The final thoughts, a few predictions, and some investment advice to make your life a heck of a lot better than it currently is.
Week 2 Fearless Predictions, Game Previews
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Do not overreact … do not overreact … do not overreact …
It’s so easy to assume Week 1 is the be-all-end-all tell for how good the teams are going to be, but with no preseason and not a whole lot of practice time, there’s nothing more misleading than the first big weekend of the college football season.
Then again, the Chicago Bears had a whole preseason and all the practice time they could want, and that didn’t matter.
This is all just for spits, giggles, and entertainment purposes only, however, just in case you dabble …
Because of the Group of Five showdown tonight, we start with …
Marshall is better than you think it is. Here’s one of the bigger problems with Week 1. Either Florida State is AMAZING, and it really did come up with a total team dehydration meltdown against Boise State – and the Broncos caught a break playing a team that, unfathomably, couldn’t figure out how to drink water despite living and practicing in Tallahassee – or it just took a half to get going. The line dropped down to Boise State -10.5 for a while, and it was still a strong play to take the veteran Thundering Herd and its solid defense. Now that it’s up to 12.5 – and 13 in some places – they’re a fantastic value.
– Marshall at Boise State Game Preview, Prediction
Week 2 Final Thoughts, Investment Advice
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ACC Betting Advice, Final Thoughts
Do you like the Wake Forest offense, or the Rice defense? Or, what’s supposed to be the Rice defense, and not assuming that Army’s offense was inept in the 14-7 Knight win. The line shot up from Wake -17.5 to 19.5, but you’re fine no matter what. The Owls have to prove they can score with a team with Wake Forest’s pop.
– Wake Forest at Rice Game Preview, Prediction
Yuck. The original call was Pitt to beat Ohio by four, and now the line went down from Pitt -5.5 to -4. In other words, this should be a stay away game, or you can go with the spiteful pick. When in doubt, always take the Power Five program over the Group of Five. Ohio is good, but come on – it’s a MAC team on the road. You can give away the four.
– Ohio at Pitt Game Preview, Prediction
Just how much do you want to believe in Tommy DeVito? There’s a reason the line went from Syracuse -5 to Maryland -1.5, and it’s because America pound the stuffing out of the Terps to correct the mistake. Now, it’s about who you like outright. If you liked Syracuse before, you love this pick now – if you think DeVito can come up with a decent game.
– Syracuse at Maryland Game Preview, Prediction
If Virginia Tech doesn’t obliterate Old Dominion by a gajillion, it’s not your fault for taking it minus the 28.5. There’s absolutely no reason in normal times for the Hokies to not win this by four touchdowns, but considering they lost to the Monarchs last year, and they REALLY need a blowout win, take them. It’s on them to do you a solid.
– Old Dominion at Virginia Tech Game Preview, Prediction
Stay away from Georgia Tech against USF for one simple reason – we have NO clue what either of these teams are quite yet. It stinks that the line went up to Georgia Tech -6, but at home, okay. At least the Yellow Jackets have an excuse for being destroyed in Week 1 – it’s Clemson – but for USF to be so miserable at home against Wisconsin is unacceptable. The Bulls haven’t won a game since October 20th of last year, and haven’t beaten a decent team since it got by Georgia Tech early last season. It’s not happening again.
– USF at Georgia Tech Game Preview, Prediction
If Clemson wins this thing by more than 17.5, well played – long live the theater. You’re Clemson, we’re not, and it’s your world with Alabama taking up a nearby planet. Let’s put it this way – Texas A&M should absolutely be good enough to flat-out beat the Tigers, much less cover the 17.5. You’re obviously not wrong for picking Clemson at home to cover, because it’s blowing everyone out since early last season, BUT … Dabo has problems with Power Five programs in September over the last few years.
– Texas A&M at Clemson Game Preview, Prediction
At the same time, the dehydration thing with Florida State 1) makes total sense, considering the team looked and played like it hit a wall against Boise State, 2) is totally inexcusable for a program that lives in Tallahassee and plays in inhumane hot and muggy weather. The 22 vs. ULM seems a wee bit high, but … YOU’RE FLORIDA FREAKING STATE PLAYING A SUN BELT TEAM … ACT LIKE IT. And since you can’t drink Gatorade, have a sip of water.
