We are back after a two-game sweep last week with two more bets for Friday, Sept. 6! SMU hosts BYU in what should be a game full of offense, and we will look at a couple of other games on this lighter schedule. Fewer games never mean less value, and we have identified two more must-plays to start Week 2 in college football. Here are top best college football expert picks for Week 2.
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College Football Expert Picks Today for Week 2: Friday, Sept. 6
Best Game: BYU-SMU | College Football Expert Picks Today
Both BYU and SMU amassed over 500 total yards in their dismantling of cupcakes. Now the focus is outdueling the opposing offense in what should be a track meet. SMU’s first go-around in the ACC features a tough non-conference game Friday night as it looks to keep its defensive prowess going this year. We are familiar with the offensive production: The Mustangs are scoring nearly 54 points per game during their nine-game home win streak. They will need solid play out of Preston Stone to outduel Jake Retzlaff. While this isn’t the biggest matchup, it’s the one to keep an eye on — especially in the first half.
The difference here will actually be how opportunistic the Mustangs defense can remain. For a team that moves the ball down the field and trades scoring with tempo, gaining any advantage with turnovers will crush BYU. The Mustangs are 24-12 as home favorites and are riding a comfortable home winning streak. That’s not coming by narrowly out-gaining opponents — it’s by playing aggressive defense. Anthony Booker won’t return one each week, but if SMU can force two turnovers, it will cover this spread.
SMU has covered seven straight home games as a non-conference favorite; we like this team to make it eight in a row.
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College Football Expert Pick for Week 2: SMU -11.5 (-110 at Caesars)
Best College Football Expert Pick: Northwestern -2.5 vs. Duke
Northwestern was one of our Week 1 cashes in the Discord and makes the cut for this week’s freebie. Things weren’t pretty on offense for Northwestern but good enough on defense. Lanny and Sharon Martin Lakeside Facility is the Wildcats’ temporary home, but it’s still a homefield advantage. Duke brings an active defense, along with newly transferred quarterback Maalik Murphy from Texas. The Wildcats offense will have to protect up front, and their defense will need to duplicate a similar performance as last week against Miami of Ohio.
Northwestern quarterback Mike Wright was hassled last week but still held his own in the pocket. His poise will be called upon again for Northwestern to win and cover this 2.5-point line. Manny Diaz and Duke will look to put pressure on Wright as soon as he drops back, which now puts the pressure back on David Braun and the rest of his coaching staff to game plan. The edge goes to Braun here, as Diaz is just 2-7 against the spread in his last nine non-conference games. He brings a 6-1 record against the spread in his last seven home games and will continue that trend against Duke.
Braun turned things around last year en route to a bowl game victory over Utah. Northwestern has shown its ability to handle adversity by not letting this mini stadium impact its game. In fact, the Wildcats are in a unique position to turn this small spot into a massive homefield advantage. It’s a 15,000 max capacity that captures every voice, amplifying the crowd. Far from Happy Valley or the Swamp, it’s still enough to provide a small edge at home.
Overblown is the notion that Manny Diaz’s time in the Big Ten somehow prepares him for this game against Northwestern. While he may have some familiarity with the school, he’s not getting the better of Braun head-to-head. This game comes down to protection. Wright will get protection up front, and the Duke defense will be relegated to playing on its heels. If not, Duke will roll.
This is a good spot here for Northwestern, as it has the talent up front to block, a quarterback smart enough to get the ball out fast and one of the most bizarre yet effective homefield advantages in the sport.
College Football Expert Pick for Week 2: Northwestern -2.5 (-110 at DraftKings)
