B&S Week 2 game-by-game previews
Week two is here and its beautiful. Let’s dive into picks.
By: The Waco Kid, The Hammer, Bossman Slim
Photo via @CFBONFOX
Week two is here, and things are picking up. Last week there were a few good SEC games, but most programs played cupcakes. A few cupcakes remain this week, but overall there’s more good matchups, including the first SEC conference games of the year with Kentucky heading to the Swamp, and South Carolina traveling to Arkansas. I am jacked up to see if Anthony Richardson can repeat what he did against Utah a week ago.
Let’s see if the crew can pick up their slack in Week 2. PREVIEWS. Let’s ride.
#1 Alabama at Texas - 12pm ET on Fox (Bama - 20)
Bossman Slim: Oh baby. Choo Choo, the Tide train is Roooooolllin’ through Austin and it’s gonna get ugly. I have no faith that Texas can give Alabama a game and I expect this one to get out of hand quickly. The Crimson Tide are a machine and while Texas has some talent, they are still in rebuilding mode in year 2 under Sark. There’s plenty of media attention on this one…which means the harsh lights of the spotlight will watch another Longhorns humiliation. Luckily for them it’s at noon and not a primetime game. Tide roll and cover.
Alabama 49
Texas 17
Hammer: There is not a spread large enough for me to pick Texas here. The Longhorns have been tissue paper soft since 2010, and even let teams in the BIG 12 beat up on them. What the hell do you think Bama is going to do? This will be a bloodbath and a reckoning on the 40 acres, showcasing just how far away the once proud Texas is from the elite of college football. All that offensive skill talent won’t matter as the Alabama front seven will be in the backfield all day. Say a prayer for Quinn Ewers. On the other side of the ball, Bryce Young and his band of merry men will be able to score at will. The Texas defense is too weak across the board to really challenge the Tide, just ask Kansas. Bama dominates this one, covers, and Steve Sarkesian will have some angry boosters to appease.
Alabama 52
Texas 10
Waco Kid: Everyone knows Texas’ game plan in this one and it starts with Bijan and ends with Robinson. And if I know, Nick knows, and if Nick knows you have lost before the game has even started. If Sark tries to get cute and use Ewers, Saban will be there, wherever Xavier Worthy is, Saban WILL be there and when Sark lays down tomorrow evening and his head is filled with nightmares of the day before, Saban will be there. #Horns down. #40acrescantstopthetide. #bamarollstexastrolls
Bama ROLLS 52
Texas 3
South Carolina at #16 Arkansas - 12pm ET on ESPN (Arkansas - 8.5)
Bossman Slim: I will definitely have this one on the second TV, and might switch it over to this one on the main screen once Bama puts the game out of hand in Austin. The Gamecocks had some struggles in game on against Georgia State but eventually pulled away. Arkansas took care of business and passed their first test against Cincinnati and looked every bit the part of player in the SEC West. KJ Jefferson is a stud - I’ll take Arkansas to cover at home.
Arkansas 34
South Carolina 20
Hammer: Interesting matchup here. This is a big challenge for South Carolina, who struggled a week ago against Georgia State. Keep an eye on the Arkansas secondary, who suffered some injuries last week including star safety Jalen Catalon, who is out for the remainder of 2022. If South Carolina is going to compete and possibly win this game, Spencer Rattler and the Gamecock passing game will have to be dynamic. I don’t think South Carolina will be able to run the ball very well given their offensive line play, so it’s all on Rattler. KJ Jefferson will hear his number called again often in this one as I think he has another big day on the ground. Arkansas is too good to lose this game at home, gimme the Razorbacks to win and cover.
Arkansas 31
South Carolina 17
Waco Kid: In my opinion Spencer Rattler was who we thought he was. The same guy behind center that repeatedly turned the ball over to the opposition. I mean what has really changed from last year? Still in a Sooner type red uniform, still can’t see over the line, still making bad reads and throwing picks. The only thing that has changed is the conference competition has gotten better and this weekend Rattler will get a taste of what it is like to play week to week in the SEC. Arkansas is going to hit him in the mouth over and over again. Rattler will be good for at least one pick and one fumble and may as well just hobble back to his home state of Arizona, while he is close, and wait for UNLV to call him up to play backup QB. I don’t even need to touch on how good KJ Jefferson looked last week cough 223 in the air for 3 TDs cough because Rattler’s second benching in two years will be the headliner in this one.
Arkansas 38
South Carolina 14
#23 Wake Forest at Vanderbilt - 12pm ET on SEC Network (Wake - 12.5)
Bossman Slim: Sam Hartman is back for the Deacs and that’s not good news for Vandy. I’ll also have my eye on this one. Mike Wright is playing great football right now but it’s come against much lesser opponents. Now is the real test. If Vandy can pull of an upset it will turn some heads. But I don’t see that happening here. Vandy is making strides, but Hartman and this experienced Wake team is too much for the Commodores right now. Give me Wake straight up…but Vandy to cover!
Wake Forest 38
Vanderbilt 27
Hammer: Bad news for Vandy dropped earlier this week as star QB Sam Hartman will return to action this weekend for the Demon Decons. Hartman was sidelined with a non football medical condition several weeks ago, and no one really knew when he would return. Thankfully for Hartman and Wake, it didn't take as long as some initially thought. Very glad the young man is healthy, but this really turned the tables for this matchup. Wake’s offense behind Hartman is dynamic and I think Vandy will have a hard time stopping them. On the other side, Wake’s defense has been putrid in recent years so look for Mike Wright to get loose for the Commodores. Ultimately, I think Wake has too much for an improved but still rebuilding Vandy squad.
Wake Forest 45
Vanderbilt 31
Waco Kid: I’m on that one way ticket with the Vandy train to disappointment. Yes, Sam Hartman is back for Wake Forest but Mike Wright has two WINS under his belt and no rust to shake off. Give me the ‘Dores over the Demons in this one, let’s just hope neither team gets confused by the similar color schemes.
Vanderbilt 45
Wake Forest 41
Missouri at Kansas State - 12pm ET on ESPN 2 (Kansas State - 7.5)
Bossman Slim: The Luther Burden era is here. The Tigers used him in a variety of ways against Louisiana Tech and he’s going to be dynamic for Drinkwitz this season. Brady Cook also flashed some good things at QB. Kansas State is just so darn pesky at home and they’re always a well-coached team. In the history of this game, it’s been dominated by Mizzou, but K-State posted 13-straight wins from 1993-2005. Mizzou then went on a 5-year run of their own. All that to say - K-State can beat Mizzou and I think they have a slightly better squad this year - being in Manhattan tips the scales for the Wildcats, but they don’t cover.
Kansas State 31
Missouri 30
Hammer: Big game here for Mizzou and Eli Drinkwitz, where bragging rights will be on the line between former Big 12 foes. Kansas State is getting some buzz in the Big 12 this year and is more than a touchdown favorite at home. The Wildcats have a super talented running back in Deuce Vaughn and took Adrian Martinez from Nebraska via the transfer portal this off season. Neither Missouri nor K-State played a good opponent in week one, so it's hard to glean much for their games. Luther Burden showed out for Mizzou in his debut, and they will need him to show up again this week to emerge victorious. In the end, I think the Little Apple will be rockin and the Wildcats will outlast Missouri. I’m just not sold on what the Tigers have in 2022.
Kansas State 34
Missouri 31
Waco Kid: I already underestimated Mizzou once and I won’t do it again until they lose. Neither team played top tier competition to open the season but I think the Tigers win over LA Tech was more impressive than KState’s over South Dakota. Who even knew the southern Dakota had football?
Mizzou 28
Kansas State17
Appalachian State at #6 Texas A&M - 3:30pm ET on ESPN 2 (A&M - 19)
Bossman Slim: Woah Nelly. App State can put up some POINTS. The good news for Aggie fans is that the A&M defense is a helluva alot better than Gene Chizik’s current unit at UNC. I think this one will be close into the 3rd quarter, but A&M’s defense puts the clamps on in the second half and Haynes King, Devon Achane and the offense make enough plays in the end to put the Mountaineers away. I’ll take the Aggies to cover.
