The Pants Predicts: Week 2 College Football Games

Hello folks, we’re back again with another edition of The Pants Predicts. Last week, we all did pretty well, as we all predicted Iowa would beat Northern Illinois (shocker!), but the rest of the games we were a bit more around the map.

This week, the slate of games isn’t nearly as good as last weekend’s. We have a few games between ranked teams, but uh.. they really aren’t very intriguing, maybe outside Palo Alto. We tried anyway, and maybe, just maybe, someone will make one of these games good.

Spoiler: we also have a dissenter on this year’s Cy-Hawk game. Uh oh.

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Iowa State at Iowa (4pm CT FOX)

Max Brekke: Toren Young for 100 yards and Nate Stanley gets back on track in Week 2 on the way to 15-0. Iowa 27, Iowa State 23.

Jordan H: I feel irrationally confident about this game. Iowa 20, Iowa State 14

Jordan G: I’ve spent all week trying to decide if the fact that this is basically ISU’s first game helps or hurts the ‘Clones. I still don’t know. Iowa 24, Iowa State 20.

BoilerHawk: This is probably the most ballyhooed this game has ever been in terms of fan expectations for each team. I think enough on the margins tilts this game Iowa’s way but it probably comes down to the last possession. Iowa 23, ISU 21.

JPinIC: I’m genuinely nervous about Iowa’s ability to stop Montgomery in the run game. I watched NIU gash the Hawkeyes with zone-read last weekend and then go away from it for some reason. Conversely, I feel strangely confident in Iowa’s ability to get after Kempt and hold up at safety. I also don’t think a defense designed to stimy the Big 12 stands a chance stopping Iowa’s run game for 4 quarters. Iowa 37, ISU 31

MattReisener: Kirk Ferentz has never won more than three straight games against ISU, and he’s going for four on Saturday. My head tells me Iowa has the schematic and talent edge, but my gut tells me Montgomery shines and Iowa finds a way to lose a heartbreaker. Can’t wait to be wrong on this one. ISU 27, Iowa 24

Trez: The lack of an ISU game film doesn’t hurt the good guys, but it’ll mess with ISU. They’ll be wishing for another divine intervention, but nothing will save them from this storm. Young dominates on the ground and our LB’s grow up in a hurry. We pull away late. Iowa 34, ISU 20.

Mattcabel: I can’t ever pick Iowa State to win. If last week was any indication, Iowa will run them into the ground thanks to Toren Young. 31, 27 Iowa.

Ben: Iowa 45 ISU 2

#17 USC at #10 Stanford - 7:30pm CT (FOX)

Max: I think the Stanford Tree is a top-three mascot in all of collegiate sports and because of this, Stanford will be victorious on Saturday night. Stanford 33, USC 17.

Jordan H: I only hope we see a four TE formation. Cardinal 30, Trojans 27

Jordan G: I like David Shaw and I like the Cardinal at home. Stanford 31, USC 24

Boiler: Bryce Love went for 29 yards on 18 carries. Bryce Love: overrated? Nahhh. Stanford 27, USC 20

JPinIC: This should be a great one and I’m glad it immediately follows the Iowa game so I can bask in the glory of a Hawkeye victory and soak in a great game. Stanford 31, USC 27, f@&# the Stanford band

MattReisener: USC gave up over 300 rushing yards against UNLV last week. Bryce Love is going to be licking his chops after an unproductive Week 1, and JJ Arcega-Whiteside can beat USC in the air if they load the box. Stanford- 31, USC 21

Trez: I truly wish both teams could lose. Both have caused us immense sadness in years past. Stanford is known for the ground & pound, but Arcega-Whiteside has another monster game. Stanford 42, USC 27.

Matt: Why doesn’t anyone believe in USC? Trojans, 27-24.

Ben: Stanford 27 USC 17

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#15 Michigan State at Arizona State - 9:45pm CT (ESPN)

Max: BODY. CLOCKS. After last week’s game, I certainly don’t believe in Sparty. Let’s see if they make me eat my words. Arizona State 38, Michigan State 28.

Jordan H: Big Ten teams are 0-9 play ASU in Tempe. That doesn’t change this weekend. Arizona State 27, Michigan State 20

Jordan G: I don’t trust Herm Edwards and Sparty is primed for a bounce back in a big way. Michigan State 31, Arizona State 17.

Boiler: Do I trust Herm Edwards more than I trust a Big Ten team going west? I’m not sure it’s going to be pretty, whatever the result. MSU 16, Arizona State 10

JPinIC: Oh the memories of traveling west for a way too late start against an opponent you should beat in the desert. I really dislike D’Antonio and really would love to see him lose every game ever. But there’s also this part of me that wants the charade of the Big Ten being loaded to continue and that doesn’t happen when MSU loses to unranked opponents and PSU goes to OT with App State. MSU 24, ASU 13, Long live Eno Benjamin

MattReisener: Big Ten teams tend to fare poorly in these late games played in Arizona (Andrew freaking Walter, man), but MSU should benefit from their scare against Utah State last week and play disciplined football. Michigan State 28, Arizona State 17

Trez: The westward travels are always rough, but D’Atonio and co. get it together by the 2nd half and take care of business against an inferior team. MSU 27, ASU 10.

Matt: My MSU fanatic friend John is back predicting the Spartan games for me this season. He says: “MSU wins but doesn’t cover. Spartans and Sun Devils both stifle each other in the first half but offenses adjust in the second. MSU’s run defense and balanced offensive attack make the ultimate difference. MSU wins, 31,27.”

Ben: MSU 20 ASU 17

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#3 Georgia at #24 South Carolina - 2:30pm CT (CBS)

Max: I think that Georgia will win a football game this week. No further questions, please. Georgia 55, South Carolina 24.

Jordan H: Dawg come for you too. Dawg angry. Dawg not rest. Dawg 45, S. Carolina 10

Jordan G: I have no idea what to think about this. Georgia 28, South Carolina 24.

Boiler: South Carolina only has “Carolina” on their jersey which seems like the ultimate little brother move. UGA 40, Carolina 10

JPinIC: Georgia is really, really good. Maybe national championship game good. South Carolina is OK. UGA 35, South Carolina 17

MattReisener: South Carolina is sneaky good this year and Muschamp will have his team ready to play in this one. Georgia’s running game will be the difference in this one. Georgia 27, South Carolina 24

Trez: Living in Georgia, I can confidently say that nothing is more pitiful than when they lose a game they should win. Everyone mopes around like they’ve lost their will to live. Pathetic. So they better take care of business because they are by far the better team. GA 34, SC 13.

Matt: Lol. Georgia will run over the Cocks. 56-14.

Ben: Georgia 49 Carolina 8