College football’s first full weekend gave us enough evidence to become dangerously confident about what we think we know.

Ohio State looks like Ohio State. Texas looks dangerous. Michigan technically won a football game, although it needed a controversial extra second and a Hail Mary to do it. Alabama appears to be humming again. Boise State nearly pulled off something special in Eugene. And by Saturday night, several teams are going to look considerably different than they did coming out of Week 1.

Scott and I have 10 games on the board this week, including a No. 1-vs.-No. 4 showdown in Austin. But before we get to the new picks, there’s one piece of business from Week 1.

Scott owned the straight-up picks and the spread. I owned the totals.

Week 1 Results

Straight up: Scott 10-0; Doug 8-2
Against the spread: Scott 7-3; Doug 3-7
Over/Under: Scott 4-6; Doug 7-3

So Scott begins Week 2 with bragging rights in two of the three categories. I’ll take the consolation prize of apparently knowing when the scoreboard operator is going to be busy.

Now we reset the board, pour the whiskey and see whether either of us actually learned anything.

The Opening Pour: Columbus vs. Austin

This week’s Game of the Week gave us a natural whiskey matchup.

Scott represented Columbus with Middle West Ported Pumpernickel Rye, Batch 6, bottled at 99.5 proof and carrying an $85 price tag.

The color immediately got his attention. Molasses. Fresh-brewed coffee. Maybe the darkest whiskey he’s ever seen. The nose followed with cherry and dark fruit, strawberry Twizzlers, black licorice and a little baking spice.

“The aroma is fantastic.”

The palate opened with oak, cinnamon and nutmeg before the port influence began to show itself. Toffee, caramel, vanilla and graham cracker joined the mix. The mouthfeel wasn’t thin, but it wasn’t especially viscous either. A second pass brought more cherry and spice, and the long finish carried oak and spice across the front of the tongue with plenty of lingering warmth.

Scott liked it quite a bit, although he stopped short of greatness.

“I think it would have done better if it had a couple more years in the barrel.”

Scott’s score: 86.91.

For Austin, I went with Still Austin Single Barrel Cask Strength, a 116-proof bourbon.

The color is solid copper, but the nose is strangely quiet for something carrying that much proof. Oak leads, followed by the familiar bourbon notes of caramel, vanilla and brown sugar with maybe a little cinnamon.

The first surprise on the palate is a welcome one: none of the leather and tobacco that so often announces a Texas whiskey before anything else gets a chance to speak. Cinnamon jumps forward instead, followed by tart cherries, oak, brown sugar and buttery toffee. The mouthfeel is nicely oily, and the finish hangs around with cinnamon, cherry and oak.

It isn’t spectacular. But it is very pleasing, and perhaps more importantly, it has handled the Texas heat better than any other Texas whiskey in my collection.

Doug’s score: 83.55.

Advantage Columbus.

Now let’s see if Ohio State can do the same thing.

Game of the Week: No. 1 Ohio State at No. 4 Texas

Records: Ohio State, 1-0; Texas, 1-0
Where: DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Line: Texas -1.5
Over/Under: 47.5

For the third straight season, Ohio State and Texas meet in a game with national implications.

Ohio State beat Texas in the College Football Playoff semifinal on its way to the national championship two seasons ago, then beat the Longhorns again, 14-7, in Columbus last season. This time, the Buckeyes bring the No. 1 ranking into Austin while Texas sits at No. 4.

Both quarterbacks looked sharp in Week 1. Julian Sayin threw for 320 yards and three touchdowns as Ohio State crushed Ball State 56-3. Arch Manning answered with 305 yards and four touchdowns in Texas’ 59-7 rout of Texas State.

Impact players: The quarterback matchup alone is worth the price of admission, but Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith may be the most dangerous individual player on the field. Texas counters with Manning, WR Cam Coleman and a defense that will have to find some way to keep Sayin and Smith from turning routine completions into explosives.

Scott thinks Texas finally gets its revenge.

“It’s in Texas. Texas has lost two in a row to Ohio State. What are the odds they’ll lose three in a row, especially at home? I see this coming down to a last possession, a turnover, a missed extra point. I think it’s a one-point game.”

Scott: Texas 27, Ohio State 26

Texas is in my heart since I was born there. But Ohio State seems to have all of the intangibles in games like these. Sayin and Smith have an undeniable combination that I think will make the difference in a very close game.

