Quick pulse check, everyone. Did we make it through Week 1’s stacked lineup unscathed?
Hopefully so, because we’ve got another jam-packed weekend of college football. This time around, it’s condensed into two days, Friday and Saturday.
The top games this weekend include Michigan at Oklahoma, Baylor at SMU and Iowa at Iowa State. Also, be sure to keep your eyes on under-the-radar matchups like Illinois at Duke, West Virginia at Ohio and Western Kentucky at Toledo.
Week 2 is where things start to go off the rails. We’ll get answers about a few teams, especially with Army at Kansas State and San Diego State at Washington State.
Let's dive into the college football odds, NCAAF lines and more for Week 2.
Notable Line Movement for College Football Week 2
- After remaining a +3.5-point underdog for much of the summer, Michigan fell to as far as +7 before settling in at +5.5 at Oklahoma
- Maryland jumped from a -14.5-point favorite against NIU to -18 after a favorable showing in Week 1 under QB Malik Washington.
- Jacksonville State moved through a key figure, from +7.5 to +6, at home against Liberty.
- Iowa State moved from -1.5 this summer to a key figure, -3, against Iowa. The total also fell from 43.5 at open to 41.5.
- UConn moved through a key number, from +8.5 to +6.5, on the road at Syracuse.
- Baylor moved on to a key number (and, in some spots, through it), from +3.5 to +3 on the road at SMU. The total jumped sharply from 60.5 to 65.5.
- The total in Bowling Green at Cincinnati fell from 49.5 points to 46.5.
- Duke moved from +3.5 to +3 at home against Illinois.
- North Texas jumped from -6.5 to -9.5 at Western Michigan.
- West Virginia at Ohio saw its total rise from 57.5 to as high as 60 early in the week.
- Tulane rose from a -7.5-point road favorite at South Alabama to -10.5.
- Toledo moved quite a bit, from -4.5 to -7, at home against Western Kentucky.
- Vanderbilt fell from a +3-point underdog to +1 at Virginia Tech.
- Boston College moved on to a key figure, from +3.5 to +3, at Michigan State. The total also fell from 48.5 to 46.5.
- Mississippi State fell from +10 at home against Arizona State to +7.
- Oklahoma jumped from -1.5 against Michigan this summer to -6.5. The Sooners were -3 last week, and this number briefly touched -7.
- Tulsa moved through a key figure, from -1.5 to -3.5, at New Mexico State.
- San Diego State dropped sharply from +6.5 to +1.5 at Washington State.
College Football Week 2 Coaching & Matchup Notes
James Madison vs. Louisville
- Louisville won the only previous meeting between these two teams in 2022.
- QB Alonza Barnett III suited up for JMU despite being considered doubtful to play all year (he tore his ACL late in 2024).
- The Dukes are 2-0 outright in their last two meetings with ACC foes, including a ridiculous 70-50 finish against North Carolina last year.
- Louisville holds a 27-11 record at home since 2019.
Baylor vs. SMU
- Baylor leads the all-time series, 39-36-7, and has won the last 13 meetings (last: 2016).
- Be wary of a misleading result! Baylor lost last week, 38-24, after coming up empty twice inside the 10-yard line and allowing a special teams touchdown to Auburn.
- The Bears moved from +3.5 to +3 shortly after open.
- SMU handily beat East Texas A&M in its season opener, but enters this game with a one-day rest disadvantage.
Iowa vs. Iowa State
- Iowa leads the Cy-Hawk rivalry, 47-24, over Iowa State.
- The Cyclones are 2-0 ATS this season, winning outright as a +3 ‘dog against Kansas State and handily covering a 15.5-point spread over South Dakota last week.
- Iowa’s offense sputtered in its season-opener, being out-gained by Albany well into the first half. The Hawkeyes won, 34-7.
- Iowa has won the last six meetings on the road and is 4-1-1 ATS in those meetings.
- Since 2004, the under is 17-3 in this game, though last year went just over the 36.5-point total (39).
Western Carolina vs. Wake Forest
- Western Carolina was upset, 52-45, by Gardner-Webb in its season opener.
