CFB Week 2 picks: Can Michigan pass SEC test on the road?
After three top-10 showdowns highlighted an incredible Week 1 slate, Week 2 features fewer highly anticipated matchups with just one ranked showdown. However, that doesn't mean chaos won't occur; remember, Northern Illinois upset Notre Dame in Week 2 last year. Let's dive into the biggest games and hidden gems to bet on.
π Check out all college football Week 2 lines on ESPN BET and theScore Bet here
Game time: 12 p.m. ET
π Pick: Iowa +3.5
Iowa and Iowa State typically play low-scoring games. Their last eight matchups that ended in regulation averaged a total of 34.6 points. In a projected low-scoring affair, it's hard to bet on a team winning by more than a field goal. Now, factor in how close nearly every game is between these in-state rivals. Iowa State hasn't defeated Iowa by more than three points since 2005.
Quarterback Mark Gronowski is supposed to be Iowa's offensive savior after four seasons at South Dakota State. He struggled to be accurate in his debut, but one game isn't enough to sound the alarms. If he can settle in against Iowa State's defense, Iowa will score enough to cover.
Game time: 12 p.m.
π Pick: Duke +3.5
This is the toughest game to pick this weekend. Quarterback Darian Mensah came to Duke to revive an offense on life support. He had an outstanding season at Tulane last year and impressed in Duke's opener. Entering his third season, Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer is a reliable, precise, turnover-free signal-caller. The Fighting Illini can compete in the Big Ten with a relatively easy conference schedule, but it feels like they'll come up short on the road against a feisty Duke team that's improved its personnel from a year ago.
Game time: 3:30 p.m.
π Pick: Ole Miss -9.5
This is the ultimate revenge spot. Kentucky shockingly defeated Ole Miss as a 17.5-point road underdog last September in the first of three losses that prevented the Rebels from qualifying for the College Football Playoff. Ole Miss isn't quite as good after replacing Jaxson Dart but still has a huge talent advantage over Kentucky, which failed to cover against Toledo in Week 1.
Lane Kiffin will be playing last year's tape all week to remind his team how Kentucky embarrassed Ole Miss on its home field. The Rebels will be highly motivated to return the favor.
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
π Pick: Michigan +5.5
Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood had a stellar collegiate debut, but it was against New Mexico. It would be foolish to put much stock in that performance. Underwood will have a chance to prove himself on the national stage as a road underdog. Trusting him is part of the equation in picking the Wolverines, but this matchup will come down to Michigan's defensive front against Oklahoma's offensive line.
The Wolverines' ferocious defensive line pressures the backfield and attacks the quarterback, while Oklahoma's shaky offensive line is already dealing with some injuries. Michigan can keep this game within five points by dominating the line of scrimmage.
π Check out all college football Week 2 lines on ESPN BET and theScore Bet here
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
π Pick: Mississippi State +6.5
Mississippi State remains a cellar-dweller in the SEC, but it has significantly improved from last season. Arizona State, meanwhile, is worse after winning the Big 12. While Sam Leavitt is still under center, the Sun Devils' run game suffered following Cam Skattebo's departure. That didn't matter against Northern Arizona in Week 1, but it will against an SEC defense. Arizona State should be on outright upset alert on the road.
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
π Pick: Vanderbilt +1.5
Virginia Tech disappointed against South Carolina on a neutral field in Atlanta last Sunday. Now the Hokies play on a short week while Vanderbilt benefits from an extra day of rest. In a coin-toss game, the quarterback battle gives Vanderbilt the edge. Diego Pavia proved he can carry the Commodores to wins last season, and I trust him to do that against a Virginia Tech defense that LaNorris Sellers just carved up. Meanwhile, Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones has been too mistake-prone and unreliable during his time with the program.
Game time: 3:30 p.m.
π Pick: Kansas +6.5
Kansas' momentum from the final month of last season, where it won three straight games against ranked opponents, has carried over. The Jayhawks' offense scored 31 and 46 points, respectively, in their first two games. Jalon Daniels has dealt with injuries throughout his Kansas tenure, but he threw for over 2,400 yards last season, and he's healthy entering this week. With Daniels under center, the offense can keep up with Missouri.
Sam Oshtry is a sports writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.
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