Doug: Ohio State 24, Texas 21

No. 23 Missouri at Kansas

Records: Missouri, 1-0; Kansas, 1-0
Where: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET (Friday)
TV: FOX
Line: Missouri -6.5
Over/Under: 50.5

The Border War returned last season after a 14-year interruption, and Missouri immediately reminded Kansas why the two sides spent so many years hating one another.

The Tigers won 42-31. Now the rivalry moves back to Lawrence, with Missouri carrying a No. 23 ranking and Kansas trying to turn home field into an equalizer.

Impact players: This one should be decided primarily by Missouri’s offense against the Kansas defense. The Tigers have the more explosive offensive ceiling, but rivalry games have a habit of turning clean statistical advantages into something considerably messier.

Scott is trusting the Missouri system.

“This will come down to Missouri offense vs. Kansas defense. I’m going with the scheme and the coach from Missouri. They’re going to go into Kansas and steal one from the Jayhawks. Their offense is just too much.”

Scott: Missouri 31, Kansas 24

I agree that Missouri has the edge here, and it’s probably for the same reason. But the Kansas home field and crowd will play a part and help keep it close.

Doug: Missouri 27, Kansas 24

No. 11 Oklahoma at Michigan

Records: Oklahoma, 1-0; Michigan, 1-0
Where: Michigan Stadium
Kickoff: Noon
TV: FOX
Line: Oklahoma -6.5
Over/Under: 43.5

Michigan won last week.

Barely.

The Wolverines escaped Western Michigan 13-12 only after one second was restored to the clock and Bryce Underwood found JJ Buchanan for a 47-yard Hail Mary. The performance was ugly enough to send Michigan from No. 16 completely out of the AP Top 25.

Oklahoma, meanwhile, comes to Ann Arbor ranked No. 11. The Sooners beat Michigan 24-13 last season and now get a Wolverine offense that showed very little beyond Buchanan’s six catches for 126 yards and the final miracle.

Impact players: Underwood is the obvious focal point for Michigan because the Wolverines need dramatically more from their quarterback. Buchanan showed last week that he can be a legitimate weapon, while Michigan’s Dom Nichols was disruptive on the defensive front. But Oklahoma coach Brent Venables has built his reputation on defense, and the Sooners should spend the afternoon trying to make Underwood uncomfortable.

Scott sees Oklahoma controlling the game.

“Brent Venables is one of the best defensive minds in the game. His absence from Clemson is a prime reason the Tigers aren’t what they used to be. Bryce Underwood was underwhelming for Michigan, especially when you take away the Hail Mary. Oklahoma is better in all phases of the game.”

Scott: Oklahoma 37, Michigan 27

I think Scott is being kind to Michigan. The Wolverines have a good defense, but their offense is putrid. They’ll have more than 100,000 screaming fans in the Big House, but Oklahoma won’t be fazed. Their offense will more than handle Michigan’s defense, and Michigan might struggle to put up even the points I’m predicting.

Doug: Oklahoma 28, Michigan 17

Arizona State at No. 10 Texas A&M

Records: Arizona State, 1-0; Texas A&M, 1-0
Where: Kyle Field
Kickoff: Noon
TV: ABC
Line: Texas A&M -15.5
Over/Under: 51.5

Texas A&M opened the season with a 50-0 win over Missouri State and moved to No. 10 in the new AP poll. Now Arizona State comes to Kyle Field for only the second meeting between the programs and the first ever on either school’s campus.

Arizona State is a legitimate step up in competition, but Kyle Field seats more than 102,000 people, and there is a reason Aggie fans embrace the idea of the 12th Man.

Impact players: Texas A&M’s defense will be worth watching, particularly a linebacker group that Mike Elko praised after the opener. Ray Coney was among the players who gave the Aggies enough confidence that they didn’t have to rush Daymion Sanford back into action.

Scott doesn’t see much drama here.

“Arizona State might look ahead to a more likely win at Kansas next week. This one won’t be close.”

Scott: Texas A&M 45, Arizona State 25

Arizona State isn’t a bad team, but Texas A&M has been building an elite roster in recent years, and the enormous crowd at Kyle Field truly does equate to having a 12th man. I agree with the margin, but not the total points.

Doug: Texas A&M 38, Arizona State 17

Arizona at No. 15 BYU

Records: Arizona, 1-0; BYU, 1-0
Where: Lavell Edwards Stadium
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m.
TV: FOX
Line: BYU -7.5
Over/Under: 51.5

Arizona may be unranked, but this isn’t a walkover.

