Michael Carrick believes Manchester United have raised the expectations of the club since he returned to Old Trafford with a derby win in January.

Carrick faces Manchester City for the second time as a manager on Sunday after leading United back into the Champions League, a year after they finished 15th in the Premier League.

They came third last season, only one place behind their neighbours, and after Carrick beat Pep Guardiola’s City in his first game back in charge, he has gone on to earn the manager’s job and increase the demands put on United now.

“I think going into the Champions League game and talking about the expectation there, I think it’s a really good thing that it’s shifted in a way, and all of a sudden there’s different things asked of us now to maybe what was a few months ago, and we’re in the Champions League,” Carrick said.

“That in itself shows the steps we’ve made, and we need to be in the latter stages of that, and then the expectations around that.”

While Carrick tasted victory in his first derby in charge, he feels it is no guarantee his side make it a double when they meet Enzo Maresca’s City at Old Trafford.

“I think there’s no way we’re assuming we won last year, we’ll do the same things and everything will be the same,” he explained.

Carrick is waiting to see if Luke Shaw will be fit enough to feature after he sat out Thursday’s 4-0 win over Sabah in the Champions League.

He added: “We’ll have to see. We just kind of looked after him a little bit. He wasn’t quite ready for it 100 percent, so we didn’t risk it.”

Throughout the 2026 college football season, I’ll be giving you my just-for-fun picks for contests involving the best teams in the West across five conferences.

Last week, I improved my record to 9-3 in these fearless picks, missing on just San Jose State, which lost to EMU, and Wyoming, which lost to Colorado State.

This week, I am making picks for the following 10 games:

• Arizona State at Texas A&M
• Washington State at Kansas State
• Oregon at Oklahoma State
• Arizona at BYU
• Cal at Syracuse
• Utah State at Washington
• Memphis at Boise State
• San Diego State at UCLA
• Texas Tech at Oregon State
• Arkansas at Utah

You will also want to read Stephen Vilardo’s Big Ten Previews, Dane Miller’s Big 12 column, and my Pac-12 Previews.

Let’s get on to my picks!

Arizona State at No. 10 Texas A&M

Saturday, September 12
9:00 AM PT, ABC

This is a find-out-about-yourself matchup for Arizona State. And the Sun Devils could pull this one off.

Both squads destroyed opponents below their pay grade in week one, but this is the kickoff for both teams.

ASU quarterback Cutter Boley has the opportunity to go back to the SEC and get a dub. Boley needs to keep his confidence up before entering Big 12 play. But this should prove tricky because Texas A&M features one of the best secondaries in the country.

TAMU’s Marcus Ratcliffe and Dalton Brooks are the key to this contest. This safety duo should limit big plays and force the Sun Devils into long drives; they combined for 127 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss in 2025.

Arizona State has some advantages, however. Their defensive front should be able to make plays against an Aggies offensive line that lacks continuity, as they’re replacing four players from this unit a year ago.

Defensive linemen C.J. Fite, Zac Swanson, and/or Jalen Thompson have to impact the game.

On offense, ASU needs players like Reed Harris, Omarion Miller, and Grayson Rigdon to win some one-on-one battles. Two good safeties, Kyle Field, too much.

The OG 12 kill the devil.

Texas A&M 35, ASU 24

Washington State at Kansas State

Saturday, September 12th
9:00 AM PT, TNT

Washington State played decently in their opener against Washington. It hurt the eyes, but the Cougars were a third-down stop away from an opportunity to tie the game.

If WSU wants to find success this weekend, however, they need to find a playmaker on offense. That side of the ball proved non-existent until the fourth quarter last week.

The Cougs also lost their top receiver in Tony Freeman, who is also their best offensive player.

The key to their matchup against Kansas State is to run the ball more efficiently. The Wildcats feature one of the best defensive ends in the Big 12, Wendell Gregory. If they don’t keep Gregory off balance, it’ll be a repeat of the Apple Cup.

WSU can hang, but can they win?

Kansas State 31, WSU 21

No. 6 Oregon at Oklahoma State

Saturday, September 12
9:00 AM PT, ESPN

The Cowboys lost by 14 points against Tulsa in Week One.  The key for OSU in this contest is to hold the Ducks to field goals and hope to connect on a few big throws.

