2025 Week 2 College Football Predictions for Every Game

The anticipation, nerves and excitement of a new college football campaign are gone. Now comes the hard part: the in-season grind.

Sure, any number of programs had a great opener. Ohio State, LSU and Miami picked up marquee wins, and Florida State dropped a metaphorical bomb on most expectations with a dominant upset over Alabama.

Thanks to the expanded College Football Playoff, teams now have a greater margin for error, meaning a single loss is no longer a season-ender.

However, no genuine contender can afford a terribly slow start.

Week 2 provides that bounce-back opportunity for teams such as Texas, Clemson, Alabama and so on. Michigan's trip to Oklahoma headlines what is otherwise another quiet weekend full of lower-division matchups.

No. 15 Michigan (1-0) at No. 18 Oklahoma (1-0), 7:30 p.m.

In the featured clash of the weekend, Michigan coach Sherrone Moore leads the Wolverines to his alma mater. This is a tone-setting game for both U-M freshman QB Bryce Underwood and OU standout John Mateer as they adjust to their new environments.

I lean toward OU because of Mateer's experience. However, if the Wolverines win, expect the hype around Underwood to skyrocket.

Prediction: Oklahoma 27, Michigan 23

No. 12 Arizona State (1-0) at Mississippi State (1-0), 7:30 p.m.

Although the result was never in question, Arizona State had a little more trouble dispatching Northern Arizona than expected. Penalties were the main culprit, and a similar performance in Starkville would make ASU especially vulnerable to an upset.

Prediction: Arizona State 27, Mississippi State 20

Baylor (0-1) at No. 17 SMU (1-0), Noon

If that version of the Baylor defense shows up again, it's not going to be competitive. Auburn hung 307 rushing yards on the Bears in a 38-24 win. I'm inclined to believe it was a wild outlier, but SMU is still a slight favorite this weekend.

Prediction: SMU 36, Baylor 33

No. 11 Illinois (1-0) at Duke (1-0), Noon

For both programs, the path to relevance truly begins with a Week 2 win. Illinois has CFP aspirations, and Duke is hoping transfer QB Darian Mensah can spark an ascent. With a veteran roster, I expect Illinois to handle the challenges of a road game. However, Duke presents a real threat in what may be a low-scoring contest.

Prediction: Illinois 24, Duke 20

Iowa (1-0) at No. 16 Iowa State (2-0), Noon

This matchup will likely come down to whether Iowa's passing game can threaten Iowa State. Ideally, the Hawkeyes would control the clock on the ground and force ISU into a low-possession slog. But I'm not sold on Iowa sustaining drives by picking up a few third-and-longs through the air.

Prediction: Iowa State 23, Iowa 13

James Madison at Louisville (1-0), 7 p.m. ET
Prediction: Louisville 37, JMU 17

Western Illinois at Northwestern (0-1), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Northwestern 31, Western Illinois 10

Northern Illinois (1-0) at Maryland (1-0), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Maryland 34, Northern Illinois 14

Eastern Washington at Boise State (0-1), 9 p.m.
Prediction: Boise State 38, Eastern Washington 13

Florida International (1-0) at No. 2 Penn State (1-0), Noon ET

Penn State steamrolled Nevada 46-11 to begin the season and is a gargantuan favorite once again. Expect another rout for the Nittany Lions.

Prediction: Penn State 48, FIU 10

San Jose State (0-1) at No. 7 Texas (0-1), Noon

Arch Manning struggled in his much-anticipated debut as the Longhorns' full-time QB1, but he should have a big afternoon this Saturday. San Jose State lost at home to Central Michigan in Week 1.

Prediction: Texas 49, SJSU 6

East Texas A&M (0-1) at No. 14 Florida State (1-0), Noon

Florida State is riding the emotional high of hammering Alabama and putting the 2024 nightmare squarely in the past. The goal now is settling into the season. SMU toppled FCS school East Texas A&M 42-16 last weekend.

Prediction: Florida State 45, East Texas A&M 7

Kennesaw State (0-1) at No. 23 Indiana (1-0), Noon

Indiana gave up two long touchdown runs to Old Dominion, and those breakdowns can be crushing when it's opposite higher competition. The Hoosiers have a chance to clean it up against Kennesaw State, which nearly upset Wake Forest but probably doesn't have the offense to stay with Saturday's opponents.

Prediction: Indiana 38, Kennesaw State 10

Kent State (1-0) at No. 24 Texas Tech (1-0), Noon

Congrats to Kent State, which snapped a 21-game losing skid in a win over lower-division Merrimack. The reward is traveling to face a Texas Tech offense that surpassed 600 yards and scored 67 points in Week 1. Gulp.

Prediction: Texas Tech 56, Kent State 10

Utah State (1-0) at No. 19 Texas A&M (1-0), 12:45 p.m.

Fans are ready for a revenge game at Notre Dame in Week 3, but Texas A&M must focus on Utah State. Shoring up a run defense that surrendered 203 yards to UTSA should be the Aggies' top priority this weekend.