The Wildcats opened with 520 yards of offense in a 35-7 win over Northern Arizona. BYU was even more emphatic, hammering Utah Tech 63-7. The Cougars enter Week 2 at No. 15 in the AP poll.

The matchup also has a recent history. BYU needed overtime to escape Arizona last season, and the Wildcats arrive in Provo knowing they can play with the Cougars.

Impact players: Arizona QB Noah Fifita gives the Wildcats a veteran presence capable of making this much more uncomfortable than BYU would prefer. Arizona coach Brent Brennan has also singled out the Cougars’ physicality and running game as major concerns.

Scott expects the home field to be the difference.

“Home field advantage will play a big part here. This is BYU’s chance to get an early conference win. The Cougars score points and they’re efficient on offense.”

Scott: BYU 24, Arizona 17

BYU should win this one handily, but Arizona is better than most people realize. Yes, the BYU fans will make a difference, but Arizona will score late to make it closer than the final score.

Doug: BYU 30, Arizona 24

Halftime Pour: Texas, Texas and … Redemption

Five games down. Time to freshen the glass.

After tasting the Middle West, Scott opened his bottle of Still Austin Cask Strength. His pour showed a nice copper color, but where mine had been relatively quiet on the nose, he found considerably more sweetness.

“Maybe candy apples.”

He also found the proof.

“The proof is higher and punched me in the face.”

Corn was the star of his palate, accompanied by a viscous mouthfeel and a lingering cherry finish. And then came the part Scott especially enjoyed.

“I love the Kentucky hug at the end.”

I stayed in Texas for two more pours, both from Ironroot Republic in Denison.

First came Sleight of Hand, at 92 proof. The color is mid-copper, and some of that familiar Texas leather appears on both the nose and palate. Fortunately, it doesn’t get the stage to itself. Cinnamon, caramel and vanilla provide some balance, and the mouthfeel is noticeably thicker than I would expect from a 92-proof bourbon. The biggest weakness is the finish, which fades a little too quickly.

Then came Harbinger.

Visually, it’s beautiful — borderline mahogany in the glass. Unfortunately, the experience goes downhill from there. There is more proof on the nose than I want, and more leather than I want. The palate continues the theme. Leather. Lots of leather.

There is also more buttery toffee than I remembered from the last time I tasted it, and the whiskey has decent viscosity. The finish lasts longer than Sleight of Hand’s, but longer isn’t necessarily better when the flavor you’re extending is the one you wish would leave.

Back into the bottle.

I finished the night by abandoning Texas and pouring Redemption 9-Year.

A new favorite.

Now, back to football.

No. 12 Alabama at Kentucky

Records: Alabama, 1-0; Kentucky, 1-0
Where: Kroger Field
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m.
TV: ABC
Line: Alabama -10.5
Over/Under: 48.5

Alabama looked like Alabama again last week.

The Tide rolled past East Carolina 48-10 and climbed to No. 12 in the AP poll. Now comes the first SEC road test of the season against a Kentucky team looking for a signature win under new coach Will Stein.

Impact players: Alabama QB Keelon Russell is the player Kentucky most needs to make uncomfortable. His first road conference environment should tell us much more about where Alabama’s offense really stands than the opener did.

Scott isn’t expecting much suspense.

“The Tide scored 48 last week and has a quarterback that looks decent. Even being in Kentucky, I don’t think this will be close. Roll Tide.”

Scott: Alabama 31, Kentucky 17

We’re almost sharing a brain on this one. Kalen DeBoer might be coming into his own this season and has the Tide clicking early. I see Alabama covering easily.

Doug: Alabama 34, Kentucky 17

Mississippi State at Minnesota

Records: Mississippi State, 1-0; Minnesota, 1-0
Where: Huntington Bank Stadium
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m.
TV: CBS
Line: Mississippi State -1.5
Over/Under: 55.5

This might be the most evenly matched game on our board.

Mississippi State piled up points and yards in its opener against Louisiana-Monroe. Minnesota took care of business, too. Now an SEC team heads north for the kind of nonconference game that usually tells us considerably more than either opening-week rout did.

Scott admitted his conference bias and then leaned right into it.

“Yes, the Bulldogs played Louisiana-Monroe, but that’s a lot of yards and points to put on the board. Minnesota won its first game easily, too. It’s hard for me to pick a Big Ten team over an SEC team, so I won’t.”

