(Photo Courtesy Sports Illustrated)
Week two of the college football season had two themes to the weekend, blowouts, and upsets. The big headline this weekend was Northern Illinois going into South Bend and defeating fifth-ranked Notre Dame. Huskies head coach Thomas Hammock went viral for his post-game locker room speech, saying “We don’t need luck”. Now, they find themselves ranked in the top 25, looking to stay there until selection Sunday.
Other teams made some statements, with third-ranked Texas defeating 10th-ranked Michigan 31-12, as well as Georgia, Ohio St, Alabama, Ole Miss, Missouri, Miami, USC, Tennessee, and Clemson all achieving blowout victories. Both Oregon and Penn St. narrowly left their home stadiums with a victory against Boise St and Ball St respectively.
As these teams look to turn the page into week three, my projected bracket has significantly changed since last week. With all that being said, here’s my playoff bracket entering week three:
First Round Byes:
1. Georgia (SEC Champion)
2. Ohio St. (BIG10 Champion)
3. Miami (ACC Champion)
4. Utah (BIG12 Champion)
First Round Matchups:
12. Boise St VS. 5. Alabama
11. Tennessee VS. 6. USC
10. Missouri VS. 7. Texas
9. Penn St VS. 8. Ole Miss
Games to Watch This Weekend:
20 Arizona VS 14 Kansas St. (Friday, Sept. 13th 8:00 PM FOX)
In a BIG 12 conference that is up for grabs, these two teams play with championship implications. Both these teams feature dynamic quarterbacks, Noah Fifita (ARIZ) and Avery Johnson (KSU), who threw for a combined 929 passing yards and nine touchdowns last week. Expect this one to be a high-scoring offensive shootout, with Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan being the x-factor. Arizona will get the win on the road in the battle of the Wildcats.
Alabama vs Wisconsin (Saturday, Sept. 14th Noon FOX)
While the Crimson Tide is favored by 16, Wisconsin finished just behind Alabama last season in pass yards allowed per game (193.3). That is what the game is going to come down to, Alabama’s offense against Wisconsin’s defense. True freshman receiver Ryan Williams has been sensational for the tide, who leads the team in every receiving category. If the Badgers can find a way to limit Williams's targets, they could have a shot at winning a massive game at home. But we all know the saying, ROLL TIDE. Bama will get the win in Madison and continue their trek towards an SEC championship.
LSU vs. South Carolina (12:00 Noon ABC/ESPN+)
While the days of Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels are long gone in Death Valley, Tigers signal caller Garrett Nussmmeier has put together an early Heisman campaign just like his predecessors. Nussmeier is tied for first in the nation in touchdown passes with eight. The Gamecock defense held Kentucky to just six points last week. The game can go either way, as ESPN Analytics has the Tigers at a 51% chance to win, compared to 49% for the Gamecocks. LSU will get the victory on the road, but not without a fight.
Boston College vs Missouri (12:45 PM SEC Network)
For the first time since 2018, Boston College goes into an electric Memorial Stadium in Columbia to face the Missouri Tigers. Eagles quarterback Thomas Castellanos has impressed early this season, throwing for six touchdowns, which ties him for second in the ACC. Missouri comes into the game as a 16-point favorite, and hasn’t allowed a single point this season. Yeah, a single point. While the Eagles will most likely score, it won’t be much, as the Tigers will get the win at home and establish themselves as contenders in the SEC.
Have an opposing viewpoint to this opinion? Let us know. All views are welcome. Send your thoughts to our Editorial Staff – Editor Thomas Szot tszot@student.dean.edu or Dean Daily Faculty Advisor, Professor John Rooke jrooke@dean.edu
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