The ‘Boys are in the midst of a transition with new Head Coach Eric Morris, but they brought over some talented wideouts from North Texas. They also held Tulsa to one of 11 on third downs.

Back to life, back to reality. UO is pissed off after Boise State nearly did it again. Dante Moore shined in the opener against a well-coached defense; it’ll happen again against Oklahoma State. Moore threw for 378 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions in week one.

Other Duck standouts included Jordon Davison and Jeremiah McClellan. Dakorien Moore also had a big afternoon highlighted by the game-winning touchdown reception.

The Ducks also boast five preseason Big Ten First-Team selections on defense. Koi Perich led Oregon with 11 tackles against the Broncos, while three other players recorded one sack apiece.

There is a 99.9 % chance the Ducks win this contest, but they still have to play. The Pokes will wish they didn’t.

Oregon 42, Oklahoma St 14

Arizona at No. 15 BYU

Saturday, September 12
12:30 PM PT, FOX

This game should be an epic rematch of last year. Arizona was beating BYU by 14 points in the fourth quarter, but the Cougars made a comeback and won in double overtime.

In the sequel, Noah Fifita is looking for revenge. Fifita is the best signal-caller in the conference, and he’ll be ready for the environment. He’ll need some help, though; the Cougs have a dirty defense with playmakers at every level.

Bodie Schoonover is a problem at defensive end. The Cougars also have Cade Uluave in the linebacking corps. Uluave was first-team All-ACC with Cal in 2025. BYU’s secondary is experienced and returns two starters from last year’s unit.

Gio Richardson shined in the opener for the Wildcats, but Tre Spivey and Chris Hunter III will need to contribute as well. If UA struggles to move the ball, BYU will likely wear out Arizona’s defense by the fourth quarter.

Bear Bachmeier, LJ Martin, and the Cougar offensive line help fuel a potent rushing attack. BYU needs a wideout to step up with Chase Roberts moving on, though. If they don’t find an explosive player, the Cats could pounce.

BYU almost lost their undefeated season in the desert in 2025, and they’ll run it back at home.

BYU 24, Arizona 17

Cal at Syracuse

Saturday, September 12th
12:30 PM PT, ACC Network

This is a crucial moment for Cal. The opening week loss to UCLA hurt, but it isn’t a disaster yet. A loss to Syracuse would be that disaster. And it’s worrisome because of Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele’s ankle injury.

Luckily for the Golden Bears, they have a better team than in 2025. Adam Mohammed is the type of back who can take over a contest. He finished with 35 touches, 166 total yards, and one touchdown in the opener.

Complementing him are Ian Strong, Chase Hendricks, and Dorian Thomas. The return of Thomas is vital at tight end; he was a first-team All-Mountain West selection a year ago.

The depth at receiver should also benefit Cal in this contest, but they have to throw away from Chris Peal, a Phil Steele Preseason All-American at cornerback. He’s probably their best player on defense, but other names to know are Antoine Deslauriers, Rashard Perry, and Keyshawn Johnson.

Offensively, the Orange will lean heavily on quarterback Steve Angeli. Angeli missed most of last season with an Achilles injury after leading them to a 3-1 start. Most of SU’s main offensive pieces are coming off a hobbled year and lack game reps.

The Bears go herbivore.

Cal 35, Syracuse 20

Utah State at No. 19 Washington

Saturday, September 12
12:30 PM PT, BTN

This is going to be a bad experience for Utah State fans.

Washington’s coming off an Apple Cup victory in which they feel they underperformed. They will be motivated, angry, and confident. The only chance the Aggies have in this contest is to get their passing attack going from the jump.

McCae Hillstead threw three interceptions in the opener, and if he throws one in this contest, it’s too many. The Huskies forced two picks in week one. Javen Jacobs is a solid running back, but he probably won’t have room to do much. USU lacks experience at their offensive tackles, which UW will expose.

The Dawgs still need to find more skill-position players. They struggled to create separation and score points in the opener, and they’re still figuring out how to replace Jonah Coleman and Denzel Boston. They’re also without Jayden Limar and Quaid Carr, which means they’re on their third-string halfback.

Chris Lawson and Rashid Williams combined for seven catches, 161 receiving yards, and one touchdown in the opener. They’ll be looking for a bigger contribution from Dezmen Roebuck.

Washington’s the better team here, and they’re going to snowplow Utah State.

Washington 45, Utah St 10

Boise State 28, Memphis 13

San Diego State at UCLA

Saturday, September 12th
4:15 PM PT, Big Ten Network

This is another game that could transform the perception of the Pac-12, one way or the other—especially after UCLA’s win at Cal.

If San Diego State gets thrashed by the Bruins, some will argue that the conference is pretty much the same as the Mountain West, except for Boise State.

But if the Aztecs win, the Pac-12 feels more credible.

The key to this contest is for SDSU to find their identity. If the offense can replicate what it did against Portland State, then Aztec FAST is coming to life. But Jayden Denegal will need to do more to knock off the Bruins.

It feels unlikely that SDSU will be able to run for 237 yards again. UCLA only allowed 119 yards against the Bears, and Cal running back Adam Mohammed is a bruiser with speed who can play.

Denegal needs to make some downfield throws to keep the Aztecs in this matchup. UCLA scored 45 points against Cal, and Nico Iamaleava had an off game.

San Diego State will also need to find a way to stop the Bruins halfback duo of Wayne Knight and Anthony Woods. They combined for 189 rushing yards and five touchdowns in the opener. This is concerning because SDSU only returns two starters on defense.

If the Aztecs are going to pull off the upset, they’ll need other skill players to support Lucky Sutton and Denegal.

No one needs this more than the Aztecs, but UCLA isn’t the third-best team in SoCal.

UCLA 38, SDSU 21

No. 13 Texas Tech at Oregon State

Saturday, September 12th
4:30 PM PT, CBS

Oregon State made a marvelous comeback against Houston.

If Amare Thomas didn’t make an elite catch in the fourth quarter, the game could’ve swayed. The Beavers’ offense had some crests and troughs in their initial outing.

OSU has to find a way to move the ball on the ground better. The Beavs only finished with 26 total yards rushing. The number looks worse because of four sacks, but they got stuffed.

However, on the positive side, Oregon State quarterback Braden Atkinson might be a stud. If he can play the way he did against the Cougars, anything could happen this week.

Arkansas at No. 20 Utah

Saturday, September 12
7:15 PM PT, FOX

This is a nifty non-conference matchup. Arkansas heads into Salt Lake City looking to play better than they did in Week One. The Razorbacks beat North Alabama by 17, but they had eight penalties, three turnovers, and only scored one touchdown in six red zone attempts.

Utah decimated Idaho 66-14. Morgan Scalley’s debut went a bit smoother than Kyle Whittingham’s.

Scalley’s Utes should be able to capitalize against a U of A offense that struggles to run the ball. They only averaged three yards per carry against the Lions, and no back finished with more than 50 rushing yards. If they couldn’t generate a push against UNA, the Utes should be alright.

On offense, as long as U or U’s offensive line protects Devon Dampier, they should cruise. But this isn’t a guarantee. Utah’s still in the process of rebuilding their offensive line, though they return two key pieces this week in Keith Olson and Isaiah Garcia.

Even if the line underwhelms, the combination of Wayshawn Parker and Dampier should move the ball. Braden Pegan also played well at wideout in week one.

Arkansas has enough talent to compete, but will lose.

Utah 38, Arkansas 20

Writes about football and basketball as a Senior Writer and hosts “The Nick Bartlett Show” for SuperWest Sports.

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The first goal arrived in the seventh minute. By half-time, India had 10. When the quarterfinal ended, Pakistan had conceded 19 without reply as India stormed into the semifinals of the Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2026 in China on Thursday.

The emphatic victory kept India on course for a third successive title, following their triumphs in 2023 and 2024. They will face the winner of the South Korea-Malaysia quarterfinal for a place in the final.

Sahu opens the floodgates

Pooja Sahu broke the deadlock in the seventh minute, setting off a relentless scoring sequence that left Pakistan struggling to contain the defending champions.

India struck at regular intervals, with Sanika Mane scoring twice as the lead swelled to 10-0 before the break. Pakistan could find neither a way to halt India’s attacks nor a goal to interrupt their dominance.

By half-time, the contest had become a question of how many India would score.

Nine more goals after the break

The interval brought Pakistan little respite. India added nine more goals in the second half, with Pooka Malik scoring a hat-trick and Supriya and Purnima Yadav contributing two goals apiece.

Pakistan remained unable to respond as India maintained their attacking pressure through another punishing half.

Third successive title in sight

The quarterfinal rout followed a strong group-stage campaign in which India beat Japan, Malaysia and South Korea to finish top of their group.

Now, one of those familiar opponents awaits in the semifinals. Having swept past Pakistan, India are two victories away from completing a hat-trick of Women’s Junior Asia Cup titles.

England’s Ollie Robinson celebrates taking the wicket of Pakistan’s Saim Ayub. (Reuters Photo)

NEW DELHI: Ollie Robinson has entered one of Test cricket’s most exclusive statistical clubs, becoming the first bowler in more than a century to boast a bowling average below 19 after playing at least 20 matches.Robinson’s two wickets in the first innings of the ongoing third Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston took his career tally to 104 wickets from 24 Tests, with his average dropping to 18.86. The England seamer is now the first bowler since Sydney Barnes in 1914 to achieve a sub-19 average while meeting the 20-Test cut-off.Barnes finished his Test career with 189 wickets from 27 matches at an extraordinary average of 16.43. His career ended in 1914, meaning Robinson’s achievement comes 112 years after the last bowler to meet the benchmark.The rarity of Robinson’s numbers becomes clearer when the cut-off is applied. Only six bowlers in Test history have averaged below 20 after playing at least 20 Tests. Four of them are from England’s early Test era, while the other two are Robinson and India’s Jasprit Bumrah.

Robinson joins an elite list

Billy Barnes leads the list with an average of 15.54 from 21 Tests, having taken 51 wickets. Sydney Barnes follows at 16.43, with 189 wickets in 27 Tests, while Bobby Peel averaged 16.98 from 20 Tests after taking 101 wickets.Johnny Briggs is fourth with 118 wickets from 33 Tests at an average of 17.75.Robinson now occupies fifth place on the list with 104 wickets at 18.86 from 24 Tests. Bumrah is sixth, having taken 234 wickets from 52 Tests at 19.79.

Best Test Bowling Average (Min. 20 Tests)

Robinson’s latest landmark came during a dominant spell against Pakistan at Edgbaston. After England posted a huge total, the pacer struck twice in Pakistan’s second innings before rain interrupted play.He removed Saim Ayub with the very first ball of the innings, before dismissing Abdullah Shafique with his fourth delivery. Pakistan were reduced to 0-2 before Shan Masood and Azan Awais steadied the innings.The first-ball dismissal was itself a notable feat. Robinson became only the fifth bowler in Test history to take a wicket with the first delivery of an innings twice in a series. India’s Zaheer Khan last achieved the feat against Bangladesh in 2007, while Bill Voce was the previous Englishman to do so, against Australia in 1937.England lead the three-Test series 2-0 and are now firmly in position to complete a clean sweep. But amid the dominance, it was Robinson’s remarkable bowling numbers that provided the standout statistical story at Edgbaston — putting his name alongside some of the greatest wicket-takers of the early Test era.

Cricket Australia’s decision to open Big Bash League (BBL) franchises to private investment has put another major T20 competition on the radar of Indian Premier League (IPL) team owners, who have steadily expanded their presence across franchise cricket around the world.

Indian investors, including owners associated with IPL teams, have shown interest in the opportunity as Cricket Australia begins the process of bringing private capital into the BBL. However, the structure being proposed — particularly limits on ownership and operational control — could determine how far that interest eventually translates into investment.

For IPL owners, the BBL represents one of the few major overseas franchise competitions where they do not already have a substantial presence. IPL-backed groups have invested in leagues in South Africa, the UAE, the US, the Caribbean and England, building multi-team cricket businesses around some of the most recognisable brands in the IPL.

Australia could now become the next market in that expansion.

Cricket Australia has appointed US-based merchant bank Raine Group to oversee the process. The firm was also involved in the sale of stakes in England’s The Hundred franchises.

Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg has described the proposed BBL privatisation as a “billion-dollar opportunity” for Australian cricket.

But the structure of the investment process means prospective buyers will have to weigh the opportunity against several restrictions.

Melbourne Renegades offer first route into BBL

At present, Melbourne Renegades are the only BBL franchise expected to be available for a 100 per cent acquisition.

The sale process is being overseen by Cricket Australia rather than Cricket Victoria and is expected to be completed by Christmas.

A prospective owner, however, would effectively have to develop the franchise afresh rather than acquire a structure carrying the same degree of established private ownership and commercial identity seen in other global T20 leagues.

Hobart Hurricanes and Perth Scorchers could be among the teams considered for private investment subsequently. But future transactions are expected to be structured differently, with private investors potentially restricted to stakes of up to 49 per cent.

That could become one of the main sticking points for IPL owners.

Control could emerge as key issue for IPL groups

IPL franchise owners have generally preferred investments that provide either outright ownership or substantial operational control.

That has largely been possible in other overseas competitions.

All six SA20 teams are owned by groups associated with IPL franchises, while IPL owners also control teams in the International League T20 (ILT20), Major League Cricket (MLC) and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Their investments in The Hundred have taken different forms.

Sun Group, owner of Sunrisers Hyderabad, owns Sunrisers Leeds, while the RPSG Group, which owns Lucknow Super Giants, holds a 70 per cent stake in Manchester Super Giants. Reliance Industries, which owns Mumbai Indians, and GMR Group, co-owner of Delhi Capitals, hold 49 per cent stakes in their respective Hundred franchises but have operational involvement.

GMR has also expanded into English county cricket through its ownership of Hampshire.

The model being developed by Cricket Australia could provide investors with less control.

Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird has indicated that the governing body and its members intend to retain authority over important areas including international scheduling, player availability, BBL salary caps, branding proposals, reserve prices for licences and the approval of investors.

Those conditions mean an investor could put substantial capital into a BBL franchise without receiving the level of control IPL owners have become accustomed to in several other competitions.

Player availability another concern

The commercial value of a BBL investment will also depend heavily on the availability of Australia’s leading cricketers.

Unlike the IPL, which occupies a dedicated window in India’s cricket calendar, the BBL has traditionally overlapped with Australia’s international commitments.

That has meant some of Australia’s biggest players have appeared only occasionally in the competition.

Pat Cummins, for instance, has played only seven BBL matches since 2016. Over the same period, he has featured in 76 IPL matches.

The contrast is significant for investors trying to build teams around recognisable players.

India’s leading cricketers have generally been available throughout the IPL. MS Dhoni has played 149 IPL matches since 2016, while Virat Kohli has featured in 160, Rohit Sharma in 153 and Jasprit Bumrah in 141 during the same period.

Without similar certainty over Australian stars, prospective BBL owners could find it harder to build consistently marketable franchises.

Overseas players, tax and travel add to equation

Availability of international players is another consideration.

The BBL competes for overseas talent with leagues in South Africa, the UAE and Bangladesh during a crowded part of the global cricket calendar.

Australia’s taxation structure could also affect what overseas players ultimately earn compared with competing leagues, potentially influencing their choice of tournament.

Geography adds another challenge.

Australia’s major cities are separated by considerable distances, meaning teams can face journeys of five or six hours when travelling to venues such as Perth.

That contrasts with competitions such as SA20, where travel between host cities is considerably shorter.

For multi-franchise owners accustomed to running teams across several markets, travel costs, scheduling and player logistics could therefore form an important part of the BBL investment calculation.

Media rights and player union also under scrutiny

The league’s broadcasting arrangements will be another factor prospective investors examine closely.

Cricket Australia is currently part-way through a seven-year media rights agreement, limiting the immediate opportunity for a major reset in broadcast valuation following private investment.

IPL owners are also expected to assess the role of the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA), particularly in areas involving player rights, contracts and the broader commercial framework of Australian cricket.

These factors make the BBL different from some of the newer franchise competitions where private owners entered at an earlier stage and were able to shape the commercial structure more extensively.

Profitability offers BBL an important advantage

There is, however, an important attraction.

Most BBL teams are understood to be profitable, giving Cricket Australia a stronger starting point than competitions that require owners to absorb losses while building audiences and commercial revenues.

That profitability may also explain why there remains debate within Australian cricket over how much private investment should be allowed and how much control should be surrendered.

For IPL owners, an established competition with a domestic audience, existing media rights and profitable franchises could still represent an attractive addition to their international portfolios.

BBL could fill final major gap in IPL owners’ global networks

The broader significance of the Australian move lies in the rapid international expansion of IPL-backed cricket businesses.

Several IPL owners are no longer operating only one team in India. They are developing networks of franchises carrying similar names, branding and commercial structures across multiple countries.

Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals and other IPL-linked groups have already established footprints in overseas leagues.

