College Football Week 2 Game Predictions

Irish Breakdown makes predictions for several intriguing college football matchups for week two

The week two slate of college football games aren't as enticing as week one action, but there are still a number of intriguing games on the docket. That includes several games that should catch the attention of Notre Dame fans.

Here are the games we are looking at, why they should matter to Notre Dame fans and then we give our predictions.

#23 TEXAS A&M (1-0) at MIAMI (1-0)

Gametime: 3:30 PM ET
Network: ABC
Line: Texas A&M -4.0; O/U 51

Due to its loose affiliation with the ACC, which includes six games against the conference in 2023, it benefits Notre Dame to see the ACC thrive out of conference. The league got off to a great start last week with Florida State and North Carolina both earning impressive victories over SEC foes. Miami continuing this trend against Texas A&M would greatly benefit the perception of the league, which in turns boosts Notre Dame's profile should it once again go undefeated against the league.

Bryan Driskell - Miami 27, Texas A&M 24

Both teams earned convincing victories in week one, but the Hurricanes were a bit more balanced. Texas A&M's inability to run the ball was problematic, and I expect QB Tyler Van Dyke to have a bounce back performance in the win.

Vince DeDario - Miami 17, Texas A&M 10

Another matchup where it is my head vs my heart. I do not have any love lost for either team in this matchup but I just do not see myself picking A&M, well ever. I know that was an amazing breakdown but I will believe TAMU when they start winning consistently.

Ryan Roberts - Texas A&M 31, Miami 21

Miami looked a lot better last week but that roster is just not very good right now. The Aggies are able to take advantage of their skill position talent and make some explosive plays.

Sean Stires - Miami 24, Texas A&M 21

Both teams scored big in lopsided wins last week. Miami has enough defense to win a close one.

Andrew McDonough - Miami 31, Texas A&M 30

I don't trust either of these teams in this one, a matchup of arguably the two most disappointing teams of 2022. I'll go with the experience at QB and pick Miami,. The Canes can also run the ball too, while A&M put up just 134 yards on the ground despite winning 52-10 over New Mexico. 

CINCINNATI (1-0) at PITTSBURGH (1-0)

Gametime: 6:30 PM ET
Network: CW Network
Line: Pitt -7.5; O/U 45

This game is a potential resume booster for Notre Dame, as the Pitt Panthers look to earn a Power 5 non-conference victory. Cincinnati started its first season as a Power 5 team off with a bang, beating Eastern Kentucky by a 66-13 score. They head east to Pittsburgh in a game that elevate Pitt's standing, which in turn boosts Notre Dame's strength of schedule. Of course, Notre Dame fans also get to watch former Irish quarterback Phil Jurkovec in action.

Bryan Driskell - Pittsburgh 34, Cincinnati 31

Cincinnati looked really good offensively in the opener and they have several SEC transfers fueling the offense. Pittsburgh looked good as well and quarterback Phil Jurkovec looked healthy. It's going to be a fun one, but I'm going with the home team in this one.

Vince DeDario - Pittsburgh 27, Cincinnati 17

Welcome to big boy football for Cincinnati. They have had some good teams in the past but they only had to get up for Power Five games a couple times a season. Now that they are in the Big12 they have to bring it every week. Not to mention the fact they have a brand new staff to do it with. I just do not think that the Bearcats are ready just yet.

Ryan Roberts - Pittsburgh 21, Cincinnati 16

Both teams boast good defenses and offenses that are looking for a true identity. Pitt quarterback Phil Jurkovec is able to out duel Emory Jones when the game matters most. This will be one of the more competitive games of the weekend. 

Sean Stires - Pittsburgh 24, Cincinnati 17

This is an interesting matchup of two quarterbacks who are playing for their third schools. Cincy’s Emory Jones started at Florida and spent a year at Arizona State before throwing five touchdowns and running for two more in his debut vs Eastern Kentucky. Then there’s former Notre Dame QB Phil Jurkovec, who left Boston College for Pitt. He had TDs through the air and on the ground vs Wofford. Pitt’s defense will win the day. 

