THE BEST THAT COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 2

SEC FACES CHALLENGES IN, OUT OF LEAGUE

Games to watch in Week 2:

MISSISSIPPI STATE AT KANSAS STATE

SEPT. 8, NOON ET, ESPN

VEGAS LINE: Mississippi State by 9 1 / 2

Despite starting QB Nick Fitzgerald serving a one-game suspension for violating team policy, the Joe Moorhead era in Starkville, Mississippi, began just fine as the Bulldogs rolled past FCS member Stephen F. Austin. Things weren’t nearly as smooth in Manhattan, Kansas, where K-State needed a late rally to avoid being an FCS upset victim against South Dakota.

WR-PR Isaiah Zuber saved the day for the Wildcats, and he’s certain to receive plenty of attention from Mississippi State secondary. The Bulldogs will regain the services of Fitzgerald, but he probably could have used the tuneup game since he’ll be taking the field for the first time since his nasty ankle injury suffered in last year’s regular-season finale against Mississippi.

PREDICTION: Bill Snyder’s KState teams always improve as the season progresses, but there appeared to be too many things wrong to fix in one week with an SEC team on deck. The Bulldogs offense will put up points no matter who is running it.

MISSISSIPPI STATE, 38-17

GEORGIA AT SOUTH CAROLINA

SEPT. 8, 3:30 P.M. ET, CBS

VEGAS LINE: Georgia by 9 1 / 2

The Bulldogs face their first hurdle as they look to defend their SEC crown. How high will this hurdle be? If the Gamecocks are within shouting distance in the fourth quarter, anything can happen.

Georgia got the easy workout it wanted against Austin Peay, with incumbent QB Jake Fromm taking charge in a 45-0 win so star recruit Justin Fields could also get his feet wet. South Carolina was equally impressive against FCS competition as QB Jake Bentley did solid work in a 49-15 win against Coastal Carolina. The defenses, of course, will be much more formidable this time as league play gets underway.

PREDICTION: It might take a while with the home crowd in Columbia fired up and the Gamecocks defense flying to the ball. But eventually, Georgia’s more numerous options on offense will pull away.

GEORGIA, 31-17

CLEMSON AT TEXAS A& M

SEPT. 8, 7 P.M. ET, ESPN

VEGAS LINE: Clemson by 12

One of the favorites to reach the College Football Playoff challenges itself on the road. The Aggies’ opening act under Jimbo Fisher was impressive enough (59-7 over Northwestern State), but they’re about to get a taste of what life will be like in the extremely loaded division of their conference.

The Tigers did pretty much everything they wanted in a 48-7 win against Furman, as QB Kelly Bryant took charge and touted freshman QB Trevor Lawrence got in some good minutes as well. Texas A& M got excellent results from QB Kellen Mond and RB Trayveon Williams against Northwestern State, but the Tigers’ defensive front won’t be nearly as permeable.

PREDICTION: Can the Aggies defense make enough stops to give its sure to be challenged offense a chance? It’s possible, but unlikely. Clemson won’t pitch a shutout but will score more than enough points to get out with the win.

CLEMSON, 28-10

PENN STATE AT PITTSBURGH

SEPT. 8, 8 P.M. ET, ABC

VEGAS LINE: Penn State by 9 1 / 2

The Nittany Lions weren’t alone among Big Ten East Division contenders who struggled in Week 1. But their narrow escape against Appalachian State (45-38 in overtime) had to raise a few concerns among fans heading into this backyard trip.

The Panthers weren’t able to go bowling last year with a 5-7 finish, but they were playing better during their stretch run that concluded with an upset of Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal Division champion Miami. Penn State will certainly get their best shot.

QB Trace McSorley delivered when the chips were down for the Nittany Lions, as he’s done in the past. But his line still has issues protecting him, and RB Miles Sanders had trouble finding holes.

Pitt wasn’t exactly an offensive juggernaut in its tuneup win against Albany, but QB Kenny Pickett was efficient as 10 different receivers registered catches.

PREDICTION: Yes, Penn State had issues in the defensive secondary and kick coverage. Pitt can be counted on for hardnosed defense under head coach Pat Narduzzi, but the Lions should find enough points to prevail.

PENN STATE, 23-14

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AT STANFORD

SEPT. 8, 8:30 P.M. ET, FOX

VEGASLINE: Stanford by 4

This is quite a way to start the Pac-12 campaign with a potential preview of the eventual championship game.

The Cardinal, of course, must still contend with Washington and a revitalized Oregon in the North Division, and the young Trojans might get some unexpected challenges in the South Division.

But regardless of how this one turns out, it could be these two squaring off again.

When is having your Heisman Trophy contender bottled up a good thing? Cardinal RB Bryce Love was kept under wraps by San Diego State’s defense, but QB K.J. Costello and WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside connected on three TD passes that should make USC think twice about loading the box to contain Love. The Trojans had a hard time putting away UNLV in its debut, but freshman QB JT Daniels had a pick-free outing.

PREDICTION: The Trojans don’t have long to fix some leaks along the front line, and a talent like Love won’t be kept down for two weeks in a row.

STANFORD, 34-27