A top-10 showdown between No. 3 Texas and No. 10 Michigan is the highlight of Week 2 college football.
The Wolverines have won 29 straight regular-season games and 23 straight home games, but the Longhorns are a TD-favorite at the Big House. This is an opportunity for Quinn Ewers to lead a defining victory – much like he did at Alabama in 2023. Those teams meet at 12 p.m. ET.
No. 14 Tennessee takes on No. 24 NC State in the other marquee prime-time Saturday. The Vols appear to have another Heisman Trophy hopeful at quarterback in Nico Iamaleava, and the Wolfpack are trying to score a resume-building victory against the SEC for the ACC. A late-night shootout between No. 7 Oregon and Boise State is the final course in what should be another fun weekend.
MORE: Week 1 overreactions, from Notre Dame to 'the U' to Dabo
Each week, we will pick those matchups against the spread. A look at our track record this season:
- Straight up: 10-4(9-3in Week 1)
- Against the spread: 8-6 (7-5 in Week 1)
Here are our picks against the spread for Week 2:
College football Week 2 picks against the spread
- Bowling Green at No. 8Penn State (-34.5) (12 p.m., Big Ten Network)
This line has jumped 2.5 points from its open after the Nittany Lions' impressive victory against West Virginia in Week 1. James Franklin is 10-0 S/U against MAC schools, but the Nittany Lions have won just four of those games by more than 35 points. Bowling Green has an experienced quarterback in Connor Bazelak, who played at Missouri and Indiana. The Falcons have lost their four games to Power 4 opponents by 22.5 points. Sneaky cover here?
Pick: Penn State wins 41-7 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
- Arkansas at No. 16Oklahoma State (-7.5) (12 p.m., ABC)
The Cowboys were on upset alert last week but blew out South Dakota State. The Razorbacks have a better chance here – and the combination of new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrno and quarterback Taylen Green will be dangerous. Green totaled 229 passing yards, 88 rushing yards and four total TDs in the Razorbacks' opener. These teams haven't met since 1980, and Arkansas 30-15 all-time lead in the series.
Pick: Oklahoma State wins 35-31 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
- No. 17 Kansas State (-9.5) at Tulane (-12 p.m., TBD)
Tulane beat Kansas State 17-10 in 2022, and now the Wildcats have the return game. It's a big spot for the Green Wave and first-year coach Jon Sumrall, who was the coach at Troy last season. The Wildcats beat Sumrall and the Trojans 42-13 last year, and this one has a similar feel to it. The combination of Avery Johnson and DJ Giddens will take over in the second half, and the Wildcats' run defense will be a difference-maker. The trend is tricky knowing Kansas State is 5-2 S/U and 2-3-2 ATS as a road favorite the last three seasons. The line also has dropped a half-point. We'll take the original value.
Pick: Kansas State wins 30-20 and COVERS the spread.
- No. 3Texas (-7.5) at No. 10Michigan (12 p.m., Fox)
Texas is the popular pick here – maybe too much. Michigan's offense was bad in the opener against Fresno State, and the unsettled quarterback situation between Davis Warren and Alex Orji is a problem if Michigan cannot force turnovers. Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers will be asked to do more if the Longhorns cannot get the running game going against a Michigan defense that allowed nine rushing yards last week. Ewers had a 70.5% completion percentage on the road last season, and if he avoids the turnovers Texas will keep Michigan at arm's length. The Wolverines will make it interesting, but in games like this you trust the proven quarterback. Keep in mind that Texas is 1-4 against top-10 teams under Sarkisian, but that victory at Alabama is all anybody remembers.
Pick: Texas wins 27-22 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
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- No. 23 Georgia Tech (-3) at Syracuse (12 p.m., ACC Network)
There is upset potential here. Kyle McCord passed for four TDs in Syracuse's 38-22 victory against Ohio, and the Orange are at home. Syracuse beat Georgia Tech 37-20 in the Yellow Jackets' only visit to the JMA Wireless Dome in 2020. The difference this time? The Orange allowed 255 rushing yards last week, and that will not cut it against the tandem of Haynes King and Jamal Haynes. Georgia Tech averages 207.5 rushing yards per game. That is good enough on the road.
