After Week 1 Hysteria, The CFB Playoff Contenders Begin to Take Form


Parker Rehm
Week 1 lived up to its preseason hype with even more thrillers than we expected. Going into week 2 of the college football season, we look at the biggest storylines surrounding it:
Too young to be good?
For everyone that counted the Michigan Wolverines out this past week against Florida, the Wolverines were quick to prove wrong. Dominating on the defensive front with Rashan Gary and freshman standout LB Devin Bush, Jr., the young Michigan team backed up their talk with a convincing 33-17 win over Florida. With a game against Cincinnati next week, the Wolverines look to continue their success and I believe that they will.
My prediction: Michigan – 31 Cincinnati – 13
OSU Struggles…Then Shines
Up 14-13 at halftime, college football fans began to wonder whether or not the Ohio State team they saw on paper, was the Ohio State team that would show up this season. However, Ohio State stepped up their game and proved why they are the #2 team in the country as QB J.T Barrett threw 3 TD passes, adding one on the ground to pull away and win the game 49-21. It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish and the Buckeye’s did that this past Saturday. Looking forward the Buckeye’s face a tough Oklahoma team that will surely be the game of the week looking towards Week 2. A battle of phenomenal quarterbacks and potent offenses, this game will surely not disappoint, but I still believe that the #2 team in the country solidifies their ranking.
My prediction: Oklahoma – 35 OSU – 45
Battle of the Tigers
These teams are looking to roar into week 1 as Auburn travels to Death Valley to face the #3 Clemson Tigers. With both teams in the college football playoff conversation, these programs will look to put themselves in good position with a quality win this week. Clemson doesn’t seem to be missing a beat off of their national championship season a year ago and Kelly Bryant, Deshaun Watson’s replacement, impressed in his debut with a 72.7% completion percentage, 77 yards rushing in addition to his 236 threw the air, adding both a passing and a rushing TD to his stats in the process. I expect Auburn to put up a fight and make this close, but I believe the reigning champs will get it done AT Death Valley.
My prediction: Clemson – 27 Auburn – 21
PAC-12 Showdown
Over the past few years, the Pac-12 has become a more open conference without Oregon dominating the landscape. Due to this, teams such as USC and Stanford have gained opportunity to compete for the PAC-12 championship and a very strong resume to get into the college football playoff. In week 2, USC, led by #1 QB prospect Sam Darnold, takes on a very strong defense coached by David Shaw in the Stanford football team. USC struggled against Western Michigan, pulling away late last week. In my opinion, I think that USC is a very overrated team and will get caught up in the hype against this Stanford secondary.
My prediction: Stanford- 27 USC – 17
Upset Alert for Eason(less) Bulldogs?
My extreme “upset alert” pick this week comes courtesy of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish as they stay at home to face the visiting Georgia Bulldogs. Georgia comes into this week without their young QB talent Jacob Eason as he injured his knee in last week’s contest against Appalachian State on a late hit. This is a tremendous blow to the Bulldogs who, coming into this season, looked to be very promising SEC East contenders, personally my pick to win. I see freshman Jake Fromm come out as he did in the App. State game and lead 2 TD drives but Notre Dame continually answering and being too much for Nick Chubb to carry the offense against.
My prediction: Notre Dame – 34 Georgia – 20

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