After a thrilling Week 1 of college football, we're ready to attack the Week 2 slate. We've deeply analyzed each game to bring you 2 college football best bets for Saturday, September 9.
One matchup pits two Top-25 teams and the other is a fierce in-state rivalry that's sure to be entertaining. Good luck with all your college football action in Week 2.
Best Bet: Tulane +7.5 over Ole Miss
The Rebels opened their 2023-2024 campaign with a cupcake of a home game last week. They hosted Mercer and were 35.5-point favorites. Shockingly, after an initial touchdown from Ole Miss, Mercer answered with a touchdown drive of their own to tie the game at 7-7.
However, the Rebels went on to score 66 unanswered points. Jaxson Dart was uber efficient and finished with 330 yards passing and 4 touchdowns without throwing a pick. His QBR was a whopping 257.6.
Spencer Sanders saw some time once the game got out of hand and was just as good, going 8-14 for 130 yards and 2 touchdowns. Sophomore, Quinshon Johnson led the way on the ground with 60 yards on just 13 carries.
Tre Harris was the man through the air as he went for 133 yards and 4 touchdowns on 6 receptions. Defensively, the Rebels held Mercer to 3-14 on 3rd down, forced 3 turnovers, and held them to just 235 total yards.
Tulane had a tougher opening matchup as they played host to the visiting Jaguars of South Alabama. As around a touchdown favorite, the Green Wave built a 14-point lead heading into the half and finished the Jags off, 37-17.
Michael Pratt, the Junior signal caller for Tulane was nearly perfect on the day. He finished 14-15 for just under 300 yards passing and 4 touchdowns.
Jha’Quan Jackson and Lawrence Keys combined for 7 receptions, 202 yards and 3 touchdowns. Tulane’s defense was extremely disruptive as they put Carter Bradley on his back 5 times for sacks and picked him off twice while also recovering 3 fumbles for a total of 5 turnovers.
Yes, Ole Miss was as dominate as possible last week but it was against Mercer. Here, they hit the road and face a very sneaky good Tulane team. The Tulane defense proved they can be a difference maker and were just that in their opener against South Alabama.
This will be a step up for both teams, but Tulane will have a packed house and a QB in Michael Pratt who is going to be playing with supreme confidence. We expect Tulane to hang in this one until the very end with the points making the difference here.
Key Betting Trends for Ole Miss at Tulane:
- Ole Miss is 1-3 ATS in their last 4 games.
- Ole Miss is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games.
- Tulane is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games.
- Tulane is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games played in September.
Best Bet: Iowa -3.5 over Iowa State
Iowa hosted the Aggies of Utah State last week and despite winning but just 10 points, the final score does not completely tell the story. Sure, the Hawkeyes did not cover the 24-point spread, but they led by 2 touchdowns for a high majority of the game.
Up 24-6 with under 2 minutes remaining, they allowed a trash Utah State touchdown. The Iowa defense was stout as they have been over the recent years, but the offense looked better than it has in the past.
Former Michigan QB, Cade McNamara looked solid in his 1st start in an Iowa uniform. Kaleb Johnson was strong on the ground as well finishing with 63 yards on 19 carries and 1 score.
Iowa State made short work of Northern Iowa in their opener. Leading 23-0 at the break, the Cyclones walked through the 2nd half en route to a 30-9 victory. That score covered the 7-point spread with ease.
Rocco Becht led the Cyclones with 10-13 for 113 yards and 2 touchdowns while adding another score on the ground. They held Northern Iowa to just 3 of 15 on 3rd down and picked up 5 sacks as well.
Iowa St struggled on 3rd down in their opener, going just 2 of 11 and finished with just 11 total 1st downs on the day. The 250 total yards they accumulated were not overly impressive as well. And that was against a weak Northern Iowa squad.
Now, they get big brother Iowa coming to town, and will have a much tougher defense. We believe the Hawkeye defense will have their way with the Cyclones and allow the offense to get optimal field position in which McNamara will be able to take advantage.
Key Betting Trends for Iowa at Iowa State:
- Iowa is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games.
- Iowa is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games on the road.
- Iowa St is 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games.
- Iowa St is 2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 games when playing as the underdog.
