Week 2 rolls on with my two top NCAAF picks for the evening slate, including fading Bill Belichick (again) and a nice moneyline value play.
My primary goal of this piece is to simply share a few key angles, notable matchups and injury situations for each particular game that hopefully will make you a better bettor.
For full reference of all my spots for Week 2, here's the full piece.
- 2022-23: 99-70-1 (58.6%)
- 2024: 70-53-1 (58.9%)
- 2025: 0-0 (0%)
- Overall: 169-123-2 (57.9%)
College Football Picks: 2 Week 2 Evening Predictions
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m. | Charlotte +15.5 |
  | 7:30 p.m. | Virginia Tech ML -110 |
Charlotte +15.5 vs. North Carolina
7 p.m. ET ⋅ ESPN+
Charlotte looked horrendous in Week 1. The 49ers should've lost by 50 in all honesty.
The same can be said for UNC. The Heels did absolutely nothing after the opening drive of the game in an embarrassing home loss.
It's hard to gauge just how poor these teams — with brand-new rosters, quarterbacks and coaches — potentially could be compared to preseason expectations after just one week, but both appear to have many more questions than answers.
I downgraded UNC close to a touchdown. Could I be way off? Certainly. I also may not have downgraded Charlotte enough.
However, I'm willing to pay to make UNC prove it can win by more than two touchdowns after what I saw last week, especially in a brutal situational spot.
While Charlotte played on Friday night, giving it an extra day of rest and preparation than normal ahead of this game (which is even more critical with a new staff and roster), North Carolina played on Monday night in a game that had a ton of hype and buildup.
How much can Belichick and his staff fix in just four days? Is he in over his head? Was the roster construction completely flawed? These are all legitimate questions worth pondering after what we saw on the field last week.
Lastly, this is Charlotte's Super Bowl in its home stadium against its in-state older brother with many noticeable leaks to plug on extremely short rest.
Notable Nugget
Road favorites on five or shorter days of rest have gone 38-54-2 ATS (41.3%) since 2005, failing to cover by over a field goal per game.
This will mark only the fourth time over that span that one of those teams is playing a team with eight or more days of rest.
Projection: +13.5
Pick: Charlotte +15.5 (Play to +14.5)
Virginia Tech ML -110 vs. Vanderbilt
7:30 p.m. ET ⋅ ACC Network
This isn't the most ideal situational spot. Virginia Tech played on Sunday in a physical battle against an SEC opponent, and now it plays a unique Vanderbilt offense that had a cakewalk against an FCS opponent.
However, I'm riding with my guy Sam Siefkes — VT's new defensive coordinator, who had LaNorris Sellers in a blender for most of that game on Sunday.
The Hokies defense is astronomically better year-over-year from a schematic perspective, and they did spend time this summer prepping for Vanderbilt.
There are still some questions at cornerback, but it's not like Vanderbilt's receivers are going to blow anybody away, especially after losing Quincy Skinner Jr. and No. 1 receiver Junior Sherrill potentially being out with an injury.
I do like the Vanderbilt defensive line, but it's certainly not at the same caliber as what South Carolina has, which should be welcome news for the brand-new Virginia Tech offensive line.
Vanderbilt also has questions on the back end after losing two underrated veterans. The Hokies have the talent at wide receiver in Ayden Greene and Donavon Greene to take advantage.
Quarterback Kyron Drones will just need to actually hit some of his open receivers. He should at least have more time in the pocket this time around.
I actually upgraded Virginia Tech after last week, despite not covering against South Carolina.
That game flipped on a punt illegal formation call that led to an 80-yard punt return touchdown. Despite a 75-yard late touchdown pass and a clock-killing drive by the Gamecocks, both teams finished with nearly identical yardage.
This is an all-in spot for Virginia Tech and head coach Brent Pry. The Hokies had the patented players-only meeting and are looking to avenge last season's opening game loss to this same Vanderbilt team as two-touchdown favorites.
Lane Stadium at night with some optimism after Week 1? This is a max effort spot and a game I think should be -3, so I'll take a shot with a cheap ML.
Lastly, it's worth noting that Virginia Tech should get a major boost in the backfield with the return of Terion Stewart. Plus, Vanderbilt has a date with South Carolina on deck.
Pick: Virginia Tech ML -110