Andrew McDonough - Cincinnati 28, Pittsburgh 24

I'm taking the Bearcats and QB Emory Jones - the Florida transfer who had 7 touchdowns in the opener - to win this one on the road. Cincinnati will be playing with a chip on its shoulder, as despite the move to the Big 12, the Bearcats are still looked down upon by their midwestern brethren. Pitt beat Wofford in a sleepy game last weekend, and the Panthers will struggle with the speed of Cincinnati in Week 2.

#11 TEXAS (1-0) at #3 ALABAMA (1-0)

Gametime: 7:00 PM ET
Network: ESPN
Line: Alabama -7.0; O/U 54

Right now Notre Dame is sitting at the No. 10 spot in the Associated Press poll, which means it needs teams ahead of it, and just behind it, to lose games. This game is intriguing for a number of reasons. If Texas beats Alabama it would be yet another blow to the Tide, who are fighting to stay in the top group of college football programs. An Alabama win drops Texas down and puts distance between them and the Irish.

Bryan Driskell - Alabama 31, Texas 20

I wouldn't mind being wrong about this one, as I'm ready for the Alabama dynasty to come to an end. Texas has the pass game firepower to do damage, and if they can protect quarterback Quinn Ewers I could see this upset happening, but at the end of the day I'm going with the Bama size up front and defensive pass rush carrying the day.

Vince DeDario - Texas 24, Alabama 21

Game of the weekend for me. Should we ask the ridiculous question that gets asked every year? Is Texas back? What do we really know about either team? Texas certainly has the advantage at the QB position and played a tougher team, but come on, Alabama is Alabama right? How far can they fall off? This game should tell us a lot about how this season is going to go and which, if not both teams, are going to contend this year. I will start the hype surrounding Texas.....for this week.

Ryan Roberts - Alabama 28, Texas 17

Texas is not back. Without Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson, they are much more one dimensional. Alabama is able to get the ground game going and wear down a solid defense. 

Sean Stires - Alabama 27, Texas 20

Is Texas back? We’ll find out Saturday night when Quinn Ewers tries to attack Alabama’s defense with a healthy group of receiving targets. Jalen Milroe made a good debut last week in a lopsided win over Middle Tennessee with three touchdown passes. Texas will be a bigger challenge, but Texas is not back, yet. 

Andrew McDonough - Alabama 31, Texas 23

This one figures to be a back-and-forth game, but I like Alabama punching in a late score to seal this one at home. Ultimately, I trust the Tide's ability to run the football with a deep stable of running backs and stout offensive line more than I do QB Quinn Ewers to carry the Longhorns to victory. 

STANFORD (1-0) at #6 USC (2-0)

Gametime: 10:30 PM ET
Network: Fox
Line: USC -29.5; O/U 69.5

This is the second game of the that pits a pair of Notre Dame opponents against each other. In week one we saw Duke score a huge upset over Clemson, which vaulted the Blue Devils into the Top 25. Stanford will have a much harder time doing that, although this will likely be USC's toughest test of the season so far.

Bryan Driskell - USC 45, Stanford 20

Yes, Stanford looked good in the opener, but I think that has a lot to do with how awful Hawaii is. USC has two games under its belt and its offense has been incredibly explosive. The defense has been okay, but they'll handle the Cardinal line in this one.

Vince DeDario - USC 49, Stanford 7

This might be the biggest blowout of the weekend between Power Five opponents. USC is going to need to score a bunch of points this year to make up for a sub par defense but against the Cardinal of Stanford they are just going to score and score again. Clearly I do not see Stanford keeping up offensively and this one will be over at halftime.

Ryan Roberts - USC 42, Stanford 24

Stanford has a little more life under Troy Taylor. They are playing hard and making things interesting. Unfortunately USC just has more talent, which wins out in the end. 

Sean Stires - USC 44, Stanford 27

Quarterback Ashton Daniels and Stanford looked good in Troy Taylor’s head coaching debut win over Hawaii last week, but USC is a different story. The Trojans are going to give up some points but they’ll just score too much with Caleb Williams running the offense.

Andrew McDonough - USC 56, Stanford 24

USC is going to win this one going away, even though I liked the early returns for Stanford in Troy Taylor's first game. What interests me the most is how USC's defense plays. Alex Grinch's unit was sloppy against San Jose State but better against Nevada.  

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