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After an exciting Week 1 in which all of my picks won, I have four games that I’m targeting in Week 2. Despite an exciting slate of games between major college football programs, most of the best betting games are between mid-major opponents.
Below, I discuss the four games I like the most for my CFB Week 2 best bets.
Sportsbook Play of the Day
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CFB Week 2 Predictions
Georgia Southern (1-0) at Florida Atlantic (0-1)
Georgia Southern runs a unique triple-option offense that relies heavily on the run and controlling the time of possession, which means their games are often low-scoring and close. Despite this, GSU has opened as a touchdown underdog against Florida Atlantic.
Only once last year did the Eagles lose by more than a touchdown, and that was against nationally-ranked Coastal Carolina. Georgia Southern has had a winning record in each of the past three seasons, making them a reliable bet.
Florida Atlantic has a strong program as well that has produced a pair of 11-3 seasons in the last four years. Both of those came under former head coach Lane Kiffin, however, as the team regressed to 5-4 last year in Willie Taggart‘s first year at the helm. Will they bounce back this season, or continue to slide after dropping their season opener to Florida?
Prediction: Georgia Southern 24, Florida Atlantic 21
Best Bet 1: Georgia Southern +7 Spread (-110) at DraftKings (would bet up to +5)
Wager: 0.75 Units
Florida Atlantic has a solid run defense, and all Georgia Southern does is run the ball. In fact, 77% of their offensive plays in 2020 were rushing plays. Despite what seems like a mismatch between both teams, I have a hard time seeing how Florida Atlantic runs away with this game (no pun intended).
Of Georgia Southern’s 13 games last year, nine of them were decided by a touchdown or less. With a point total set at only 49 points, a close, low-scoring game is likely.
Best Bet 2: Georgia Southern Moneyline (+230) at Caesars (would bet up to +180)
Wager: 0.75 Units
The Eagles winning outright against the Owls is certainly possible, as there have been several close games over the last few years where GSU’s unique offense has caught better teams off guard. They’re also coming off a 30-25 Week 1 win over Gardner Webb, which should give them confidence heading into this Week 2 clash with Florida Atlantic.
Want to place more bets on upcoming games? Check out our following College Football Picks of the Day:
Temple (0-1) at Akron (0-1)
These are two teams that both got blown out in Week 1. Temple lost 61-14 against Rutgers, while Akron lost 60-10 against Auburn. While both teams appear lackluster on paper, Temple is almost a seven-point favorite this week.
In my opinion, Akron is one of the worst FBS programs this year. They are just 1-18 since the beginning of 2019 and have not had a winning season since 2015. The Zips were outscored by an average of 24.1 points per game last year, finishing in the bottom 10 for FBS teams in both points scored and points allowed.
Temple also struggled last year (1-6), but their team has been much more competitive recently. Prior to last season, the Owls had a winning record every year from 2015-2019. With eight returning offensive starters and a few promising transfers, the Owls should be a better team this year.
Prediction: Temple 30, Akron 7
Best Bet: Temple -6.5 (-110) at Caesars (would bet up to -10)
Wager: 1 Unit
The best betting games early in a college football season are non-conference games between weak teams. Even though both teams often appear to be equal in talent, when you look more closely that is often not the case.
I’m not sold on Temple’s team this season — especially after their ugly Week 1 performance against Rutger — but Akron is so awful that they should lose by a large margin. Based on the Zips’ recent body of work, this will probably be the best opportunity to bet against them this year. Look for the Owls to bounce back with a big win this week.
With a tasty matchup against Akron this weekend, the Temple Owls are one of our CFB Week 2 best bets. (Image: USA TODAY)
South Alabama (1-0) at Bowling Green (0-1)
Akron may be one of the worst FBS schools, but Bowling Green is arguably worse. In Phil Steele’s preseason ratings, the Falcons have the lowest-ranked quarterback, offensive line, defensive line, and linebacker unit in the MAC.
Despite losing to Tennessee 38-6 in Week 1, Bowling Green still impressed me with their defense. The Falcons limited Volunteers quarterback Joe Milton to just 140 passing yards and a 47.8% completion percentage, which bodes well for their Week 2 matchup.
Fortunately for Bowling Green, South Alabama is not that strong of a team either. They finished 4-7 last year and have endured seven straight losing seasons. If the Falcons’ secondary can put together another strong performance, Bowling Green could walk away with a win here.
Prediction: Bowling Green 28, South Alabama 24
Best Bet 1: Bowling Green +15 (-105) at PointsBet (would bet up to +10.5)
Wager: 0.75 Units
Despite Bowling Green’s lack of talent, South Alabama is flawed as well and will have a hard time running away with an easy victory on the road. The Falcons covered the spread in Week 1 against the Volunteers, and they should cover again here at home against the Jaguars.
While the line is currently set at 15 points, I will personally wait until later in the week to wager here as I see this line moving to at least 17 points.
Best Bet 2: Bowling Green Moneyline (+500) at BetMGM (would bet up to +400)
Wager: 0.75 Units
As +500 underdogs against South Alabama, the breakeven odds on Bowling Green winning outright are only 16.7%. While the Jaguars should win, there is a distinct possibility that they lose.
If the Falcons can contain Jake Bentley, win the turnover battle, and score a few touchdowns, then they could win as a large underdog. If you have a second-chance bet to use, this is a great spot to use it.
Utah (#24, 1-0) at BYU (1-0)
One of the most exciting games this week will be between Utah and BYU. Both teams play in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, and both are good. While Utah is ranked as the 24th-best team in the country, BYU is not far behind them in talent.
In last year’s abbreviated Pac-12 season, Utah finished with a 3-2 record after winning the Pac-12 South in both 2019 and 2018. This year, the Utes are a popular pick to win their division and even their conference.
While they don’t get a ton of respect for being an independent team, BYU presents a formidable challenge. The Cougars are coming off an impressive 2020 campaign in which they went 11-1 and ranked 11th in the country. Both teams are coming off Week 1 wins as well.
In what is expected to be a close, low-scoring game, the question is if BYU can compete against a strong Power Five program in Utah.
Prediction: BYU 24, Utah 20
Best Bet: BYU Moneyline (+210) at BetMGM (would bet up to +165)
Wager: 1 Unit
Despite BYU playing a weak schedule last year, they were arguably the toughest non-Power Five program last year. They return seven starters to an offense that averaged 43.5 points per game last year, which was the third-most in the FBS. Even though they lost quarterback Zach Wilson to the New York Jets, the Cougars’ offense should still give the Utes’ defense heartburn on Saturday night.
At +210, the BYU moneyline is worth a look and I would bet it up to +165.
For a more in-depth look at this game, check out my Utah vs. BYU Pick of the Day Predictions.
