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Week 2

This weekly series will offer up prediction and insight into key football games in the upcoming weekend.

#15 Texas (1-0) @ Arkansas (1-0) (+7)

Saturday, Sept. 11 @ 5 p.m. on ESPN

Thomas 

Texas faces an unranked Arkansas in a very winnable week two contest. With both teams earning wins against relatively weak opponents in week one, there is little consensus on the strength of either squad. Texas enjoyed a mildly successful, yet unremarkable 2020 season that culminated in a convincing win over Colorado in the Alamo bowl. Arkansas, on the other hand, got tossed around like a ragdoll by their far superior opponents in the Southeastern Conference, finishing the season 3-7. Texas will glide past Arkansas this weekend with the help of former MSU Head Coach Jeff Choate, now the Longhorn inside linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator. Score: Longhorns 34 - Razorbacks 12.

Meredith: 

With both the Texas Longhorns and the Arkansas Razorbacks winning their first game this past weekend, the matchup between these two teams could be considered close. However, the stats for these two teams make it evidently clear that one team has a better chance. The Texas Longhorns had longer possession time, no turnovers and more yards each possession. Yes, the Arkansas score was 38-17 this past weekend, and yes that means they beat the Longhorns score of 38-18. However, the Razorbacks had more turnovers, less possession time and fewer yards per play in comparison to Texas. While it may be a closer game, I’m sticking to the stats on this one and rooting for Texas. Score: Texas wins 21-17

Jaxson 

Newly hired Texas head football coach Steve Sarkisian started the season off with an impressive win over the ranked Louisiana football team, winning by three scores. In his first game as head coach, he showcased his offensive prowess, utilizing both the air and ground game. I expect the Longhorns to enter Fayetteville, Arkansas, and dominate both sides of the ball against a basement SEC team. Texas wins in dominating fashion, 37-10. 

Washington (0-1) @  Michigan (1-0) (-7)

Saturday, Sept. 11 @ 6 p.m. on ABC

Thomas 

It took only one week for the Huskies to trash their 2021 season. A loss to the lowly Griz of Missoula transformed Washington from a potential Pac-12 champion into a laughingstock. Meanwhile, Michigan looked like a well-oiled machine in their 47-14 rout of Western Michigan. The easy pick here is Michigan, but I simply cannot put my faith in Jim Harbaugh to coach the Wolverines to victory in any meaningful game. Harbaugh is certainly a competent coach, but his time at Michigan started off a bit bumpy and has only gotten worse. Washington will ruin Michigan’s hopes of a Big Ten championship, and Harbaugh will once again be forced to search for answers. Score: Washington 20 - Michigan 10.

Meredith 

The Michigan Wolverines have certainly demonstrated they are here to play this year. Destroying Western Michigan with a score of 47-14 this past weekend, Michigan certainly looks like a powerhouse in comparison to Washington. Not only is Michigan a Big Ten team, but they also are way too good to be beaten by the Grizzlies. I’m going to stress this point heavily: Washington lost to the Grizzlies. If Michigan can destroy Western MI, I have a good feeling that Michigan will probably defeat Washington pretty convincingly. Especially if Washington couldn’t play well against the Griz. Definitely rooting for Michigan, until they play Wisconsin. Go Badgers! 

Score: Michigan wins 35-14

Jaxson

This past week, the Montana Grizzlies went to Seattle and pulled off what is sure to be one of the biggest upsets of this college football season, beating the Dawgs, 13-7. The Husky offense showed no signs of life, save for the opening drive when Washington drove the length of the field to score a touchdown. The Huskies will have something to prove on their road trip to Ann Arbor: Was the game against Montana a one-time fluke or will the offensive struggle continue in the Big House and against Pac-12 foes? Michigan is coming off an impressive win against Western Michigan (47-14) but, during his tenure as leader of the Wolverines, Jim Harbough continues to show an inability to win the prime-time matchups. Washington will win a close one, 21-17, putting the game against the Griz in the rearview mirror. 

GOLD RUSH #11 Montana State (0-1) v.s. Drake (1-0) 

Saturday, Sept. 11 @ 6 p.m. in Bobcat Stadium

Thomas 

On September 11, the Montana State Bobcats flood the turf under a sea of gold that surges in the stands, generating a roar that can be heard from the moon. The Drake Bulldogs tremble like an aspen grove as the Cats drive down the field, scoring at will. Brent Vigen’s offense finds their rhythm immediately, while Drake tries desperately to find a map to the end zone. The crowd only grows louder as the Cats light up the scoreboard. By the end of the game, the Bulldogs will hope they never set foot on Bobcat turf again. Score: Cats 50 - Bulldogs 0.

Meredith:

Despite Drake’s convincing win against West Virginia Wesleyan this past weekend and Montana State’s unfortunate loss to Wyoming, there is no doubt in my mind that the Bobcats can pull off a win at Gold Rush. The original predictions for the Wyoming-MSU game resembled a deafening win by the Cowboys, but the Cats managed to hold on tight and almost pulled off a win. Both Drake and Montana State have won three of their last five games played. While Drake has played the five games more recently, nothing takes away from the fact that the Bobcat wins were both high-scoring and convincing. MSU quarterback Matthew McKay is also someone to be impressed by. McKay has 200 yards under his belt along with two touchdowns recorded for this season. Not only have our Bobcat players demonstrated that they are ready to play this year, but this will be the first time the men take the field at home with a full house since 2019. Something can be said about home-field advantage, especially when the team will feel the full support of Bobcat nation. Go Cats go! Score: MSU wins 28-14

Jaxson 

Bobcat football is coming home to Bozeman as the Cats look to bounce back after a disappointing loss to FBS opponent Wyoming. The Cats’ defense showed up in Laramie, holding the Cowboys to three points through the first three quarters and nabbing an interception on Wyoming’s first drive. In Matthew McKay’s debut in the Blue and Gold, he threw 19-28 for 200 yards and two touchdowns. If not for some very questionable calls and a late Cowboy touchdown, the Cats would have come out of week one with a win. Drake is coming off a dominating win against the Division II Bobcats of West Virginia Wesleyan, 45-3. The Bobcats haven’t played a home game in 638 days. With an expected sell-out, Bobcat stadium will be rocking. Emotions will be high and the 11th ranked Cats will look to score first and often. Cats win big, 35-7.