Prediction: Texas A&M 41, Utah State 17

Virginia (1-0) at North Carolina State (1-0), Noon
Prediction: Virginia 23, NC State 20

Central Michigan (1-0) at Pitt (1-0), Noon
Prediction: Pitt 34, CMU 13

Connecticut (1-0) at Syracuse (0-1), Noon
Prediction: Syracuse 38, UConn 21

Northwestern State (1-0) at Minnesota (1-0), Noon
Prediction: Minnesota 52, Northwestern State 10

Liberty (1-0) at Jacksonville State (0-1), Noon
Prediction: Liberty 27, Jax State 23

Western Carolina (0-1) at Wake Forest (1-0), 2 p.m.
Prediction: Wake Forest 37, Western Carolina 21

Howard (1-0) at Temple (1-0), 2 p.m.
Prediction: Temple 41, Howard 10

Idaho State (0-2) at New Mexico (0-1), 3 p.m.
Prediction: New Mexico 31, Idaho State 16

Grambling (1-0) at No. 1 Ohio State (1-0), 3:30 p.m. ET

This is an ideal encore for the Buckeyes, who spent the whole summer preparing for and thinking about a showdown with Texas. Every opponent must be respected, but Ohio State should be more relaxed when it hosts FCS school Grambling.

Prediction: Ohio State 59, Grambling 7

Austin Peay (1-0) at No. 4 Georgia (1-0), 3:30 p.m.

Last weekend, Austin Peay earned its first win over an FBS opponent since 1987 in a strong 34-14 rout of Middle Tennessee. Georgia will not be so kind.

Prediction: Georgia 48, Austin Peay 7

Oklahoma State (1-0) at No. 6 Oregon (1-0), 3:30 p.m.

The good news for Oklahoma State is the defense played well in a 27-7 win over UT Martin. The bad news is the offense was pretty mediocre, and the worse news is OSU has to take on a stout Oregon defense in Week 2. It would be surprising if this matchup is competitive in the fourth quarter.

Prediction: Oregon 41, Oklahoma State 14

Troy (1-0) at No. 8 Clemson (0-1), 3:30 p.m.

Unfortunately for Clemson, all that firepower on the Cade Klubnik-led offense had a quiet evening in the loss to LSU. It should make an appearance against Troy, though, in advance of a lurking ACC trip to Georgia Tech.

Prediction: Clemson 44, Troy 13

No. 20 Ole Miss (1-0) at Kentucky (1-0), 3:30 p.m.

Kentucky's upset last season is part of the reason Ole Miss narrowly missed the CFP, so there's redemption at stake. Lexington is a tricky place to play, but a lackluster passing game looks problematic for UK.

Prediction: Ole Miss 31, Kentucky 16

East Tennessee State (1-0) at No. 22 Tennessee (1-0), 3:30 p.m.

Joey Aguilar impressed in his Tennessee debut, affirming the Vols' place on the national radar. Beyond winning, the Vols' main objective in this contest is staying healthy to take on Georgia at full strength in Week 3.

Prediction: Tennessee 52, ETSU 6

South Florida (1-0) at No. 13 Florida (1-0), 4:15 p.m.

As trips to LSU and Miami peak over the horizon, Florida cannot afford to lose focus. South Florida just steamrolled Boise State behind dual-threat QB Byrum Brown, who presents a tough matchup for the UF defense. Florida is the clear favorite, but USF may hang around into the fourth quarter.

Prediction: Florida 36, USF 20

Gardner-Webb (1-0) at Georgia Tech (1-0), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 45, Gardner-Webb 14

Miami (Ohio) (0-1) at Rutgers (1-0), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Rutgers 27, Miami 10

Kansas (2-0) at Missouri (1-0), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Missouri 31, Kansas 23

Bowling Green (1-0) at Cincinnati (0-1), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Cincinnati 30, Bowling Green 13

Delaware (1-0) at Colorado (0-1), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Colorado 34, Delaware 10

Fresno State (1-1) at Oregon State (0-1), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Oregon State 27, Fresno State 21

Texas State (1-0) at UTSA (0-1), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Texas State 38, UTSA 33

UAB (1-0) at Navy (1-0), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Navy 42, UAB 17

North Texas (1-0) at Western Michigan (0-1), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: North Texas 34, WMU 27

Saint Francis (0-1) at Buffalo (0-1), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Buffalo 41, Saint Francis 7

Bryant (0-1) at Massachusetts (0-1), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: UMass 31, Bryant 17

Lindenwood (0-1) at Appalachian State (1-0), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: App State 45, Lindenwood 14

Middle Tennessee (0-1) at Wisconsin (1-0), 4 p.m.
Prediction: Wisconsin 27, MTSU 3

West Virginia (1-0) at Ohio (0-1), 4 p.m.
Prediction: West Virginia 30, Ohio 17

Northern Iowa (1-0) at Wyoming (1-0), 4 p.m.
Prediction: Wyoming 23, Northern Iowa 19

Cal Poly (1-0) at No. 25 Utah (1-0), 6 p.m. ET

Devon Dampier had a tremendous debut for Utah, a new arrival to the Top 25. Cal Poly, which finished 3-8 last season, is unlikely to match the Utes' skill.

