After a loaded opening weekend in College Football, we’re onto Week 2 of the season — which features some rivalry games on the schedule highlighted by the return of the Border War with SEC Nation coming to Columbia. There’s also the annual CyHawk matchup between Iowa vs Iowa State in Ames. Ole Miss at Kentucky brings us the first SEC game of the year — and College Gameday heads to Norman for Michigan vs Oklahoma.
Let’s make some picks (with the odds presented by our partners over at FanDuel Sportsbook).
But first, a standings recap after Week 1:
Stava: 5-4 ATS (6-3 SU)
Gustafson: 5-4 ATS
Hurst: 3-2 ATS
Matejka: 2-3 ATS
Deck: 3-1 ATS (3-1 SU)
Missouri Tigers (-6) vs kansas Jayhawks (2:30 p.m. CST on ESPN2)
Sammy Stava: This is a game Missouri can’t afford to lose, and that scares the crap out of me. I’ll unfortunately admit it — Jalon Daniels is a pretty good quarterback, and Lance Leipold has the Jayhawks program moving in the right direction. kU already has played two games and that could work to their advantage. Having said that, Mizzou has the better talent overall and it’s in Columbia. Tigers have the advantage there. Beau Pribula leads the Tigers to a touchdown drive late in the game to go up by two scores and cover. I’ll say 31-20, Mizzou.
True Deck: This is a hard one, but I don’t have too much confidence in how the Tigers plan on defending Jalon Daniels. I think this game will be close but ultimately I think kansas keeps it too close and the Tigers fail to cover. I’ll go 27-24, Mizzou.
Josh Matejka: My irrational confidence is showing with this one. I think the Tigers race out to an early lead and keep kansas at arm’s length the rest of the way. Tigers cover, 28-17.
Matthew Gustafson: I think that the nerves of a big game and Beau Pribula’s relative inexperience at starter keep this one within a touchdown or closer at halftime, with Jalon Daniels’ veteran status also helping keep the margin tight. But Mizzou’s talented defense will force at least one turnover in the second half while Pribula again displays the talent we saw in week one. Tigers win by two touchdowns, 31-17.
Iowa Hawkeyes at No. 16 Iowa State Cyclones (-3.5) (11:00 a.m. CST on FOX)
Sammy Stava: Iowa State already had a “statement” win in Week 0 vs Kansas State in Ireland. In what could have been a trap game last week — the Cyclones beat a pretty good FCS South Dakota team handily, 55-7. The Cyclones also beat Iowa last year on the road and they’ll do it again in Ames this year led by Rocco Becht. 24-20, Clones.
True Deck: I took the Cyclones for their Week 0 matchup against Kansas State and they didn’t disappoint. Rocco Becht looks good. I think Iowa State wins without much struggle. 33-10, Cyclones.
Josh Matejka: The Cyclones have looked convincing so far, and Iowa… well, they’re Iowa, so they’ll struggle to keep up. Give me the Cyclones, 20-10.
Matthew Gustafson: The Cy-Hawk rivalry is one of the best and strangest rivalries college football has to offer, and the game has been settled by one score or less each of the past three seasons. No team has scored more than 20 points during that stretch, either, and I’m going to predict the streak continues. I’ll take the Cyclones in a 20-16 (yes, THREE Iowa field goals – we’re talking about the Cy-Hawk game, after all) matchup.
No. 11 Illinois Fighting Illini (-2.5) at Duke Blue Devils (11:00 a.m. CST on ESPN)
Sammy Stava: With high expectations for Illinois this season, I think Bielema has the Illini ready for this one on the road. Altmyer has the better QB play than Mensah. 35-30.
True Deck: Duke has an opportunity to put itself on the map with a statement victory over Illinois. Mensah had a solid season at Tulane and has seen this level; I think Duke stuns Illinois. 31-24, Blue Devils.
Josh Matejka: I refuse to acknowledge that Illinois has a good football team. I’ll take Duke ATS, 28-27.
Matthew Gustafson: As someone who grew up in the Land of Lincoln, it’s bizarre to see the Fighting Illini look this good. As hard as it is to believe these days, Northwestern was the state’s top Big Ten team for nearly my entire childhood, and NIU was arguably better than both for a few years in the early 2010s. But a good team is exactly what Bret Bielema seems to have, and Illinois’ knack for winning close games will come in handy on the road. I’ve got the Illini escaping Durham with a 28-24 victory.
No. 20 Ole Miss Rebels (-9.5) at Kentucky Wildcats (2:30 p.m. CST on ABC)
Sammy Stava: Kentucky barely escaped Toledo in Week 1. The Wildcats football program hasn’t really recovered since Luke Bauer’s fake punt for a touchdown. Austin Simmons and the Rebels roll in this one on the road, 38-21.
True Deck: Let’s play some SEC football. I think the fans are going to get exactly what they want out of this game — a pure shootout. I see the Rebels staying in control the whole time but it should be a fun one. 51-38, Rebels.
Josh Matejka: Kentucky is a mess, and I think Ole Miss still has a way to go before they’re fully functioning. Should be a terrible, but fun, game. 48-33, Rebs.
Matthew Gustafson: This year might be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for the Mark Stoops era of Kentucky football, and Ole Miss will be out for revenge after last year’s embarrassing defeat. The Rebels’ offense will roll as it so often does, and Lane Kiffin keeps his foot on the gas all game. Give me Ole Miss, 55-31.
No. 15 Michigan Wolverines at No. 18 Oklahoma Sooners (-5.5) (6:30 p.m. CST on ABC)
Sammy Stava: John Mateer is a more experienced quarterback than Bryce Underwood and this game is in Norman in what feels like a must-win situation for Brent Venables. 28-20, Sooners.
True Deck: College Gameday is set up for a big one and I think it should be pretty entertaining. All eyes will be on the quarterback battle which consists of true freshman Bryce Underwood and transfer John Mateer. Both quarterbacks are looking to gain some respect for their fanbases. I’ll take Mateer and the Sooners to take it and cover, 30-21.
Josh Matejka: I’m still not sure Michigan deserves to be this high in the rankings, which I believe is sort of betrayed by the fact that Oklahoma is almost a touchdown favorite in this one. I could see this being close for three quarters before OU runs away with it in the fourth. 31-20, Sooners.
Matthew Gustafson: I’m not sold on either of these teams, but there’s no doubt both sides have plenty of talent. Oklahoma’s defense should be able to effectively pressure talented true freshman Bryce Underwood, and as Mizzou fans know all too well, Norman is an incredibly tough place to play. Sooners win a close one, 27-21.
