Analysis, Spreads, Broadcast and Kick Off Times for Week 2

What did we learn from Week 1? Well, we learned that the FCS doesn’t beat the Sun Belt, no matter how hard it tries. We learned that Power 5 NIL cash can buy all the off-season transfers needed to dominate (looking at you, Oklahoma). We learned that the PAC-12 continues to have the Sun Belt by the dice, and that Texas State’s GJ Kinne may be the Sun Belt’s humble version of Deion Sanders. Other than that? Not much.

Saturday, September 9 (all times Eastern Time Zone)

Troy @ #15 Kansas State, 12:00 PM FS1 Network, -16.5 Wildcats

Troy defeated Stephen F. Austin in Week 1 in a not particularly dominating fashion, with the once stingy Trojan defense allowing the Lumberjacks 30 points and a pick off Gunnar Watson. But a win is a win, right? Kimani Vidal is already in beastmode, racking up 248 yards in Week 1. The Trojans will need Vidal’s best effort on Saturday. The Wildcats allowed all of 6 ground yard in Week 1 for it’s 45-0 thrashing of Southeastern State.

Prediction: Wildcats find and exploit weakness in the Trojan D

James Madison @ Virginia, 12:00 PM ESPNU, -6 Dukes

The Dukes invade Cavalier territory a betting favorite, perhaps the first time a Sun Belt team is favored over a Privileged Five. JMU may be enjoying a moment, but there is some question behind center – after starting Alonza Barnett against Bucknell in Week 1, Curt Cignetti inserted Arizona transfer Jordan McCloud and received the desired result: two touchdowns on 7/11 passing. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers are 0-1 after absorbing a 49-13 crunching at home from the #12 Volunteers.

Prediction: Virginia isn’t Bucknell

Texas State @ UTSA, 3:30 PM ESPN+, -13 Roadrunners, O’Doul’s Maintain Your Edge Game of the Week

How do you know when a team is fo real? For example, the AP has placed Colorado in the Top 25 after one game, but didn’t extend the same courtesy to Texas State. Does the AP know who’s for real? Doubtful. The G5 always has to prove its realness multiple-times over before receiving an ounce of respect. So the Bobcats will have to thrash UTSA on Saturday, who just lost to one of the Big 12’s newest toys Houston 17-14. Apropo of nothing, Houston picked off Frank Harris three times in that game.

Prediction: The Bobcats stun again (gets 10 votes in the AP)

Marshall @ East Carolina, 4:00 PM ESPNU, -3 Thundering Herd

Straight talk, Marshall didn’t look good in its 21-17 victory against FCS Albany, though Rasheed Ali put up his usual stat line (137 yards, two TDs). Will all the wrinkles be ironed for the Pirates? ECU had its own mettle tested against #2 Michigan last week – a 30-3 beating that had the Wolverines limiting the Pirates to barely 200 yards of offense. Both Marshall and East Carolina will have something to prove on Saturday.

Prediction: The Herd adjust to the moment

Southeast Louisiana @ South Alabama, 5:00 PM ESPN+, No Spread Given

The Lions already took it on the chin versus Mississippi State in Week One. Now they get a Jaguars team that laid a turd against Tulane on Saturday. Kane Womack has a habit of rebounding after disappointing losses, and Southeast Louisiana certainly offers the soft bounce back South Alabama needs to right the ship.

Prediction: SE Louisiana falls victim of Jaguar rage

Appalachian State @ #17 North Carolina, 5:15 PM ACC Network, -18 Tar Heels

It’s not unusual for Sun Belt teams to struggle with Gardner Webb – the Chanticleers had a tough tangle with the Bulldogs last season. It required three quarters of football before Appalachian State was able to finally put GW away, and only after losing starting QB Ryan Berger to injury. Berger’s replacement, Joey Aguilar, performed just fine in his stead, connecting on 11 of 13 passes for four TDs. North Carolina will be a stronger test for the Mountaineers, whose secondary didn’t look great on Saturday.

