.
Next Saturday, Georgia will travel to Knoxville to play in one of the toughest environments in college football. In fact, only Georgia has beaten the Vols in Neyland Stadium since the start of the 2022 campaign.
Prediction: Georgia 60, Austin Peay 14
No. 3 LSU vs. Louisiana Tech
LSU is one of the biggest risers in the Week 2 AP Poll, and for good reason. Outside of Ohio State, LSU had the most impressive victory. And you could even argue it was even more impressive than Ohio State’s win since it was on the road in a top-tier home environment at Clemson.
Poor Louisiana Tech will roll into town on Saturday and face the Tiger Stadium noise at night.
Prediction: LSU 45, Louisiana Tech 7
No. 2 Penn State vs. Florida International
Penn State was never close to losing to Nevada last weekend, but it surprisingly didn’t dominate in the run game. Stud running backs Nick Singleton and Kayton Allen combined for just 62 yards on 16 attempts, but they did find the end zone three total times.
The good news is that transfer wideouts Kyron Hudson and Trebor Pena looked great in their first games as Nittany Lions, and PSU has another soft matchup in Week 2 to work on its ground attack. FIU won’t roll over without a fight, but we know how this one will end.
Prediction: Penn State 38, FIU 13
No. 1 Ohio State vs. Grambling State
Ohio State is yet another powerhouse set to face an FCS team, but to be fair, they deserve it after taking down No. 1 Texas. What’s lost in the narrative from last week is that the Ohio State offense struggled, and Jeremiah Smith tallied just 43 total yards.
It’s time to get back on track in the plus-matchup. Julian Sayin can build some confidence here.
Prediction: Ohio State 61, Grambling State 10
