Coming off one of the best opening weekend schedules in college football history, the week two slate looks like a letdown.
For just the fourth time in the past decade there are no top 25 matchups this weekend, but there are still plenty of games worth taking a look at.
Here are my week two picks:
13 LOUISVILLE (-15) AT SYRACUSE - Friday 7 p.m.
Pick: Louisville
Lamar Jackson exploded onto the scene in week one, accounting for eight touchdowns and more than 500 yards in a half against Charlotte. He'll put up more big numbers in the Cardinals' ACC opener.
UCF AT 5 MICHIGAN (-35.5) - Saturday 11 a.m.
Pick: Michigan
Scott Frost will make Central Florida more fun to watch and better in quick order, but not this weekend. Jim Harbaugh's Wolverines may be the class of the Big Ten and will show it in another big win.
AKRON AT 10 WISCONSIN (-23.5) - Saturday 2:30 p.m.
Pick: Wisconsin
I love me some MACtion, but the Zips will be no match for a Badgers team buoyed by their season opening win over LSU. That said, I don't think Wisconsin is the 10th best team in the country, so Akron plus the points may not be a bad
NEVADA AT 18 NOTRE DAME (-28) - Saturday 2:30 p.m.
Pick: Notre Dame
Even in the loss at Texas, Deshone Kizer proved why he should be the starting quarterback for the Irish. Brian Kelly is scrapping the two-QB system and Notre Dame will be better for it.
WESTERN KENTUCKY AT 1 ALABAMA (-28.5) - Saturday 2:30 p.m.
Pick: Alabama
The top-ranked Crimson Tide was the most impressive team in week one, throttling USC 52-6 behind true freshman QB Jalen Hurts. WKU has a pretty good quarterback itself in Mike White, who threw for more than 500 yards vs. Rice. But Alabama is not Rice.
TULSA AT 4 OHIO STATE (-29) - Saturday 2:30 p.m.
Pick: Ohio State
The Buckeyes are reloading around quarterback J.T. Barrett, but looked like a finely tuned machine against Bowling Green in racking up a whopping 77 points. They won't post a speed limit against the Golden Hurricane, but will win easily.
MTSU AT VANDERBILT - Saturday 3 p.m.
Pick: Vanderbilt
This is a game Derek Mason and Vandy have to have and I think they will get it at home. Brent Stockstill's a star, but the Blue Raiders are too beat up at receiver to truly exploit the Dores secondary. Similar to last year, I think this is a tight, low scoring game.
ARKANSAS AT 15 TCU (-7.5) - Saturday 6 p.m.
Pick: Arkansas
Both of these teams got tests in week one, but I thought Gary Patterson's defense looked surprisingly suspect against South Dakota State. I think the Hogs will get physical and run just enough to pull the surprise.
IOWA STATE AT 16 IOWA (-15) - Saturday 6:30 p.m.
Pick: Iowa
The CyHawk series almost always provides excitement, and often surprises, but not this year. The Hawkeyes return almost everyone from last year's Rose Bowl team, including quarterback and former BGA star C.J. Beathard, while Iowa State enters its second game under new head coach Matt Campbell.
NORTH CAROLINA AT ILLINOIS - Saturday 6:30 p.m.
Pick: Illinois
Lovie Smith has brought a new energy and excitement to Illinois football as evidenced by the near sellout expected for this primetime showdown with the Tar Heels. Smith's defense boasts one of the best front four in the nation. Led by Dewaune Smoot they will make UNC one-dimensional and get after Mitch Trubisky all night as the Illini get a signature win.
VIRGINIA TECH VS. 17 TENNESSEE (-11.5) - Saturday 7 p.m.
Pick: Tennessee
Justin Fuente appears to have given Virginia Tech's offense as Jerod Evans threw for 4 TD's in his first start, and Bud Foster remains in charge of that lunch pail defense. But Tennessee will be ready for the Battle at Bristol and the spectacle of playing in front of 150,000 fans. Expect Joshua Dobbs to play better and for the Vols' running game to get going. I like Tennessee to win closer than the "experts" think.
2016 Record: 6-4