Picks & Power Rankings: Back and better than ever?

College football is back and it may be better than ever.

If you’ve already rolled your eyes at that (possible) overreaction, that’s fair. But you may have missed Nick Saban cussing on College GameDay, playoff scenarios making headlines after Week 1, and the general volatility of Florida’s major programs.

The offseason was crazy, but 2024 is off to a crazy-good start. Speaking of, I didn’t run the table, but I did manage a 5-2 jump out of the gate on my picks. If you haven’t taken issue with those yet this year, maybe you’ve scoffed at my SEC Power Rankings. Turns out, I did need to make a few adjustment to those.

Mississippi State at Arizona State (9:30 p.m. / ESPN)

This is one of the week’s more interesting matchups, especially across the SEC slate. However, for those wanting to see this one, you’ll be tested. The West coast trip means Mississippi State will be in for a late kickoff in Tempe. The Bulldogs were successful in a similar late-night scenario in Tucson against Arizona back in 2022.

Both offenses went off last weekend. After seeing it in game action, I like the fit between Blake Shapen and Jeff Lebby even more than I did on paper. That pair, plus MSU’s talent at receiver, will be good for plenty of points this season. I think this Saturday night’s matchup is high-scoring and comes down to the wire, but ultimately, I think that favors the home team.

Five keys for Mississippi State’s Week 2 game at Arizona State

Following a commanding 56-7 win over Eastern Kentucky to open the season, Mississippi State hits the road for the first time in 2024, battling Arizona State for a late Saturday night kickoff (9:30 p.m. Central Time, 7:30 local) on ESPN. The Sun Devils also come in 1-0 after a 48-7 demolition of Wyoming last weekend.

My Pick: Arizona State, 38-31

Ole Miss vs. Middle Tennessee (3:15 p.m. / SEC Network)

If…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/picks-power-rankings-back-better-010100556.html

Author : Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, Tupelo

Publish date : 2024-09-07 01:01:00

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