College Football Week 2 Bold Predictions

1. Michigan State holds Oregon to 24 points or fewer in a B1G statement win

The Ducks had an explosive offense in 2013, averaging 45.5 points per game, and look to continue that trend this year.  But on the other side, Michigan State's defense also ranked among the best in the country in 2013.  If you look at how Stanford has beaten Oregon in recent years, it's been with a suffocating defense and bruising ground game, coupled with an efficient quarterback.  The Spartans look very similar to those Cardinal teams and could be poised to pull off the upset as well.  MSU wins 31 - 24.

2. Notre Dame vs Michigan goes to two or more overtimes, ending the long-standing series in thrilling fashion

The Fighting Irish and Wolverines won't meet again after this year, at least for a while, so forget about betting lines and statistics going into this one.  Don't look at the rankings (or lack thereof) of the teams involved.  This game is going to be all about the emotions, and they will be running high on both sides.  Look for this one to go down to the wire, possibly into double OT or beyond.

3. Ohio State's defense records four or more sacks against Virginia Tech

The Buckeye defense was gashed on the ground against Navy, but this week the Silver Bullets don't have to worry about defending the pesky triple-option attack.  Against a more traditional offense their veteran defensive line can get a strong pass-rush going and look to really disrupt the Hokie's quarterback.  I could see them putting VT quarterback Michael Brewer on the turf four or more times.

4. Another key Wisconsin player sits out because he might be injured, or maybe not, but he probably just feels kind of funny

First, running back Melvin Gordon didn't play, but we were told he wasn't injured, but actually he was injured.  Then quarterback Joel Stave lost the starting job to Tanner McEvoy, and then he was injured, but now he's not.  According to Stave, he's not hurt, but says: "Right now, my arm is just not working the way I'd like it to, I guess. I don't know what it is."  Hopefully this ambiguous sense of part of one's body not working quite right, possibly, is not contagious.  But if more of the Badgers start going down with these kind of non-injury injuries, their season could be in trouble.  I'd hate to see any more of their players unable to play, because, I don't know, something just feels kind of off, ya know?  Something feeling a bit odd can take someone out for the season, so I'd hate to see that.  Wisconsin should be on close look-out for these kind of things this week, even though their game against Western Illinois shouldn't be much of a contest.

5. Florida Coach Will Muschamp's decision to un-suspend players sparks new trend among coaches

As head football coach at the University of Florida, sometimes you have to bring the hammer down when players act up.  Muschamp did just that with his no-nonsense approach to discipline that other coaches around the country will be sure to emulate this week and throughout the season.  The Gator's coach originally suspended three players for the season opener against Idaho, but the game was rained out and will not be rescheduled.  All three players will be back for next week's game against Eastern Michigan, because clearly, sitting out a game that was never played should be adequate punishment.  On top of that, "they've handled a lot of other things for (Muschamp)."  Wow.  Harsh.  I predict other coaches to follow suit, by keeping players from participating in games during bye weeks, cancelled games, or other times when no one else is playing (weekday mornings, after football season is over, etc.).  Expect to see numerous players from Georgia, Indiana, Cincinnati, and other teams on bye this week to have players sitting out.  If there are games cancelled because of weather, I wouldn't be surprised to see more guys miss time.  Sometimes tough love is the only way.