Scott: Mississippi State 27, Minnesota 24

My Dad was born in Minnesota, and playing in Minneapolis isn’t easy. If this was in Starkville, I’d pick the Bulldogs. But in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, I have to go with the Gophers.

Doug: Minnesota 31, Mississippi State 28

Memphis at Boise State

Records: Memphis, 2-0; Boise State, 0-1
Where: Albertsons Stadium
Kickoff: 6 p.m.
TV: USA
Line: Boise State -7.5
Over/Under: 53.5

Boise State may no longer have a number beside its name, but the Broncos came within seven points of No. 6 Oregon in Eugene. They received enough votes in the latest poll to sit just outside the Top 25.

Now Memphis has to travel almost the length of the country to play on the blue turf.

That’s not an enviable assignment.

Scott thinks Boise State will still be thinking about the opportunity that slipped away against Oregon.

“Boise has to be pissed that they didn’t beat Oregon. They played the Ducks tough and had a chance to win. They’ll handle the Tigers.”

Scott: Boise State 21, Memphis 17

I see it more one-sided than that. Memphis has to travel pretty much cross-country to play on the blue field in Boise. The Tigers’ offense is built on efficiency, but the battle-tested Broncos will be disruptors and will force several Memphis mistakes.

Doug: Boise State 34, Memphis 24

No. 18 Tennessee at Georgia Tech

Records: Tennessee, 1-0; Georgia Tech, 0-1
Where: Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Line: Tennessee -13.5
Over/Under: 55.5

The Dolly Parton celebration continues.

Tennessee opened the season by crushing Furman 56-9 and piling up 638 yards of offense. Georgia Tech, meanwhile, stumbled out of the gate with a 14-13 loss to Colorado.

The Yellow Jackets are now trying to avoid an 0-2 start against a Tennessee team ranked No. 18.

Impact players: Tennessee’s offense revolves around freshman QB Faizon Brandon and a talented collection of weapons. Georgia Tech counters with QB Alberto Mendoza and RB Justice Haynes, but replacing former offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner remains part of the larger question surrounding this Yellow Jacket attack.

Scott sees Tennessee’s running game making the difference.

“The tribute to Dolly Parton will continue. The Volunteers appear to have some offense, especially with their running attack. Georgia Tech’s defense can be exploited.”

Scott: Tennessee 31, Georgia Tech 17

Again, I see it more one-sided than Scott does. Georgia Tech isn’t bad, but they don’t have Buster Faulkner’s offense to put up points. Tennessee has more talent and a better scheme.

Vols roll.

Doug: Tennessee 38, Georgia Tech 17

Arkansas at No. 20 Utah

Records: Arkansas, 1-0; Utah, 1-0
Where: Rice-Eccles Stadium
Kickoff: 10:15 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Line: Utah -11.5
Over/Under: 56.5

We finish late in Salt Lake City.

Utah has entered the Morgan Scalley era after Kyle Whittingham, and the transition certainly didn’t look painful in Week 1. After a slow start, the Utes exploded and finished with 633 yards in a 66-14 win over Idaho. Arkansas was considerably less convincing in a 31-14 win over North Alabama.

Impact players: Arkansas QB KJ Jackson threw for 267 yards and three touchdowns in the opener, but the Razorbacks also committed three turnovers. RB Sutton Smith gives Arkansas another offensive weapon, while linebacker Ben Bogle made an immediate impact defensively with four tackles, two tackles for loss and a pass breakup despite playing only 12 snaps.

Against Utah, the turnovers Scott mentioned may be the entire game.

“Turnovers will probably make a difference in this game. Utah will have no problem handling the Razorbacks.”

Scott: Utah 39, Arkansas 24

The Utes are moving into an era without Kyle Whittingham, but they didn’t miss a beat last week. Arkansas can’t be overlooked, but I expect Utah to win easily.

Doug: Utah 34, Arkansas 20

And there it is.

Ten games. Two whiskeys to start. Three more during intermission. And only two games where Scott and I actually disagree on the winner.

Naturally, one of them is the Game of the Week.

Scott thinks Texas finally gets Ohio State in Austin. I think Sayin and Smith spoil the party. He trusts the SEC enough to take Mississippi State in Minneapolis. I’m going with the Gophers — and a little family history.

By late Saturday night, one of us should have plenty of ammunition.

The other one may need another pour.

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Copyright © 2026 Doug DeBolt.