Week 2 college football schedule brings exciting matchups

Bearcats vs. Buckeyes, Aggies vs. Tigers, Tigers vs. Longhorns, and more!

By Matt Tamanini@BWWMatt Sep 7, 2019, 11:33am EDT

Alright folks, it is game day, and the buzz around the Ohio State vs. Cincinnati game is far more electric than you would normally expect for an intra-state game. Part of that is because of Luke Fickell coming into The Horseshoe for the first time in his career as a visitor, and another part of it is because the Bearcats are a really good team, and they could present some issues for the Buckeyes in today’s game.

12 noon ET Window

Obviously all Buckeye fans will be focused on what’s happening in Columbus during the early window, as the No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes host the Cincinnati Bearcats on ABC, but if you have multiple screens, That Team Up North will be hosting the Army Black Knights on FOX, and No. 21 Syracuse Orange, led by the most exciting coach in college football, Dino Babers, will face Big Ten East squad Maryland.

Neither of these games will likely be competitive, but they could be informative and entertaining nonetheless.

3:30 p.m. ET Window

Business will definitely be picking up as we get into the second wave of games, as the No. 1 Clemson Tigers will host the No. 12 Texas A&M Aggies on ABC. The Aggies own a one-game advantage in the all-time series (3-2), but have lost the last two matchups, including last year in College Station, Tex. by a score of 28-26.

If A&M is able to pull off the road upset, it would obviously not only be the defining win in the very young Jimbo Fisher era, but it would also upset the entire college landscape for 2019. The thing is, that even with a loss, Clemson still likely has an inside track to a College Football Playoff berth, because the ACC is such a horrific conference, that save going to the ~~Carrier~~ Dome next week to take on the Orange, the chances of them losing are slim-to-none.

While A&M on the other hand would certainly catapult themselves into the national conversation with a victory, but they will still have to survive contests against Auburn, Alabama, Georgia, and LSU. Godspeed, Jimbo.

Also at 3:30 p.m. will be a rivalry renewed as the No. 25 Nebraska Cornhuskers travel to take on their old Big 12 foes, the Colorado Buffaloes.

Evening Window

The evening slate gets started as Ohio State’s Week 1 opponent the Florida Atlantic Owls host their rivals the Central Florida Knights at 7 p.m. ET on the CBS Sports Network. Then, 30 minutes later, the game of night kicks off on ABC as the No. 6 LSU Tigers and the No. 9 Texas Longhorns argue over who comes in second to Ohio State as the real DBU.

Like the A&M and Clemson contest earlier in the day, this game has major ramifications for both teams, and it should be a compelling game to watch, but, because of the schedule that LSU must face in the SEC West, it is just one small step for them to prove that their new, fast-paced offense is ready for CFP contention.

For the ‘Horns, there is little doubt that LSU will be the most difficult defense for Sam Ehlinger to move the ball against all season, as defense is optional in the Big 12. If Tom Herman can scheme enough to put up points tonight, they might have enough to distance themselves from Oklahoma, no matter how good they look with Jalen Hurts.

Pac-12 After Dark and Hawai’i Party

If you aren’t completely exhausted by that point, things will continue to get crazy out on the left coast and beyond, as No. 14 Washington will host Cal and No. 23 Stanford will visit USC with both games kicking off at 10:30 p.m. ET. The Huskies will likely need to go undefeated to have a shot at the Playoff this season in the Pac-12 — a Power 5 conference in name only — and the Bears will give them a stout defense to play against. Their game will air on FS1.

Both the Cardinal and Trojans looked shaky in Week 1 wins, but both came out on top. They will both be looking to win their game on ESPN in order to continue their claw back to prominence and respectability.

Then early Saturday morning, Hawai’i will host Oregon State, who is terrible, but the Rainbow Warriors are always worth watching, and there’s not much else on to watch. The only problem is that, unless you’re on the islands, you will have to watch the game on Facebook.

Check out the complete Saturday schedule of games: