2018 College Football Week 2 Odds, Overview and Top Picks

The opening week of the 2018 college football season brought some surprises — and confirmed some of our thoughts about some of the challenges that some of the teams face. Michigan went to Notre Dame and showed us that their offense still needs some work, even with the arrival of Shea Patterson. West Virginia routed Tennessee, showing us that Will Grier is a Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback — and that the Volunteers are still a long way from contending in the SEC. We have some NCAAF betting predictions for some of the top matchups in college football week 2. As always, home teams are in all caps.

2018 College Football Week 2 Odds, Overview and Top Picks

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Top College Football Week 2 Matchup Odds

ALABAMA (-36.5) over Arkansas State

The Crimson tide rolled to a 51-14 win over Louisville in their opener, and they played both Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts at quarterback. Tagovailoa started the game and provided all of the touchdowns, while Hurts struggled to move the ball. Both quarterbacks are expected to play against Arkansas State, but expect Tagovailoa to take more and more of the snaps as he has become the starter. I also don’t see the Red Wolves giving the Tide much resistance. I like Alabama to win and cover.

OHIO STATE (-35) over Rutgers

The Buckeyes rolled to a 77-31 win over Oregon State in their opener, warming up for their Big Ten opener against Rutgers. Meanwhile, Rutgers hung a 35-7 victory on Texas State. The Buckeyes had a great debut from quarterback Dwayne Haskins, who went 22 for 30 for 313 yards and five touchdowns. Mike Weber needed just 20 carries to pick up 186 yards and score three touchdowns. The Buckeyes did give up a surprising number of points, but I see them getting the defense in order for the conference opener. I like Ohio State to win and cover.

TCU (-21) over SOUTHERN METHODIST

SMU went up I-35 to take on the University of North Texas in their opener as four-point underdogs, and they ended up losing, 46-23, but it wasn’t that close, as the Mustangs scored all 23 of those points in garbage time. Now the Ponies are three-touchdown underdogs against TCU, who rolled up a 55-7 home win over Southern in their opener — opening up the bench in the second half. SMU has a new head coach in Sonny Dykes and appears to have effort and execution issues on both sides of the ball. I like TCU to win and cover.

Clemson (-11.5) over TEXAS A&M

Kyle Field is one of the toughest road atmospheres in the nation, and they just delivered a 59-7 rout over Northwestern State in their season opener. They welcome a much tougher counterpart in Week Two as Clemson comes to town. The Tigers also played a cupcake in their opener, demolishing in-state Furman, 48-7, at home. Like Alabama, Clemson has a quarterback duo who can both play and bring elite results, which means a scouting nightmare for the opposition. Jimbo Fisher brings optimism to College Station, but the Aggies aren’t ready for Clemson — a team too focused for that midseason upset at this point. I like Clemson to win and cover.

SOUTH CAROLINA (+9.5) over Georgia

The Bulldogs and the Gamecocks both delivered routs over easy pickings in their openers, as Georgia routed Austin Peay, 45-0, and South Carolina rolled Coastal Carolina, 49-15. South Carolina is tough on both sides of the ball, and despite the fact that they have lost each of their last three matchups with Georgia by at least 20 points, quarterback Jake Bentley looked sharp in the opener, going 22 for 29 for 250 yards and four touchdowns. When the Gamecocks and the Bulldogs play, the games tend to stay under the point total, and I see the Gamecocks keeping Georgia close. I like South Carolina to cover.