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SALT LAKE CITY — The official kickoff of the college football season last week did not disappoint, providing fans with a lot of great games that came down to the wire.
Here's a preview of this week's matchups as we head into Week 2.
Iowa (1-0) vs. No. 16 Iowa State (2-0)
Saturday, Sept. 6, 10 a.m. MDT – Jack Trice Stadium (Fox)
Two in-state rivals will clash for the 72nd time when Iowa travels to Ames to take on the Cyclones of Iowa State.
Why Iowa will win:
The Hawkeyes are coming off a home loss to Iowa State a year ago, and what better way to avenge that loss than to pick up a resume-building win in your rival's stadium?
Iowa boasts a potent rushing attack and elite defense year in and year out. What could make the difference this year is their new quarterback, Mark Gronowski, a two-time FCS national champion with South Dakota State.
Gronowski only threw for 44 yards against Albany last week, but he did throw for a touchdown and added 39 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
Gronowski wasn't asked to throw much because the run game dominated Albany, totalling 310 yards on the ground as a team. Leading the charge was running back Xavier Williams, who ran for 122 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.
If the Hawkeyes can put together a complete offensive game, they should be able to challenge Iowa State in this matchup.
Why Iowa State will win:
With two games under their belt, the Cyclones have faced more competition thus far to help prepare them for this early-season rivalry game. This will actually be Iowa State's second rivalry game this season and we are only in Week 2.
The Cyclones took on the Kansas State Wildcats in Ireland in Week 0 in an overseas matchup of "Farmageddon." Playing a team like Kansas State early should prepare Iowa State for this physical matchup.
Quarterback Rocco Becht has been efficient for the Cyclones so far, passing for 461 yards and five touchdowns while adding a score on the ground. His experience under center should prove to be a difference maker in what should be a tight contest.
Line: ISU -3.5
Over/Under: 41.5
Utah State (1-0) vs. No. 19 Texas A&M (1-0)
Saturday, Sept. 6, 10:45 a.m. MDT – Kyle Field (SEC Network)
The Aggies of Utah State will travel to College Station, Texas, to take on the Aggies of Texas A&M in just the second meeting between the two schools.
Why Utah State will win:
Utah State is coming off their first win in the Bronco Mendenhall era after defeating UTEP 28-16. The Aggies didn't do anything special, but they took care of business and are looking to build off that win.
Texas A&M is clearly the better team on paper and Kyle Field is one of the hardest places to play in college football, but last week's games may have provided a blueprint.
Texas A&M's run defense was gashed by UTSA, giving up 201 yards to the Roadrunners, with 177 yards coming from Robert Henry Jr.
Utah State running back Miles Davis was effective Saturday, rushing for 88 yards and a touchdown in his team debut. Utilizing Davis and Bryson Barnes' dual-threat ability will give Utah State a chance to exploit a weakness from the Aggies.
Why Texas A&M will win:
Quarterback Marcel Reed showed improvement as a passer in his first game of the season, completing 22-of-34 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns. Typically known for his running ability, Reed should create problems for Utah State's defense after playing a subpar offense in UTEP.
A&M has high expectations in the SEC this season and dominating a game like this should be at the forefront of their minds after remaining competitive with UTSA for three quarters last week.
Line: TA&M -31.5
Over/Under: 54.5
Kansas (2-0) vs. Missouri (1-0)
Saturday, Sept. 6, 1:30 p.m. MDT – Memorial Stadium (ESPN2)
The Jayhawks and Tigers will meet for the first time since 2011 in the next installment of the "Border War" rivalry.
Why Kansas will win:
Kansas is searching for their first win against Missouri since Nov. 29, 2008, and end a three-game losing streak to the Tigers. After getting off to a slow start a year ago, before playing spoiler to some Big 12 teams late last season, the Jayhawks continue to play at a high level.
However, Missouri will be their biggest test so far. The Tigers are relatively unknown, even after dismantling Central Arkansas a week ago.
Kansas' offense has been dynamic to start the year behind veteran signal caller Jalon Daniels, and they will need their star quarterback to be effective once again as they look to end their losing streak to a historic rival.
Why Missouri will win:
Mizzou was primed for an in-season quarterback battle between Sam Horn and Beau Pribula before Horn went down with an injury in the Tigers' season opener. Penn State transfer Beau Pribula looked sharp against Central Arkansas, going 23-of-28 with 283 yards and two touchdowns. Pribula also scored two rushing touchdowns while adding 65 yards on the ground.
With the team now committed to Pribula going forward, Missouri should be focused on winning games and not who's going to start going forward. Playing a rival at home should have Mizzou fans excited for this one, as the Tigers look to make it four in a row against the Jayhawks.
Line: MIZ -6.5
Over/Under: 51.5
Cal Poly (1-0) vs. No. 25 Utah (1-0)
Saturday, Sept. 6, 4 p.m. MDT – Rice-Eccles Stadium (ESPN+)
Devon Dampier will make his home debut as the Utes kick off their home opener against the Cal Poly Mustangs.
Why Cal Poly will win:
Never say never, but the Mustangs are going to have an uphill battle in this one. Beating San Diego 41-17 was a nice way to start the season, but Cal Poly will have to take it up a notch to give them a chance this Saturday.
Quarterback Ty Dieffenbach looked like the Mustang's version of Devon Dampier in their season opener, completing 18-of-27 passes for 263 and two touchdowns. He rushed for 69 yards and a touchdown in their blowout win, as well. Dieffenbach will have to be dynamic in the passing game and on the ground to pull off the massive upset.
Why Utah will win:
Utah looked like they silenced any doubt from the offseason in an early season drubbing of UCLA. Devon Dampier has instantly upgraded the quarterback play from a season ago with an electric debut that included 293 total yards and three total touchdowns.
The defense looked elite, once again, holding the Bruins to just 10 points at home.
Playing their type of game will help Utah in this one. Facing an FCS team that went 3-8 in 2024 should be an easy test for the resurgent Utes at home.
Line: N/A
Over/Under: N/A
Stanford (0-1) vs. BYU (1-0)
Saturday, Sept. 6, 8:15 p.m. MDT – LaVell Edwards Stadium (ESPN)
BYU faces Stanford for the fourth time as the Cardinal look to bounce back from a Week 0 loss.
Why Stanford will win:
Despite losing to the Rainbow Warriors in Week 0, the Cardinal saw running back Micah Ford snap a scoring drought for the team to become the first Stanford running back to score a touchdown since Sept. 23, 2023. Ford totaled 113 rushing yards, showing promise in an otherwise disappointing game.
Stanford's loss to Hawaii was not the start general manager Andrew Luck and head coach Frank Reich were looking for as the Cardinal enter this transition year. Bringing in a ton of NFL experience isn't always a recipe for success at the collegiate level, but facing a freshman quarterback in just their second game could help Stanford bounce back.
Why BYU will win:
Only putting up 286 total yards against Hawaii in their first game doesn't bode well for Stanford, especially after the Rainbow Warriors were blown out by Arizona 40-6.
They'll be facing a BYU squad that pummeled Portland State 69-0. Bear Bachmeier wasn't asked to do much in his first start, but he made the easy throws and showed off his legs in a five-touchdown performance.
The Cougars' run game was phenomenal, totalling 468 yards, while the defense was suffocating to secure the team's first shutout win since they beat Sam Houston 14-0 to open the 2023 season.
BYU shouldn't take this game lightly, but based on last week's performance, the Cougars should be able to replicate a similar game plan.
Line: BYU -18.5
Over/Under: 45.5
