2023 WEEK 2 NCAA FOOTBALL PICKS
Week 2 of the college football season is here and we finally get to see some of the more anticipated matchups of the early season. Sports Hub is right here with your Week 2 NCAA football picks as well as the best inside information in the industry. Our handicappers got off to a strong start and are prepared to deliver you another winning weekend of college football.
College football bettors and fans finally get a taste of elite football action when two of the top programs in the country – Alabama and Texas – meet at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Crimson Tide missed the CFP last year for just the second time since it was instituted in 2014. Head coach Nick Saban and company will face a Texas team that is one of the favorites to capture a conference title in its final year in the Big 12. The Longhorns will join the Tide in the SEC next year.
A number of other ranked teams are in action, which brings us to an early season betting trend that Sports Hub bettors can put to use. It involves unranked teams playing teams ranked No. 20 through No. 25 in the AP poll. You’ll want to target those unranked teams if they happen to be favored to win. Since 2014, such teams are 28-7 SU and they went 6-3 SU in 2022. Our handicappers will undoubtedly be on the lookout for such unranked teams as they make their Week 2 NCAA football picks.
FCS vs. FBS in Week 2
If you didn’t know, you probably figured out that a number of Power 5 teams will schedule games against lesser opponents. It’s simply a fact of life in college football. Teams do it because it gives them an easy win, or at least it’s supposed to. On the other end, many FBS teams will schedule teams from the FCS. Those teams are willing to play better competition because it will prepare them for their league schedules. The bigger reason though is the payday. FBS teams will often offer upwards of $1 million in compensation.
This week, there will be a number of Week 2 NCAA football picks involving FCS teams. Smart bettors will recognize the betting opportunities involving FCS vs. FBS teams. There are 118 such games this season (not all are in Week 2 obviously). Last season, there were 120 such games. FBS teams went 112-8. That’s a 93.3 percent winning percentage. If you’re looking for upsets, you’ll find them when Group of 5 teams are involved. Last year, seven of the eight losses were by Group of 5 teams. Five came from the MAC and Mountain West Conferences combined.
Week 2 NCAA Football Picks
Now that every FBS team has played at least one game, Sports Hub’s expert college football handicappers can add that to their collective tool belts and dial in Week 2 NCAA football picks. When you log into the Sports Hub member’s section, you will find hundreds of college football picks each week. You will see weekly free picks, premium service plays, computer picks, and there will be a consensus on the top games each week.
College football bettors looking to get a leg up on the competition will come back to Sports Hub each week for our Weekly Picks Page. This week, it’s Week 2 NCAA football picks and on the page you’ll find analysis of each week’s top games – Alabama-Texas this week, for example – odds, picks, betting tips, and much more.
We’ll also keep you updated on our top college football handicappers. A number of our Sports Hub experts focus on football and we’ll let you know who’s hot and who’s not.
Best Pick ATS
Notre Dame and NC State are used to meeting up, and there have been some classic battles throughout the years. Don’t expect that in this game, though, as Notre Dame has been putting on a clinic through the first two weeks.
NC State struggled to beat UConn in the season opener, and that defense gave up 160 rushing yards in that game. Notre Dame has a ton of weapons on offense, and they have also allowed just three points in each game.
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish -7.5
Best Moneyline Pick
Utah visits Baylor in what should be an interesting game, especially after what transpired in Week 1. The Utes picked up a 24-11 win over Florida, but Utah didn’t exactly play well on offense in that game.
Baylor is trying to bounce back after suffering a loss to Texas State, and you should expect to see a focused and determined team in this one. The Bears are going to put pressure on the Utah defense, but the Utes will survive and pick up a road win.
- Utah Utes -175
Best Total Pick
Looking at betting totals is another option when looking for the best NCAA Football picks Week 2, and the focus should be on the matchup between Ball State and Georgia. The Cardinals suffered a 44-14 loss to Kentucky in Week 1, while Georgia was dominant in their first game.
The over/under for this game is set at 53 total points, but the Bulldogs should score more points than that on their own. Even if Ball State doesn’t contribute on offense, taking the over is the play.
- Ball State/Georgia Over 53.0
Best Player Prop
Penn State hosts Delaware for a battle of 1-0 teams, but these teams are not equal. Penn State blew out West Virginia in the season opener, and it was quarterback Drew Allar that led the way.
