The go back of school soccer season was once nice, and it is time to flip the web page on week two.
The primary week was once blended, as I went 4-3. I had 3 simple winners (together with Florida State +2.5), one extraordinarily fortunate winner (Oregon State vs. San Jose State), two unsightly losers (South Alabama and Illinois) and every other loss by which I used to be ruined by means of the hook ( UCLA-14.5).
The important thing to having a bet on Week 2 is to gauge the overreaction to Week 1’s efficiency. It takes a couple of weeks for the marketplace to truly replicate on how excellent (or unhealthy) a few of these groups are, so you must depend on offseason analysis. Let’s have a look at how issues move.
Closing week: 4-3
total: 4-3
(Observe: All time ET, video games indexed chronologically)
No. 10 Notre Dame in NC State
Time: Midday | TV: ABC | Line: Notre Dame -7.5 | Overall: 51
Notre Dame has scored numerous issues on offense during the two video games, however has executed so in spite of inferior festival. Issues will warmth up considerably with a commute to NC State on Saturday, and I feel the Irish are in for a detailed recreation.
A few of my questions on Notre Dame within the preseason have not been spoke back. I am nonetheless skeptical in regards to the skill-position skill (particularly receivers) and his talent to get after the quarterback on protection. NC State is robust within the entrance seven, has truly excellent cornerbacks and have compatibility Notre Dame QB Sam Hartman when he performed for Wake Wooded area. In his 3 video games towards Tony Gibson’s protection, Hartman threw for 923 yards, however finished handiest 54.9% of his passes, with six touchdowns and 6 interceptions.
However, I really like QB Brennan Armstrong’s talent to make some performs. NC State’s OC Robert Aeney is a grasp at plotting and Armstrong is a veteran participant who can beat you together with his arms and ft. NC State is 7-3 ATS in its final 10 as the house underdog, and I feel the Wolfpack can stay it inside a TD at house.
Pick out: NC State +7.5
Troy at No. 15 Kansas State
Time: Midday | TV: FS1 | Line: Ok-State -16.5 | Overall: 51.5
Troy is coming off a Solar Belt name, however has misplaced so much from final 12 months’s improbable protection, together with all-time NCAA take on chief Carlton Marshall and defensive coordinator Sheil Picket. I feel the Trojans may have hassle dealing with the Kansas State offense, a unit that does not play on the very methodical tempo it is used to. The Wildcats go back QB Will Howard and all 5 beginning gamers, they’ve a powerful RB pairing with DJ Giddens and Trayshawn Ward and feature an enchanting staff of younger receivers.
I do not need to make a large deal out of a Kansas State vs Troy group that has received 12 video games in a row, however I really like Over. Troy wasn’t excellent on offense final 12 months, however I feel there are some alternatives on this recreation. Kansas State’s defensive position is somewhat gentle internally with the addition of Uso Seumalo, who’s recuperating from damage, and dealing in new items within the secondary. The Wildcats weren’t challenged in any respect of their opener as opposed to Southeastern Missouri. We’re going to most probably want someplace within the vary of 14-17 issues from the Trojans to get this total.
Choose: Over 51.5
Texas State at UTSA
Time: 3:30 PM | TV: ESPN+ | Line: UTSA-13 | Overall: 65.5
Texas State was once firstly a Workforce of five version of Colorado this low season, with a lot of transfers to the brand new training group of workers in this system. Very similar to Colorado, the brand new group attacked temporarily and brought about a big disenchanted at Boiler.
I do not believe the competitive efficiency was once a fluke. Texas State’s new trainer GJ Kinne performed closely in Incarnate Phrase and prefers to play in an uptempo taste. That suggests there may be possible for a shootout with UTSA, a group that still performs rapid at the offensive. The Roadrunners misplaced to Houston in Week 1, scoring handiest 14 issues in spite of 417 yards of offense. The efficiency incorporated an uncharacteristic 3 interceptions from QB Frank Harris. UTSA will glance to bop again and post extra issues this weekend towards the Texas State protection at house.
Choose: Over 65.5
SMU at No. 18 Oklahoma
Time: 6 PM | TV: ESPN+ | Line: Oklahoma-16 | Overall: 69
Regardless of dropping QB Tanner Mordecai to Wisconsin, I’m very interested by SMU this season. The Mustangs have Preston Stone, one of the crucial best recruits in program historical past, stepping in at quarterback and a roster stuffed with transfers from Energy 5 methods on either side of the ball. Within the opener as opposed to Louisiana Tech, SMU jumped out to a 31–0 lead at halftime after which cruised the remainder of the best way realizing what was once on deck in Week 2 – a commute to Oklahoma.
Oklahoma beat Arkansas State 73–0 of their opening recreation, however the Crimson Wolves are one of the crucial worst groups within the nation. I be expecting the Sooners to be higher than final 12 months in Brent Venables’ first season as head trainer, however I do not believe they must be such massive favorites towards a top quality SMU group. I feel SMU will be capable to post numerous issues on Oklahoma’s protection.
Choose: SMU +16
No. 11 Texas at No. 3 Alabama
Time: 7 PM | TV: ESPN | Line: Alabama-7 | Overall: 54.5
I feel it is beautiful transparent that Alabama goes to pattern upper this season. The Pink Tide are robust up entrance, with excellent backs and tight ends, and a mean receiver room (by means of Alabama requirements). The offense would encompass runs designed for QB Jalen Milroy and check out to hit explosive move performs of play-action.
That normal scheme of assault — in addition to one of the crucial best possible defenses within the nation in Alabama — is why I am going with the Underneath right here. I be expecting the Tide to depend on physicality, particularly enjoying at house. Texas has an underrated protection, however in spite of any such packed receiver room I concern in regards to the offense. UT is unproven at operating again, and I will be able to’t depend on Quinn Evers to make the large throws at the highway.
I feel this may turn into a recreation the place the successful group rankings within the higher 20s.
Choose: Underneath 54.5
No. 19 Wisconsin at Washington State
Time: 7:30 PM | TV: ABC | Line: Wisconsin -6.5 | Overall: 58.5
Wisconsin has gotten numerous hype after the hiring of Luke Fickell, however I do not see a lot in this group aside from for the operating again duo of Brelon Allen and Chaz Melucci. The 2 of them blended for 298 yards and 4 touchdowns on 30 carries in final week’s win over Buffalo and must to find good fortune towards a Washington State protection that misplaced numerous manufacturing at defensive take on and linebacker.
Alternatively, there was once little else to provoke on Wisconsin’s aspect. Tanner Mordecai and the passing recreation had been super, and Buffalo – a mediocre MAC group – had some good fortune transferring the ball. Now the Badgers are about to embark on a cross-country adventure to play in tricky stipulations. Anticipating the Badgers to win, let on my own duvet this unfold, is a large ask.
Wisconsin’s protection this 12 months is not so good as it’s being perceived. The Badgers have misplaced a lot in their entrance seven, together with DT Keanu Benton and pass-rushing LB Nick Herbig (each now with the Steelers), and there are questions at cornerback.
Washington State, which is 9-4 ATS as the house underdog since 2015, introduced on Ben Arbuckle as offensive coordinator, and the gang installed a stellar efficiency in a Week 1 win over Colorado State. I feel the Cougars can win this recreation outright, so I will gladly take the issues. I lean in opposition to the over as neatly, however +6.5 is the reputable play (even if I believe 7 is also to be had on the finish of the week).
Pick out: Washington State +6.5