– ULM at Florida State Game Preview, Prediction
So, you say you have a handle on North Carolina? You lie … it can’t be as easy as a coaching change to Mack Brown. UNC won that game, but South Carolina lost it. So, you say you have a handle on Miami? You lie … the pass rush wasn’t there against Florida, but Jarren Williams was solid? Going with the Miami defense on the road against the Tar Heels, but if I’m wrong, it’s okay. It’s on the tree-falls-in-forest ACC Network.
– Miami at North Carolina Game Preview, Prediction
Week 2 Final Thoughts, Investment Advice
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Big 12 Betting Advice, Final Thoughts
There’s NO way West Virginia can be THAT punchless, can it? After struggling through Week 1 win over James Madison, the 14 point line against Missouri is way too high. You’re not comfortable, but you’re getting points on the road for a team that’s really not this mediocre.
– West Virginia at Missouri Game Preview, Prediction
I hate being nitpicky about lines. Either you have it, or you don’t, and a half a point shouldn’t matter when the spread is massive. With that said, the original call was Kansas State by 24 over Bowling Green, but the line went from 23 up to 25 – the picks are made before looking at the lines. So if this makes any sense, the official call is Bowling Green and the points, but Kansas State is the better play. If you think a team is going to win by 24, don’t whiff because you’re afraid of 25.
– Bowling Green at Kansas State Game Preview, Prediction
With that said …
You wanted Baylor-UTSA to trend in the other direction. Baylor will win easily, but UTSA should be able to score just enough to cover the 25 – but it’ll be close, if it does it. You wanted this to go up to 27ish, but it came down. Sticking with the original call.
– UTSA at Baylor Game Preview, Prediction
Yay! Taking human suffering and terror and using it to potentially profit! Even without Coastal Carolina being displaced, thanks to all of the hurricane concerns, and assuming the minds of the players are on far more important things … Kansas and the 7. America has been on the Chanticleers, bringing the line down from ten, but with Pooka Williams back, the Jayhawks have an offensive weapon now.
– Coastal Carolina at Kansas Game Preview, Prediction
Could Texas beat LSU? Of course. So if the world is handing you 6.5 points to take a look and find out, why wouldn’t you want to give it a shot? Expect more of a defensive fight than expected – the under on the 57 works – and even though LSU is better, take the points.
– LSU at Texas Game Preview, Prediction
For all if its pain, misery and problems, UTEP doesn’t normally get totally annihilated. The Miners appear to be a wee bit better this season, but you want every bit of the Texas Tech -34 – especially after it went down a bit. This might just be a far more tuned-up team under Matt Wells than expected.
– UTEP at Texas Tech Game Preview, Prediction
Week 2 Final Thoughts, Investment Advice
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Big Ten Betting Advice, Final Thoughts
Ohhhhh, nooooo, Cincinnati is tough. Ohhhh, nooooo, Ohio State has to face former head coach Luke Fickell. Yeah, there is a legitimate concern that Justin Fields – as good as he was in Week 1 against Florida Atlantic – is in for a whole new ball game against a Bearcat D that deleted UCLA’s account, but … enough. You’re Ohio State. You’re good enough to not just get into the CFP, but win it. You’re worried about a Group of Five program? Now that the line is down to 16 you’re not.
– Cincinnati at Ohio State Game Preview, Prediction
Can Michigan hit the knuckleball? Logic and reason dictates that the Wolverines stomp all over Army. The run defense has the speed at linebacker to handle the option, the Knights showed NOTHING in the 14-7 win over Rice, and good luck handling the Wolverine receivers. The correct call is Michigan -22, but if that pitch starts floating and bobbing …
– Army at Michigan Game Preview, Prediction
Welcome to Year Four of me overrating and believing too much in Rutgers. I’ve been hurt before, but I keep coming back. With balloon bouquet and tasteful basket of mini-muffins in hand, I woo the Scarlet Knights to stay within the 19 of Iowa. More than that, though, take the over on the 48. The Hawkeyes could get that by themselves.
– Rutgers at Iowa Game Preview, Prediction
You know those awful people who like a band until it gets popular? Hand raised on being one of those types, but I LOVED Maryland when it was getting five against Syracuse, and then everyone liked that one song with the hook, and now the Terps are -1.5. I’ll stick with the original call that the Terps win, but I miss when they were this punky team that played the smaller venues.
