The Week 1 slate gave us some blowouts and the most controversial win in recent memory when Michigan scored on a Hail Mary after the refs put one second back on the clock.
Michigan will once again be put to the test by Oklahoma, and Ohio State and Texas face off in one of the biggest matchups of the season. This is a nice collection of games that should bring even more drama.
Here are our picks and favorite bets against the spread.
👉 Check out all college football Week 2 lines on theScore Bet
Our trio of betting writers - Brenden Deeg, Dane Belbeck, and Eric Patterson - will make picks against the spread all season.
Brenden Deeg breaks down this week's marquee games, adding his own analysis and insights. He also identifies three hidden gems that may be going overlooked by the public.
🏈 Bet: Oklahoma (-5.5)
This spread shifted drastically toward Oklahoma after the chaos at the Big House. Michigan opened as a 2.5-point favorite but is now a 5.5-point underdog at home.
While it's risky to roll with a team that gets a touchdown-level swing in the market after just one game, it's tough to back Michigan in this spot. The Wolverines' offense looked awful against the Broncos, recording 276 total yards and 13 points. Quarterback Bryce Underwood was particularly bad, completing 12 of 22 passes and committing two turnovers. His 54.4% completion percentage ranked 110th among 128 qualifying Week 1 signal-callers.
Head coach Kyle Whittingham wouldn't commit to Underwood as the full-time starter this week, and the vibes around this team are bad. Meanwhile, Oklahoma is a nightmare matchup for Michigan, as it boasts one of the best defenses in the country. The Sooners' front seven is ferocious, posting a 66.7% pressure rate in their season opener for the highest mark of any team in Week 1. Quarterback John Mateer should be able to create some plays against a Michigan defense that lacks superior athletes, allowing Oklahoma to cover this number. 👉 Add Oklahoma to your betslip on theScore Bet here.
🏈 Bet: Alabama (-10.5)
Alabama fans have to be happy with Keelon Russell's performance in his first career start. While he was facing a lowly East Carolina team, he posted 342 yards and one touchdown, and his ability to make plays outside the pocket stood out. He gained 86 scramble yards, the most of any quarterback in the country in Week 1, and the former five-star recruit flashed his elite playmaking ability.
This is a big test for the young quarterback, but I like what I've seen, and I think he will build on his first start. Kentucky's defense isn't supposed to be great this year, and it only managed a 54.1% success rate in its win over Youngstown State. Alabama has the firepower around Russell to cause problems for the Wildcats' defense all game.
Kentucky's offense popped in its first game under Will Stein, scoring 45 points in a comfortable win. But quarterback Kenny Minchey did most of his damage on short throws, completing just 5 of 10 passes that traveled further than 5 air yards. About half his total passing yards (151) came from passes at or behind the line of scrimmage, which is impossible to replicate against Alabama's awesome secondary. The Crimson Tide represents a massive step up in competition for Stein's club, and I see Alabama winning this game by two touchdowns. 👉 Add Alabama to your betslip on theScore Bet here.
🏈 Bet: Ohio State (+1.5)
One of the year's most anticipated games is a rematch of last year's Week 1 showdown, which Ohio State won 14-7 as Arch Manning struggled. The young signal-caller completed just 17 of 30 passes, and his minus-0.17 EPA/dropback was the second-worst mark of any game he's started in college.
The spotlight will be on Manning and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, but the ability to run the ball will decide the outcome of the game. While I don't believe Manning will be as bad as he was in last year's matchup, I don't foresee Texas gaining traction on the ground. The Buckeyes have been stout against the run under Matt Patricia: They allowed just 2.4 yards per carry when playing light boxes (one to six defenders) last season, according to TruMedia. That ranked second in the country, and they had a 69.3% rush success rate in those situations, which put them ninth. Although they lost Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles, I trust Patricia to put this defense in good spots and force Manning into tough reads on third-and-long.
