It's Week 2! There are so many games of note that will impact the landscape of college football, the power struggle at the top, and factor into teams’ College Football Playoff arguments.
We were able to talk to Colorado beat writer Brian Howell, from Buffzone and the Daily Camera, who knows the Buffaloes better than anyone in the nation. The Buffs, in their first year back in the Big 12, visit former Big 12 power Nebraska in a rivalry that has always delivered. Just recently, you can go from K.D. Nixon’s 96-yard flea flicker in 2019, to the hype train that was Coach Prime’s team last year that captured the nation, to this Saturday’s meeting in Lincoln.
One thing is for certain, both teams believe in their process, players and QBs. It's a grand stage for Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter on NBC and the first time the nation will get a prime time look at Dylan Raiola.
In my eyes this contest will favor the team that can either protect the passer or get after the QB. Expect high drama and high stakes.
I'll be at the Coliseum this week with #13 USC for their home opener against Utah State at 8:00 p.m. PT. The Aggies’ starting QB Spencer Petras was injured last week and Bryson Barnes came off the bench to lead Nate Dreiling’s squad to victory. As Trojan fans can recall, that same Bryson Barnes, aka the Pig Farmer, led Utah to an upset win in LA last year over the Trojans.
This past Sunday, USC captured the nation with a win over LSU where Miller Moss shined and the Trojan defense met the moment. We will be tracking every storyline as the game unfolds on the Big Ten Network.
Other games of note:
- Boise State at #7 Oregon. Shockingly, the Ducks have never beat the Broncos and Boise State is the last non-conference team to win at Autzen Stadium back in 2008. Keep an eye on Ashton Jeanty, an elite back who Boise State is pushing for the Heisman. He racked up multiple national awards this week after putting up 267 rush yds and 6 TD last week at Clay Helton’s Georgia Southern to back that up. I think the Ducks bounce back and clean up some concerns from last weekend.
- Baylor at #11 Utah. Yes, a non-conference game between 2 now Big 12 schools! Cam Rising balls out and the Utah defense dominates in front of another sold out crowd.
- Texas Tech at Washington State. Mike Leach get inducted to Washington State Hall of Fame and the Cougs continue to be one of America’s Teams.
- The other team you should be rooting for, Oregon State, goes on the road to face San Diego State & former Colorado OC Sean Lewis. Can the Beavers pound on the ground like last week? Can they get after SDSU freshman QB Danny O’Neil? It won't be easy against the Elite 11 signal caller, but think the Beavs get after him.
- Cal heads to Auburn to face a team that won 73-3 last week. Jayden Ott is probable to play after leaving Week 1 game early and in a twist of irony former Cal QB Sam Jackson IV is now a WR for Auburn. The portal always delivers!
- NAU visits #20 Arizona. Remember when the Lumberjacks won this matchup in 2021? It won't happen again and the Cats shore up their defense.
- After shutting down Wyoming last week, the ASU defense gets a visit from the SEC’s Mississippi State. The Bulldogs put up 56 last week in their win over Eastern Kentucky and if Kenny Dillingham's squad rolls, look out for another Headset Hero!
- UCLA with a bye week before hosting Indiana in Week 3 and they needed it. Really looking forward to watching their B1G opener next week.
- #3 Texas at #10 Michigan. This is huge. The B1G’s top defense vs Quinn Ewers and Sark of the SEC. Texas went to Tuscaloosa in Week 2 last year and beat the Crimson Tide so they won't be intimated. Michigan must complete downfield passes if they want to run it back.
Happy Week 2 and thank you for the love and support along the way!
Much love,
Yogi.
This episode is executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren.
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production.
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