FOX Sports releases expert predictions for Week 2 college football matchups

FOX Sports analysts have outlined their Week 2 college football predictions ahead of a slate of cross-conference games. In the Missouri-Kansas rivalry at Kansas Memorial Stadium, all four contributors favored Missouri, citing quarterback Austin Simmons' strong debut and the Tigers' run game despite the absence of running back Ahmad Hardy.

For the Michigan-Oklahoma clash at Michigan Stadium, the consensus was that Oklahoma holds the advantage, with analysts pointing to the Sooners' depth at quarterback, wide receiver and defensive line, and expressing concerns about Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood's development after a narrow win over Western Michigan.

At Boone Pickens Stadium, the experts projected Oregon to defeat Oklahoma State, referencing the Ducks' overall talent and the Cowboys' recent loss to Tulsa. In Provo, BYU was favored over Arizona, with analysts emphasizing BYU's defensive strength and the importance of a win for the Cougars' Big 12 aspirations.

In the non-conference game at Memorial Stadium, Illinois received support over Duke, with commentators noting quarterback Katin Houser's previous performance and the home crowd advantage. Syracuse was selected to beat Cal in the JMA Wireless Dome, based on the health of quarterback Steve Angeli and the experience of Syracuse head coach Fran Brown.

Boise State was predicted to overcome Memphis at Albertsons Stadium, with analysts highlighting the Broncos' strong showing against Oregon in Week 1. Finally, the Texas-Ohio State game in Austin saw mixed picks, but several contributors leaned toward Ohio State, citing the Buckeyes' offensive adjustments under new coordinator Arthur Smith.

Overall, the analysts stressed the impact of quarterback play, defensive matchups, and recent performance trends in shaping their Week 2 forecasts.