Week 1 gave us our first real look at the college football landscape, and now Week 2 gives us a chance to figure out what was real and what was noise.
There are rivalry games, major non-conference matchups, and several teams facing their first legitimate tests of the season.
I'm putting 10 of the week's most intriguing matchups under the microscope.
Here are my college football moneyline picks for Week 2, with more betting analysis available in our college football picks.
College football moneyline picks for Week 2
For help understanding Kalshi probabilities, please see our odds calculator.
| Matchup |  Probability |
|---|---|
 RUTG at  BC |
59% |
 MIZZ at  KU |
33% |
 OU at  MICH |
68% |
 WAKE at  PUR |
57% |
 ALA at  UK |
77% |
 MSST at  MINN |
51% |
 TENN at  GT |
81% |
 OSU at  TEX |
52% |
 ISU at  IOWA |
84% |
 MTST at  NEV |
57% |
Percentages courtesy of Kalshi, one of the best prediction market apps.
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Expert Week 2 CFB moneyline picks
Rutgers at Boston College: Boston College
Boston College wasn't clean against Cincinnati, turning it over four times and allowing four sacks, but Rutgers showed bigger problems in a 37-21 home loss to UMass. The Scarlet Knights were outrushed 200-27 and allowed UMass to control the ball for more than 36 minutes. At home, I'll trust BC to clean up the mistakes and win the line of scrimmage.
Missouri at Kansas: Kansas
I'm taking the home dog outright. Isaiah Marshall gave Kansas a different dimension in Week 1, throwing for 246 yards while adding 49 on the ground. Missouri is still without Ahmad Hardy, and Austin Simmons now makes his first road start in Lawrence. In a rivalry game where Missouri may struggle to create separation, I'll take my chances with Kansas.
Oklahoma at Michigan: Oklahoma
I like Michigan +5.5, but picking the outright winner is different. Oklahoma's defensive front is a brutal matchup for a Wolverines offense that couldn't establish the run against Western Michigan, while John Mateer accounted for 344 yards and three touchdowns against Michigan last season. I expect the Wolverines' defense to keep this close, but Oklahoma has the more trustworthy offense.
Wake Forest at Purdue: Wake Forest
This is one of the tougher calls on the board after both quarterbacks impressed in Week 1. Gio Lopez threw for 350 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, while Wake also got 105 rushing yards from Ty Clark III. Purdue can score with Ryan Browne, but I give Wake the slight edge because its offense showed more balance in the opener.
Alabama at Kentucky: Alabama
Kentucky impressed in Will Stein's debut, with Kenny Minchey throwing for 301 yards and four touchdowns, so I don't expect an easy trip to Lexington. But Alabama still has the higher ceiling on both lines of scrimmage, and Keelon Russell's ability to create with his legs gives Kentucky another problem to solve. The Tide may get pushed, but I trust them to survive.
Mississippi State at Minnesota: Mississippi State
Both teams dominated overmatched opponents in Week 1, so I'm careful not to overrate either box score. Mississippi State's 762 yards against ULM did show the ceiling of this offense, while the defense held the Warhawks to 3-for-16 on third down. Minnesota will make this much more physical, but I prefer the Bulldogs' offensive upside in a near coin-flip game.
Tennessee at Georgia Tech: Tennessee
Faizon Brandon looked comfortable in his Tennessee debut, accounting for five touchdowns, and now linebacker Arion Carter returns to a defense that produced 13 tackles for loss and seven sacks in Week 1. Georgia Tech managed only 51 rushing yards in its loss to Colorado. If the Yellow Jackets can't stay ahead of the chains, Tennessee's pressure should take over.
Ohio State at Texas: Texas
Texas outgained Ohio State 336-203 last season and still lost 14-7 after going 1-for-5 on fourth down and 0-for-2 in the red zone. Now, that Buckeyes defense has only three returning starters, while Arch Manning opened 2026 with 305 yards and four touchdowns. With the rematch in Austin, I'm backing Texas to finish the drives it couldn't a year ago.
Iowa State at Iowa: Iowa
I'm not laying a big number in this rivalry, but I trust Iowa more to win it. The Hawkeyes rushed for 298 yards while piling up 507 total yards against Northern Illinois, and that physical advantage matters against a rebuilt Iowa State roster. The Cyclones have won three of the last four meetings, so I'm expecting another fight, just with Iowa surviving at home.
Montana State at Nevada: Montana State
Nevada deserves respect after rushing for 323 yards in its 49-14 win over Western Kentucky, but Montana State isn't a typical FCS visitor. The defending national champions have won 16 straight and opened 2026 with 105 points across two wins. Nevada's Week 1 performance makes this dangerous, but I'll trust Montana State's continuity and physicality to travel.
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