College football picks, predictions against the spread for Week 2 top 25 games

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Week 2 of the college football season features a few huge matchups and a few spreads that have hit 40 points or more. 

The Big Noon Kickoff between No. 1 Alabama and Texas is the glamour matchup on the schedule, but a few other matchups will grab your attention. No. 20 Kentucky faces No. 12 Florida in a critical early SEC East matchup, and No. 10 USC gets its first prime-time spotlight game with Lincoln Riley at Stanford. 

Big Ten powers No. 3 Ohio State and No. 4 Michigan are among the tough bets because of ridiculous spreads against Arkansas State and Hawaii, respectively. 

Each week, we will pick every Top 25 matchup against the spread. A look at our track record this season after a successful Week 1: 

  • Straight up: 22-2 (17-0 last week) 
  • ATS: 17-6-1 (12-4-1 last week) 

Updated odds on Caesars Sportsbook

Week 2 college football picks against spread

A look at this weeks' picks: 

  • No. 1 Alabama (-20.5) at Texas ( 12 p.m., FOX) 

The Longhorns are big underdogs at home, and this is the spotlight start for five-star freshman quarterback Quinn Ewers. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian knows Nick Saban well, but this Crimson Tide team isn't going to freak out if the Longhorns make a few big plays early – which they will. Bryce Young keeps the Crimson Tide offensive machine rolling. 

Pick: Alabama wins 49-28 and COVERS the spread

MORE: Ewers gets his chance to live up to the hype vs. mighty Alabama

  • Arkansas State at No. 3 Ohio State (-43.5) (12 p.m, BTN) 

Ohio State's new-look defense with Jim Knowles is tough. The Buckeyes are 4-0 against Group of 5 teams under Ryan Day, and they've won those games by an average of 42 points per game. The line has moved down two points from its open, and we could see this being right on the line.

Pick: Ohio State wins 56-13 and FAILS TO COVER the spread. 

  • Southern Miss at No. 15 Miami (-26) (12 p.m., ACC Network) 

Miami fans will recognize Southern Mississippi running back Frank Gore Jr., who rushed for 178 yards and two TDs in a Week 1 loss to Liberty. The Hurricanes scored 70 points in Mario Cristobal's debut, and Tyler Van Dyke will keep the offense in cruise control heading into a road test against Texas A&M in Week 3. 

Pick: Miami wins 45-17 and COVERS the spread. 

  • South Carolina at No. 16 Arkansas (-8.5) (12 p.m., ESPN) 

The Gamecocks have won the last three meetings, but the teams haven't met since 2017. Spencer Rattler threw two interceptions in his first start against Georgia State, so ball security will be paramount in Fayetteville. Rattler might get a chance for a game-winning drive late here. 

Pick: Arkansas wins 28-23 but FAILS TO COVER the spread. 

  • No. 23 Wake Forest (-8.5) at Vanderbilt (12 p.m., SEC Network) 

The Commodores have a chance for a 3-0 start, though the defense had a few fits against Elon in Week 2. Vanderbilt is 2-3 ATS as a home underdog under Clark Lea, but Wake Forest has too much offensive firepower. Sam Hartman's return is a success. 

Pick: Wake Forest wins 34-20 and COVERS the spread. 

  • Marshall at No. 8 Notre Dame (-20) (2:30 p.m., NBC) 

Marcus Freeman's home opener should land that first victory, though Marshall impressed in their opener with a 55-3 victory against Norfolk State. The Irish will cause more problems for the Thundering Herd on defense, and the running game comes alive for the Irish at home. It's a tight cover, but the Irish pull through. 

Pick: Notre Dame wins 38-16 and COVERS the spread.

MORE: Kelly's loss in LSU debut is a moment that will stick 

  • Appalachian State at No. 6 Texas A&M (-17) (3:30 p.m., ESPN2)

The Mountaineers nearly shocked North Carolina in one of the most-entertaining games in Week 1, and that should have the Aggies' attention. Texas A&M limited Sam Houston State to 198 total yards in Week 1, and Appalachian State should have their full attention. If Haynes King protects the football, then there won't be as many problems. Appalachian State is 1-7 all time against SEC schools, and this line has moved up a half point. 

Pick: Texas A&M wins 38-17 and COVERS the spread. 

  • No. 24 Tennessee (-6.5) at No. 17 Pitt (3:30 p.m, ABC) 

They are teasing bettors with a 6.5-point line that makes it tempting to take the Vols even though the Panthers won a 41-34 shootout last season. Pitt also is 8-7 ATS and 7-8 S/U as a home underdog since Pat Narduzzi took over. Split the difference with the Vols here; giving the Panthers a home cover just to be sure. 

