CFB Week 2: Alabama big favorite for early test

Week 1 in college football didn't disappoint, with wild games from Thursday night all the way through Sunday night's showstopper in New Orleans. It was easy to remember why we love this sport after another offseason of off-field, consternation-inducing change. Admittedly, Week 2's slate takes a predictable dip matchup-wise, but there are few forks in the road for teams who didn't take an opening-game loss.

Each Tuesday, we take you through the most high-profile games for the coming week and provide some insight on where lines have moved, where they might be headed, and if there's anything worth a bet early on.

No. 1 Alabama @ No. 22 Texas (+20, 64.5)

Another of the top-four programs takes on a major ranked brand as a massive favorite. In Week 1, Georgia cleaned out Oregon, while Ohio State struggled with Notre Dame - adhering to the idea that a line this high is still a 50/50 proposition.

We didn't learn anything about Texas from its easy destruction of UL-Monroe, but this line has crept up from -16 after Alabama shut out Utah State. Neither result should have triggered too big of a move, but we seem headed for three touchdowns, at which point I'd have to try Quinn Ewers' chances of staying within shouting distance of Bryce Young and the Tide.

Line outlook: Bet if Texas gets to +21

South Carolina @ No. 17 Arkansas (-7.5, 53)

This is an incredibly tough game to handicap since South Carolina got outgained by Georgia State. For those of us on the Panthers, that was a frustrating South Carolina cover since it came because of two blocked punt touchdowns, crazy long field goals, and other big special teams plays. Such is the next generation of "(Shane) Beamer Ball."

So while South Carolina didn't accomplish much from the line of scrimmage, Arkansas got a nice win and cover against Cincinnati despite a parade of injuries to the secondary. If Jalen Catalon and Myles Slusher are out, life will be easier for Spencer Rattler, who didn't look great against a Sun Belt defense.

Line outlook: Pass

Tennessee @ No. 14 Pittsburgh (+7, 65.5)

All you need to know about the legitimacy of the rankings - versus how oddsmakers and bettors think of college football teams - is exemplified here. Tennesse is the last team out of the AP Top 25 but is a touchdown favorite on the road at Pittsburgh, even moving up from -5 in the lookahead lines.

Last week, we won by backing the Panthers' opponent since Pat Narduzzi is not to be trusted as a big favorite. This week, the shoe is on the other foot, and this is where his game plans thrive: as an underdog at home to a scary offense.

The Panthers hold down Hendon Hooker enough to find themselves in another tight game with two minutes left. Kedon Slovis may not pull off the win as Kenny Pickett did at Neyland Stadium last year, but he'll get a chance to.

Line outlook: Pittsburgh +7

Iowa St. @ Iowa (-4, 41)

It's not the heyday of the Cy-Hawk game, with neither team ranked, but don't tell that to the people of Iowa. The winner gets the label of "dangerous" to those in their respective conference, no matter how ugly the victory. Speaking of hideous wins, Iowa won 7-3 without a touchdown at home against South Dakota State last week. That performance moved the line from the preseason lookahead of -7 down to -3. Buying on Iowa has come to push the line up to -4, but if you're going to give me over a field goal in this rivalry, I'll take my chances with Iowa State.

Line outlook: Iowa State +4

No. 20 Kentucky @ No. 19 Florida (-5, 52)

If your slant is that the Pac-12 is out of national contention because Utah lost a thriller at The Swamp, get another take. Florida pulled off a close win, and Anthony Richardson looked awesome. The opener of -7 against a good Kentucky team was too high, and the market spoke, knocking it back under a touchdown.

Getting up for a rough and tumble Wildcats team is going to be Billy Napier's next challenge and might be even tougher motivationally. The Gators were home underdogs to the Utes and could have very easily lost in a couple of ways, so getting stretched out over a field goal might be worth a fade here.

Line outlook: Kentucky +5 (wait to see if line goes higher)

No. 9 Baylor @ No. 25 BYU (-3.5, 53)

If you had only one eye on BYU's demolition of South Florida, you'd believe the Cougars were the only team possessing the ball. They'll be looking for revenge after their loss to Baylor last season, and the line has teetered between -3 and -3.5.

With a flat -3, BYU is the play, but anything higher makes me lean Bears. When that's the case, it's best to look away entirely, even though this might be the most entertaining game of the week, capping off a long Saturday.

Line outlook: Pass

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.