College football Week 2: Sneaky good games of the week

Major college football kicks off in Week 2, with Power Five teams opening their seasons. However, some of the week’s best games might fly under the radar.

A highly irregular college football season truly gets underway in Week 2, with Big 12 and ACC heavyweights like Oklahoma, Clemson, and Notre Dame kicking off their seasons.

However, with most top-25 teams facing off against weak opponents, most outside of the Power Five, fans may be starved for entertainment if they do not look in the right places. While these teams may not have the following like the Sooners or Tigers, a few under-the-radar matchups could end up being the best of the week.

Tulane at South Alabama (+8)

The South Alabama Jaguars kicked off their season last week with an impressive win over the heavily favored Southern Miss Golden Eagles, their first road win since 2017 according to ESPN. While the Jaguars cannot be expected to be competitive in the Sun Belt after a 2-10 season last year, they can at least provide some entertainment for fans.

Junior wideout Jalen Tolbert took over in Week 1, tallying six receptions for 169 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Jaguars to an unlikely victory. Another upset could be in the cards if Tolbert repeats his dominant performance, but Tulane is no slouch.

The Green Wave finished 7-6 in 2019 and gave college football fans one of the most entertaining mid-major games of the season in a 38-31 victory over the Houston Cougars with a thrilling last-second touchdown.

Fans should not be surprised to see a similar shootout in Tulane’s first game, and while the Green Wave likely come away with the win, the Jaguars could make their home debut closer than most fans expect.

Coastal Carolina at Kansas (-6.5)

The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers and Kansas Jayhawks faced off in 2019, with Coastal Carolina coming away with a 12-7 win. While that score is not likely to excite casual fans, the two teams could provide a close game in a week when not many are expected.

Both teams are unlikely to truly compete in 2020, but the matchup between middling teams in search of an early win could be a fun one. Kansas head coach Les Miles is the main draw here, as the former LSU coach always finds a way to entertain fans.

The Jayhawks have not yet revealed their quarterback and the winner of the competition between Thomas MacVittie and Miles Kendrick should be the player to watch in Saturday night’s game, with running back Pooka Williams also packing a punch on offense.

The Chanticleers should remain a good barometer for Kansas’s improvement after a disappointing loss last season, and a Jayhawks win could give fans hope that Miles can lead the team upward in the Big 12 standings.

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