KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 01: Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Tamarion McDonald (12) celebrates after his interception during the college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Ball State Cardinals on September 1, 2022, at Neyland Stadium, in Knoxville, TN. (Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
College Football Week 2 Predictions
Week 1 was a whirlwind of an extended opening weekend featuring crazy endings in the noon window on Saturday and various standout performances overall. Week 2 has the same number of ranked versus ranked matchups as last week, but there are more point spreads in the single digits, which should produce a fair share of dramatics. Check out the top football odds.
Marquee Matchups
#12 Florida vs #20 Kentucky: The Gators are fresh off a big win over Utah and now host another ranked opponent at the Swamp. For a long time, Florida has dominated Kentucky, but over the last four meetings, the series is tied. Gator QB Anthony Richardson showed the nation he is the real deal but letβs see if the Wildcat’s defense can make him a passer more than a runner. Kentucky loves to run the ball and play hardnosed defense wearing teams down over 60 minutes. Minus the QB advantage for the Wildcats in Will Levis, Utah is built in a similar fashion to Kentucky but with the uncertainty in the backfield due to injuries and suspensions Florida should get the job done.
The Pick: Kentucky +6.5. Florida wins but not by much
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#9 Baylor vs #21 BYU: This is a pickβem type matchup if you add the 3-point buffer for the home squad. Baylor is coming off an outstanding year, winning a school record 12 games and securing the Big-12 title. BYU won 10 games last season and return a ton of starters. The key to the Bears’ victory over the Cougars in β21 was Baylor pounding the rock to a tune of 303 rushing yards to BYUβs 67. BYU QB Jaren Hall is a great college player, and he will again need to put up numbers as he did last year. Baylor has a new quarterback after Blake Shapen beat out last yearβs starter Gerry Bohanon. Coin toss outcome, but I canβt get it out of my head that BYU is not able to run the ball, and that was with road-grader Tyler Allgeier who is in the NFL.
The Pick: Baylor +3, but the game will be much closer than last year.
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Under The Radar
#17 Pittsburgh vs #24 Tennessee: Another great matchup of ranked versus ranked as part of a stellar Week 2. In 2021 Pitt was able to win by a touchdown on the road, so itβs a tad surprising seeing a 6-point spread in favor of Tennessee. Will this be the year the Vols finally break out and win nine games? Both programs have a good amount of experience coming back, but the Panthers did lose WR Jordan Addison to USC and, of course, QB Kenny Pickett to the NFL. Offense will rule the day, so whichever defense can force a key turnover or make a play in the red zone allowing a field goal or two instead TDβs, will win.
The Pick: Over 64.5, Tennessee gets payback via late score.
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Iowa vs Iowa State: In Week 1, Iowa laid a T-Rex size egg on offense limited to just 7 points with no touchdowns. The expectations are way down for Iowa State, which generally equates to the Cyclones overachieving. This yearly rival is highly competitive, so this year shouldnβt be any different. Both defensive units are usually great, with the Hawkeyes having an advantage of being elite year-to-year. Last yearβs game was close, with Iowa State turning the ball over four times, 3 coming via interception. The combination of Iowa bouncing back after a horrible outing & the game being played at Kinnick Stadium lends itself to the Hawkeyes βWβ.
The Pick: Iowa -3.5 (Also have my eye on the over at 40.5)
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Saturday Upset Special
#25 Houston limits the turnovers they had last year in a loss to Texas Tech as the Cougars pull off an upset as a -3.5 road dog. Check out the top football betting sites.
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Hardcore Barnburners
Oregon State vs Fresno State: Will the good vibe Beavers keep their momentum going with what would be a big road victory? Or will a quality program in Fresno State protect their home field?
The Pick: Oregon State +1
Army vs UTSA: Roadrunners QB Frank Harris returns in a clash of styles on offense. We know Army will want to tote the rock and burn the clock, but neither team has much on defense.
The Pick: UTSA +3
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Against The Spread
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Pitt keeps it close enough to lose to the Vols by less than -6.
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(Honorable Mention: Old Dominion just beat VβTech and is fully capable of losing by less than 12.5- East Carolina.)
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-Georgia QB Stetson Bennett threw for a whopping 368 yards & 2 TDs in a good old fashion butt whipping 49-3 over Oregon.
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-The Bulldogs scored on touchdowns 7 straight possessions making it the largest margin of victory over an AP ranked opponent in school history.
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-Ohio Stateβs QB CJ Stroud made a few huge plays in the second half to overtake Notre Dame 21-10, out-gaining the Irish 246 to 72 mostly in the late 3rd and 4 quarters.
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-Utah somehow went 0 for 2 on 1st and Goal inside the 5-yard line resulting in an upset win by Florida 26-23.
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-Gators QB Anthony Richardson made some impressive plays with his feet piling up 106 rushing yards & 3 touchdowns.
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-Appalachian State exploded for six touchdowns in the 4th quarter and still found a way to lose in heartbreaking fashion to UNC, failing to convert two separate two-pointers & allowing a scoop TD on an onsides kick attempt.
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-More proof of a wild opening in Week 1, two different Pick-Sixes in the fourth quarter of the Pitt/WV & PennSt/Purdue games.
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Written by Chris Carlson Host of The College Ball Show Podcast available atΒ blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadioΒ & Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio
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