Prediction: Mountaineers beat the spread

UAB @ Georgia Southern, 6:00 PM ESPN+, -7.5 Eagles

Many Sun Belt opponents struggled with their FCS openers on Saturday. Not Georgia Southern, who shut down the Citadel 34-0 behind 244 yards and 2 touchdowns from new QB Davis Brin. Now they get the Trent Dilfer led Blazers, who issued a similar beating to NC A&T last week. Both programs will have some confidence that only comes with recently defeating a lesser-resourced opponent. I just think Clay Helton has more moxie.

Prediction: Eagles soar over the spread

Louisiana @ Old Dominion, 6:00 PM ESPN+, -5.5 Cajuns

A conference game in Week 2? Outrageous! Michael Desormeaux has vowed to coach “his way” this season, and so far, so good with a 38-12 over Northwestern State. QB Ben Wooldridge threw a trio of TD passes on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Monarchs were getting de-crowned by Virginia Tech 36-17 with newly minted QB Grant Wells throwing for just 94 yards and a pick. Still, playing in Norfolk ain’t easy (as 2022 Virginia Tech can attest), so don’t look for the Cajuns to just be sitting on the sidelines eating crawdads.

Prediction: Cajuns squeeze out a victory

Jacksonville State @ Coastal Carolina, 7:00 PM ESPN+, -14 Chanticleers

Grayson McCall (271 yards, 1 TD) didn’t look bad against the Bruins on Saturday, but damn if he wasn’t running around a lot. Not running much: the Chanticleers run game, led by Reese White’s 21 yards (the team managed just 56 ground yards total). Coastal will have a chance to prove they still matter in the Sun Belt East when freshly CUSA anointed Jacksonville State comes to Conway, where the Chants will have to find some means to stopping talented Gamecocks running back Malik Jackson.

Prediction: Pick the Chants, but not the points

UCONN @ Georgia State, 7:00 PM ESPN+, -3 Panthers

That line has to irk Shawn Elliot and the Panthers a little bit. After all, UCONN is an amusing basketball school without a storied pigskin history. However, it’s easy to forget that the Huskies were a bowl team last year (losing to Marshall in the Myrtle Beach Bowl) and they didn’t put up a bad performance in Week 1 in losing to NC State. Georgia State didn’t exactly tear it up against Rhode Island, but the test was useful. I expect more competence from the defense.

Prediction: Panthers beat the Huskies and the odds

Memphis @ Arkansas State, 7:00 PM ESPN+, -21 Tigers

Just because Oklahoma beats you 73-0 doesn’t mean you should be a 21-point home dog to Memphis, right? The Tigers are coming off an expected win over Bethune Cookman and bring back QB Seth Henigan to torment the Red Wolves once again. Does Arkansas State have the dogs to stop Sutton Smith and the Tigers’ decent ground game? Is Butch Jones facing a must-win in just the second week of the season?

Prediction: Red Wolves rebound in Jonesboro

Lamar ULM, 8:00 PM ESPN+, No Spread Given

The Warhawks opened with a low key victory over Army last week, keyed by a maybe-shouldn’t-be-surprising defense. It certainly wasn’t the offense. Starting QB Jiya Wright was replaced by backup Hunter Herring, who managed to toss a late TD. However, combined Write and Herring were a miserable 15 for 31 for 91 yards. Wright threw two picks. But the Warhawks defense force five turnovers (three fumble recoveries and two picks) to secure an ugly 17-13 win. Should be enough for Lamar, right?

Prediction: Warhawks continue to pad their stats (defensively)

Southern Miss @ #4 Florida State, 8:30 PM ACC Network, -31 Seminoles

The Golden Eagles dispatched Alcorn State easy enough without relying much on Frank Gore Jr., who got just 6 carries. The Clemson transfer QB Billy Wiles was all the offense needed: 21/28 passing for 267 yards and three TD passes. It helped that Southern Miss’ standout safety Jay Stanley had a pair of picks. Can he be just as disruptive against Jordan Travis and Florida State? Seems like a big ask, but then again Will Hall has been full of surprises in his brief tenure as head coach.

Prediction: Ugly

PHOTO CREDIT: me