College Football Weather Report: Week 2 Games Impacted By Intense Heat Wave

Forecasts across the U.S. call for calm weather when it comes to rain and storms this weekend. In general, most college football games luck out in Week 2 with gorgeous weather, particularly in the Midwest. However, an intense heat wave will impact the West Coast, particularly in Southern California and the interior Pacific Northwest. Some national games like Texas Tech at Washington State and Mississippi State at Arizona State are on alert for dangerous heat during the game.

Let’s take a look at the games potentially impacted during the second weekend of the 2024 college football season.

College Football Weather Report: Week 2 Heat Wave

Texas Tech at Washington State, Saturday (10:00 p.m., FOX)

Highs in Pullman, Wa., on Saturday are forecast in the mid-90s. That’s a 10º departure from the average August high and 20º departure from the average September high. A large low pressure system sitting over the Great Lakes cements this heat wave on the West Coast and bars it from breaking this weekend. By comparison, 95º is near the average high in Lubbock for July. Texas Tech will be much better acclimated to this kind of heat, though Pullman has seen its fair share of heat waves this summer.

Players, especially on Washington State, will fatigue quicker in the heat. Fortunately, an arid climate and low dew point will keep the heat index from playing a factor – in fact, a dew point under 20º could make it feel cooler than it really is by a degree or two.

• Factors: Unseasonable heat
• Impacts: Fatigue, especially in the second half
• Action: Avoid Washington State live

Mississippi State at Arizona State, Saturday (10:30 p.m., ESPN)

Although southern Arizonans are more acclimated to the heat, Tempe’s heat wave makes Pullman’s look like child’s play. The National Weather Service forecasts highs in Tempe to reach 107º. Phoenix’s run of 100º+ days continues this weekend, now well past 100 days in length. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. local, when temperatures are cooling, but still expected to be in excess of 100º.

Mississippi State comes from its own version of heat thanks to oppressive and humid Deep South summers. However, Saturday’s heat touches up on life-threatening, no matter where you’re from. Expect serious fatigue to set in quickly. Both teams may opt to run a slower pace, especially in the first half while the air tries to cool off (sunset in Tempe on Saturday is set for 6:44 p.m. local).

• Factors: Extreme heat
• Impacts: Accelerated fatigue, cramps
• Action: Avoid betting this game

Utah State at No. 13 USC, Saturday (11:00 p.m., Big Ten Network)

The same heat wave outlined above is expected to impact Los Angeles on Saturday. The difference between L.A. and the other places is that coastal Southern California isn’t equipped to handle intense heat. Highs that day are forecast to be near or in excess of 100º. By kickoff, that may cool to the low-90s to upper-80s. Temperatures in Los Angeles rarely exceed 90º and averages for August clock in at 85º and 83º for September.

Utah State hails from hotter summers than Los Angeles and the Aggies may be better equipped to handle the heat. However, those temperatures cool off quickly in the fall in the greater Salt Lake City area. Watch for players to cramp and pace to slow in an expected high-scoring affair.

• Factors: Unseasonable heat
• Impacts: Fatigue, cramps
• Action: Look for first-half unders with potentially-slowed pace of play

Other Games Impacted By Intense Heat

• Sacramento State at Fresno State
• Oregon State at San Diego State
• Maine at Montana State (FCS)
• Northern Arizona at No. 20 Arizona

College Football Weather Report: Where WE Could See Rain

Luckily, the majority of the U.S. should be in a quiet weather pattern when it comes to rain and storms. Games like East Carolina at Old Dominion and Bowling Green at Penn State could see some brief rain, but nothing disruptive. Winds across the country are also forecast to be calm. Here are some games that could see rain:

• Bowling Green at No. 8 Penn State (12:00 p.m.)
• Akron at Rutgers (12:00 p.m.)
• No. 17 Kansas State at Tulane (12:00 p.m.)
• East Carolina at Old Dominion (6:00 p.m.)

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