- Wake Forest barely survived Kennesaw State by a score of 10-9.
- This is an under-the-radar mismatch of offenses. Wake’s offense had almost no explosive plays against what should have been an overmatched Owls defense.
- QB Robby Ashford was ineffective in his season debut.
- Western Carolina features a strong rushing attack and spreads the ball around to many receivers.
Kansas vs. Missouri
- A revival of one of college football’s oldest rivalries. Missouri leads Kansas in the Border War, 56-55-6, a series that dates back to 1891 (most recent game: 2011).
- Missouri took the initial movement, growing from -5.5 to -6.5.
- Under Lance Leipold, Kansas has only played one SEC opponent, falling 55-53 to Arkansas in a wild overtime game in the 2022 Liberty Bowl.
- Kansas has not played an SEC foe in the regular season since 1988.
- This is the second of six consecutive home games to start the season for Missouri.
Texas State vs. UTSA
- UTSA leads this budding rivalry, 5-1. This rivalry is intense and is known as the Battle of I-35. Expect a strong crowd in the Alamodome that should be equally split between two passionate fanbases.
- 51 miles separate these two teams.
- Both teams covered their season openers, with UTSA rushing particularly well at Texas A&M in Week 1.
- In his starting debut, Texas State QB Brad Jackson completed 18 passes for four touchdowns against Eastern Michigan.
- Lincoln Pare (Texas State) and Robert Henry Jr. (UTSA) combined for over 340 yards rushing in Week 1.
Oklahoma State vs. Oregon
- Oregon won the lone meeting between these two in the 2008 Holiday Bowl.
- The Ducks ran one of the best offenses in the country in Week 1 and crushed FCS Montana State 59-13 as 27.5-point favorites.
- Oklahoma State has not lost or failed to cover a road opener since 2016.
- The Pokes are dealing with a QB turnover. Starter Hauss Hejny suffered an injury, and Oklahoma State managed just 27 points against FCS UT Martin.
Houston vs. Rice
- Houston leads the Bayou Bucket Classic over Rice, 34-12.
- Just five miles separate these stadiums.
- Rice won this game in a 43-41 overtime thriller two seasons ago, but Houston avenged the loss, 33-7 last year.
- Rice (+11.5) upset Louisiana last week, holding the Cajuns to just 12 points.
- The Owls also took some movement early in the week, falling from +14.5 to +12.
- Houston’s defensive front stifled S.F. Austin in their opener, covering the 22.5-point spread by winning 27-0.
Michigan vs. Oklahoma
- Oklahoma won the lone meeting between these two in the 1976 Orange Bowl.
- Oklahoma opened just a -1.5 favorite this summer.
- Sherrone Moore is a graduate of Oklahoma, where he played guard for the Sooners in 2006-07.
- Bryce Underwood completed 21-of-31 passes for 251 yards and a touchdown in his collegiate debut last week against New Mexico.
- Heading into the fourth quarter, Oklahoma only led FCS Illinois State 21-3. They held the Redbirds to just 34 passing yards while gaining nearly 500 yards themselves.
- At Oklahoma, Brent Venables is 11-5 ATS as a home favorite. The Sooners are 15-4 outright in Norman under Venables.
Impact Injuries on Week 2 Odds
- Michigan at Oklahoma: Not an injury, per se, but linebacker Jaishawn Barham will sit the first half of this game due to being ejected after a targeting call in Week 1. Safety and former team captain Rod Moore still hasn’t taken the field after tearing his ACL in April 2024.
- East Tennessee State at Tennessee: The Volunteers will be down a few cornerbacks after Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson III were declared out for at least Week 2. Gibson is reportedly missing an “extended period of time.”
- Troy at Clemson: Young RB Jay Haynes did not return to the field in Week 1 after tearing his ACL in the 2024 ACC Championship. Top WR Antonio Williams left Week 1 and did not return.
- Fresno State at Oregon State: Oregon State continues to deal with offensive line injuries. Top guard Tyler Voltin missed Week 1, and the Beavers struggled against Cal to rush the ball or get anything going offensively.
