Week 2 Picks

#7 Oregon @ #5 Michigan State- This may be the biggest nonconference game on the entire
2015 college football schedule. It has huge playoff implications and will give us a great idea of
how the rest of the year will unfold. Both teams showed flaws in their openers, which makes
this game even tougher to predict. Last year's meeting was much closer than the score
indicated, and now the setting shifts to East Lansing. Ultimately, the Spartans have less
question marks than the Ducks. I will call for MSU to edge out Oregon in a high-scoring affair.
Winner: Michigan State
#14 LSU @ #25 Mississippi State- Last year's LSU vs. Mississippi State game was the exact
opposite of Oregon vs. Michigan State: the score was close, but the Bulldogs dominated from
the start. Mississippi State looked less-than-impressive in their opener, while LSU's Week 1
game was cancelled due to lightning. If LSU finds a way to slow down Dak Prescott, which they
failed to do in 2014, they should have the upper hand despite playing on the road.
Winner: LSU
#19 Oklahoma @ #23 Tennessee- In the first chapter of this home-and-home series, Oklahoma
blew Tennessee out in Norman. The hype machine was on full throttle in Rocky Top heading
into the season, but the Vols' defense looked incredibly vulnerable in their first game. They will
have a very difficult time slowing down Samaje Perine and the underrated Oklahoma offense.
Oklahoma will win handily and burst Tennessee's bubble in Week 2.
Winner: Oklahoma
#20 Boise State @ BYU- Heading into the season, this appeared to be a toss-up. Now, with
star BYU quarterback Taysom Hill sidelined for the rest of the year, Boise State becomes clear
road favorites. BYU still has plenty of weapons and could keep this game interesting for awhile,
but the Broncos will win the game and give themselves a great shot at going 12-0.
Winner: Boise State
Utah State @ #24 Utah (Friday)- Utah State has become an upper-echelon Group of 5 team in
recent years, winning at least nine games in each of the past three seasons. They feature a
dominant defense that could give their in-state rivals headaches. The Aggies' offense looked
awful in Week 1, though, forcing the defense to hold on for a 12-9 win against Southern Utah.
Utah is simply more talented than their MWC rival, and they will win a low-scoring contest.
Winner: Utah