College Football Straight Up Picks for Every Top 25 Game in Week 2 (Iowa Will Upset Iowa State in Cy-Hawk Game)

Iain MacMillan | Sep 2, 2025

Iowa is road underdog against Iowa State in the 2025 Cy-Hawk game. / Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK

The first full week of the 2025 college football season is officially in the books. Upsets, big games, impressive performances, Week 1 had it all.

It's time to move on to Week 2, and as always, I'm going to give you my pick for every game involving a top-25-ranked team this week. We're putting the point spreads aside; this article is just about picking winners, nothing more, nothing less.

Let's dive into them.

All odds listed in this article are via FanDuel Sportsbook

College Football Week 2 Picks for Every Top 25 Game

Eastern Washington vs. Boise State Prediction and Pick

Pick: Boise State (Odds Not Available)

San Jose State vs. Texas Prediction and Pick

Pick: Texas (Odds Not Available)

Florida International vs. Penn State Prediction and Pick

Pick: Penn State (Odds Not Available)

Illinois vs. Duke Prediction and Pick

Pick: Illinois -145

Duke has a tough test ahead of them when it comes to stopping the Illinois backfield that features Aidan Laughery, Kaden Feagin, and Ca'Lil Valentine. While I have faith the Blue Devils will put up points, they didn't do enough to improve on their defense from last year to stop this Illinois rushing attack. Duke allowed 4.0 yards per carry in 2024.

Baylor vs. SMU Prediction and Pick

Pick: Baylor +112

I think this line is a bit of an overreaction to Baylor's Week 1 loss to an underrated Auburn team. The Bears still put up 483 yards in that game, but their third-down conversion rate cost them in the end. I have faith in the Bears bouncing back in Week 2, upsetting the SMU Mustangs.

Kennesaw State vs. Indiana Prediction and Pick

Pick: Indiana (Odds Not Available)

Iowa vs. Iowa State Prediction and Pick

Pick: Iowa +122

I'm not letting a big win against an FCS team convince me that Iowa State is as good as the betting market says they are. The Cyclones were largely outplayed in Week 1 against Kansas State and were lucky to leave Ireland with a win. A disciplined team like the Hawkeyes won't let them off the hook that easily.

Kent State vs. Texas Tech Prediction and Pick

Pick: Texas Tech (Odds Not Available)

Utah State vs. Texas A&M Prediction and Pick

Pick: Texas A&M -10000

Grambling vs. Ohio State Prediction and Pick

Pick: Ohio State (Odds Not Available)

Troy vs. Clemson Prediction and Pick

Pick: Clemson (Odds Not Available)

Austin Peay vs. Georgia Prediction and Pick

Pick: Georgia (Odds Not Available)

Oklahoma State vs. Oregon Prediction and Pick

Pick: Oregon -7000

Ole Miss vs. Kentucky Prediction and Pick

This has all the makings of a blowout. The Wildcats' only real offensive weapon is their ability to run the football, but Ole Miss led the nation last season in opponent yards per carry, allowing just 2.4 yards per rush. This is a nightmare stylistic matchup for Kentucky. Ole Miss wins this one in a rout.

Pick: Ole Miss -365

East Tennessee State vs. Tennessee Prediction and Pick

Pick: Tennessee (Odds Not Available)

South Florida vs. Florida Prediction and Pick

Pick: Florida -850

Bethune-Cookman vs. Miami Prediction and Pick

Pick: Miami (Odds Not Available)

South Carolina State vs. South Carolina Prediction and Pick

Pick: South Carolina (Odds Not Available)

Army vs. Kansas State Prediction and Pick

Pick: Kansas State -880

Louisiana Tech vs. LSU Prediction and Pick

Pick: LSU (Odds Not Available)

Arizona State vs. Mississippi State Prediction and Pick

Pick: Arizona State -225

Michigan vs. Oklahoma Prediction and Pick

Pick: Oklahoma -196

I'm not ready to trust in Bryce Underwood yet. Despite a strong showing against New Mexico, a game against Oklahoma is a massive step up in competition for the freshman, and I don't think he's quite ready for it. The Sooners have too many weapons for the Wolverines to handle.

UL-Monroe vs. Alabama Prediction and Pick

Pick: Alabama (Odds Not Available)

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