Pick: Georgia Tech wins 28-20 and COVERS the spread.
- Northern Illinois at No. 5Notre Dame (-28.5) (3:30 p.m., Peacock)
It's a large number in a potential emotional letdown game for the Irish, but Notre Dame's pass defense should slow down Ethan Hampton, who threw five TDs for the Huskies against Western Illinois last week. Look for Notre Dame to rely on the running game early to get Riley Leonard and the passing game on track. The Irish cruise in the home opener and pick up a late cover along the way.
Pick: Notre Dame wins 42-10 and COVERS the spread.
MORE: Grading QB debuts, from Riley Leonard to Cam Ward
- Baylor at No. 11Utah (-14) (3:30 p.m., Fox)
Cam Rising returned in style with five TDs in his first game since 2023, and the Utes will open Big 12 play against Baylor, which received a jolt from Toledo transfer quarterback DeQuan Finn. Dave Aranda is calling the plays, and the Bears might be a little more competitive this year as a result. Finn will still make a few mistakes against a strong Utah defense, and that will be the difference. Baylor is 8-5-2 ATS as a road underdog with Aranda, and this will be tight for a while.
Pick: Utah wins 28-17 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
- Iowa State at No. 21Iowa (-2.5) (3:30 p.m., CBS)
Iowa scored 40 points in the opener, and Cade McNamara passed for 251 yards and three TDs. Rocco Becht passed for 267 yards, two TDs and no interceptions for the Cyclones in Week 1. Those quarterbacks are near-mirror images, and both teams will favor a conservative approach in the in-state rivalry game. Iowa State is a popular upset pick, but they have never beat a ranked Iowa team at Kinnick Stadium. Kirk Ferentz returns from the one-game suspension, and the Hawkeyes beat Iowa State for the eighth time in nine games.
Pick: Iowa wins 20-12 and COVERS the spread.
- Jacksonville State at No. 22 Louisville (-28) (3:30 p.m., ESPN+)
The Jaguars lost 55-27 to Coastal Carolina in one of the more-stunning results from Week 1, and three turnovers and a defense that allowed 552 yards were the problem. That will not get better against Lousiville. Texas Tech transfer Tyler Shough passed for 232 yards and four TDs in his debut, and a balanced running game should have more success at home. The pass rush – led by Ashton Gillotte and Tramel Logan – will be a problem.
Pick: Louisville wins 49-15 and COVERS the spread.
- Middle Tennessee at No. 6Ole Miss (-41.5) (4:15 p.m., SEC Network)
The Rebels hung 76 points on Furman last week, and Jaxson Dart is the FBS leader in passer efficiency. Tre Harris should have another big game against a Blue Raiders' pass defense that allowed 274 passing yards to Tennessee Tech. First-year coach Derek Mason knows the Rebels well from his time coaching in the SEC. The Blue Raiders might have a few wrinkles to stay under that large spread.
Pick: Ole Miss wins 50-10 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
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- South Florida at No. 4Alabama (-31) (7 p.m., ESPN)
The Bulls run an up-tempo offense under Alex Golesh, and they have the confidence in knowing they lost 17-3 to the Crimson Tide last season. Chances are the Alabama players will be reminded of that – and Jalen Milroe leads the nation in QBR at 98.7. He should be motivated in this one, too. The chunk plays with freshman receiver Ryan Williams continue, and Alabama keeps it rolling under Kalen DeBoer. Dating back to Washington last season, DeBoer is 8-2 ATS in non-conference games.
Pick: Alabama wins 49-17 and COVERS the spread.
- Buffalo at No. 9 Missouri (-34.5) (7 p.m., ESPN+)
It's another huge spread for Missouri - this time against a MAC opponent. Pete Lembo is a veteran coach, and the Bulls should be improved in the running game. Can they avoid turnovers that lead to a blowout? The last four MAC opponents to face the Tigers scored 20-plus points. Buffalo will have a hard time against a much tougher Missouri defense, and Luther Burden III will score multiple TDs. Still, the Bulls could be feisty in the first half. Missouri has scored 50 points against just two FBS opponents under Eli Drinkwitz.
