Week 2 picks, preview: Michigan, Michigan State face primetime tests

It’s Week 2, and all five of the Michigan FBS teams are in action on Saturday, starting with Central Michigan visiting Pitt at noon and capped off with Michigan and Michigan State both kicking off against Power 4 opponents in primetime.

Picks went 3-1 last week, with Central Michigan’s upset of San Jose State the only miss. Here’s to perfection this week. 

Central Michigan at Pitt, noon, ESPNU/ESPN streaming

The Chippewas put on a masterclass in complementary football, running the “pro-style power spread” that head coach Matt Drinkall has overseen on offense, chewing clock as the defense forced three takeaways and shortened the game as Central Michigan beat San Jose State, 16-14, in the opener. But now Central Michigan runs into Pitt. Along with being an obviously higher class of opponent in terms of talent, Pitt is also happy to control possession, play stingy defense, and shorten games to win. 

The Central Michigan defense will need to try and slow down Pitt’s Eli Holstein, who went 15-for-23 for 215 yards, four TDs and a pick in the opener, and veteran tailback Desmond Reid carried eight times for 66 yards and a score. And while the veteran Central Michigan defense can probably gum up the works, create a turnover or two, and slow down the Pitt offense, the Central Michigan offense matching that effort against a strong Pitt defense doesn’t seem likely. Another upset isn’t in the cards, but the Chippewas and the multi-quarterback offense acquit themselves well. 

The pick: Pitt 24, Central Michigan 14

North Texas at Western Michigan, 3:30 p.m., ESPN+ only

Western Michigan is keeping the quarterback battle rolling into Week 2, with Brady Jones set to start against but Broc Lowry likely to get into the game sooner than the start of the third quarter, like he did in the opener. Both quarterbacks showed their ability to run the offense, Taylor said, and he wants to see if one separates to be the full-time starter. But the real thing that could help the quarterbacks, and a defense that pitched a second-half shutout against Michigan State, is getting going in the run game after 61 sack-adjusted rushing yards. 

If the ground game gets going, the Broncos can keep a high-octane North Texas offense led by Drew Mestemaker on the sideline. North Texas is an Air Raid offense and head coach Eric Morris has guided the Mean Green to being a top passing offense nationally the past few seasons. Saturday will be a big test for the Western Michigan secondary and Dame Tucker as a pass rusher to disrupt the operation. And just enough defensive plays and the run game getting going pushes Western Michigan to win No. 1. 

The pick: Western Michigan 33, North Texas 27

Long Island at Eastern Michigan, 7:00 p.m., ESPN+ only

Eastern Michigan got run over by a Texas State offense that put up 606 yards. Head coach Chris Creighton said it was in large part due to 27 missed tackles and an “inordinate” amount of missed fits. Cleaning up those fundamental defensive issues should make the Eagles defense playable, at a minimum and potentially get it on the track to being something more. And what better backdrop to come out with focus, intensity and put some good stuff on tape than against an FCS opponent. 

And the offense, which looked promising in the opener, should be more than capable of setting a strong pace. New quarterback Noah Kim looked effective at operating the offense and while there were some communications hiccups and inevitable things to iron out, the overall showing was strong. The run game was effective, too, as a healthy Dontae McMillan led the way and the Eagles offensive line showed some real promise in Week 1. An FCS tune up in Week 2 is just what the Eagles need to get out, play a complete game, and then turn focus to Kentucky for Week 3.

The pick: Eastern Michigan 45, LIU 13

Boston College at Michigan State, 7:30 p.m., NBC/Peacock

Not that anyone needs reminding, but Michigan State gave up a 42-yard touchdown in the final two minutes at Boston College last year to lose, 23-19. And for a game that could haunt this Spartan program a year later, it evidently doesn’t. There’s certainly some added motivation to return the favor for those Spartans who were there. But this game will really be about the MSU defense slowing down a Boston College offense that looked high flying in the opener, and the Spartan offense not fading away in the second half. 

The biggest evident challenge is slowing Dylan Lonergan, as the Alabama transfer fileted the defense in the opener en route to four touchdowns and no picks. The Eagles did struggle to get the ground game going, though, and MSU’s deep defensive front could exacerbate that problem. And head coach Bill O’Brien and defensive coordinator Tim Lewis bring a distinct pro-flavor to the defense that will try to attack, confuse and turnover Aidan Chiles while gumming up the run game. But a new-look offensive line unit and Chiles with a year of additional experience help push Michigan State to a win, and a pass in the first big test of the season. 

The pick: Michigan State 27, Boston College 24

Michigan at Oklahoma, 7:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN streaming

For all that Michigan did well in the opener, the pick here has more to do with some two unavoidable realities: Bryce Underwood is making his first road start in what should be a charged environment, and Brent Venables had about eight months to cook up a diabolical defensive game plan for this evening, as he is known to do. There’s plenty of reason to believe Michigan can and will keep this close, though. The Sooners rushing offense looked mortal against an FCS opponent in the opener, and Michigan could lean into some game control complementary football, running the ball and managing stops against Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer. 

Michigan will obviously want to get the ground game going behind Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall, and Underwood’s own legs could be a real factor, but it’s a safe bet the OU defense is planning on that, too. The game might come down to the Sooners defense forcing the ball into Underwood’s hands and challenging him to beat them with a number of challenging throws. Underwood certainly has the physical talent, but a true freshman quarterback making his first road start is just a bridge too far, especially with an opponent this good. 

The pick: Oklahoma 30, Michigan 23