Week 2 of the college football season begins Friday night, highlighting NIU’s quest for a 20th boneyard victory against the University of Maryland.
With MAC teams as underdogs and a Mountain West vs. Big Ten matchup on Saturday, here are the Northern Star Sports Staff’s predictions for five of the most interesting Week 2 matchups in NCAA football.
NIU at Maryland
Kalin Schaefer, Sports Editor (2-3): Maryland — While I want to stick with my Huskies, a two-point win over Holy Cross is not the best sign for how this Big Ten matchup is going to go for NIU. The 20th boneyard victory will have to wait.
Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter (4-1): Maryland — Counting NIU out against a Power Four opponent is a risky move, especially after what happened in South Bend last year. However, that underwhelming outing on Saturday doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence about a team entering a house it’s only ever lost in.
Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter (4-1): Maryland — The Huskies struggled to take care of Holy Cross at home last week, and this week they travel to face a tough Maryland team that won 39-7 last week. The Huskies’ defense will keep them in this game, but expect the offensive struggles to continue.
Claire Valenti, Sports Reporter (3-2): Maryland — I was just under two months old the last time NIU visited Maryland, and the Huskies lost 23-20. The only time the Terrapins lost was when NIU had home-field advantage. Using home-sweet-home logic, since Maryland is hosting, the Huskies will lose.
Eric Avila, Sports Reporter (3-2): NIU — I think the Huskies will be able to stand a chance against the Terrapins because last year they held No. 5 Notre Dame to 14 points and pulled off one of the biggest upsets in college football history.
Logan Whittington, Sports Reporter (2-3): Maryland— With freshman quarterback Malik Washington powering the Terrapin offense and their defense shutting down the run game, Maryland should be able to sneak a close game win.
Abel Naranjo, Sports Reporter: (Maryland) — Unfortunately, the Huskies victory against Holy Cross wasn’t convincing enough. Maryland is coming off a much stronger victory against FAU and has all the momentum. As much as I’d love another NIU upset, this Maryland defense seems prepared for the run game.
No. 14 Michigan at No. 18 Oklahoma
Schaefer: Oklahoma — After holding Illinois State to 3 points last week and with a true freshman at the helm of Michigan’s offense, this one is Oklahoma’s to lose. Also, in solidarity with our friends, and Michigan rivals, at the University of Illinois, down go the Wolverines.
Kisellus: Oklahoma — The Sooners are often a team that gets punched in the mouth by ranked opponents, but they’re due for a punch of their own. Either that, or they’ll come down to earth harder than their wagon did six years ago.
Segreti: Oklahoma — Michigan’s quarterback, true freshman Bryce Underwood, will be making just his second collegiate start against Oklahoma, and while he impressed in his debut, expect Underwood to look more like a true freshman when facing his first real challenge at the collegiate level.
Valenti: Michigan — Both of these teams won their first games of the season, and the only other time they’ve faced each other was in 1976 (the Sooners won 14-6). Oklahoma may be the better team, but how could I not root for true freshman Underwood leading the Wolverines to victory?
Avila: Oklahoma — Oklahoma looks like a strong team this year and I think they will be able to beat Michigan who comes off of a mediocre season. Oklahoma will pull off the win after holding Illinois State to only 3 points.
Whittington: Oklahoma — Defensive-minded head coach Brent Venables is going to try and attempt to frustrate Underwood and the passing game. Both teams won their matchups last week but I have Oklahoma winning a close game.
Naranjo: Oklahoma — Another exciting Big Ten vs SEC matchup that I think will go to the Sooners. While Underwood looked great in the 34-17 victory against New Mexico, Oklahoma is in another tier and I expect this Sooners defense, under Venables, to be prepared for anything Michigan has ready.
UCLA at UNLV
Schaefer: UNLV — While I’m all for giving players a few games to prove themselves, it’s safe to say that UCLA redshirt sophomore quarterback Nico Iamaleava is not having the greatest start to the season. Between having home-field advantage and a 2-0 start to the season, UNLV’s got this one in the bag.
Kisellus: UNLV — Two weeks ago, this seemed like a shoe-in for UCLA. Now? Not so much. UNLV and junior quarterback Anthony Colandrea are looking hot with their 2-0 start, while UCLA is probably having buyer’s remorse about Iamaleava.
