Usually the penalty for a great Week 1 is a less-than-stellar Week 2, but this week’s slate of games absolutely delivers. We’ve got Deion Sanders’s home debut, the return match of Texas-Alabama and somehow, some way a Miami-Texas A&M tilt that has flown under the radar this week. Both of your Sports Illustrated experts fell short of the mark last week. Here’s hoping for a rebound.
All lines courtesy of SI Sportsbook. Last week: Forde 2–3, Johnson 2–3. Season: Forde 2–4, Johnson 3–3.
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Nebraska vs. Colorado (-3)
Forde: Colorado -3. I am firmly onboard the Buff hype train until it derails. Colorado has better talent and should have its wildest home crowd in decades (although red historically gets in at Folsom Field). The only danger here is whether the Buffaloes fired such a big opening bullet that they don't have enough left emotionally to sustain it seven days later. But I’m willing to bet that they do—and that Jeff Sims will likely gift them a couple of extra possessions.
Johnson: Nebraska +3. I don’t believe just yet, and I’m certainly willing to be wrong. The proposition here lies on what Colorado’s offense does against a legit defense, and I do think Nebraska is that legit defense. It’s also a slight reaction to the public’s overreaction. I’m fading the people here, and let’s see just how this turns out.
Notre Dame (-7) vs. NC State
Forde: Notre Dame -7. A road game against a solid program coming off a couple of walkovers—this will be a program maturity test for the Fighting Irish. I expect them to pass it. (Although Sam Hartman has a tortured history against NC State, having thrown six interceptions in his last two games against the Wolfpack.) The Pack was pretty pedestrian throwing the ball in the opener against Connecticut.
Johnson: NC State +7. I actually think this will end up being a really tight game, and, in that case, give me the Wolfpack. Besides some wonkiness on the first drive of the game, NC State largely held UConn down last weekend, showing they’re still quite capable up front. Notre Dame has not been close to being tested in any game this season. What can’t be understated is the fact that, as stated by my colleague, Hartman’s been rough against the Pack. If he gives them gifts again, I count on NC State to pounce.
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Utah (-7) vs. Baylor
Forde: Utah -7. Two teams coming off wildly different openers—a great game for the Utes and a nightmare for the Bears. Expect Baylor to show some pride, but Blake Shapen is out and his backups are inexperienced. That's not good against a Kyle Whittingham defense.
Johnson: Utah -7. This is the first game this season where I think I’d be willing to bet the mortgage. Baylor looked so getable up front against Texas State in the loss, and, without a reliable presence inside, the Utes might just be able to run flat over the Bears. That doesn’t even get to the fact that Shapen is out, which is also a huge concern.
Texas A&M (-4) vs. Miami
Forde: Miami +4. Can’t keep turning down these home ’dogs forever. Lance Guidry was a stealthy-great hire as defensive coordinator at The U, with the returns immediately evident last week in holding The Other Miami to three points and 215 total yards. A Bobby Petrino–Guidry chess match will be fun. I'm taking the Hurricanes to keep it within a field goal, if not win outright.
Johnson: Texas A&M -4. Gimme the Aggies. Miami may be better up front, but so is A&M. Much has been made about the Petrino dynamic on the staff, but how A&M matches up on defense with Miami’s retooled offensive line is a big key. They have to keep Tyler Van Dyke clean in to try to have some joy against A&M’s great secondary.