Prediction: Utah 42, Cal Poly 14

Bethune-Cookman (0-1) at No. 5 Miami (1-0), 7 p.m.

Not that anyone anticipates a close game, Bethune-Cookman just ceded 223 yards and six touchdowns to FIU's rushing attack. Trying to handle Miami's elite offensive line and deep backfield won't be fun.

Prediction: Miami 56, BCU 0

South Carolina State (1-0) at No. 10 South Carolina (1-0), 7 p.m.

After a quality win over Virginia Tech to begin the season, South Carolina will quickly move to 2-0 before playing its eight SEC games in a row.

Prediction: South Carolina 52, SC State 10

Arkansas State (1-0) at Arkansas (1-0), 5 p.m.
Prediction: Arkansas 48, Arkansas State 10

Sacramento State (0-1) at Nevada (0-1), 5 p.m.
Prediction: Nevada 31, Sac State 10

Jackson State (1-0) at Southern Miss (0-1), 5 p.m.
Prediction: Southern Miss 34, Jackson State 14

Texas Southern (0-1) at Cal (1-0), 6 p.m.
Prediction: Cal 37, Texas Southern 13

Campbell (0-1) at East Carolina (0-1), 6 p.m.
Prediction: ECU 31, Campbell 10

Florida A&M (0-1) at Florida Atlantic (0-1), 6 p.m.
Prediction: FAU 38, FAMU 14

Missouri State (0-1) at Marshall (0-1), 6 p.m.
Prediction: Marshall 33, Missouri State 17

North Carolina Central (1-1) at Old Dominion (0-1), 6 p.m.
Prediction: ODU 35, NC Central 10

North Carolina (0-1) at Charlotte (0-1), 7 p.m.
Prediction: UNC 37, Charlotte 14

Army (0-1) at Kansas State (1-1), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Kansas State 34, Army 10

Houston (1-0) at Rice (1-0), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Houston 31, Rice 17

North Carolina A&T (0-1) at UCF (1-0), 7 p.m.
Prediction: UCF 45, North Carolina A&T 10

Memphis (1-0) at Georgia State (0-1), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Memphis 34, Georgia State 20

Tulane (1-0) at South Alabama (1-0), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Tulane 31, South Alabama 17

Western Kentucky (2-0) at Toledo (0-1), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Toledo 30, WKU 26

Long Island (0-1) at Eastern Michigan (0-1), 7 p.m.
Prediction: EMU 38, LIU 10

Northern Colorado (1-0) at Colorado State (0-1), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Colorado State 41, Northern Colorado 17

Louisiana Tech (1-0) at No. 3 LSU (1-0), 7:30 p.m. ET

Even if you believe in a hangover game, LSU shouldn't be in much danger. Louisiana Tech blanked SE Louisiana last weekend but only gained 262 yards. Hard to see LSU having a problem early in the second half.

Prediction: LSU 48, Louisiana Tech 10

Louisiana-Monroe (1-0) at No. 23 Alabama (0-1), 7:45 p.m.

In reality, Alabama does not deserve a spot in the AP Top 25 following its drubbing at Florida State. However, it narrowly avoided being unranked for the first time since 2007 and should stay in the poll after a victory over ULM—which, you may recall, actually beat the Crimson Tide in that 2007 season.

Prediction: Alabama 42, ULM 14

Vanderbilt (1-0) at Virginia Tech (0-1), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Vanderbilt 27, Virginia Tech 24

Boston College (1-0) at Michigan State (1-0), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: MSU 24, Boston College 23

Akron (0-1) at Nebraska (1-0), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Nebraska 42, Akron 9

Georgia Southern (0-1) at USC (1-0), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: USC 45, Georgia Southern 13

Southern Illinois (1-0) at Purdue (1-0), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Purdue 38, Southern Illinois 10

Ball State (0-1) at Auburn (1-0), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Auburn 44, Ball State 7

Charleston Southern (0-1) at Coastal Carolina (0-1), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Coastal Carolina 34, Charleston Southern 13

UCLA (0-1) at UNLV (2-0), 8 p.m.
Prediction: UNLV 27, UCLA 24

McNeese (1-0) at Louisiana (0-1), 8 p.m.
Prediction: Louisiana 42, McNeese 14

Tulsa (1-0) at New Mexico State (1-0), 9 p.m.
Prediction: New Mexico State 26, Tulsa 23

UT Martin (0-1) at UTEP (0-1), 9 p.m.
Prediction: UTEP 27, UT Martin 13

Weber State (0-1) at Arizona (1-0), 10 p.m.
Prediction: Arizona 48, Weber State 10

Stanford (0-1) at BYU (1-0), 10:15 p.m.
Prediction: BYU 34, Stanford 17

San Diego State (1-0) at Washington State (1-0), 10:15 p.m.
Prediction: Washington State 23, SDSU 20

UC Davis (1-0) at Washington (1-0), 11 p.m.
Prediction: Washington 47, UC Davis 14

Sam Houston (0-2) at Hawaii (1-1), 11:59 p.m.
Prediction: Hawaii 28, Sam Houston 23