- Middle Tennessee at Wisconsin: Wisconsin suffered another QB injury early on when starter Billy Edwards suffered an injury and did not return. He reportedly dodged a serious injury, but will not play this week.
- USF at Florida: Star defensive tackle Caleb Banks missed Week 1 and may not play Week 2 with a lower leg injury. WR Dallas Wilson also sat the opener out. QB DJ Lagway appeared to be fine after offseason rumors of injury.
- Army at Kansas State: Wildcat RB Dylan Edwards is out again and is out “until at least Week 3” after suffering a Week 0 injury. Army starting QB Dewayne Coleman left the Knights’ Week 1 overtime loss late in the game and did not return for OT.
- Oklahoma State at Oregon: Oklahoma State starting QB Hauss Hejny suffered a foot injury and is out for an extended period of time. Hejny, at TCU transfer, underwent surgery.
- ULM at Alabama: Star WR Ryan Williams suffered a concussion in Week 1 and is questionable for Alabama in Week 2. Williams was rather ineffective in the 31-17 loss to Florida State in that season opener.
Other Impact Injuries for Week 2
- RT Hall Schmidt, Boise State
- LG Tyler Keinath, Boise State
- RB Dallan Hayden, Colorado
- DL Kenyatta Jackson, Ohio State
- WR Javonnie Gibson, Oklahoma
- QB Behren Morton, Texas Tech
- QB Cam Fancher, UCF
- EDGE Jakeem Stewart, USC
Staff & Roster Impacts on College Football Week 2
North Carolina A&T vs. UCF
Scott Frost declined to name a starting QB after a 17-10 win over Jacksonville State in Week 1.
Fancher suffered an injury and left the game; he did not return after a lengthy weather delay. Tayven Jackson took the rest of the QB snaps, throwing for 282 yards and a pair of touchdowns with no turnovers.
San Diego State vs. Washington State
All signs in the world pointed to Zevi Eckhaus being the starting Washington State QB.
When Week 1 kicked off, the Cougars ran out Jaxon Potter, who threw for just 208 yards and one touchdown. Washington State seriously struggled against FCS Idaho, eeking out a 13-10 win with ample opportunities to lose the game outright.
Weather Impacts on Week 2 Odds
Weekly college football weather reports may change as forecasts become more certain. But here are a few spots to keep tabs on early in the week.
Central Plains Freeze
Yes, it’s early, but it’s coming. The Central Plains, from Montana to Illinois, are expected to experience near-freezing morning temperatures on Saturday.
Games impacted include Iowa at Iowa State and Northwestern State at Minnesota. Temperatures at kickoff could still be near 40º, while the wind could make it feel like the upper 30s, even at kickoff.
Watching The Tropics
We are entering peak Hurricane Season in the United States. A small tropical wave is expected to intensify into Hurricane Gabrielle this week. It’s unlikely to impact the U.S. as of now, but it’s still early.
Southeastern Florida is experiencing a period of wet weather, and that’ll continue throughout the week. Keep an eye on Florida A&M and FAU, Bethune-Cookman at Miami, and North Carolina A&T at UCF.
Week 2 Situational Spots to Watch
San Jose State vs. Texas
San Jose State travels to Austin and plays this game at 9 a.m. internal time (PT). Teams traveling back across time zones to play early in the day are more susceptible to playing poorly than those playing late in the day.
Vanderbilt vs. Virginia Tech
Vanderbilt won this game in Nashville early last year.
Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry is just 4-11 ATS against non-conference foes since taking the reins in 2022. He did not cover as +7.5 underdogs in Week 1 against South Carolina.
This is the Hokies’ second game against the SEC to begin the season. Virginia Tech also returns home with a day less of rest after playing on Sunday.
Sam Houston vs. Hawaii
This is the third game of the season for both teams. Sam Houston has played one road game and one home game, failing to cover either spread.
Hawaii QB Micah Alejado was hurt heading into his Week 1 game against Arizona, where he was also banged up. Watch for him to go but be limited, or miss the game altogether.
