College Football Picks: Our Staff's Best Bets for Week 2
By Peter Dewey
Looking for some picks for Week 2 of the college football season? Our staff has you covered with our best bets of the week!
All odds are courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook. For even more previews, predictions and analysis, check out our BetSided college football homepage.
Pittsburgh at Tennessee (+3.0) | Total 56.5
THE PLAY: Pittsburgh -3.0 (-115)
Tennessee fans don’t hate me, but I’m taking Pittsburgh here. I think Tennessee’s new head coach Josh Heupel’s offense relies on the run game.
I know that’s contradictory to what a lot of people think because it is a high-powered passing offense, but if you look at his past numbers as a head coach, especially when he was with UCF, the games and the seasons where he isn’t able to establish the run are the worst seasons and games that he’s had as a head coach.
Even though it’s a passing offense, it relies on the run game. Pittsburgh has one of the best rushing defenses in the entire country. Last season, the Panthers only allowed 2.8 yards per carry which was the fourth-lowest mark in the entire country and then in Week 1 they only allowed 1.8 yards per carry albeit in an easy matchup.
I think Pittsbugh’s going to be able to slow down Tennessee's offense, stop this rushing attack and go on to cover this game. Love this bet, it’s my favorite college bet so far this season. -- Iain MacMillan
Iowa at Iowa State (-4.5) | Total 46.5
THE PLAY: Iowa State -4.5 (-110)
I like Iowa State, I’m going to side with Big 12 football.
I know the Cyclones didn’t look great last weekend against Northern Iowa, as they didn’t cover, but they’re at home, they got the Week 1 jitters out and they get a big time matchup and an opportunity to make a big statement.
Iowa, I know that they’re good, but they smacked Indiana last week and I’m not sure just how good that Hoosiers team was. I want to see Iowa on the road in this test and I think that Iowa State and that defense makes a statement this week. -- Donnavan Smoot
Texas at Arkansas (+7.0) | Total 56.5
THE PLAY: Texas -7.0 (-110)
The Longhorns are looking to make a statement and show that they are ready to play in the SEC, as they face an Arkansas team that has gone just 7-27 in the previous three seasons.
The Razorbacks beat Rice 38-17 in Week 1, but they had to rally back from a 17-7 second-half deficit to do so. I don’t think they’ll be able to get away with that against Texas, who beat a tough Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns team in Week 1.
The Longhorns rely on their ground game to win games, as Bijan Robinson put up 103 yards in Week 1, and Arkansas allowed 192.1 yards per game on the ground last season.
I think this is the perfect storm for Texas to show the SEC what is coming when it makes the switch over. -- Peter Dewey
Toledo at Notre Dame (-17.0) | Total 55.5
THE PLAY: Toledo +17.0 (-110)
Toledo is +17.0 going to Notre Dame on the road in this one. The Irish’s offense actually looked pretty good in Week 1 against Florida State, which may have been a little surprising with Wisconsin transfer Jack Coan throwing for over 350 yards and four touchdowns.
But they couldn't put FSU away. Normally Notre Dame’s defense is the talk of that team, but they really struggled in Week 1. Toledo is an experienced, veteran team and this is kind of a let-down opportunity for Notre Dame.
While it is their home opener, Notre Dame had to play on Sunday last week which makes this a bit of a short week, which gives Toledo the opportunity to come in with a bit more rest. I like the Rockets here at +17.0, it just seems too high to me. -- Ben Heisler
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