Pick: Tennessee wins 35-31 but FAILS TO COVER the spread. 

  • Washington State at No. 19 Wisconsin (-17) (3:30 p.m., FOX) 

This is Incarnate Word transfer Cam Ward's chance to make an impression, but the Cougars need to generate a running game behind him to keep up with the Badgers, whose offense will remain efficient with Graham Mertz and Braelon Allen, who had 148 yards and two Tds in the opener. Ward makes enough plays to generate a cover, and this could get interesting if he gets hot. 

Pick: Wisconsin wins 36-24 but FAILS TO COVER the spread. 

MORE: Cam Ward is your under-the-radar Heisman contender

  • Akron at No. 14 Michigan State (-34) (4 p.m., BTN) 

This line has bumped down a half-point even though the Spartans should be able to control the Zips with a strong ground game and withering pass rush. Akron, led by new coach Joe Moorhead, beat St. Francis 30-23 in the opener but allowed 189 rush yards. 

Pick: Michigan State wins 45-9 and COVERS the spread. 

  • No. 25 Houston at Texas Tech (-3) (4 p.m., FS1) 

This line could tick down even more knowing Tyler Shough (shoulder) is out for the Red Raiders. Donovan Smith impressed with four TD passes in his place against Murray State. Houston won a triple-overtime thriller at UTSA, and this game could be just as exciting. Houston hasn't won in Lubbock since 1990, and the Red Raiders have won nine of the last 10 meetings. 

Pick: Houston wins 36-33 in an UPSET. 

  • Kent State at No. 7 Oklahoma (-32.5) (7 p.m., ESPN) 

The Golden Flashes are 0-5 ATS against ranked opponents under Sean Lewis, and this is yet another tough assignment on the road against a Sooners team building confidence around quarterbacck Dillon Gabriel. It's a huge line that hasn't moved much, and Oklahoma pours on another blowout. 

Pick: Oklahoma wins 48-14 and COVERS the spread. 

  • No. 20 Kentucky at No. 12 Florida (-4.5) (7 p.m., ESPN) 

These SEC East rivals have split the last four meetings. The Gators jumped into the Top 25 after a Week 1 upset against Utah. Kentucky might be without running back Chris Rodriguez, who was suspended in Week 1. Quarterback Anthony Richardson stays hot against the Wildcats in a duel with Will Levis, and the Gators continue their hot start with first-year coach Billy Napier. 

Pick: Florida wins 33-26 and COVERS the spread. 

  • Arizona State at No. 11 Oklahoma State (-11.5) (7:30 p.m., ESPN) 

Oklahoma State allowed a miracle back-door cover against Central Michigan in Week 1 in a 56-44 shootout, a sign of what might be more overs to come this season. Arizona State should be able to run the ball with Zazavian Valladay, a Wyoming transfer who had 116 yards and two TDs in his debut. Spencer Sanders and Emory Jones should put on a show to hit the over. 

Pick: Oklahoma State wins 41-31 but FAILS TO COVER the spread. 

  • No. 10 USC (-9.5) at Stanford (7:30 p.m., ESPN) 

This line bumped up a half point, and it's Riley's chance to showcase an improved USC offense around Heisman Trophy candidate Caleb Williams and Jordan Addison. Williams did have some road struggles last season, and Stanford looks improved. The Cardinal have won four of the last five home meetings. 

Pick: USC wins 38-27 and COVERS the spread. 

  • Hawaii at No. 4 Michigan (-51)  (8 p.m., BTN) 

This is the largest spread in Michigan football history, and sophomore J.J. McCarthy will be making his first start. The Wolverines will run for more than 300 yards against a defense that allows 272.5 yards on 7.5 yards per carry. The Wolverines might be in get-out mode in the second half, and that spread is ridiculous. It's just too tough not to take the points. 

Pick: Michigan wins 51-3 and FAILS TO COVER the spread. 

  • No. 9 Baylor at No. 21 BYU (-3.5) (10:15 p.m., ESPN) 

A reason to stay up late. The Bears beat the Cougars 38-24 last year, but the road rematch will be tougher and the line has ticked up a half-point in the Cougars' favor. A strong running game and a tough offensive line travels well. Baylor is 1-5 S/U as a road underdog under Dave Aranda, but we think this is the break-through game 

Pick: Baylor wins 30-26 in an UPSET.

Author(s)
Bill Bender Photo

Bill Bender is a national college football writer for The Sporting News.