College Football Week 2 Picks: Against the Spread

While this weekend does not have the star power that week one provided, there are still some interesting games on the slate this weekend. First of all, there are no games between ranked teams (based on the AP Poll) for the first time since 2012. That's where we start for this week. Last week, I set out to choose ten games that I felt strongly about, based on numbers provided by the Westgate Superbook in Las Vegas. I ended up picking 24 games, and finished 15-7-2 on the week. I don't see as many strong opportunities in week two, but here are my picks for games played this week. One note to mention is that there will not be any Thursday games this week. Here I go...

Friday

Maryland -10 FIU
Pick: Maryland
The Terps looked strong in an opening win over Howard, while FIU was a 3 TD loser to Indiana at home.

Louisville -14.5 Syracuse
Pick: Louisville
Louisville destroyed Charlotte last week, and are looking for another big win in their ACC opener. Syracuse defeated Colgate, and despite a stellar performance by Eric Dungy at QB, Syracuse did not overwhelm the Red Raiders. I like Louisville solidly here.

Saturday

Boston College -17 U Mass
Pick: U Mass
Can the BC Eagles even score 17 points? The worst Power Five offense from 2015 scored a whopping 14 points in a loss to Georgia Tech. I am not high on U Mass, but I love them to cover this week.

Oklahoma State -20 Central Michigan
Pick: Oklahoma State
Central Michigan did beat FCS member Presbyterian 49-3 last week, but they got off to a slow start before opening it up later in the game. Oklahoma State destroyed SE Louisiana, and if the Chippewas get off to a slow start this week, the Cowboys could run away early on the power of their passing game.

Duke -5 Wake Forest
Pick: Duke
Wake Forest scored a whole seven points in beating Tulane. Duke is much better than Tulane, and should be able to move the ball fairly well against the Deacons. Look for the Blue Devils to pull away early.

Navy -3.5 U Conn
Pick: Navy
The Middies rolled past Fordham in week one, and Fordham is no easy out despite their FCS status. With several new parts in play, Ken Niumatololo always finds what he needs on his talented roster. U Conn needed a late FG to beat Maine, who is not even in the top tier of the Colonial in FCS play.

Vanderbilt -5 Middle Tennessee
Pick: Middle Tennessee
The Blue Raiders can amp up the offense. Vandy scored all of ten points, blew a 10-0 lead, and fell to South Carolina. Middle Tennessee needs a huge win for coach Rick Stockstill and his QB son Brent. This is a big opportunity for that win.

New Mexico -12.5 New Mexico State
Pick: New Mexico
Larry Rose III is now doubtful (downgraded) for the Aggies. That is heinous news for NMSU after already having fallen to one rival in UTEP. The Aggies don't have much of a shot against the Lobos without him.

Arizona State -2.5 Texas Tech
Pick: Texas Tech
Arizona State was a slow starter in beating Northern Arizona last week. Texas Tech had no such issues in blowing out Stephen F Austin. This game is basically even, but ASU gets the points at home. I am not buying into the Sun Devils at this point, and I think that the Red Raider offense will be too much in the end with Patrick Mahomes III.