– Syracuse at Maryland Game Preview, Prediction
Expect a while lot of pop in the Vanderbilt-Purdue game. The 55 points are way low for these two, and it should be a firefight. As good and as dangerous as the Boilermakers are, Vanderbilt is better than it showed against Georgia. Stay away from this on the Purdue side, but take the over and enjoy.
– Vanderbilt at Purdue Game Preview, Prediction
What did Nebraska show to make you think its offense is ready to get into a firefight? Was it just playing coy against South Alabama, or is it just not quite fine-tuned? Until proven otherwise, be happy you’re getting points with Colorado.
– Nebraska at Colorado Game Preview, Prediction
All of a sudden, everyone is hurt on the Wisconsin defense. From LB Chris Orr, to S Scott Nelson, to DT Bryson Williams, this is a banged up group against Central Michigan – and the line isn’t budging. The 35 being given away is way too large, but do it anyway. If the Badger team that showed up against USF plays like that, you’re fine.
– Central Michigan at Wisconsin Game Preview, Prediction
Do you really think the UConn defense is okay now after a decent Week 1 performance? Nah. Is Illinois really a whole lot better after destroying Akron? yeah, maybe. The 21.5 on the road is a little scary considering it is Illinois, but if the UConn D is back to its old form, you want in on it.
– Illinois at UConn Game Preview, Prediction
Penn State is a merciless team when it gets on a roll. Buffalo is fine, and it doesn’t appear to have fallen too far after losing most of the stars from last year’s excellent squad, but the Nittany Lions are good at adding on to the pile. The 30.5 is a whole lot, but err on the side of total annihilation.
– Buffalo at Penn State Game Preview, Prediction
At this point, you’re out of your freaking mind if you do anything but go under on a Michigan State game. What’s the total against Western Michigan? It doesn’t matter. This D isn’t giving up a thing. If it’s possible to win easily, not cover the 16, and go under on 46.5, the Spartans will do it.
– Western Michigan at Michigan State Game Preview, Prediction
Full disclosure … I have no real read on Minnesota at Fresno State. The Bulldogs are amazing under Jeff Tedford, and this seems like the type of game they should win on defense alone, but the Gophers always seem to rise up and surprise at the strangest times. Minnesota is a three point favorite … okay. Fine. Go with the Big Ten over a Group of Fiver, but keep it light.
– Minnesota at Fresno State Game Preview, Prediction
Week 2 Final Thoughts, Investment Advice
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Pac-12 Betting Advice, Final Thoughts
Not like the extra half point matters all that much, but if you like Utah, it can be had against Northern Illinois for around 21 to 21.5, even though it’s showing up at 22. Not to overreact to Week 1, but NIU doesn’t have its same pass rush, and it doesn’t have the offense to handle the Ute D.
– Utah vs. Northern Illinois Game Preview, Prediction
Again, not to overreact to Week 1, but Nebraska showed nothing against South Alabama offensively, Colorado was tremendous against Colorado State. Colorado is at home, and Nebraska is still living off potential – at least in the polls. It would’ve been nice if the line stayed closer to Huskers -7.5, but it’s down to 4.5. It doesn’t matter – the Buffs are winning outright.
– Nebraska at Colorado Game Preview, Prediction
Please explain how UCLA and/or San Diego State will score? The Aztec defense is terrific, but it has absolutely nothing offensively, and the Bruins were a big dull dud against Cincinnati. RB Joshua Kelley is supposed to play for UCLA – where have we heard THAT before – and that might be just enough to cover the 8.5. And on the 45? Under, UNDER? UNDER!
– San Diego State at UCLA Game Preview, Prediction
Boo. The call was Oregon by 24 over Nevada when the line was at around 21ish, and then everyone jumped all over it. Now it’s up to 24, and even 24.5 despite the stars in the Duck backfield being a bit banged up. Stay with it and go with the Ducks to bounce back fast, but don’t be happy about it.
– Nevada at Oregon Game Preview, Prediction
Cal at Washington is a nasty call. Even though Cal won last year 12-10, it seems like it doesn’t have the makeup to pull this off in Seattle – but it should still keep it close. The Bears still don’t have much going on the offensive side, but this should bog down into an uggo. What’s also weird? The 43.5 point total is silly-low, but you can’t feel good going over with these two defenses.
