Important Games to watch: Week 2

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Week 2 is here, and while LSU will be facing off against in-state opponent Louisiana Tech, there are several important games to keep an eye on around the college football landscape.

At 11 a.m. in the Big House, Michigan will take on Oklahoma. Following the controversial game from last week that Michigan actually lost, the Wolverines have an opportunity to quiet the noise around them by taking on one of the better teams in the nation.

Also, starting quarterback Bryce Underwood needs a big-time performance. Underwood not coming to LSU has been one of the biggest answered prayers LSU fans did not ask for. Since becoming the starting quarterback for the Wolverines, Underwood has been underwhelming.

In a game against Western Michigan, when he needed to come out and show that the coaching change and offseason work had him ready to step into that promised potential, that was not the case. Underwood finished the game 12-of-22 for 170 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Heading into that final drive, Underwood had less than 100 yards passing, and the final Hail Mary pass and only touchdown of the game accounted for 47 of his 170 yards on the day.

This Oklahoma defense is one of the best in the country, and it will be very important for Underwood to have a big game against one of the best if he wants to remain the starting quarterback. Head coach Kyle Whittingham has come out and stated that a change at quarterback is on the table.

Oklahoma is not on the schedule for LSU this season, so a road loss here would be a big step for LSU in clearing a path toward an SEC Championship Game appearance.

At 2:30 p.m., Alabama will travel to Lexington to face off against the new-look Kentucky Wildcats. Kentucky’s new head coach, Will Stein, will have his first SEC matchup, and it will be intriguing to see how his offensive coordinator, former LSU OC Joe Sloan, handles the play-calling.

Sloan has called plays against Alabama for the past two seasons while at LSU and is 0-2 in those games.

This game also features a step up in competition for Alabama and will be the first road test for young quarterback Keelon Russell. Right now, Alabama is favored on the road by 10.5 points, and that’s a lot to cover. That type of line says that Vegas has about as much confidence in Kentucky as it did in Clemson.

Alabama is a contending team within the SEC and is a team to keep an eye on as LSU’s matchup with the Crimson Tide approaches on the first Saturday in November.

While the Tigers are locking up with the Bulldogs, keep a separate screen on Texas and Ohio State.

This is a game that will tell us a lot about both programs. Last season, Texas started the year against Ohio State in a low-scoring matchup and lost 14-7. Arch Manning did not look like the quarterback he eventually became by the end of the season in that debut. Manning is looking to showcase that he can be great even when the opponent is great.

Ohio State is out for revenge.

Returning offensive stars Julian Sayin at quarterback and Jeremiah Smith — who is fighting with Malachi Toney and Colin Simmons for recognition as one of the best overall players in the country — are leading a very talented Buckeyes team that is poised to make a run at the national championship.

Ohio State has a lot to prove as well. The Buckeyes would like to reestablish that the Big Ten Conference runs through Columbus and not Bloomington, and the stage is set for them to announce that Ohio State is the team everyone else should be looking up to.

Texas invested a lot in getting some elite weapons around Manning, but there are still questions about protecting him.

Texas attempted to quietly add offensive lineman Cole Hutson after he appeared at a couple of rookie minicamps during the offseason but failed to make an NFL preseason roster. Earlier this week, the NCAA ruled Hutson ineligible despite him being part of the 2022 class that was granted a fifth year of eligibility earlier this summer.

The additions of wide receiver Cam Coleman and running back Hollywood Smothers should make the Longhorns more diverse on offense as well as more balanced.

This will be a very, very fun game to watch. The line right now has Texas favored by 1.5 points, essentially making this game a pick’em.

If Texas is able to win this game at home on Saturday night, it will be a statement victory for head coach Steve Sarkisian and will give Texas an example of why all of the offseason hype and talk was deserved.

Texas will come to Baton Rouge for LSU’s final home game of the 2026 season. A win or loss here will only add to how much both teams will be looking to get that victory when they meet, potentially with a College Football Playoff run hanging in the balance.

What games are you looking forward to this weekend? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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