After a Week 1 filled with blowouts and star-making performances, The Alligator’s Florida football beat reporters, Ava DiCecca, Max Bernstein, Curan Ahern and Riley Orovitz, are back to make picks for this week’s 15-game slate.
A reminder of how scoring works: Each reporter earns a point for a correct winner pick and three bonus points if they predict the score accurately.
Here’s a look at the standings as they currently lie.
T1: Ava DiCecca - 16
T1: Max Bernstein - 16
T1: Curan Ahern - 16
T1: Riley Orovitz - 16
Now, here are the picks for all of the Week 2 SEC bouts, including the first interconference matchup of the year, as well as one of the most anticipated games across the entire season.
No. 23 Missouri (1-0) at Kansas (1-0)
Fresh off the heels of a 54-14 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Thursday, Missouri heads to Lawrence, Kansas, for the first time since 2005 in a “Border War” matchup. The Jayhawks, meanwhile, defeated Long Island 51-6 on Friday. Missouri has won 4 straight and 6 of the last 7 games in this heated rivalry contest.
DiCecca: Missouri 41, Kansas 28
Bernstein: Missouri 28, Kansas 20
Ahern: Missouri 31, Kansas 17
Orovitz: Missouri 42, Kansas 17
No. 11 Oklahoma (1-0) at Michigan (1-0)
After dismantling UTEP 51-0 Friday, QB John Mateer and the Sooners head to Ann Arbor to take on the Wolverines. Michigan, meanwhile, barely escaped with a 13-12 win, albeit in controversial fashion, over in-state foe Western Michigan. OU has won both games in this series, including a 24-13 victory on Sept. 6, 2025.
DiCecca: Oklahoma 38, Michigan 33
Bernstein: Oklahoma 17, Michigan 10
Ahern: Oklahoma 24, Michigan 21
Orovitz: Oklahoma 24, Michigan 17
Arizona State (1-0) at No. 10 Texas A&M (1-0)
One week after dismantling Missouri State 50-0, Mike Elko’s Aggies face increased competition in the form of Kenny Dillingham’s Sun Devils. ASU crushed Morgan State 70-7 Saturday, with QB Cutter Boley dishing 6 touchdowns in his team debut. These two teams have only played once before, with TAMU beating ASU 38-17 in 2015.
DiCecca: Texas A&M 42, Arizona State 24
Bernstein: Texas A&M 31, Arizona State 23
Ahern: Texas A&M 31, Arizona State 24
Orovitz: Texas A&M 35, Arizona State 27
Western Kentucky (0-1) at No. 2 Georgia (1-0)
Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs made quick work of Tennessee State 63-3 Saturday as RB Nate Frazier ran for 3 touchdowns on just 4 carries. Now, UGA faces C-USA opponent Western Kentucky. The Hilltoppers were crushed 49-14 by Nevada in their season opener. In 2006, these teams faced off, and UGA won 48-12.
DiCecca: Georgia 55, Western Kentucky 7
Bernstein: Georgia 48, Western Kentucky 7
Ahern: Georgia 56, Western Kentucky 0
Orovitz: Georgia 54, Western Kentucky 3
Mississippi State (1-0) at Minnesota (1-0)
In the first half of a two-season home-and-home series, Minnesota hosts Mississippi State in the first-ever matchup between the programs. The Bulldogs cruised to a 62-13 win over UL-Monroe Saturday, while Minnesota made quick work of Eastern Illinois in a 59-7 victory Thursday.
DiCecca: Mississippi State 35, Minnesota 20
Bernstein: Minnesota 28, Mississippi State 27
Ahern: Mississippi State 27, Minnesota 24
Orovitz: Mississippi State 35, Minnesota 24
No. 12 Alabama (1-0) at Kentucky (1-0)
The first SEC matchup of the season takes place in Lexington as the Crimson Tide face the Wildcats. In his ‘Bama debut, QB Keelon Russell paced the team both in the air and on the ground en route to a 48-10 win over East Carolina. Kentucky, meanwhile, beat Youngstown State 45-13. Alabama leads this series 39-2-1 and has not lost to Kentucky since 1997.
