How good did that feel? Last Saturday featured a loaded slate of college football games, packed stadiums, student sections in full throat, and dueling live, on-campus pregame shows. After a write-off season in 2020, it feels like we're back.
Now, we move to Week 2. While the schedule doesn't have the headliners Week 1 did, there's still plenty at stake in the weekend's five biggest games.
No. 12 Oregon @ No. 3 Ohio State (-14.5, 63.5)
To say it didn't look good for the PAC-12 in the season's first full weekend would be an understatement. However, just because Oregon barely survived a scare from Fresno State and the rest of the North Division looked terrible doesn't mean we have to write off the whole group, especially the cream of that admittedly sketchy crop.
I'm worried about Kayvon Thibodeaux's injury affecting this line and kicking it up over 14.5. But if the pass-rusher plays, getting more than two touchdowns here is a steal. Ohio State survived its own scare in Minnesota thanks to some coverage busts and explosive plays. The Ducks' defense, even without arguably the nation's best player, won't allow those big scores. Grab the 14 and the hook while you can.
Pick: Oregon +14.5
No. 10 Iowa @ No. 11 Iowa State (-4.5, 46)
Iowa State got all it could handle from Northern Iowa last Saturday in a six-point win. Even still, the Cyclones are 4.5-point favorites here.
The number seems a little high, especially after Iowa's trouncing of an Indiana team I wasn't buying before, during, or after that game. The thinking here must be that the Hawkeyes won't get the same free points off turnovers from Brock Purdy as they did against Michael Penix. That's fair, but I'm still fine with taking over a field goal here.
Pick: Iowa +4.5
No. 15 Texas @ Arkansas (+6.5, 57)
This line stinks to high hell after Arkansas looked to be in trouble against Rice and Texas covered a decent-sized number versus pesky Louisiana-Lafayette.
However, if Hudson Card starts, I'll be waiting to play the Razorbacks when this line gets pushed to +7. The Longhorns quarterback was underwhelming last week, especially following Casey Thompson's bowl-game performance last season.
Pick: Wait on Arkansas +7
NC State @ Mississippi State (+2.5, 55)
If you missed NC State's 45-0 thrashing of South Florida last week, get the Wolfpack on your radar now. The Bulls aren't any good, but you have to give NC State credit for winning bigger than expected.
However, Mississippi State doesn't deserve a bunch of credit for its comeback win against Louisiana Tech, despite the program going "more cowbell" long after the clock struck 0:00. We aren't getting the Wolfpack as an underdog here due to the Bulldogs' lackluster first three quarters last week, but I'll still grab this one at under a field goal.
Pick: NC State -2.5
No. 21 Utah @ BYU (+7, 48)
Throw out the records when the Holy War begins. As much as I like Utah this season, and as shaky as BYU may have looked against Arizona at times last week, the Cougars head home for the game they have circled every season. Meanwhile, the Utes - who had some trouble pulling away from Weber State until the fourth quarter - were flattered by last week's scoreboard.
Pick: BYU +7
Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there’s a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on twitter @mrussauthentic.
