Our expert has analyzed the computer predictions for Week 2, and here are the top 3 picks he chose for Saturday’s slate.
Best bets for Week 2 on the college gridiron begin with a Bloody Mary matchup in Winston-Salem and end with a high-octane offensive show in Lubbock where a PAC-12/Big 12 collision becomes a scoreboard buster.
Picks Summary:
- Vanderbilt +10.5 (-109) at UniBet
- Tulane +7 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
- Oregon/Texas Tech Over 66.5 (-110) at BetRivers
Ole Miss Rebels vs. Tulane Green Wave
Saturday, September 09, 2023 – 03:30 PM EDT at Yulman Stadium
Ahead of new rankings being released, there are two games in Week 2 pitting top 25 teams against one another, and the clash between Alabama and Texas is deservingly at the top of the marquee.
Equally important, however, is the game taking place in the Big Easy between Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss squad and a Tulane side looking to turn heads as the top Group of 5 team this season.
Can Green Wave End Rebels’ Domination in Series?
The Rebels are showing up as touchdown chalk at Caesars Sportsbook, where 64 is listed for the total. That’s the highest total on the OddsTrader board.
Ole Miss has won the last 12 meetings, though two of those victories were vacated due to the Rebels being naughty according to the NCAA. The most recent collision was two years ago in Oxford where Mississippi put a 61-21 beating on Tulane, and had the 14-point spread covered midway through the second quarter.
Tulane Upset 2 Power 5 Programs in 2022
Kiffin and the Rebels laughed it up last week in a 73-7 glorified scrimmage against Mercer, almost doubling up the 35-point spread they were asked to cover. Jaxson Dart and the Ole Miss offense won’t find Tulane defenders quite as hospitable.
Willie Fritz sent the Green Wave out against tougher competition, and Tulane impressed with a 37-17 win and cover over South Alabama. Michael Pratt & Company sliced up the Jaguars with a pinpoint passing attack, and Tulane’s defense forced 5 turnovers and recorded 5 sacks.
NCAAF Pick: Tulane +7 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
Oregon Ducks vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Saturday, September 09, 2023 – 07:00 PM EDT at Jones AT&T Stadium
Thanks to a wide-open transfer portal, we get to see more and more players facing a former team these days on college football fields. And that’s what we have in Lubbock Saturday night when Tyler Shough not only gets to face his old Oregon team but gets to see if he can salvage Texas Tech’s season after an embarrassing upset loss in Week 1.
Teams Collide for 1st Time in 31 Years
Oregon officially opened -6½, and some shops have chosen to kick that spared up to an even touchdown. Likewise, the total started at 66½ and has since been boosted to 67 at some outlets.
There isn’t much history between the programs, and what little there is took place more than 30 years ago. Oregon won both clashes in 1991 and 1992, and ‘under’ bettors cashed twice as well.
Ducks Look to Halt 3-Game Skid vs. Big 12
Oregon averaged better than 10 yards per snap in an 81-7 season-opening win against Portland State, after which QB Bo ‘Captain Understatement’ Nix commented, “We didn’t beat ourselves.”
Texas Tech, meanwhile, took one on the chin in Wyoming where the Red Raiders dropped a 35-33 double-overtime encounter to the Cowboys. Favored by nearly 2 TD on the NCAAF odds, Texas Tech stormed to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter only to be dominated the rest of the way.
Not sure if the lads from Tortilla Tech can get things together to upset Oregon, but both offenses should have plenty to go past the scoreboard target.
NCAAF Pick: Over 66.5 (-110) at BetRivers
Vanderbilt Commodores vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Saturday, September 09, 2023 – 11:00 AM EDT at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium
Can’t help but think a baseball game between Vanderbilt and Wake Forest might draw more attention than a meeting on the gridiron, especially since the Commodores and Demon Deacons kick off when most of the country is still tuned into College Game Day foolishness.
Wake Wins, ‘Dores Cover
By mid-afternoon, those same folks will have forgotten the Commodores and Demon Deacons even played…unless they got in on the right side of the lines at top sportsbooks. Wake Forest opened favored by 11-12, but early action on Vanderbilt dropped that 10½.
These teams also met in Week 2 a year ago, and Wake Forest coasted to a 45-25 decision after building a 21-3 lead early in the second quarter.
The Demon Deacons covered a 2-TD chalk line and the final got past a 65-point total when Vanderbilt scored with 2 minutes remaining in the game. It marked the fourth time in the last 5 meetings for visitors to come away with the dubya.
Wake Forest will take care of business to stop that trend, but Vanderbilt will just manage to stay inside the spread.
NCAAF Pick: Vanderbilt +10.5 (-109) at UniBet
