Most of the Power 4 is taking on another tune-up opponent this week, with a few notable exceptions. A few Big Ten-SEC matchups can help us take stock of the early conference hierarchy, and as last week proved, we can always account for a few surprises – occasionally of the infuriating variety – along the way.

Week One Recap

For the record, Western Michigan got screwed, though Michigan shouldn’t have let that game get as close as it did. From the looks of it, LSU has found even more ways to frustrate us, Rutgers may end up being the worst team in the Power Four by a wide margin, multiple receivers may end up as Heisman finalists, and there’s only 12 more weeks for us to decide if any of that is an overreaction.

Top 25 Matchups

Rankings are from AP Poll

Thursday 9/10:

• Florida A&M @ #9 Miami, 7PM, ACCN

Friday 9/11:

• Villanova @ #24 Louisville, 7PM, ACCN
• Norfolk State @ #25 Virginia, 7PM, ACCN Extra
• #23 Missouri @ Kansas, 8PM, FOX

Saturday 9/12:

12:00-3:00PM

• #6 Oregon @ Oklahoma State, ESPN
• #16 Penn State @ Temple, ESPN2
• Arizona State @ #10 Texas A&M, ABC
• Howard @ #5 Indiana, BTN
• #11 Oklahoma @ Michigan, FOX
• Western Kentucky @ #2 Georgia, SECN

3:30PM-6:30PM

• #12 Alabama @ Kentucky, ABC
• Rice @ #3 Notre Dame, NBC
• Arizona @ #15 BYU, FOX
• Utah State @ #19 Washington, BTN
• UC Davis @ #17 SMU, ACCN Extra

7:00-10:00PM

• #18 Tennessee @ Georgia Tech, ESPN
• Southern Univ. @ #22 Houston, ESPN+
• Louisiana Tech @ #8 LSU, SECN+
• Iowa State @ #21 Iowa, NBC
• #13 Texas Tech @ Oregon State, CBS
• #1 Ohio State @ #4 Texas, ABC
• Charlotte @ #9 Ole Miss, ESPN2
• Arkansas @ #20 Utah, ESPN
• Louisiana @ #14 USC, BTN

Most Interesting Matchups

Ohio State @ Texas: The game of the week features similar stakes to last year’s matchup; major playoff points for the winner and an uphill climb on conference play for the loser. The Longhorns will hope to see a better version of Arch Manning than the one that showed up in Columbus last season, but can anyone slow down the combination of Smith and Sayin?

Missouri @ Kansas: The 122nd meeting of the Border War will commence on Friday evening in Lawrence. Fun fact: these two teams have been playing each other since before cars were invented. There isn’t too much we know about these teams as both played FCS teams last week, so this should be a good litmus test.

Oklahoma @ Michigan: This one lost a bit of luster after Michigan’s last-second debacle against WMU last week. Regardless, the Sooners would love to stick a road win against a Big Ten team in their playoff resume. On the Wolverines’ side, Bryce Underwood is running out of chances to prove that he can be the guy moving forward.

Mississippi State @ Minnesota: The under-the-radar third Big Ten-SEC matchup this week features the Bulldogs heading north to face the Golden Gophers. It’s time to decide which middle of the road team is better between the conference rivals.

North Dakota State @ Air Force: NDSU will look to continue their torrid start to FBS competition with a road conference matchup against the Falcons. No one’s been able to slow down the Bison quite yet, and that’s not likely to change soon.

FCS Game of the Week

Eastern Washington @ South Dakota 9/12 2PM, ESPN+

Admittedly, I only chose this matchup because South Dakota’s home field is named the DakotaDome and I needed to share that information with others. The only way this would be better is if the dome had Eastern Washington’s trademark red turf.

Selected Pick ATS

My Picks:

Last Week: 2-3 Season: 4-4

• Ohio State (+1.5) @ Texas
• Missouri (-5.5) @ Kansas
• Oklahoma (-5.5) @ Michigan
• Mississippi State @ Minnesota (-1.5)
• NDSU (-1.5) @ Air Force

Coin Flip Picks

Rules – Heads: Home Covers, Tails: Away Covers

Neutral Site: Heads picks the first team alphabetically

Last Week: 3-3 Season: 5-3

• Ohio State @ Texas (-1.5)
• Missouri (-5.5) @ Kansas
• Oklahoma @ Michigan (+5.5)
• Mississippi State @ Minnesota (-1.5)
• NDSU @ Air Force (+1.5)