clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Week 2 College Football Lines and Picks

Craig T. Smith follows up a winning first week with his Week 2 picks.

North Carolina v Miami Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images

Week 1 was a bit of a mixed bag. Nailed the Lockity Lock of the week, which was easy money with Virginia routing Pittsburgh. Went 2-2 on single game/bet picks and 3-1 on parlays, after LSU and USC covered by the skin of their teeth. The 3-bet moneyline parlay gagged after South Carolina pooped itself against the dancing Mack Browns. However, a 6-4 start to the season ain’t bad (sorry, not counting my long-shot, moneyline bets in the total this season, given I’m betting on a significant underdog each week. My article, my rules).

Let’s see what Week 2 has in store for us…

Lockity Lock of the Week

LSU at TEXAS (+6.5)

I know LSU is good, but Texas isn’t an easy place to play. Home field advantage plus almost a touchdown? Sure, I’ll take that.

Other single bets

BYU (+4) at Tennessee. The Vols lack a shred of talent on the defensive side of the ball, as well as a single ounce of heart from anyone not named Jauan Jennings. Give me literally anyone at all getting points over Tennessee right now, and this week it’s BYU.

Nebraska at COLORADO (+4.5). Nebraska looked like doo-doo last week, while Colorado looked strong in routing in-state rival Colorado State. That means almost nothing this week, but Scott Frost’s team has shown nothing of note so far. Whenever they do, I’ll adjust my expectations accordingly. Home field. Points. Yep.

N. Illinois at UTAH (-21.5). Hate the hook, but I think the Utes are for real this season.

STANFORD (+3) at USC. Stanford leaned on its defense to grind out a win over Northwestern last week. I trust that more than a USC team replacing its QB in Week 2, especially getting a full three points.

Teasers I Like (7-point shift; -125 payout)

Vanderbilt at PURDUE (pick); STANFORD (+10) at USC. Purdue showed flashes of why they’re getting love this year (despite collapse). Stanford getting double digits at an effectively-QB-less Southern Cal? LOL, uh, ok.

Marshall at BOISE STATE (-7); Cincinnati at Ohio State (OVER 46). Boise looks maybe like the mid-major to crash the New Years’ Six this year, if that defense can replicate their second half of the FSU game. Explosive Ohio State and capable Bearcats should combine to break 46.

UCF (-4.5) at FAU; Miami at UNC (+12). UCF rolls up the fighting Lane Kiffins, and UNC will give the Canes a game. It’s unfortunately going to be a fight on Saturday night in Chapel Hill, folks. Sorry.

TEXAS A&M (+23.5) at Clemson; California at WASHINGTON (-7). Clemson is elite in all phases of the game, but that’s A LOT of points over a well-coached quality team with a very good QB in Mond. Washington is double digits better than Cal, easily.

Underdog Moneyline Pick of the Week

Nebraska at COLORADO (+160). Thought about going with Stanford here at +135, but love Buffs at +160. Beat the Huskers last year, looked good last week.

Parlay of the Week (5-way Moneyline; picks in caps)

UCF at Fau; Cal at WASHINGTON; Rutgers at IOWA; Cincinnati at OHIO STATE; Texas A&M at CLEMSON. All double-digit favorites, with four at home. Pays out at a touch better than even money. Let’s ride.