Bear Down Pick'Em Week 2: College Football

Darnell Sallins

September 6, 2025, 10:07AM

The college football season is underway after week 1 was electrifying. It wasn't electrifying for Cole Johnson and The Playmaker(myself) as we both took some tough losses. Cole Johnson went 3-7 and I went 5-5 in week 1 picks.

Now we are in week 2 of the season and here are the week 2 picks.

Friday Night Lights:

• James Madison 14, Louisville 28

  • Cole Johnson: Louisville Cardinals

  • The Playmaker: Louisville Cardinals

  • Takeaway: In a back-and-forth affair in Louisville until the fourth quarter, Louisville's defense made the play needed for the Cardinals to avoid the upset. Defensive end AJ Green recovered a fumble in the end zone that would give Louisville a 20-14 lead. Then, Louisville running back Issac Brown goes 78 yards for a touchdown that put the game to bed.

    • Issac Brown (LOU): 12 carries, 104 yards, TD

Saturday, September 6, 2025

• Iowa vs. 16. Iowa State (Cy-Hawk Trophy)

  • Cole Johnson: Iowa State Cyclones

  • The Playmaker: Iowa State Cyclones

  • Prediction: The Cy-Hawk trophy is up grabs in Ames, Iowa. Iowa State wet to Iowa City last year and defeated their in-state rival Iowa to claim the trophy. Both teams come into this rivalry undefeated so the first the loss with be a stringer. With that said, Iowa State QB Rocco Becht is a difference maker for the Cyclones, and the Hawkeyes offense is not impressive.

    
    

• 11. Illinois vs. Duke

  • Cole Johnson: Illinois Fighting Illini

  • The Playmaker: Illinois Fighting Illini

  • Prediction: Another ranked team outside of the ACC is visiting an ACC team in the early part of the season. The 11th ranked Fighting Illini of Illinois are in Durham, North Carolina to play unranked Duke. Both teams are coming off of easy week 1 wins. Luke Altmyer returns as the Illinois's quarterback. He will need to be the difference for Illinois to avoid the Alabama faith from week 1.

• Baylor vs. 17. SMU

  • Cole Johnson: SMU Mustangs

  • The Playmaker: SMU Mustangs

  • Prediction: The roles are reversed in this game as an unranked Baylor team visits 17th ranked Mustangs of SMU in a battle of Texas schools in Dallas. Baylor lost a hard-fought battle against Auburn in week 1, but simply they are overmatched against a SMU team who shocked everyone last year in their first season in the ACC.

• 20. Ole Miss vs. Kentucky

  • Cole Johnson: Ole Miss Rebels

  • The Playmaker: Ole Miss Rebels

  • Prediction: The first SEC game is early in the year as the 20th ranked Rebels go to Lexington, Kentucky with a date with the Wildcats of Kentucky. Early season test for Lane Kiffin and his Rebels as Mark Stoops has been good as Kentucky's head coach. It is strength on strength between Kiffin and Stoops, and Kiffin should outdo Stoops even in Lexington.

• Kansas vs Missouri

  • Cole Johnson: Missouri Tigers

  • The Playmaker: Missouri Tigers

  • Prediction: The Border War takes places in Columbia, Missouri as Kansas and Missouri renewed their rivalry in week 2. Two explosive offenses will be on display, and this game will come down to which defense can make that one stop or which offense will have the ball last.

• Oklahoma State vs. 6. Oregon

  • Cole Johnson: Oregon Ducks

  • The Playmaker: Oregon Ducks

  • Prediction: Mike Gundy lit some fire in the week by talking about Oregon 'budget' for their stacked roster complained to his roster. Gundy can try and find any motivation for his Cowboys to go into Eugene and take on the Ducks, but Dan Lanning and the Ducks won't have it.

• 12. Arizona State vs. Mississippi State

  • Cole Johnson: Arizona State Sun Devils

  • The Playmaker: Arizona State Sun Devils

  • Prediction: An early test for the reigning Big 12 champs, Arizona State as they head into SEC country to face Mississippi State. Now to the average person, this shouldn't a test because Mississippi State is a bottom feeder SEC team against a conference champion in Arizona State. However, going to Starkville is not a fun visit especially at night. With that being said, Arizona State should escape Starkville with the win.

    
    

• Vanderbilt vs. Virginia Tech

  • Cole Johnson: Virginia Tech Hokies

  • The Playmaker: Vanderbilt Commodores

  • Prediction: Opposite results for both teams in week 1. Vanderbilt cruised to an easy victory while Virginia Tech took one on the chin against South Carolina. Now, it's the home opener for the Hokies in Lane Stadium. Play "Enter the Sandman" by Metallica. Blacksburg, Virginia will be rocking in primetime as the Hokies play another SEC team to start the season. quarterback Diego Pavia for Vanderbilt is the difference maker for the Commodores.

Spotlight Game of the Week: Saturday, August 30

• 15 Michigan vs. 18. Oklahoma

  • Cole Johnson: Michigan Wolverines

  • The Playmaker: Oklahoma Sooners

  • Prediction: The lone ranked vs. ranked matchup is our Spotlight Game of the Week. Norman, Oklahoma is the site. Memorial Stadium is the venue for this Big Ten-SEC showdown. Michigan, ranked 15th against Oklahoma, ranked 18th. A game that will feature the quarterbacks on both sides in freshman Bryce Underwood for Michigan and junior John Mateer of Oklahoma. This will be a test for both quarterbacks in this primetime showdown and Noram could be the difference in this game.

Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as the season unfolds. Make your picks wisely and enjoy the thrilling start to college football 2025!