There is a ton of hype surrounding Allar and his big arm, and he should be the focus on offense yet again in this one. Take the over 2.5 passing touchdowns, as Allar will have a second straight game with three touchdown passes.
- Drew Allar Over 2.5 Passing Touchdowns
Best Team Prop
North Carolina put up 437 yards of total offense in Week 1, but they only managed to score 31 points. The Tar Heels had a number of costly turnovers, but that won’t happen in Week 2 against Appalachian State.
The Mountaineers are a worthy opponent, and they will be looking to pull an upset in the NCAA Football Week 2 picks. Look for North Carolina to be explosive in this game, as they find the end zone at least five times.
- North Carolina Tar Heels Over 4.5 Touchdowns
Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Iowa State Cyclones
Iowa and Iowa State are set to meet up in Week 2, and this is always a huge rivalry matchup. Both teams were winners in Week 1, and it is Iowa that is a four-point betting favorite in this game.
You shouldn’t bet the spread in this game, though, as it always tends to come right down to the wire. Take the Iowa State Cyclones to pull off a slight upset in this game, as they are the home team.
- Iowa State Cyclones +145
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Washington Huskies
Wisconsin and Washington are set to meet up on Saturday in what will be a preview of a future Big Ten Conference matchup. Wisconsin wants to win this game by running the football, and Washington is a great defensive team.
The spread in this game is just four points, and it will be Wisconsin’s rushing attack that takes control of this game. Bet on the Badgers to not only win but to cover the spread in this game.
- Wisconsin Badgers -4.0
Texas A&M Aggies vs. Miami Hurricanes
Texas A&M visits Miami on Saturday, and the road team is a betting favorite in this matchup in this game. Both teams were dominant in Week 1, but it was the Hurricanes that played a better opponent.
Life on the road for Texas A&M won’t be too kind in this game, and that defense will be tested in a big way. Miami gets another massive win to begin the year and prove to everyone that they are back.
- Miami Hurricanes +135
Oregon Ducks vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Oregon hung 81 points in their first game of the year, and that offense can be explosive all season long. Texas Tech went on the road to Wyoming and suffered a bad loss in overtime.
These two teams now meet up, and it’s Oregon that is a 7.5-point betting favorite in this game. This won’t be close, as the Ducks are going to put on another show on offense.
- Oregon Ducks -7.5
Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Colorado Buffaloes
Colorado was a huge story in Week 1 as they went to TCU and picked up a shocking win. Nebraska also had a huge road win in Week 1, and these two rivals are now set to meet up for what should be a great game.
The Buffaloes are now favored by 3.5 points to win this game, but they aren’t going to have as much success on offense. Look for Nebraska to slow down the tempo in this game as they pull off an upset to slow down the momentum for Colorado.
- Nebraska Cornhuskers +125
Week 2 NCAA Football Picks Includes Big Showdown
Week 2 has a lot to offer college football bettors. The Alabama-Texas showdown gives us our first look at one of the top matchups of the season. There will be tons of hype surrounding the game since the Longhorns join the SEC next year and could play the Crimson Tide nearly every season.
How will Alabama’s offense adjust without QB Bryce Young? Is this the year that Steve Sarkisian and Texas turn the corner? These are just a few of the many questions the Week 2 of the CFB season has. The professionals here at Sports have the answers as well as the Week 2 NCAA football picks. Come back every week for more in-depth analysis.
Week 2 NCAA Football Picks FAQs
How can I identify upsets in Week 2?
There will be several opportunities for moneyline and point spread upsets in Week 2. We mentioned earlier that you should be on the lookout for unranked teams playing teams ranked No. 20 through No. 25 in the latest AP poll. These teams have won 28 of the last 35 such games, including 6 of 9 in 2022. Don’t blindly bet on this trend. Be sure to do your research and consult the experts at Sports Hub for the best Week 2 NCAA football picks.
Will a Week 2 loss ruin a team’s chances for the CFP?
Not necessarily. Through the nine years of the College Football Playoff so far, there have been several teams make the field with one loss. In fact, each of the nine seasons has featured at least one CFP semifinalist with one loss. There has never been a two-loss team qualify.
Can I bet on college football player props?
Yes, though you may be limited if you live in certain states in the United States. Among the Week 2 NCAA football picks from our handicappers will be several player props picks. Make sure you understand each bet before placing it. You can learn more about CFB player props by reading about them in the Sports Hub library.