On the other side, I expect Bo Jackson to have a nice day for Ohio State. He rushed for 6.1 yards per carry last season, and his 4.11 yards after contact per carry ranked in the top 20 among qualifying running backs. The Longhorns' defense surrendered 161 yards on the ground last week to a bad Texas State team, and I have questions about Texas' front seven, aside from Colin Simmons.
In what will likely be a close game, I'll ride with Ryan Day's squad as a small underdog. 👉 Add Ohio State to your betslip on theScore Bet here.
🏈 Bet: UNLV (-3.5)
North Texas put up a fight against Indiana early but ultimately lost 52-16 after the Hoosiers scored 21 points in the fourth quarter. UNLV, on the other hand, got back on track after a loss to Memphis by beating a solid Hawaii team on the road.
This line opened at UNLV -6.5 and is down to 3.5 after North Texas' Week 1 performance, but unlike the Oklahoma-Michigan spread change, this is a massive overreaction. Although the Mean Green surprised some people in their opener, they've still got one of the smallest groups of returning players in the country. North Texas' defense also crumbled down the stretch against Indiana, and UNLV's run game is a lot to handle.
Led by quarterback Jackson Arnold, the Rebels ran all over a Rainbow Warriors team that's usually stout at home. Running back Jai'Den Thomas exploded for 143 yards on 20 carries. After Indiana gashed North Texas' defense for minus-0.10 EPA/play on designed rushes, UNLV's offense should have no problem tormenting the Mean Green on the ground. Give me Dan Mullen and the Rebels to improve to 2-1 with a nice win on the road. 👉 Add UNLV to your betslip on theScore Bet here.
🏈 Bet: North Dakota State (-2.5)
North Dakota State is playing its first FBS season and has answered the bell so far. The program is 2-0, including an impressive victory over Jacksonville State, and owns a 71-7 point differential to start the year.
Air Force is a big test for the Bison, but I think they'll be up to the challenge. The Falcons will unleash the triple-option on North Dakota State, and they racked up 6.1 yards per carry in a dominant win over Duquesne in their season opener. But North Dakota State's experienced defense should travel well and play hard on the road. The unit has allowed just 1.8 yards per carry to start the year and was top 10 in several rush defense categories at the FCS level in 2025.
Bison quarterback Nathan Hayes has a live arm and has impressed in two starts. He's completed over 72% of his throws with a 168.8 passer efficiency rating. He should be able to make plays through the air to establish a lead and compel Air Force to abandon the run. Give me the Bison to start 3-0 and cover this small number. 👉 Add North Dakota State to your betslip on theScore Bet here.
🏈 Bet: Charlotte (+46.5)
Ole Miss is coming off a close win over Louisville on Monday night that was arguably the best game of the Week 1 slate. The Rebels kicked a game-winning field goal with time expiring after holding a two-touchdown lead in the fourth quarter.
Yes, they'll likely win big against Charlotte on Saturday, but 46.5 is a massive number. Ole Miss also has LSU on deck, so there's a plausible scenario where the team jumps out to a three- or four-score lead and begins resting starters. The revenge game against Lane Kiffin is the biggest contest on the Rebels' schedule, and they'll want everyone healthy and rested for that matchup.
Charlotte isn't great, which is why it's getting 46.5 points, but quarterback Cole Gonzales and this offense have enough juice to put up some points in this game. Ole Miss' starting defense didn't look good against the Cardinals and lacks the depth to shut out an FBS team with its backups. I like the 49ers to keep this within 46.5 as the Rebels look ahead to a big game. 👉 Add Charlotte to your betslip on theScore Bet here.
US: Must be 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET; Hope is here. Call (800)-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org for 24/7 support (MA); Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).
CA: Please play responsibly. AB (18+) & ON (19+) only. If gambling is affecting your mental health or well-being, 211 Alberta is here to help. Call or text 211 or visit ab.211.ca (AB). Call ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600. Text us at 247247 or chat with us at www.connexontario.ca (ON).