DiCecca: Alabama 48, Kentucky 17
Bernstein: Alabama 37, Kentucky 17
Ahern: Alabama 34, Kentucky 21
Orovitz: Alabama 50, Kentucky 23
Delaware (1-0) at Vanderbilt (1-0)
In its season opener, Vanderbilt defeated Austin Peay 28-9 in a game that was called before the 2-minute timeout thanks to inclement weather. Delaware, meanwhile, kicked off its second FBS campaign with a 42-7 blowout win over Merrimack. These two teams have never faced, but Vandy is 10-2 all-time against C-USA opponents.
DiCecca: Vanderbilt 34, Delaware 10
Bernstein: Vanderbilt 38, Delaware 14
Ahern: Vanderbilt 31, Delaware 14
Orovitz: Vanderbilt 28, Delaware 7
Campbell (2-0) at Florida (1-0)
In Jon Sumrall’s Florida debut, the Gators exploded for 66 points, the most by the program since Nov. of 2021 and the highest total in a UF season opener since 1988. Next, the Gators host the Campbell Camels, who have already matched their 2025 win total by starting 2-0 for the first time since 2018. This is the first matchup between these schools, and UF is reportedly paying Campbell $525,000 to play at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
DiCecca: Florida 72, Campbell 9
Bernstein: Florida 58, Campbell 7
Ahern: Florida 69, Campbell 13
Orovitz: Florida 64, Campbell 14
Towson (0-2) at South Carolina (1-0)
The Gamecocks dominated Kent State Saturday 57-0 as QB LaNorris Sellers delivered 270 passing yards and 3 touchdown throws with only 4 incompletions all afternoon. Towson, meanwhile, enters this contest after losses to Maine and Navy, with the latter loss coming by a score of 42-15. These two programs have never faced off.
DiCecca: South Carolina 41, Towson 7
Bernstein: South Carolina 49, Towson 3
Ahern: South Carolina 52, Towson 6
Orovitz: South Carolina 38, Towson 3
No. 18 Tennessee (1-0) at Georgia Tech (0-1)
True freshman QB Faizon Brandon delivered 294 total yards and 5 touchdowns as Tennessee bested Furman 56-9 to kick off its season. Georgia Tech, meanwhile, was upset by Colorado 14-13 when the Buffs blocked a walk-off field goal attempt. These teams have met 44 times (Tennessee leads the series 25-17-2) and the Vols won the last matchup, 42-41, in 2027.
DiCecca: Tennessee 34, Georgia Tech 28
Bernstein: Tennessee 37, Georgia Tech 20
Ahern: Tennessee 38, Georgia Tech 17
Orovitz: Tennessee 42, Georgia Tech 24
Louisiana Tech (1-0) at No. 8 LSU (1-0)
LSU was absolutely dominant in Lane Kiffin’s Baton Rouge debut, thrashing Clemson 51-10 as QB Sam Leavitt recorded 343 total yards and 3 touchdowns. Louisiana Tech, meanwhile, cruised to an 80-6 win over Northwestern State. LSU leads this series 20-1 (the only Tiger loss was in 1904) and won 23-7 in this contest last season.
DiCecca: LSU 48, Louisiana Tech 10
Bernstein: LSU 40, Louisiana Tech 13
Ahern: LSU 49, Louisiana Tech 10
Orovitz: LSU 45, Louisiana Tech 10
Southern Mississippi (1-0) at Auburn (1-0)
Auburn barely escaped Atlanta with a 14-13 win over QB DJ Lagway and Baylor after denying a two-point attempt with less than 10 seconds on the clock. Southern Miss, meanwhile, beat Alcorn State 49-3 on Saturday. Auburn has a 18-5 lead in the series between these two teams, and the Tigers have won the last four bouts.
