We've reached the end of Week 2.
But before the NFL kicks off on Sunday, there are still a few more marquee games left.
Our staff is locked in with some Week 2 college football predictions and NCAAF picks, including a Michigan-Oklahoma play from Action Network senior writer Collin Wilson and more.
 |  |  |
College Football Best Bets
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our college football betting staff is targeting from today's slate of games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
 | 7 p.m. | |
| Evening | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NCAAF Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Collin's Best Bet From His Card
The struggles of Oklahoma on the ground weren't expected last week, as Illinois State limited the Sooners to 3.5 yards per carry. Oklahoma produced just one rush that went for more than 12 yards (on 31 attempts).
Mateer was able to air out the ball in long-distance passing downs, generating a 45% Success Rate with an average of 12 yards per attempt. The Sooners' dependency on the arm of quarterback John Mateer — strictly in passing downs — could be a hindrance in Norman during Week 2.
Michigan running back Justice Haynes averaged 5.8 yards after first contact, scoring three touchdowns against New Mexico, but the Wolverines will face one of the best defenses in the nation.
Brent Venables-led defenses have been especially strong against inside-zone reads since the start of last season, a promising sign for this matchup.
For Michigan to get into scoring position on possessions beyond the 40-yard line, quarterback Bryce Underwood will need to shed the stigma of a freshman playing in his first hostile environment.
Check out Collin's full Michigan-Oklahoma breakdown and entire Week 2 card here:
Pick: 1H Under 21.5 (-110, Fanatics)
| | | | |
Stuckey's Best Bet From His Spots
By Stuckey
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 — Tech's new defensive coordinator, who had LaNorris Sellers in a blender for most of that game last Sunday.
The Hokies' defense has improved significantly year-over-year from a schematic perspective, and they did spend time this summer preparing 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, who is potentially 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 need to actually hit some of his open receivers. He should at least have more time in the pocket this time around.
Despite not covering against South Carolina, I actually upgraded Virginia Tech after last week.
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 I think it's a game that should have a three-point spread, 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. Additionally, Vanderbilt has a game against South Carolina on deck.
Check out the rest of Stuckey's Week 2 Saturday Spots here:
Pick: Virginia Tech ML (Bet at -110 | Best Price -130, DraftKings)
| | | | |
Ianniello's Best Bet From His G5 Column
Tyson Helton is running it back with the same play that worked so well for the Hilltoppers a few years ago when Bailey Zappe took over the college football world.
Helton went back to the FCS level to pluck a high-scoring offensive coordinator and quarterback pairing, bringing Rick Bowie and Maverick McIvor from Abilene Christian.
The combo helped Abilene Christian finish fourth among FCS teams in total offense after McIvor threw for 30 touchdown passes with just eight interceptions.
The wide receiver room always seems to be loaded for the Hilltoppers, and they added FCS All-American Matthew Henry from Western Illinois. He already seems to be McIvor’s favorite target, along with K.D. Hutchinson. Henry is averaging 21.0 yards per catch through two games.
So far, the plan is once again working, as Western Kentucky has scored 96 points across its first two games behind 400 passing yards per game. McIvor leads the country with eight passing touchdowns and no interceptions.
Toledo has boasted one of the Group of 5’s better defenses over the past few years, but the Rockets continue to lose players to the NFL, and that’s eventually going to catch up to a MAC school.
The entire front seven from last year’s squad departed. Western Kentucky won’t run the ball down Toledo’s throat, but McIvor will have plenty of time in the pocket.
That said, Toledo’s secondary is still strong, so can the Rockets hang with Western Kentucky’s air raid for four quarters?’
If they can’t, will Tucker Gleason and the Toledo offense keep up?
Gleason is an OK MAC quarterback with a talented group of wideouts, but I don’t love him. He posted just 12 Big Time Throws to 17 Turnover Worthy Plays last season while completing just 60% of his passes. He posted the MAC’s sixth-best PFF Passing grade.
Jason Candle-led teams are just 18-23 against the spread as a favorite of 10 points or less, and just 1-4 ATS in non-conference games as a favorite of 10 points or less, including last year when the Rockets lost outright to Western Kentucky.
Check out the rest of Ianniello's Group of 5 best bets here:
Pick: Western Kentucky +7 (-115, BetMGM)
| | | | |
Our Featured Bet Labs System For Week 2
Early Road Redemption is a college football system that identifies value in visiting teams during the opening stretch of the season, after they have underperformed against the spread in their previous outing.
The market often punishes these teams too heavily for a single early loss, creating inflated lines in the next matchup.
By narrowing the spread range between modest underdogs and double-digit spots, the system captures situations where the road team is competitive but overlooked.
These games are played in manageable weather conditions and typically fall within lower scoring totals, which reduces volatility and keeps contests closer than expected.
When teams in their first eight games seek redemption on the road after a poor showing against the spread, they frequently outperform expectations, making this a profitable angle.
This system applies to two teams playing on Saturday evening: Army (visiting Kansas State) and Stanford (visiting BYU).
Army looked pathetic against Tarleton State two weeks ago, losing 30-27 in overtime. Getting upset at home by an FCS is never a good look.
However, Tarleton State is a good FCS program, and I’d imagine the Black Knights will be uber-motivated for this game after a devastating season-opening loss.
Additionally, backing service academies to catch over two touchdowns is essentially an auto-bet. The Black Knights are going to limit possessions and turn this game into a grinder, and Kansas State’s rush-heavy attack is happy to oblige.
I can’t make a similar argument for Stanford, which looked out of sorts in its season-opening loss to Hawaii. That said, it’s always tough to play on the island, so maybe there’s a small bounce-back now that they’ve returned to the Lower 48.
Like our Bet Labs systems? Get an Action PRO subscription for more! Click here:
Picks:
| | | | |
Parlay Express' Full Action App Card For Week 2
Looking for some longer-shot plays this Saturday? Check out Parlay Express on the Action App!
We compile many of our best bets from our shows and articles into parlays with fat odds, and these plays hit at a higher rate than you’d think.
For this week, we have plenty of CFB parlays centered around plays from the BBOC Podcast.
If you haven't already, make sure you download the free award-winning Action Network App to track all your bets and tail all of your favorite experts:
| | | | |
