This young season’s inaugural top-10 matchup is the highlight of the Week 2 college football schedule, alongside many other exciting games to enjoy. While there are certainly some matchups that might not be competitive, we’re here to guide you on which ones to tune into.

Along with the marquee matchup featuring Michigan and Texas in Ann Arbor, Saturday’s lineup includes another Top 25 showdown on a neutral site as well as several rivalry games. Keep an eye out for unexpected twists throughout the weekend, but in the meantime, here’s a look at the games we believe are the best picks for your viewing pleasure.

No. 3 Texas at No. 9 Michigan

Time/TV: 12:00 PM ET, Fox.

Why watch: This marks the initial significant challenge for last season’s playoff teams as Texas visits the reigning champion Wolverines. Michigan’s team has changed considerably since their championship victory eight months ago, both in player roles and coaching staff. Last week, both teams faced Mountain West opponents but with differing outcomes; while Michigan had a tough time overcoming Fresno State, Texas easily defeated Colorado State. Despite facing a stronger opponent, Michigan’s underwhelming 269 total offensive yards raises concerns. QB Davis Warren will need to elevate his game against Texas LB Anthony Hill Jr., and Longhorn QB Quinn Ewers will encounter more challenges from DE Josaiah Stewart and Michigan’s defensive line, although talented receivers like WR Isaiah Bond should help him manage pressure.

Why it might not live up to expectations: One game’s performance can often be misleading; though Michigan faced a tougher opponent, Texas’ dominant win suggests that a blowout victory might lean toward the Longhorns. For the Wolverines to succeed, they probably need to adopt a slow-paced strategy, which may not provide the most thrilling viewing experience.

No. 12 Tennessee vs. No. 23 North Carolina State

Time/TV: 7:30 PM ET, ABC.

Why watch: This matchup features a second consecutive neutral site contest in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the ACC and SEC face off. The Wolfpack are hoping for a better performance in their home state than Clemson showed against Georgia last week. Tennessee, with a solid fan base expected to travel from Knoxville, looks to build on their impressive opening against in-state FCS team Chattanooga. If QB Nico Iamaleava can exploit openings, he could challenge N.C. State’s defensive back Aydan White and their active secondary. The Wolfpack struggled early against Western Carolina and transfer QB Grayson McCall will need to bounce back from his initial interception.

Why it might not live up to expectations: One game’s performance shouldn’t dictate overall potential. A slow start for the Wolfpack could be detrimental, and while Tennessee hasn’t faced significant resistance yet, they might be more likely to deliver an impressive victory.

Boise State at No. 6 Oregon

Time/TV: 10:00 PM ET, Peacock.

Why watch: This game showcases one of Week 1’s breakout stars aiming for another performance under the lights in a possible #BigTenAfterDark moment. Boise State holds a 3-0 lead in their series against Oregon, though they haven’t played since the 2017 Las Vegas Bowl. The Broncos and standout RB Ashton Jeanty, who excelled with 267 rushing yards and six touchdowns last week, may face a tougher challenge against the Ducks. Oregon started off slow against Idaho but is aiming for a playoff-worthy performance. QB Dillon Gabriel posted respectable numbers with 380 yards against Idaho, but his 49-pass attempts raise questions about his offensive line’s effectiveness. Jeanty will require support from QB Maddux Madsen to contend with Oregon’s LB Bryce Boettcher and more.

Why it might not live up to expectations: While dropping in the rankings isn’t crucial, Oregon will be more focused this week. Despite Boise State winning the Mountain West last year, their visit to Washington didn’t go well, making an early lead essential to avoid a repeat in Eugene.

Arkansas at No. 17 Oklahoma State

Time/TV: 12:00 PM ET, ABC.

Why watch: Moving into the more unpredictable section of our preview, it’s essential to note that both teams’ participation in power conferences does not always translate to excitement on the field, but there’s hope for entertaining play. The Cowboys of the Big 12 are in a promising position to contend for the league title. If they perform well against an SEC opponent, it could reinforce their status.

The teams are performing well in their conference, but there’s an opportunity for them to make an even stronger impression. Although Arkansas had an easy win against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, QB Taylen Green and RB Ja’Quinden Jackson gained valuable experience. They will face a much tougher challenge against LB Nick Martin and Oklahoma State’s seasoned defensive lineup. Oklahoma State faced more resistance against South Dakota State, a strong FCS team, but veteran QB Alan Bowman and RB Ollie Gordon II managed to achieve solid stats. Razorbacks LB Brad Spence will lead the efforts to contain them.

Why it could be disappointing: The belief in the SEC’s dominance has already faced scrutiny following three losses in Week 1. If this game takes a turn for the worse, it might indicate that Oklahoma State, currently ranked and playing at home, could be the one to deliver a high score.

Iowa State at No. 21 Iowa

Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS.

Why tune in: The annual Cy-Hawk Trophy clash sees these rivals coming off impressive victories in their initial games. Interestingly, in the last four meetings, the visiting team has walked away with the trophy, with the Cyclones winning in Iowa City back in 2022. Points might be scarce, typical of Iowa games, but the Iowa offense has potential with QB Cade McNamara returning after an injury-plagued previous season. Cyclones QB Rocco Becht is also back and needs to play without errors to prevent giving Iowa a favorable field position. Expect key defensive performances from Iowa LB Jay Higgins and Iowa State DB Jeremiah Cooper.

Why it could be disappointing: Did we mention this is likely to be a low-scoring game? The last time either team scored over 27 points in this series was during a rare 44-41 overtime win for Iowa in 2017. Typically, these matchups don’t lead to blowouts, and the critical moments can arise at any time.

Colorado at Nebraska

Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC.

Why tune in: This matchup features two unranked teams that are sure to draw significant interest. The atmosphere in Lincoln is expected to be electric as these former Big Eight rivals meet again. Adding to the excitement is the lingering tension from last year’s game, the presence of a highly discussed coach, and a young quarterback aiming to bring the program back to glory. The Buffaloes faced a strong challenge from North Dakota State, but QB Shedeur Sanders and WR/DB Travis Hunter showed that they can deliver thrilling plays at any moment. Cornhuskers fans are excited to see freshmen QB Dylan Raiola’s debut, as he threw two touchdowns without any interceptions last week against Texas-El Paso.

Why it could be disappointing: The Buffs still face challenges in the trenches on both sides of the ball. We will soon see if the ‘Huskers are capable of taking full advantage of this.