Week 2 features two interesting sequels, and they involve Texas schools taking the show on the road.
No. 11 Texas travels to No. 3 Alabama in the ABC prime-time game of the week. The Longhorns lost 20-19 last season in a thriller where Quinn Ewers exited early. This also will be the first close-up for Jalen Milroe since starting against Texas A&M last year.
Speaking of No. 23 Texas A&M, the Aggies travel to Miami for a rematch of last year's game. That's a tone-setter for both teams, and we'll find out if Conner Weigman's hot start with new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino is for real. So far, so good for Jimbo Fisher. Will Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes respond with an upset?
The only other matchup between ranked teams on the schedule features No. 20 Ole Miss and No. 24 Tulane. Week 2 features 16 games involving teams ranked in the AP Top 25. Seven of those games feature ranked teams that are road favorites, and those are among the tricky picks this week.
MORE: SN ranks 'em all from No. 1 (Georgia) to No. 133 (Arkansas State)
Here is a look at our track record for the 2023 season. Week 1 was a tough start to the season. Can we blame Penn State's James Franklin?
- Straight up: 17-4 (15-4 in Week 1)
- ATS: 8-13 (6-13 in Week 1)
Here are our picks against the spread for Week 2 (Odds courtesy of BetMGM.com):
WEEK 1 OVERREACTIONS: Pac-12 QBs, Ohio State's slow start, Travis Hunter
Week 2 Top 25 picks against the spread
Saturday, Sept. 9
- Ball State at No. 1 Georgia (-42.5) (12 p.m., SEC Network)
Who made Ball State's schedule? The Cardinals lost 44-14 to Kentucky in Week 1 and now face the two-time defending national champions. Georgia's last MAC opponent – Kent State – hung around in a 39-22 loss last season. Chances are Kirby Smart uses that to keep the Bulldogs on task. If you think the Cardinals can score 10 points, then pick Ball State on the cover. We are on the fence.
Pick: Georgia wins 52-10 and FAILS TO COVER the spread.
- No. 10 Notre Dame (-7.5) at NC State (12 p.m., ABC)
The Irish face a tricky first road test against an NC State team that was clearly looking ahead in a 24-14 victory at UConn. Sam Hartman has three career starts against NC State, and he's thrown six picks in the last two games. This time, he will have the benefit of a stronger running game and defense. NC State plays tough in the first half, but the Irish tack on a late field goal for a double-digit victory.
Pick: Notre Dame wins 31-21 and COVERS the spread.
- Nebraska at No. 22 Colorado (-3) (12 p.m., Fox)
The Buffaloes are ranked after one week with first-year coach Deion Sanders, and now the challenge will be handling the hype within a classic rivalry matchup with Nebraska. Matt Rhule lost his debut in a 13-10 heart-breaker. The difference in this game? Colorado is further along on offense with Shedeur Sanders, who leads a late TD drive in another fantastic finish. Who had the Buffaloes at 2-0?
Pick: Colorado wins 34-30 and COVERS the spread.
HEISMAN WATCH: A pair of Colorado players jump into the fray
- No. 12 Utah (-7.5) at Baylor (12 p.m., ESPN)
This is another line where we're on Cam Rising watch. Will the Utah quarterback make his return from a torn ACL? Will Kyle Whittingham turn him loose against a Baylor defense that allowed 441 total yards to Texas State? Baylor will be in desperation mode at home. Still, with Blake Shapen out for the next three weeks, the Bears might be in trouble.
Pick: Utah wins 33-21 and COVERS the spread.
- Troy at No. 15 Kansas State (-15.5) (12 p.m., FS1)
The Wildcats get a tough home game against Troy, which has not played against a Power 5 opponent under second-year coach Jon Sumrall since the opener against Ole Miss last season. Troy running back Kimani Vidal rushed for 248 yards in the opener. The yardage will be tougher against a disciplined Wildcats' defense. Troy will be a trendy upset pick, and Kansas State will see it coming.
Pick: Kansas State wins 31-17 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
- UNLV at No. 2 Michigan (-35.5) (12 p.m., CBS)
Michigan had virtually the same spread last week but cruised in the second half against East Carolina. UNLV opened the Barry Odom era with a victory in Week 1, but they also allowed 409 total yards to Bryant. Look for the Wolverines to get the ground game going against the Rebels with Jay Harbaugh and Mike Hart splitting coaching duties this week.
Pick: Michigan wins 49-10 and COVERS the spread.
- No. 20 Ole Miss (-7.5) at No. 24 Tulane (3:30 p.m., ESPN2)
This has to be the biggest regular season game in recent memory for Tulane, which features an NFL-caliber quarterback in Michael Pratt and has a nasty defense that can stop the run. This is the high point of the season – and the crowd will be jacked up. The problem is Lane Kiffin will be happy to play villain with an offense that put up 73 points last week. That rushing attack with Quinshon Judkins will wear on the Green Wave. Ole Miss is 6-4 ATS as a road underdog under Kiffin. If this climbs another half-point, then consider taking Tulane.
