Here’s how you should bet on the biggest Week 2 college football games that see the ACC and Big 12 teams begin their season.
The time between college football seasons felt extra long this season, and it’s going to be a much different season this year. As of right now, there is no Big Ten or Pac 12 participating in the season at all because of the global pandemic. However, the other three big conferences found ways to get football started, and the ACC and Big 12 teams are saying hello to their season this week.
For bettors, it’s been a long wait to put money down on the sweetest game in the gridiron. There were some nice palate cleansers the past two weeks, but the real moves come starting now. There is a full Big 12 and ACC slate this week, which means the biggest name in college football is taking the field for his final season.
There are a ton of things still unknown going into this week. With no spring practices and a lack of media access to training camp, a lot of these battles went under the radar. This could make this week seem impossible, or it could give bettors an advantage over the house. There’s not a lot of big money bets coming with such a lack of information. Still, the money is going to flow in a number of small bets. That will keep lines low and give bettors some places to use their knowledge to win.
All lines come courtesy of the William Hill Sportsbook.
Louisiana at No. 23 Iowa State (-11.5)
Iowa State is coming into the season as one of the most underrated teams in college football. This line proves it. They are playing what basically amounts to a Division II team this year. Brock Purdy is looking to build his NFL resumè. He’s going to destroy the Ragin Cajuns.
Pick: Iowa State (-11.5)
Syracuse at No. 18 North Carolina (-22)
This spread is wildly high for the first game coming off a longer-than-usual offseason for North Carolina. Sam Howell is one of the best quarterbacks in the nation as the UNC offense looks to build on last season’s success. Meanwhile, Syracuse couldn’t stop anyone. They allowed more than 30 points per game. They ranked 100th in the country in scoring defense. The Orange still have a ways to go, especially after their starting backfield opted out of the season, and North Carolina doesn’t want to let Syracuse believe they even have a chance.
Pick: North Carolina (-22)
UTEP at No. 14 Texas (-43)
The Texas Longhorns are looking to get whatever bad taste from last year out of their mouths quickly. UTEP is no match for Sam Ehlinger and the Longhorns. Still, this is a wildly high line for a team that’s probably just looking to come out of the week healthy. Even the backups will dominate UTEP, and freshman running back Bijan Robinson could have a monster debut. It just feels like one of those games where they run the ball so much, Texas runs out of time to beat the spread.
Pick: UTEP (+43)
Duke at No. 10 Notre Dame (-20)
The best matchup of the week isn’t even that great. Notre Dame is playing a full slate of ACC games for the first time, and they start with the Duke Blue Devils. Duke is usually able to at least keep it close, but they have so much turnover that a top-10 matchup this early is impossible. Ian Book returns at quarterback for Notre Dame along with an insane offensive line. It’s just too much for the Blue Devils to bear this early.
Pick: Notre Dame (-20)
Missouri State vs. No. 5 Oklahoma (No Line)
There is no line on this game because Oklahoma could win by 100 and most wouldn’t be that surprised, but it’s because there aren’t lines for FBS vs. FCS teams. Missouri State was one of the worst FCS teams last season. Oklahoma is one of the most talented teams in the country. It’s going to be domination by the Sooners. Will be a fun debut for Spencer Rattler.
Pick: Oklahoma by any score
No. 1 Clemson (-32.5) at Wake Forest
This is the moment college football fans have been waiting for. Trevor Lawrence taking the field for his last season after months of uncertainty. His Heisman Trophy rival Justin Fields is losing his last season. As for this game, Clemson sees a huge line against Wake Forest to start the year. Bettors can move than line half a point depending on the casino, but no matter what Clemson basically has to win by three touchdowns to cash out. The past two seasons, the Demon Deacons lost by much more than that, and you should expect history to repeat itself.
Pick: Clemson (-32.5)
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