Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) snaps the ball during the game against Colorado State at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024.
- Browse our Week 2 college football picks against the spread for Saturday (Sep. 7)
- We went 3-0 on CFB ATS picks last weekend and are 5-1 on the season
- Below, see my best Week 2 college football picks against the spread
Week 2 of the 2024 college football season features a marquee Michigan vs Texas showdown, plus several other games that offer ATS betting value. We’ve gathered our three top CFB picks against the spread to help you turn a profit.
Among our top college football picks against the spread this weekend is a play on Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns as they aim to cover against the Wolverines in Ann Arbor. We’re also taking an intriguing Big Ten underdog against a Big 12 contender.
Let’s dive into our expert college football picks against the spread for Week 2 (Saturday, September 7th).
Texas vs Michigan Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | -7 (−112) | −270 | Over 42 (−112) |
| Michigan | +7 (−108) | +220 | Under 42 (−108) |
All odds as of September 4th at DraftKings Sportsbook. Check out the top USA betting sites for college football against the spread betting.
ATS Picks #1: Texas -7 (vs Michigan)
Kicking off my Week 2 college football picks against the spread is a play on Texas to cover -7 vs Michigan. The number is already climbing up from the -6.5 value it opened at, and it’s not hard to see why.
The Longhorns are coming off a dominant 52-0 win over Colorado State in Week 1, while the Wolverines struggled to put away Fresno State 30-10. Life after Harbaugh isn’t going to be easy for Michigan, and we’re seeing the impact of key offseason departures.
Michigan’s offense, in particular, looked out of sorts against the Bulldogs. New starting QB Davis Warren went just 15-for-25 for 118 yards and an interception. If not for a historic performance from kicker Dominic Zvada, who hit field goals from 45, 53, and 55 yards out, the final score would have been much closer.
The Wolverines will have an even tougher time moving the ball against Texas’ stout defense. The Longhorns held Colorado State to a mere 192 total yards in the opener and boast one of the best secondaries in the nation, anchored by star cornerback Jahdae Barro.
Texas QB Quinn Ewers looked sharp in his 2024 debut, tossing four TDs to his new trio of explosive receivers. While Michigan does have the best cornerback in the country in Will Johnson, the Wolverines’ secondary has several new pieces and will take time to fully mesh together.
It’s evident that Warren is a notable drop-off from JJ McCarthy at Michigan. I simply don’t see the Wolverines having enough firepower to hang with Texas despite the game being played in Ann Arbor.
- Pick: Texas -7 (-112)
Kansas vs Illinois Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | -5.5 (−108) | −218 | Over 56 (−108) |
| Illinois | +5.5 (−112) | +180 | Under 56 (−112) |
ATS Picks #2: Illinois +5.5 (vs Kansas)
Another addition to my Week 2 college football picks against the spread is Illinois to cover against Kansas in a Big 12-Big Ten showdown. Memorial Stadium should be rocking for this primetime matchup on FamILLy Weekend.
I think the Fighting Illini rushing defense will be the difference-maker in this one. They allowed only 49 rushing yards to Eastern Illinois in the opener, just one year after allowing only 129.1 yards per game (32nd nationally) last season.
Wear Orange. Beat Kansas.#Illini // #HTTO // #famILLy pic.twitter.com/Tk0tAi0vhF
— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) September 2, 2024
Illinois matches up well against a Kansas offense that relies heavily on the run game behind star RB Devin Neal. Bret Bielema’s team is also 9-3 against the spread in its last 12 games as a home underdog of five or more points.
Offensively, Illinois QB Luke Altmyer was sharp in Week 1, throwing for 213 yards and 4 TDs. The additions of WRs Pat Bryant and Malik Elzy give the Illini more explosive weapons on the outside. Kansas, meanwhile, allowed 7.6 passing yards per attempt last year, placing them bottom of the half in the Big 12.
While the Jayhawks are the more talented team, the combination of Illinois’ strong run defense, home-field edge, and improved passing game gives them a great shot to keep this one close as 5.5-point underdogs.
- Pick: Illinois +5.5 (-112)
Mississippi State vs Arizona State Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi State | +6.5 (−112) | +200 | Over 59.5 (−110) |
| Arizona State | -6.5 (−108) | −245 | Under 59.5 (−110) |
ATS Picks #3: Arizona State -6.5 (vs Mississippi State)
Concluding my Week 2 college football picks against the spread is a play on Arizona State to cover -6.5 vs Mississippi State.
The Sun Devils looked impressive on both sides of the ball in their 48-7 blowout win over Wyoming in Week 1. ASU racked up 499 total yards of offense, averaging 7.0 yards per play. Defensively, they held the Cowboys to a mere 118 total yards and forced three turnovers.
This was one of Sam Leavitt’s most impressive plays in Arizona State’s win over Wyoming.
Leavitt feels the pressure off the edge, steps up in the pocket, keeps his eyes down field and hits the check down. He didn’t look like a redshirt freshman.
pic.twitter.com/DLsX88fipV— Anthony Totri (@Anthony_Totri) September 3, 2024
Playing at Mountain America Stadium should provide a nice boost for Arizona State. With a raucous crowd expected for this primetime kickoff, Mississippi State QB Blake Shapen will face a tough road environment in his first road start of 2024.
While the Bulldogs put up 56 points in their opener against Eastern Kentucky, it’s hard to glean too much from a game against an FCS opponent. Mississippi State is starting eight new transfers on offense and ranked ninth-last in the Power 5 in terms of EPA per play last year.
The Bulldogs may experience some growing pains, especially on the road against an Arizona State defense that looked dominant in Week 1. I like the Sun Devils to cover on the strength of their stingy defense and explosive offense.
- Pick: Arizona State -6.5 (-108)
Brady’s 2024 CFB ATS Picks Record: 5-1
Brady is the lead NHL and College Football editor at Sports Betting Dime, where he specializes in betting odds and data-driven analysis. Brady has over 10 years experience working in sports media, with work published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.
Week 2 of college football is upon us, and with it comes a slate of exciting matchups that are sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats. As the games approach, many are wondering what the point spreads will be and how they can use them to make informed predictions.
One of the most anticipated games of the week is the matchup between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Clemson Tigers. Both teams are ranked in the top 5 and are expected to be contenders for the College Football Playoff. The point spread for this game is likely to be close, with both teams having strong defenses and explosive offenses. It will be interesting to see how the two teams match up and which one will come out on top.
Another game to keep an eye on is the showdown between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Oregon Ducks. Ohio State is coming off a dominant win in their season opener, while Oregon struggled in their first game. The point spread for this game could favor Ohio State, but Oregon has the talent to pull off an upset if they can put it all together.
In addition to these marquee matchups, there are several other games with intriguing point spreads. The Alabama Crimson Tide will take on the Mercer Bears, with a massive point spread in favor of Alabama. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will face off against the Toledo Rockets, with a closer point spread that could make for an exciting game.
As fans and bettors look ahead to Week 2, it’s important to consider not only the point spreads but also factors such as injuries, weather conditions, and recent performance. By taking all of these factors into account, fans can make more informed predictions and potentially come out ahead in their bets.
Overall, Week 2 of college football promises to be an exciting one, with plenty of close matchups and potential upsets. By paying attention to the point spreads and doing thorough research, fans can make more accurate predictions and enjoy a thrilling weekend of college football action.