Marquee Matchups & Odds Week 2 College Football
Marquee Matchups & Odds Week 2 College Football
by James Gunnar of King Sports Picks
№1 Alabama Crimson Tide at №17 Mississippi Rebels (+9.5)
Defending national champion Alabama (2–0 SU, 2–0 ATS) has made quick work of their two opponents to open the 2016 season. The Crimson Tide opened the year with a 52–6 shellacking of Southern California as a 13.5-point neutral-site favorite, then dumped Western Kentucky 38–10 laying 27 points on Saturday.
Mississippi (1–1 SU, 0–2 ATS) blew a big lead against Florida State in its opener, losing 45–34 as a 4-point neutral-site underdog. The Rebels then rolled past FCS foe Wofford 38–13 Saturday but failed to cover the large spread of -43.
Ole Miss dealt Alabama their only loss last year, 43–37 as a +9 point underdog.
“Alabama has looked like the better team so far this season but Ole Miss is not intimidated by Alabama. If the Rebels have moved on from their loss to Florida State then they understand that if they can beat Alabama then the entire SEC landscape and college football playoff will change”. — James Gunnar
№4 Ohio State Buckeyes at №14 Oklahoma Sooners (+2)
The Buckeyes are eager to get back to the National Championship and it’s evident by their play to start the season. They rolled Bowling Green 77–10 as a 27.5-point home favorites in Week 1 and then overpowered Tulsa 48–3 laying 28 points at home Saturday in the rain.
Oklahoma, like Ole Miss, was dealt a loss in week 1. The Sooners lost to Houston, 33–23, as -13 point favorites at a neutral site. Oklahoma took out its frustration on Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday with a 59–17 home victory, though the Sooners failed to cover the -46 point spread.
“This spread is most likely a different number if Oklahoma comes into this game (2–0). At home they most likely would be a small favorite so the biggest question is how do they respond vs the Buckeyes? Is Ohio State the real deal and did their season opening cupcakes prepare them for an Oklahoma team that has to be on a mission to redeem their season?” -George Hampton
№8 Michigan State at №18 Notre Dame (-7.5)
Michigan State (1–0) heads into South Bend after a week 2 BYE. They failed to cover the -37.5 point spread vs Wofford in week 1 and were not impressive in their 28–13 win. Notre Dame is more battle-tested, losing an overtime thriller at Texas 50–47 in its opener, then besting Nevada 39–10 Saturday as 27.5-point home chalk. They showed promise on Saturday bouncing back from a tough defeat in Texas.
“The BYE week could not have helped Michigan State as no team wants to take a week off after the first week of the season. Notre Dame should be charging into season form this weekend. If it weren’t for the Spartans opening week disappointment vs Wofford, this spread would not favor Notre Dame as much. However, we know the public loves to back the big programs and Notre Dame is no exception”. -Peter Trell