The BBL remains one of the most prominent franchise competitions outside that network, along with the Pakistan Super League.

That makes Australia’s move towards private investment strategically significant even if IPL owners remain cautious about the terms on offer.

The question for Cricket Australia is whether access to an established and potentially profitable BBL franchise will be enough to compensate investors for restrictions on ownership, control and player availability.

For IPL owners, the opportunity offers another route towards creating truly global cricket franchises. But before adding Australia to their growing map, they are likely to want greater certainty over who controls the team, which players will be available and how much commercial freedom comes with the investment.

Will Texas avenge last season’s loss to Ohio State? Can Michigan bounce back against Oklahoma after a shocking and controversial near-upset? Which teams will prove that their Week 1 performance wasn’t a fluke, but a trend to rely on? 

The college football season rolls on, and Week 2’s lineup is looking strong with some big cross-conference games, from Texas-Ohio State to Michigan-Oklahoma to Illinois-Duke and so many more.

So before Week 2 kicks off, we’ve got some picks of the week, along with answers to those questions and more. We’re breaking down our straight-up picks for Week 2 and which matchups to keep a close eye on this weekend.

Let’s get into it. 

Austin Simmons threw for 252 yards and four touchdowns in his debut for Missouri in Week 1. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

When: Friday, 8 p.m. ET (FOX)
Where: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, Kansas
Line: Missouri -5.5

RJ Young: Missouri
The Tigers have the better quarterback, and their run game is still rather awesome even without Ahmad Hardy in the backfield.

Laken Litman: Missouri
Mizzou takes down Kansas in an old rivalry game as former Ole Miss quarterback Austin Simmons lights up the Jayhawks with another multi-touchdown performance.

Michael Cohen: Missouri
As a new face in a new place, Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons gave the Tigers plenty to be excited about in Week 1 with four touchdowns and only two incompletions. He keeps it rolling against the Jayhawks. 

Ben Portnoy: Missouri
I’m in on Austin Simmons being a difference maker for the Tigers, even with a depleted run game. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz has largely handled business as a favorite during his tenure, and I think he does it again this week.

John Mateer (10) and Oklahoma defeated Michigan 24-13 in 2025. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

When: Saturday, noon ET (FOX)
Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Line: Oklahoma -5.5

Young: Oklahoma 
The Sooners have the edge at quarterback, wide receiver and defensive line. This could get ugly for Michigan if Bryce Underwood doesn’t show a tremendous leap in development.

Litman: Oklahoma
The biggest question for me is how Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood will look after last week’s near disaster against Western Michigan. You know Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables will put together a defensive game plan that makes it as hard as possible for the young signal-caller to succeed. 

Cohen: Oklahoma
Maybe the Wolverines will bounce back a bit following last week’s controversial win over Western Michigan. But the safer bet is that Oklahoma’s terrific defense can cause even more problems for Bryce Underwood, whose time as the starter feels like it’s dwindling.

Portnoy: Oklahoma
Recency bias has me incredibly down on the Wolverines, but there’s nothing I saw in Saturday’s win (?) over Western Michigan that makes me think they can beat a team of Oklahoma’s caliber. I think the Sooners are a legit dark horse to win the SEC this year, and I love what a healthy John Mateer brings. Give me the Sooners, big.

Dante Moore and Oregon beat Oklahoma State 69-3 in 2025. (Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

When: Saturday, noon ET (ESPN)
Where: Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, Oklahoma
Line: Oregon -22.5

Young: Oregon
Oregon is coming off of an embarrassing win, still has one of the best rosters in the sport and is about to play an Oklahoma State team that got beat by Tulsa, the smallest FBS school in the country. Name the number, Ducks.

Litman: Oregon
The Ducks had their “wake-up call” last week vs. Boise State, who could end up being the Group of Six College Football Playoff representative. While Stillwater is a tough place to play, Dan Lanning will have his team ready to go, while the Cowboys are in a transition year.

Cohen: Oregon
There will certainly be a response from Oregon’s defense after the highly-touted unit was gashed by Boise State in a surprisingly close opener. The Ducks should roll against an Oklahoma State team that looked quite rough in an upset loss to Tulsa. 

Portnoy: Oregon
Oregon got a scare from Boise State last week, but there’s no way that’s happening two weeks in a row. Oklahoma State looked atrocious last week in Eric Morris’ debut at Tulsa. I’d be shocked if the Ducks don’t roll in this one.

