.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
Week 2 picks: Michigan rebounds; there's debate on Ducks-Spartans
Week 2 of college football is upon us, our picks are in, and this season you can participate in our own DraftKings pool and play against us.
Each Thursday, FOX Sports' panel of Stewart Mandel, Bruce Feldman, Joel Klatt and Jim Ross will make the calls on who'll win the weekend's most intriguing matchups. In addition, Mandel and Feldman will dive a little deeper into the games with their picks against the spread.
But they're not just talking the talk. Mandel and Feldman are willing to put their money where their mouths are this season, and you can play against them in FOX SPORTS' AUDIBLE CHALLENGE, via DraftKings. Click the link to play. (Starts at 12 p.m. ET Saturday, Sept. 12.)
And now, the panel's predictions:
PICKS AGAINST THE SPREAD
LA. TECH (-1) at WESTERN KENTUCKY (on FS1, 8 p.m. ET Thursday)
Mandel: WKU star Brandon Doughty did not light it up against Vandy, but I have more confidence in him than in his counterpart, Jeff Driskel. Western Kentucky 35, Louisiana Tech 30
Feldman: Brandon Doughty’s team had more of a test in Week 1 than Jeff Driskel’s did. And I like the Hilltoppers to make a nice statement in their home opener. Doughty had a sterling 24-0 TD-INT ratio in home games in 2014. Western Kentucky 34, Louisiana Tech 27
The result: WKU 41, La. Tech 38
OREGON STATE (+15) at MICHIGAN
Mandel: The Wolverines' offense will continue to struggle, but their defense will come after Beavers freshman QB Seth Collins. Michigan 24, Oregon State 10
Feldman: Nice chance for Jim Harbaugh to get his first win in the Big House. Expect QB Jake Rudock to be sharper than he was in the road opener, while the Beavers' young offense struggles against a solid D. Michigan 27, Oregon State 10
NOTRE DAME (-11) at VIRGINIA
Mandel: It's hard to call this a "trap game" after both teams' results last week, but I'd be surprised if the Irish come out as sharp in this one as they did against Texas. Notre Dame 23, Virginia 13
Feldman: The Irish are rolling and Malik Zaire will continue to burn secondaries with lots of speed on the outside. Notre Dame 28, Virginia 13
IOWA (-3.5) at IOWA STATE (on FOX, 4:45 p.m. ET Saturday)
Mandel: I don't have a good read on either team just yet, but I do know that for whatever reason, Iowa State's had a lot of success in this rivalry lately. And that continues. Iowa State 27, Iowa 24
Feldman: ISU’s collection of big, athletic receivers will be the difference late in this one. Iowa State 20, Iowa 17
OKLAHOMA (pick 'em) at TENNESSEE
Mandel: The Vols may well win the SEC East, but as seen last week, their defense is still suspect. Now Baker Mayfield comes to town leading an even more potent attack. Oklahoma 41, Tennessee 38
Feldman: The Vols' secondary struggled last week against Bowling Green, and the Sooners have better skill talent and will come through in a shootout. Oklahoma 35, Tennessee 34
KENTUCKY (+7.5) at SOUTH CAROLINA
Mandel: UNC outplayed South Carolina on both sides of the ball last week but lost thanks to two end zone INTs. Kentucky's Patrick Towles won't make those mistakes. Kentucky 31, South Carolina 24
Feldman: Jon Hoke’s new D looked much better and was very effective in the red zone last week against UNC. I’ll stick with the home team on this one. South Carolina 23, Kentucky 22
OREGON (+3.5) at MICHIGAN STATE
Mandel: Michigan State will take a cue from Ohio State in last year's national title game, focus on shutting down Royce Freeman and exploit the Ducks' secondary. Michigan State 35, Oregon 31
Feldman: Expect Vernon Adams to respond well to his first road test as a Duck and for the Oregon skill guys to be the difference late. Oregon 28, Michigan State 24
TEMPLE (+6.5) at CINCINNATI
Mandel: It's a tough ask for Temple to turn around from last week's Penn State win and go face the potent Bearcats. Gunner Kiel leads Cincy to a big conference victory. Cincinnati 27, Temple 16
Feldman: The hunch here is that after a big win over Penn State, the Owls have a bit of a letdown on the road against an explosive Bearcats squad. Cincinnati 30, Temple 21
LSU (-4.5) at MISSISSIPPI STATE
Mandel: Dak Prescott does not have as many weapons around him this season and may struggle against the Tigers. LSU will run the ball well with Leonard Fournette. LSU 23, Mississippi State 16
Feldman: Brandon Harris played pretty well against MSU last year and I think he -- and Leonard Fournette -- will handle starting their season on the road. I also suspect the Tigers will do a little better job than they did last year dealing with Dak Prescott. LSU 23, Mississippi State 21
BOISE STATE (-2.5) at BYU
Mandel: Boise looks like it will have a solid rushing attack and defense this year, but QB Ryan Finley remains a question. BYU "freshman" Tanner Mangum outplays him. BYU 27, Boise State 24
Feldman: Tanner Mangum filled in very well for injured BYU QB Taysom Hill, but I think the Boise State D will present more of a challenge for the freshman QB. Boise State 23, BYU 17
UPSET SPECIALS:
Mandel: WAKE FOREST (+4.5) at SYRACUSE
Syracuse already had the makings of a dreadful team before losing starting QB Terrel Hunt for the season. Wake's Dave Clawson gets a breakthrough road win. Wake Forest 17, Syracuse 14
Feldman: HOUSTON (+13) at LOUISVILLE
Tom Herman’s team has good speed and plenty of firepower, and I think they'll catch the Cards coming off the Auburn loss. Houston 30, Louisville 28
Mandel: 11-0 (including upset pick)
Feldman: 10-1 (including upset pick)
Klatt: 6-3 (minus game he called on FS1)
Ross: 5-5