Texas A&M 42
Appalachian State 20
Hammer: Appalachian State is one of the best group of five schools in the country and took UNC to the brink a week ago. The Mountaineers really should have won the game but couldn't convert on a few 2 point conversion attempts. Meanwhile, A&M had an odd game against Sam Houston that included a three hour weather delay at halftime. Based on App State giving up 63 points to UNC, the Texas A&M offense needs to wake up. The Aggie offensive line and QB play was inconsistent in the opener and if they can clean that up, points will be there. I’m interested to see the Aggie defense square off against what seems to be an explosive App State offense as well. The problem for App State in this game is the Aggie defense is lightyears better than UNC. I expect Mountaineer signal caller Chase Brice to be under duress most of the game and struggle more than a week ago. I’ve got A&M pulling away in the second half and covering.
Texas A&M 41
Appalachian State 17
Waco Kid: Appalachian State has been known as the Kingslayer way before Jaime Lannister graced the Game of Thrones audience with his presence. This began with their 2007 win over #5 Michigan. No one, who lives outside of Boone, North Carolina, would have guessed the outcome of this game. But this game catapulted the mountaineers to the National notoriety they are still known for today. In fact just last week they took UNC down to the wire before losing by two points to the ACC in state competition. This would make any team nervous but we are talking about Texas A&M, a team that is finally competing at its conference standard. This is an SEC team with an SEC defense that will not let the Mountaineers score more than 20. A&M blows this one open in the 2nd quarter and never looks back.
A&M 56
App State 17
#24 Tennessee at #17 Pittsburgh - 3:30pm ET on ABC (Tennessee -6.5)
Bossman Slim: The afternoon snack. This game is going to be awesome. A year ago, Pitt walked into Neyland and came out with a win, but only by the skin of their teeth thanks to a comeback attempt from Hendon Hooker, a performance that essentially secured him the QB job. I don’t think Pitt is that good, and I think they’re ranked where they are based on last year’s success. Their defensive line are grown men, but I think Tennesse can hang with these guys. Vegas agrees with me, and I’ll take the Vols to cover and get their revenge.
Tennessee 37
Pitt 30
Hammer: Huge out of conference game here for the Vols. They steamrolled Ball State in week one, but Pitt is a legitimately good team. Coming off the ACC title a year ago, Pitt defeated West Virginia in week one in a tough game. Kedon Slovis looked good for the Panthers. Truthfully, I’m surprised Tennessee is favored this heavily on the road, but I am high on the Vols this year. This game is a coin flip to me though. I think Pitt is tough, well coached, and won’t beat themselves. It’s too hard to bet against Hendon Hooker and this offense though. Heupel and Hooker have this offense humming and Pitt will offer more resistance than Ball State but no one can keep the Vols out of the end zone. Gimme Pitt to cover and the Vols to win.
Tennessee 38
Pitt 34
Waco Kid: I like this game as an upset alert game. As weird as it is to say #17 beating #24 is an upset, those are the cards we have been dealt. Pitt is coming off of a close shootout with a National Champion QB led team. Last week the Panthers narrowly escaped West Virginia and JT Daniels, and boy did it make for a hell of a game. Pittsburgh is coming in with transfer Kedon Slovis leading the offense under center, and he tore up a Power 5 defensive backfield to the tune of 308 yards. Tennessee played Ball State so their offense was not really challenged and Hendon Hooker looked like he was playing NCAA football on easy mode while Ball State was playing Heisman mode. It was always going to be a lopsided score and unfortunately for fans it does not give a great gauge on just how good the Vols are. Two high powered offenses being thrown into action in game 2 of the season and anything can happen. This one I’ll give to experience over style points.