Segreti: UNLV — UCLA made a big transfer portal move in the offseason to recruit former Tennessee quarterback Iamaleava, but after UCLA’s 10-point performance against Utah last week, the Iamaleava led offense will not be enough to overtake UNLV.
Valenti: UNLV — Viva Las Vegas. Imagine a scenario where the UCLA football team is only a hop, skip and a jump away from the strip on Friday night, just to be wrecked when it’s time to dance on Saturday. I mean, probably not, but the Rebels have a better quarterback either way.
Avila: UNLV — UNLV have been off to a great start this year looking sharp as a new pencil. UCLA on the other hand is probably looking for a new quarterback as we speak.
Whittington: UNLV — UNLV is starting the year with a pair of wins against Idaho State and Sam Houston, while UCLA is coming off a brutal 43-10 loss to Utah. UNLV has all the momentum right now.
Naranjo: UCLA — The Bruins are coming off an embarrassing 43-10 home loss to Utah in which they were simply dominated. As bad as it was, Utah deserves all the credit and played a perfect game. UCLA will be looking to avoid a disastrous start against a confident UNLV team. Although the Rebels are off to a strong 2-0 start, I expect UCLA to learn from last week and squeak out a very close win.
West Virginia at Ohio
Schaefer: West Virginia — The reigning MAC champions against a West Virginia offense that scored 45 points last week is a tough one. I’m going to leave it to the fact that West Virginia has former NIU tight end Grayson Barnes and Ohio doesn’t.
Kisellus: Ohio — I’m either going to look like an absolute genius or a total moron here, but something tells me the Bobcats will get the Power Four win they came so close to last week. Why? Parker Navarro. Even Timothée Chalamet would agree with me on that.
Segreti: West Virginia — Ohio has a high powered offense, led by Navarro, putting up 31 points in its loss last week to Rutgers. Ohio’s defense is not as good as their offense and expect this West Virginia offense to strike early and often on Saturday.
Valenti: West Virginia — I would never, ever pick Ohio to win anything. Like, ever.
Avila: West Virginia — Ohio put up a good fight against Rutgers last week but I don’t think it will be the same against West Virginia. I think West Virginia coming off of scoring 45 points last week will continue the momentum, after holding Robert Morris to 3 points.
Whittington: West Virginia — The Mountaineers absolutely dominated their last game against Robert Morris in a 45-3 blowout. Nicco Marchiol looked really good in his last game so I have West Virginia winning.
Naranjo: West Virginia — With Ohio at home and their exciting offense, they have the slightest of chances. The Bobcats’ poor defense, however, is another story and the Mountaineers offense have more than enough talent for another blowout. With Ohio at home, they’ll look to strike early but I expect West Virginia’s defense to be solid and take care of business.
Central Michigan at Pittsburgh
Schaefer: Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh annihilated Duquesne 61-9 and Central Michigan just hung on for a 16-14 win against San Jose State last week. That’s all I need to say that Pittsburgh’s offense is going to roll right over Central Michigan for the win.
Kisellus: Pittsburgh — I mean, did you see smackdown Pitt gave to Duquesne on Saturday? Sure, Duquesne’s a measly FCS program, but a 60-burger still counts for something against Division I competition. Sorry, Chippewas.
Segreti: Pittsburgh — Central Michigan barely squeaked out a win last week against San Jose State, winning 16-14. Pittsburgh is a much better, power conference school that should have no problem taking care of Central Michigan, much like they took down Duquesne the previous week.
Valenti: Pittsburgh — Sorry Chips, love that you’re 1-0, but no way. After the Panthers tore the meat off of Duquesne’s bones in a 61-9 victory last week, I can only see Pittsburgh eyeing up Central Michigan as seconds.
Avila: Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh is coming off of scoring 61 points last week against Duquesne, and I believe that they will ride off of that momentum coming into this game. I believe Central Michigan can put up a fight but they would need to continue off of it and not let go.
Whittington: Pittsburgh — Central Michigan won their first game of the season last week in a close 16-14 victory. However, the Panthers are coming off a 61-9 blowout win to Duquesne and are the more talented group overall.
Naranjo: Pittsburgh — With Pittsburgh’s 61-9 win against Duquesne, it is so difficult to see Central Michigan be a threat. The Chippewas just scraped by against San Jose State last week 16-14, not the strongest of wins. The away trip does not do Central Michigan any favors and they’ll be fortunate to keep it close. I’m expecting another blowout win for Pittsburgh.