Bear Bachmeier and BYU beat Arizona 33-27 in overtime in 2025.  (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
Where: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, Utah
Line: BYU -7.5

Young: BYU
I trust the BYU defense more than I trust quarterback Noah Fifita and the Arizona offense.

Litman: BYU
Quarterback Bear Bachmeier and the Cougars have to win their first Big 12 game to keep pace with the likes of Texas Tech and Houston, and will take care of business against Arizona. 

Cohen: BYU
This is an important early-season mile marker for BYU in its quest to supplant Texas Tech in the Big 12 hierarchy. A controlled win over Arizona should give the Cougars plenty of confidence at the start of conference play.

Portnoy: BYU
If BYU is really going to challenge for the Big 12 title, this is the kind of game the Cougars need to win. Arizona was much improved last year and Noah Fifita is back, but I think BYU’s talent advantage outweighs that.

Nate Sheppard (20) rushed for 227 yards and two touchdowns as Duke defeated Tulane 17-3 in Week 1. (Photo by Alex Halloway/Getty Images)

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
Where: Gies Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois
Line: Illinois -5.5

Young: Duke
The defending ACC champs — Duke! — have a bona fide star at running back in Nate Sheppard and the Illinois defense gave up 24 first downs and 194 rushing yards to UAB in its opener.

Litman: Illinois
Quarterback Katin Houser builds on his four-TD performance against UAB in Week 1 against the Darian Mensah-less Duke Blue Devils.

Cohen: Illinois
How popular is Illinois football right now? Illinois sold out Memorial Stadium for this week’s non-conference tilt against Duke. A crowd like that should push head coach Bret Bielema’s squad to a win. 

Portnoy: Illinois
Katin Houser put up huge numbers at East Carolina and his Big Ten return is off to a nice start. I like what Bret Bielema and this staff did with Luke Altmyer and Houser feels like a nice replacement. Duke has some talent, but Illinois is the better team here. 

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele threw for 271 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in Cal’s Week 1 loss to UCLA. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (USA Net)
Where: JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, New York
Line: Syracuse -3.5

Young: Syracuse
Head coach Fran Brown has his quarterback in Steve Angeli, and his quarterback is healthy. Angeli can be as good as Kyle McCord was at ‘Cuse if he stays healthy, and I like this matchup for a veteran head coach against a rookie one, in Cal’s Tosh Lupoi, coming off a loss and traveling across three time zones.

Litman: Syracuse
An early season classic ACC matchup! Orange quarterback Steve Angeli keeps up momentum from a strong Week 1 performance as Cal falls to 0-2 in the Tosh Lupoi era.

Cohen: Cal
Fool me once (as the Bears did last week), shame on you. Fool me twice (as I back the Bears again this week), shame on me. They should bounce back with a win.

Portnoy: Cal
Tosh Lupoi’s team didn’t exactly help my case for the Golden Bears as potential ACC contenders with their loss to UCLA last week, but I’m riding with the “Calgorithm” again. Fran Brown’s team should be much improved with Steve Angeli, but I think Lupoi’s bunch bounce back after a tough opener.

Maddux Madsen threw for three touchdowns as Boise State nearly upset Oregon in Week 1. (Photo by Ali Gradischer/Getty Images)

When: Saturday, 6 p.m. ET (USA Network)
Where: Albertsons Stadium, Boise, Idaho
Line: Boise State -8.5

Young: Boise State
I saw enough from the Broncos to believe they’re one of the two best teams in the Group of Six. Sadly, Memphis is not one of those two teams.

Litman: Boise State
Coming off an impressive performance from Week 1 where they almost knocked off then-No. 2 Oregon in Eugene, the Broncos get into the win column.

Cohen: Boise State
The Broncos played incredibly on the road at Oregon last week to establish themselves as legitimate CFP contenders from the Group of Six. Memphis wants to be viewed in that same category after knocking off UNLV in its season opener. Boise State is a cut above. 

Portnoy: Boise State
I’m rolling with the Broncos until proven otherwise. This team is as experienced as any in the Group of Six, and they looked the part last week at Oregon. Could there be a letdown? Sure, but I think Boise State will be able to run the ball more effectively against Memphis, and that gives the Broncos the edge.