DiCecca: Auburn 28, Southern Miss 6
Bernstein: Auburn 34, Southern Miss 7
Ahern: Auburn 35, Southern Miss 10
Orovitz: Auburn 24, Southern Miss 3
No. 1 Ohio State (1-0) at No. 4 Texas (1-0)
The highly anticipated rematch of last season’s 14-7 Ohio State victory in Columbus is finally here. Texas is also still seeking revenge after the Buckeyes knocked the Longhorns out of the college football playoff in 2024. OSU enters this game off the heels of a 56-3 win over Ball State, while Texas demolished Texas State 59-7.
DiCecca: Texas 31, Ohio State 28
Bernstein: Ohio State 24, Texas 23
Ahern: Texas 28, Ohio State 24
Orovitz: Ohio State 28, Texas 21
Charlotte (0-1) at No. 9 Ole Miss (1-0)
A Lucas Carniero 48-yard field goal as time expired was enough to power the Rebels past Louisville 41-38 on Sunday in one of the most exciting Week 1 bouts across the nation. Charlotte was defeated by The Citadel 43-41 in triple overtime. These two teams have never faced off, but Ole Miss has won its last five contests against AAC teams.
DiCecca: Ole Miss 49, Charlotte 7
Bernstein: Ole Miss 58, Charlotte 10
Ahern: Ole Miss 52, Charlotte 7
Orovitz: Ole Miss 45, Charlotte 14
Arkansas (1-0) at No. 20 Utah (1-0)
For the first time in Arkansas program history, the Razorbacks will play in the state of Utah. Ryan Silverfield’s team kicked off 2026 with a 31-14 win over North Alabama, while Utah recorded a 66-14 win over Idaho. The Utes are 2-1 against SEC teams since 2000, with their only loss coming in Gainesville in 2022.
DiCecca: Utah 34, Arkansas 27
Bernstein: Utah 38, Arkansas 20
Ahern: Utah 35, Arkansas 21
Orovitz: Utah 42, Arkansas 17
Contact Ava DiCecca at adicecca@alligator.org. Follow her on X at @avadicecca24.
Contact Max Bernstein at mbernstein@alligator.org. Follow him on X at @maxbernstein23.
Contact Curan Ahern at cahern@alligator.org. Follow him on X at @CuranAhern.
Contact Riley Orovitz at rorovitz@alligator.org. Follow her on X at @rileyorovitz.
Ava DiCecca is a senior sports and media journalism student and a Fall 2026 sports editor and football beat reporter. Now in her fifth semester with The Alligator, she previously served as the Summer 2026 assistant sports editor, Spring 2026 sports editor, Gators volleyball beat reporter and an enterprise writer. In her free time, she watches Boston sports (Brad Marchand we still love you).
Max Bernstein is a fourth-year sports and media journalism major and sports management minor. This Fall, he is a Sports Editor and a Florida Gators and Jacksonville Jaguars reporter at The Alligator. Now in his ninth semester with The Alligator, Max previously served in roles including Digital Managing Editor, Sports Editor, Assistant Sports Editor and Football Reporter. He has also made appearances on the Paul Finebaum Show. In the rare moments Max isn't working, he's usually with his girlfriend Reese, watching sports with his fraternity brothers or missing his family and his two cats.
Curan is a senior sports journalism student in his sixth semester at The Alligator. He is currently a sports editor and football beat reporter for the Gators and the Jaguars. He previously served as a men's tennis and sports enterprise reporter, and he is pursuing a public relations minor.
Riley is a junior sports journalism student and a Fall 2026 sports editor and Gators football beat reporter. Currently in her third semester with The Alligator, she has previously covered Gators swim & dive and Gators gymnastics. She is an avid South Florida sports fan and enjoys playing/following all sports in her free time.
