College football picks, predictions against the spread for Week 2 games
Every team in the AP top 25 college football rankings will be on the field again on Saturday as the full Week 2 schedule of games kicks off around the country, including two games with ranked teams facing off against each other, as No. 20 Ole Miss travels to No. 24 Tulane and the big primetime matchup and a rematch of last year's thriller when No. 11 Texas goes on the road to No. 3 Alabama.
How are we doing? College Football HQ is 9-5 (.642) against the spread so far this season. Let's preview our selections for this week.
Lines courtesy SI Sportsbook
Nebraska at Colorado
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Line: Colorado -2.5
The word: The jury is still out on how well the Buffaloes can stop opponents in the future, but watching their skill targets get into space and rack up yards the way they did at TCU, it appears Colorado has the clear athletic and speed advantage. Good luck slowing down Shedeur Sanders and this open aerial attack. Nebraska is 1-6 SU in its last 7 and 4-1 in its last 5 ATS, but it will be tough to stay within a field goal against this speed.
ATS pick: Colorado -2.5
Notre Dame at NC State
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Line: Notre Dame -6.5
The word: There's a lot to like from Sam Hartman working behind this line as the season wears on, but this is the first test against a solid pass rush, as NC State brings speed and agility to the front seven. And it was this defense that intercepted Hartman 6 times in the last 2 games when he was at Wake. The Irish are 6-1 in their last 7 ATS on the road and, while the Wolfpack 16-1 in their last 17 straight-up at home, they are also 2-9 against the spread in their last 11 overall.
ATS pick: Notre Dame -6.5
Texas A&M at Miami
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Line: Texas A&M -3.5
The word: The early returns on A&M's new attack were good after the opener as Conner Weigman had a career day with a group that could be the SEC's best receiver room. But the Canes' safeties are the best the Ags will throw against and the passing game could be slowed down by Miami's expert edge rushers. A&M is 3-6 SU in its last 9 overall and 3-6 ATS as the favorite in the last 9, but Miami is 2-10 against the spread in the last dozen overall and 1-6 ATS in its last 7 at home.
ATS pick: Texas A&M -3.5
Ole Miss at Tulane
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Line: Ole Miss -6.5
The word: Michael Pratt is back under center for the AAC champion and Cotton Bowl winners Tulane and was dealing in the opener, hitting four times as many TDs (4) as incompletions (1). Jaxson Dart can certainly keep up after hitting 334 yards and 4 TDs against Mercer, but it will be Quinshon Judkins, arguably the SEC's top tailback, who will help keep Pratt off the field down the stretch. Expect points: Ole Miss went over in 6 of its last 9 and 4 of its last 5 on the road, while Tulane hit the over in its last 6 overall and the last 5 at home.
ATS pick: Tulane +7.5
Texas at Alabama
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Line: Alabama -7.5
The word: Don't be surprised if Quinn Ewers is able to throw his targets open early on against a Tide secondary that is dealing with some injuries. Texas returns 10 starters from last season's offense and Ewers was solid in last year's game, going 9 of 12 and over 100 yards before leaving with the injury. It's just bad business to go against Alabama at home, especially with the protection looking better than expected and the Tide's ability to run the ball and keep the Longhorns off the field. Bama by 10.
ATS pick: Alabama -7.5
Oregon at Texas Tech
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Line: Oregon -6.5
The word: Both teams have the quarterbacks and the targets to throw the ball with authority, but Oregon has the edge on the line when Tech will want to run it and the advantage when it wants to keep the ball on the ground, too. Texas Tech is 4-1 against the spread in its last five while the Ducks are 7-3 ATS in the last 10. Oregon has played suspicious defense at times recently and might have trouble keeping Bo Nix clean against an athletic Red Raider pass rush. Tyler Shough, an Oregon transfer quarterback now at Texas Tech, is 6-2 against the spread as the starter.
ATS pick: Texas Tech +6.5
SMU at Oklahoma
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Line: Oklahoma -16.5
The word: Oklahoma should win the game without too much drama owing to pure talent discrepancy alone, but don't count out SMU's ability to frustrate the Sooners' rhythm after adding some notable defensive talent in the transfer portal. That should keep it within 14 or 17 most of the day before OU pulls away in the fourth quarter.
ATS pick: Oklahoma -16.5
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