You never know where a surprising upset could arise.
No. 1 Alabama at Texas
Time: Noon | TV: Fox | Line: Alabama -20.5 | Total: 65.5 After winning in Week 1, Alabama will face a little more resistance in Week 2 with a trip to Austin to face Texas. The Longhorns, led by coach and former Alabama assistant Steve Sarkisian and transfer quarterback Quinn Ewers, will have their hands full. By nearly three TDs, just keeping this competitive would be a sign of progress for Texas.
No. 24 Tennessee at No. 17 Pittsburgh
Time: 15:30 | TV: ABC | Line: UT -6.5 | Total: 66.5 Josh Hoepel and his offensive attack brought some much-needed life to the Tennessee program. If the defense can take a step ahead of a tough 2021, Tennessee has a chance to make some noise in the SEC. After a season-opening blowout at Ball State, this weekend’s trip to face Pitt, the defending ACC champion, will be a good test for the Vols. Pitt is coming off a thrilling Week 1 win over rival West Virginia.
No. 20 Kentucky at No. 12 Florida
Time: 7 p.m. | Television: ESPN | Line: UF -5.5 | Total: 52.5 Prior to 2018, Florida had won 31 straight against Kentucky. However, Kentucky has won two of the last four in the series, including a 20-13 victory last fall in Lexington. Can the Wildcats do it again? UK fans are full of optimism after the team won 10 games last year and star QB Will Levis is back. The Gators have a star QB of their own in Anthony Richardson, who was instrumental in the team’s impressive season-opening win over Utah.
No. 10 USC at Stanford
Time: 19:30 | TV: ABC | Line: USC -8.5 | Total: 67.5 USC kicked off the Lincoln Riley era with a blowout win over Rice thanks to a strong defensive performance and a solid Trojans debut for transfer QB Caleb Williams. He will make his Pac-12 game debut at Stanford on Saturday. He will be opposed by another future NFL quarterback in Tanner McKee. McKee hasn’t gotten much help on offense during his time as a starter, but the Cardinal are hoping EJ Smith, son of NFL legend Emmitt Smith, can be a weapon. The story continues
No. 9 Baylor at No. 21 BYU
Time: 22:15 | Television: ESPN | Line: BYU -3.5 | Total: 53.5 After winning a Big 12 title with Gerry Bohanon, Baylor coach Dave Aranda made a quarterback change, naming Blake Shapen the starter over Bohanon in the spring. That decision will be tested this week against a good BYU team. While Baylor blew out an FCS team in Week 1, BYU traveled across the country and dominated South Florida, 50-21. The Cougars are looking to make an early-season statement for a program with several high-profile games on its schedule this year.
