It's time for our weekly predictions, and we have our first narrative-setting top-5 matchup of the season Saturday night in Austin. No. 1 Ohio State's trip to fourth-ranked Texas could challenge all-time viewership records for a regular-season game, given the stakes between two title-contending programs this fall. The Longhorns' loss to the Buckeyes last season ultimately cost Texas an at-large spot in the College Football Playoff, which drew the ire of coach Steve Sarkisian.
Winless in his tenure at Texas against Georgia and Ohio State (0-5), this is a barometer matchup for Sarkisian at home, a must-win game for a leader under the microscope nationally when considering his team's overall talent level. No. 11 Oklahoma at Michigan is another appealing non-conference showdown in Week 2 for two teams entering with a considerably different feel after last weekend's results. The Sooners blanked UTEP in their quest for a CFP return while the Wolverines nearly stumbled -- perhaps should've stumbled -- against Western Michigan in Kyle Whittingham's debut.
Season results (Week 1): Brad Crawford (8-0 straight, 6-2 ATS), Chris Hummer (7-1 straight, 2-6 ATS) Week 1 was a profitable weekend around here. I whiffed on Clemson +10.5 at LSU during a complete demolition by Lane Kiffin's squad, but I had a feeling UCLA would topple California in Bob Chesney's debut, along with Boise State covering against Oregon. The Broncos, despite the loss to the Ducks, are my new Group of Six favorite.
Hummer (Kentucky +10.5): I think there's a lot of value with Kentucky at that spread. To extrapolate too much from a game against Youngstown State is dangerous, but I'd point out that Penguins quarterback Beau Brungard is one of the best running signal callers in the FCS. He ran for nearly 1,500 yards last year.
Kentucky held him to 29 yards and the Penguins to 2.1 yards per carry. That's what I'm watching against Alabama. Can the Tide run the ball consistently against an above-average front seven?
I think Alabama does enough, but Kentucky keeps this close at home thanks to a strong defensive effort and an occasionally explosive offense. … Alabama 24, Kentucky 20. Crawford (Kentucky +10.5): Over the summer, I laid out five reasons why first-year Kentucky coach Will Stein could be among the SEC's biggest surprises in his opening campaign for the Wildcats. What he did with Oregon's offense was magical these last few years.
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