– Cal at Washington Game Preview, Prediction
First one to score in Stanford – USC wins? It’s still on the board, even without either of the starting quarterbacks. For the love of GOD … go with the under on the 43.5. The point total in wouldn’t be crazy-low if it was at 30. If these two start scoring. and go over, chalk it up to a weird blip in the matrix. Also, you’re getting three points with Stanford? Giddyup.
– USC at Stanford Game Preview, Prediction
Of COURSE you’re going with the over on Oregon State- Hawaii. What is it? Who cares? You like to party, right? For the record, it’s at 77, and no freaking way you’re going to stay up until 2 am to hope for the under. To keep this weird considering this should be a wild and crazy shootout … Oregon State to lose, but cover? At only 6.5?! Yeah, because the Beavers might just win this outright.
– Oregon State at Hawaii Game Preview, Prediction
Week 2 Final Thoughts, Investment Advice
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SEC Betting Advice, Final Thoughts
The Missouri loss to Wyoming was a blip. It was a Week 1 game that didn’t go right on the road, but Kelly Bryant – outside of a bad pick – was fine, and the offense worked. The 14 seems a bit high against West Virginia, and it is. We still don’t know what this Mountaineer team is, but it’s the safer pick, as is the under.
– West Virginia at Missouri Game Preview, Prediction
Vanderbilt couldn’t get anything going against Georgia, Purdue melted down against Nevada. That +7 Vandy is getting is a courtesy, and you like it. The Commodores could absolutely win this thing outright – the line came down from 9.5 – and you’re fine with the points.
– Vanderbilt at Purdue Game Preview, Prediction
Yeah, Mississippi State was getting used to some new parts against Louisiana, and yeah, there were several suspended players. The Bulldogs might really be good and still not be able to get by Southern Miss by 17. The Golden Eagle defense is good enough to keep the score low, but the Bulldogs shouldn’t have a problem – except for covering the 16.5.
– Southern Miss at Mississippi State Game Preview, Prediction
The world is giving you 55.5 points, so you say “thank you,” and go on your way. Of course Alabama can beat New Mexico State by 100, but it won’t. It’s going to be a gajillion degrees by gametime, and Bama will want to get this thing over in a hurry. The Tide will score their 55, New Mexico State will get a random touchdown, and you’ll be just fine.
– New Mexico State at Alabama Game Preview, Prediction
Tennessee isn’t that bad … Tennessee isn’t that bad … Tennessee isn’t that bad … if you keep saying it enough, maybe it’ll be true. BYU has the defense to make it a low-scoring battle, and it has a mobile quarterback in Zach Wilson who can bring a whole slew of different problems than Georgia State’s Dan Ellington gave the Vols. Tennessee isn’t that bad … Tennessee isn’t that bad … and take BYU and the four.
– BYU at Tennessee Game Preview, Prediction
And now it’s 6.5?! Some places are saying it’s seven? LSU is better than Texas, but it’s a home game and Tom Herman has the underdog team – of course the Longhorns could win this outright. LSU will win, but if you’re getting 6.5, go with the idea that this could end on a field goal.
– LSU at Texas Game Preview, Prediction
Be very, very, very, very, VERY careful when it comes to Auburn. The line started out at 21.5 against Tulane and it quickly went down to 17.5, 17 in some spots. The Green Wave have a real, live defense that can potentially fluster an Auburn offense that – bowl game against Purdue aside – still has to prove it can be consistently productive. The Tigers will win, but the 17.5 is too large.
– Tulane at Auburn Game Preview, Prediction
It’s still hard to think of Kentucky as a team that can win games in blowouts, but it did just that with a 14-point victory over Toledo last week. Eastern Michigan has been great over the years at keeping things close, and with this a lookahead game with Florida coming up for UK, the 15.5 is a bit too spicy to not take the Eagles.
– Eastern Michigan at Kentucky Game Preview, Prediction
You have to be INSANE to beat on Arkansas at Ole Miss. Which offense is going to show up? Will ANY offense show up? But if you have to, Arkansas seems like a team with a whole slew of problems that aren’t guaranteed to be fixed. Ole Miss seems like a team with a whole slew of problems that could be tweaked. Don’t do it, but if you have to … Ole Miss -6, and the under. It started out at 57.5 and America hammered that into the ground. Now it’s down to 50.5.
– Arkansas at Ole Miss Game Preview, Prediction
Week 2 Final Thoughts, Investment Advice
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