The 2024 college football season rolls on into Week 2, where No. 4 Texas travels to Ann Arbor to face No. 9 Michigan, headlining an action-packed Saturday slate.

Many teams will begin conference play this week, while others will continue to face out-of-conference foes. Four teams in the AP top 25 lost last week, and this Saturday promises to be equally as eventful.

Here’s how we see Week 2 playing out:

4 Texas (-7.5) at 9 Michigan – September 7, 12:00 p.m. ET

Quinn Ewers and the Longhorns looked like a force to be reckoned with against Colorado State last week. They seem destined to return to the College Football Playoff after a narrow loss to Washington in 2023. But they’ll have to face a Big Ten foe, Michigan, in Ann Arbor.

Fortunately for Texas, Michigan no longer has J.J. McCarthy and Blake Corum to lead their team, and the Wolverines looked out of sorts against Fresno State. They can’t keep toying with two quarterbacks, especially against elite teams like Texas when every possession is crucial.

Even though covering a 7.5-point spread on the road is difficult, I expect Texas to lean on their experience and get the job done.

Pick: Texas -7.5

Baylor at 12 Utah (-14.5) – September 7, 12:00 p.m. ET

The Utes will host Baylor in their first ever game as a member of the Big 12. Both teams cruised to easy victories over inferior opponents in Week 1, so neither has proved anything heading into conference play.

Baylor’s sixth-year senior quarterback Dequan Finn tossed two scores last week but was also picked off twice. Against a typically stout Utah defense, he can’t afford to be careless with the ball.

It seems like Utah quarterback Cameron Rising has been around for eons, but in reality, he’s a sixth-year senior just like Finn. In those six seasons, he has only made 26 starts. Rising threw five touchdowns on ten completions last week and looks to be one of college football’s best quarterbacks.

I trust Utah’s rushing attack, defense and quarterback play more than Baylor’s. Plus they’re at home, so give me the Utes.

Pick: Utah -14.5

Iowa State at 25 Iowa (-2.5) – September 7, 3:30 p.m. ET

The Hawkeyes seem to have found their mojo after hiring Tim Lester as their new offensive coordinator. Last week’s 40-point showing against Illinois State was a mark they only reached one time last season. Believe it or not, prior to Drew Stevens’ first quarter field goal, Iowa hadn’t scored a point in 128 minutes of game time. Having a healthy Cade McNamara at quarterback was also key for the Hawkeyes last week.

Iowa State, on the other hand, is coming off of an underwhelming 21-3 win over North Dakota, a game that was competitive into the second half. The Cyclones’ rushing attack was nonexistent, only posting 86 yards on 22 carries. Quarterback Rocco Becht accounted for three touchdowns, saving the day for his squad.

Kinnick Stadium is among the most difficult road environments in college football. If Iowa State can’t run the ball, it’ll be a long day. I expect Iowa to cover with ease.

Pick: Iowa -2.5

15 Tennessee (-8) vs. 24 NC State – September 7, 7:30 p.m. ET

Bank of America Stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers, will play host to this SEC vs. ACC clash. Tennessee needs to win this game. Oklahoma, Alabama and Georgia all loom on their schedule. A loss to NC State would force them to have to win two of those three games to have any chance of making the College Football Playoff. A win would immediately vault them into the playoff conversation. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava looked incredible in Week 1, throwing for 314 yards and three touchdowns.

On the contrary, NC State looked anything but incredible as they narrowly defeated Western Carolina. The Wolfpack have one of the easiest remaining schedules of any Power Five team. No. 25 Clemson and No. 23 Georgia Tech are the only ranked opponents on their calendar. A win against Tennessee would be a major step toward a playoff bid.

Tennessee needs this game more, and based on the way the Vols looked last week compared to the Wolfpack, I’m riding with them.

Pick: Tennessee -8

Boise State at 3 Oregon (-19) – September 7, 10:00 p.m. ET

Oregon was one of Week 1’s biggest surprises, and not in a good way. They barely escaped Idaho, an FCS team, at home by a score of 24-14. If you just looked at the box score, you would assume that Oregon won by 40. Dillon Gabriel threw for 380 yards and two touchdowns, and standout running back Jordan James accounted for 135 total yards and a score. The Ducks out-gained the Vandals 487-217, but Idaho still had chances to win the game late.

Boise State is a popular pick to represent the Group of Five in the College Football Playoff, and they’re playing with house money against Oregon. They aren’t expected to win, and this will be a good test for them heading into conference play. Running back Ashton Jeanty ran for a school record six touchdowns last week, and the Broncos offense looks scary. The downside is that they gave up 45 points to Georgia Southern.

This could be a shootout, and I anticipate Oregon’s offense having a better showing. However, Boise State can certainly keep this game close enough to cover with their offensive firepower.

Pick: Boise State +19

Other Notable Games

Arkansas at 17 Oklahoma State (-7.5) – September 7, 12:00 p.m. ET

Pick: Arkansas +7.5

Bowling Green at 8 Penn State (-34.5) – September 7, 12:00 p.m. ET

Pick: Penn State -34.5

18 Kansas State (-10) at Tulane – September 7, 12:00 p.m. ET

Pick: Tulane +10

Northern Illinois at 7 Notre Dame (-28) – September 7, 3:30 p.m. ET

Pick: Northern Illinois +28

MTSU at 6 Ole Miss (-41.5) – September 7, 4:15 p.m. ET

Pick: Ole Miss -41.5

Buffalo at 11 Missouri (-34.5) – September 7, 7:00 p.m. ET

Pick: Missouri -34.5

South Florida at 5 Alabama (-31) – September 7, 7:00 p.m. ET

Pick: Alabama -31

22 Kansas (-5.5) at Illinois – September 7, 7:00 p.m. ET

Pick: Kansas -5.5

Western Michigan at 2 Ohio State (-38) – September 7, 7:30 p.m. ET

Pick: Ohio State -38

Houston at 16 Oklahoma (-28) – September 7, 7:45 p.m. ET

Pick: Oklahoma -28

App. State at 14 Clemson (-18) – September 7, 8:00 p.m. ET

Pick: App. State +18

Utah State at 23 USC (-28.5) – September 7, 11:00 p.m. ET

Pick: Utah State +28.5