College Football Predictions and Wagers for Week 2, Advised by Matt Youmans
In the world of college football, rosters are shaping up for an exciting season ahead. Here's a look at some of the key developments and upcoming games to watch.
Oklahoma bolsters its roster with the addition of John Mateer, a junior transfer from Washington State, and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle. Meanwhile, Michigan, fresh off its 2023 national championship season, has seen a significant shakeup. Coach Jim Harbaugh and several star players have moved on to the NFL, leaving a gaping hole for the Wolverines.
One player looking to fill that void is Michigan freshman Bryce Underwood, who will make his first road start today against Oklahoma. Underwood, who has been making headlines with his NIL deals, will face off against a Sooners team that allowed only eight first downs and 151 total yards in a 35-3 victory over Illinois State in its last game.
Elsewhere, Tennessee transfer quarterback Nico Iamaleava will play for UCLA in their next game. However, the Bruins are coming off a loss to Utah, with a score of 43-10. UCLA will face UNLV in that game, and the best bet for that matchup is UNLV +3 (-135).
UNLV, who needed a comeback to beat Idaho State before handling Sam Houston on the road, will be looking to upset the Bruins. On the other hand, Duke quarterback Darian Mensah, a Tulane transfer, will look to continue his impressive form against Illinois. Mensah passed for 389 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-17 victory over Elon last week, but Duke represents a big step up for him and the Blue Devils compared to Elon. Despite this, they are favored by +3 against Illinois.
Mississippi State quarterback Blake Shapen will start today's game against Arizona State. The Sun Devils will be missing running back Cam Skattebo, who is now with the New York Giants. Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt and receiver Jordyn Tyson will play in today's game, and the best bet for the Arizona State vs Mississippi State game is Mississippi State +6.5.
Finally, Illinois, a 10-win team with 19 returning starters, has been criticised for taking advantage of a soft schedule and being overrated. Regardless, they will be looking to prove their critics wrong in their upcoming games.
Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as the college football season continues to unfold!