Pitt 38
Tennessee 37
#20 Kentucky at #12 Florida - 7:00pm ET on ESPN (Florida - 6)
Bossman Slim: yeahhhhh Buddy. This one flipped on a dime, huh? In the preseason, many thought Kentucky would likely walk into The Swamp as a slight favorite. Not anymore as the battle map has shifted. Chris Rodriguez will not be playing tomorrow and that’s a huge loss for the the Wildcats. On the other hand, Florida shot up to #12 in the polls the heels of a great performance by Anthony Richardson and gutting out a win over top 10 Utah last week. Florida has the momentum and I’m still not sold on Will Levis. Show it to me 7. Give me Florida, but they’ll push.
Florida 34
Kentucky 28
Hammer: Massive showdown again this weekend in Gainesville. The Swamp will be rocking yet again as Will Levis and Big Blue Nation come to town. I think this is a close game, and I’m torn on this spread, but I’ve got Florida winning. Chris Rodriguez will not play, and Kentucky ran the ball poorly in their opener against Miami (OH). The Wildcats managed just 50 yards rushing on 26 carries a week ago, and they allowed four sacks. Florida’s front seven is far superior to Miami (OH), so I don’t see the Kentucky offensive line finding their groove against the Gators. I also think Anthony Richardson is better than Will Levis. I’ve been saying all offseason that I don’t buy into the Levis hype and this is a pivotal game for him and Kentucky. Without much of a running game, Levis will have to throw this team to a win on the road in the Swamp at night. What a story for Levis and Kentucky if he can pull that off, but I’ll believe it when I see it. Gator chomp all night in this one.
Florida 27
Kentucky 20
Waco Kid: I was already going to pick Florida in this one after their impressive win over #7 Utah. Anthony Richardson came to life and carried the Gators with his legs throughout the game, rushing for 106 yards and 3 touchdowns and was able to throw for 168 more when needed. He willed his team to a victory and was reminiscent of FLA legend Tim Tebow. That 2 point conversion, you know where the whole Swamp thought Richardson was done for and instead pump faked, ran right and threw to an open receiver, might be one of the best plays we see all season. If the QB1s performance in the season opener wasn’t enough, let’s look on the other side of the field. The wildcats come into this game with leading rusher and game changer Chris Rodriguez suspended. Add in another RB who is out for the rest of the season with an ACL tear and you are looking at an uphill battle for Kentucky. Can Will Levis handle the pressure? If anyone can it would be him but his hands may be too full with a UF team hungry for a shot at the East. Florida wins and covers.
Florida 38
Kentucky 24
San Jose State at Auburn - 7:30pm ET on ESPNU (Auburn - 22.5)
Bossman Slim: All eyes on TJ Finley. Can he come out and give a solid performance and put himself back in the drivers seat to win this job? Or is Robby Ashford going to put in another good performance and keep the questions coming? Auburn will get the win and cover.
Auburn 45
San Jose State 20
Hammer: The one thing I knew about San Jose State in recent years was their QB, Nick Starkel. The longtime journeyman college QB spent time at Texas A&M and Arkansas before landing at San Jose State. Well, he’s gone now and there went all my intel on the Spartans. They narrowly defeated Portland State 21-17 in week one, so I think they’ve taken a step back. Auburn has a ton of their own issues, but they will handle business at home. Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter should run the ball well in this one and lead Auburn to an easy win. I’m interested to see how much run Robby Ashford gets in this one because I’m not sure how many games the Tigers will win if Finley is their best option at QB. War Eagle.
Auburn 34
San Jose State 10
Waco Kid: San Jose State is coming fresh off of a 21-17 win against national powerhouse Portland State. After a win like that, the Spartans have huge momentum going into their matchup with Auburn on Saturday. Just kidding, they will need a miracle on The Plains to bring home a victory. The Tigers hosted Mercer last weekend and were less than impressive. Quarterback TJ Finley threw two interceptions, leading to an appearance by back up Robby Ashford. Ashford looked good for a first year guy, he passed for 100 yards and even laid out a block for running back Tank Bigsby, a play that Head Coach Bryan Harsin stated was his best of the day. So for this one, the question becomes who will be taking snaps for the blue and orange, rather than who will come out victorious. Forget both of these guys; my money is on Zach Calzada, the only QB in Alabama that can beat Alabama.
Auburn 41
San Jose State 13