Pick: Missouri wins 40-10 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
- No. 22 Kansas (-5.5) at Illinois (7 p.m., FS1)
This is a tricky road game for Kansas. Yes, the Jayhawks beat the Illini 34-23 last season, and quarterback Jalon Daniels is healthy. This is an improved Illinois team, however, even if they are 3-4 ATS as a home underdog under Bret Bielema. If the running back tandem of Devin Neal and Daniel Hishaw – which combined to average 10.4 yards per carry in the opener against Eastern Illinois – has success, then the Jayhawks will be fine on the road.
Pick: Kansas wins 30-22 and COVERS the spread.
- Western Michigan at No. 2Ohio State (-38.5) (7:30 p.m., Big Ten Network)
The Buckeyes started slow in Week 1 against Akron, and that will be a talking point during the week. That's bad news for Western Michigan, who lost 28-14 in the opener against Wisconsin. Ohio State edge rushers JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer will feast off the edge, too. Look for Will Howard to click more with receivers Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith, and a more reasonable spread favors the Buckeyes at home.
Pick: Ohio State wins 51-7 and COVERS the spread.
- No. 14Tennessee (-7.5) vs. No. 24NC State (7:30 p.m., ABC)
These schools have not met since 2012 – a game which the Volunteers won 35-21 in Atlanta. This one is in Charlotte, and the Wolfpack will be tasked with slowing down a Tennessee offense that racked up 718 total yards against Chattanooga in Week 1. Iamaleava hit 14 of 14 passes in the middle of the field in the opener, according to Pro Football Focus. Grayson McCall settled in during the second half of the Wolfpack's opener. NC State cannot afford another slow start here. The Vols are 12-4 ATS in non-conference games and 3-1 ATS in neutral-site games under Heupel. Can we pick the same score?
Pick: Tennessee wins 35-21 and COVERS the spread.
- Houston at No. 15Oklahoma (-29) (7:45 p.m., SEC Network)
The line spiked by more than a touchdown after the Sooners' impressive 51-3 opener against Temple combined with Houston's 27-7 loss to UNLV. Oklahoma's defense forced six turnovers in the opener. Jackson Arnold will stay in control here, and Oklahoma will not be afraid to pour it on the second half given the opportunity.
Pick: Oklahoma wins 48-14 and COVERS the spread.
- Appalachian State at No. 25 Clemson (-17.5) (8 p.m., ACC Network)
The spread ticked up a half-point, and the Tigers are looking to bounce back after a 34-3 loss to Georgia. That is going to cause a lot of bettors to side with the Mountaineers given their reputation for upsets. Is that reputation valid? Appalachian State is 9-3-1 ATS as an underdog under Shawn Clark since 2019. Joey Aguliar is a second-year starter who doesn't make a ton of mistakes either. Clemson wins, but it could be uncomfortable at times. The Tigers won the last meeting 41-10 in 2015.
Pick: Clemson wins 34-17 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
- Boise State at No. 7 Oregon (-19) (10 p.m., Peacock)
The Ducks struggled at times in the opener against Idaho, but Dillon Gabriel still completed 83.7% of his passes. He doesn't make many mistakes. It should be cleaner against Boise State, which allowed 45 points in the opener to Georgia Southern. Boise State leads the all-time series, and Ashton Jeanty might be the best running back in the FBS. That is a lot of points in what figures to be a shootout,
Pick: Oregon wins 45-27 and FAILS TO COVER the spread.
- Utah State at No. 13 USC (-28.5) (11 p.m., Big Ten Network)
The Trojans are on a short week, but they showed an improved defense against LSU in a 27-20 victory. It's a possible let-down spot against the Aggies, who rank 12th in the FBS with 303.0 rushing yards per game. Will the Aggies be able to get enough stops against what appears to be another high-scoring machine with Lincoln Riley and quarterback Miller Moss? The Trojans are 6-3 ATS in non-conference games with Riley, and the defense won't let up.
Pick: USC wins 49-14 and COVERS the spread.