Pick: Ole Miss wins 34-24 and COVERS the spread
- No. 23 Texas A&M (-4.5) at Miami (3:30 p.m., ABC)
The line is slim enough that it's OK to go with the Aggies if you believe they can go to Hard Rock Stadium and beat an improved Miami team. Texas A&M won 17-9 last season in a mistake-filled game for both teams. Weigman and Petrino appear to be a good match, and the line has dropped a few points. While that suggests faith in the Hurricanes, we'll stick with Texas A&M. Miami was 0-2 ATS as a home underdog last season.
Pick: Texas A&M wins 31-24 and COVERS the spread.
- Tulsa at No. 8 Washington (-34.5) (5 p.m., Pac-12 Network)
Washington covered the spread in Week 1, and Michael Penix is operating at a Heisman Trophy level with the Huskies' high level of skill-position talent. Tulsa won in Kevin Wilson's debut. Quarterback Cardell Williams threw three TD passes and Jordan Ford rushed for 110 yards for the Golden Hurricane. Maybe Washington peeks ahead to Michigan State just enough for Tulsa to cover.
Pick: Washington wins 52-21 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
- Appalachian State at No. 17 North Carolina (-17.5) (5:15 p.m., ACC Network)
North Carolina brought the defense in an impressive 31-17 victory against South Carolina, and Drake Maye is as advertised. The Tar Heels and Mountaineers played in 2019 and 2022, and those games were decided by a combined total of five points. Junior Joey Aguilar passed for four TDs in his first start for Appalachian State. This one will get up and down just like last year, but North Carolina will be in a little more control.
Pick: North Carolina wins 42-31 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
- SMU at No. 18 Oklahoma (-16.5) (6p.m., ACC Network)
This is the first meeting between these teams since 1995. Oklahoma scored 73 points in the opener, and the combination of a healthy Dillon Gabriel and a renovated defense looks good for Brent Venables so far. SMU quarterback Preston Stone looked good for Rhett Lashlee. The Mustangs are improved. SMU only had two losses by 17 or more points last season – and those games were against UCF and Tulane. How long can they hang with the Sooners?
Pick: Oklahoma wins 45-24 and COVERS the spread.
- No. 11 Texas at No. 3 Alabama (-7.5) (7 p.m., ABC)
We all remember what happened last year, and this is indeed a tremendous opportunity for Texas to announce its return to the national stage. Ewers has to be better on the deep ball against an Alabama secondary that features freshman Caleb Downs. The Longhorns' defense must take the show on the road. Milroe will come to focus in another prime-time spotlight start, and he flashed some dynamic play-making skills in the opener. Look for Nick Saban to remind the college football world that the Crimson Tide aren't going anywhere just yet.
Pick: Alabama wins 38-28 and COVERS the spread
- No. 13 Oregon (-6.5) at Texas Tech (7 p.m., Fox)
Texas Tech, like Baylor, will be in survival mode after a shocking upset loss to Wyoming on the road in Week 1. Oregon is coming off scoring 81 points, however, and Bo Nix had consistent home-and-road splits last season. He will benefit from a multi-faceted running game led by Bucky Irving on the road. If the Red Raiders let the Ducks get ahead early, then it could be trouble.
Pick: Oregon wins 37-30 and COVERS the spread
- No. 19 Wisconsin (-6.5) at Washington State (7:30 p.m., ABC)
Washington State pulled this upset last year, and the Badgers are 1-3 in their last four road games against Pac-12 schools since 2000. Which tempo wins? Luke Fickell's ground-heavy rushing attack with Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi? Or will Cam Ward allow the Cougars to dictate the tempo with a high-octane passing attack?
Pick: Wisconsin wins 29-27 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
- Southern Miss at No. 4 Florida State (-31) (8:30 p.m., ACC Network)
This line has jumped 1.5 points from its open. The Golden Eagles are heavy underdogs, and the Seminoles are coming off a huge victory against LSU. There is a small risk for an emotional letdown, and Southern Miss features Frank Gore Jr. – who knows all about Florida State. The Seminoles will get to 40 points, but the Golden Eagles will move the ball enough to cover if quarterback Billy Wiles stays does not turn the ball over.
Pick: Florida State wins 41-16 but FAILS TO COVER the spread
MORE: How Florida State's rout of LSU affects College Football Playoff
- Stanford at No. 6 USC (-29.5) (10:30 p.m., Fox)
Another absurd spread for USC in a game we finally get to see Caleb Williams on a major network. The Trojans' offense is averaging 61 points per game, but Stanford has improved under first-year coach Troy Taylor. Hawaii quarterback Brayden Schager passed for 355 yards and three TDs last week against the Cardinal, and Williams could top 400 passing yards with ease. Still, if USC covers then that means it would be their largest blowout in the series since a 42-0 victory in 2006.
Pick: USC wins 49-21 but FAILS TO COVER the spread