Jeremiah Smith and Ohio State beat Texas 14-7 in 2025. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)

When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
Where: DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, Texas
Line: Texas -1.5

Young: Ohio State
The Buckeyes’ weakness is on the offensive line. However, the cheat code exists. Quarterback Julian Sayin doesn’t have to punch up the “Konami code.” Just press four. Jeremiah Smith will beat the game.

Litman: Texas
Arch Manning and the Texas defense aren’t about to let Ohio State beat them a third straight time in less than two years.

Cohen: Ohio State
A year ago, new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia put the clamps on Texas’ offense. This time, new Ohio State offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will unleash a few wrinkles the Longhorns aren’t ready for. The Buckeyes get it done. 

Portnoy: Texas
If not now, when? That’s how I feel about Texas and its national title aspirations. Saturday’s game is a chance to cement the Longhorns as the top team in the country. I’m still skeptical of Arch Manning, but I think the talent drain on Ohio State’s defense shows up in Austin, and the home team gets a major résumé boost.

Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey says it is an “unbelievable privilege” to captain Fulham and lead the team under new manager Alvaro Arbeloa.

Bassey has worn the captain’s armband in Fulham’s first three Premier League matches of the season, although the club are still searching for their first win.

The Nigerian defender said he was grateful for the trust placed in him by Arbeloa, who joined Fulham from Real Madrid this summer.

“It’s a privilege, being able to captain this club is unbelievable,” Bassey said.

The 26-year-old explained that his role as a centre-back naturally requires leadership and communication on the pitch.

Bassey also called for patience as Fulham adapt to Arbeloa’s methods, insisting that there have already been positive signs despite their winless start.

“It’s a journey. We’ve only been with him for two months or so, so it’s very new,” he said.

“He understands that it’s different to what we’re used to, so it’s going to take time to adjust.”

Meanwhile, Bassey is reportedly close to agreeing a new long-term contract with Fulham amid interest from several top European clubs.

The Nigerian defender joined Fulham in July 2023 on a four-year deal and has since made 105 appearances, scoring four goals and providing one assist.

Fulham are keen to secure the future of one of their key defenders as interest in the Nigerian continues to grow.

The Michigan Wolverines, fresh off an improbable and controversial win over Western Michigan, face a stiff challenge at home on Saturday night when they host the Oklahoma Sooners in a marquee showdown for Week 2 of the college football season. The Wolverines escaped with a 13-12 Hail Mary win in Week 1, while the Sooner pounded UTEP 51-0. This matchup should offer a better glimpse of what to expect once Big Ten and SEC play begins for each side. Visit our DraftKings promo code review and get $200 in bonus bets as a new user after $5+ in wagers here:

Kickoff is at noon ET from Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Sooners are 5-point favorites in the latest Oklahoma vs. Michigan odds, while the over/under is 43.5 points. Before making any Oklahoma vs. Michigan picks, check out the Oklahoma vs. Michigan predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model. 

The model simulates every FBS game 10,000 times. It is on a 33-20 run on top-rated CFB money-line picks on betting sites since the 2024 season, and it has been upgraded for the 2026 season to even better factor in the transfer portal. Anybody following its college football betting picks could have seen strong returns.  

Now, the model has set its sights on Oklahoma vs. Michigan. You can visit SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are the FBS college football odds and trends for Michigan vs. Oklahoma:

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Top Oklahoma vs. Michigan predictions

After simulating Oklahoma vs. Michigan 10,000 times, SportsLine’s model is going Under (43.5 points) at the best betting apps. The Under hit in Oklahoma’s game vs. UTEP because the Sooners didn’t allow a single point, even in garbage time (51.5 in a 51-0 victory). 

Those that watched Michigan’s controversial win over Western Michigan saw a defense that was tough to move the ball on, plus and offense that had issues doing the same. It culminated in just 25 total points in 60 minutes — give or take a second. 

With both teams showcasing dominant defenses in Week 1, SportsLine’s model is projecting 42 combined points, making the Under the value pick hitting 51% of the time. See the model’s spread and money-line picks at SportsLine.

How to make Oklahoma vs. Michigan picks

In addition to going Under on the total, the model also says one side of the spread hits well over 60% of the time. You can only get the pick at SportsLine. 

So who wins Michigan vs. Oklahoma, and which side of the spread hits well over 60% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that’s on a 33-20 run on top-rated CFB money-line picks, and find out.