College football’s opening jitters are gone, and Week 2 is where the real fireworks begin. Ranked heavyweights look to assert dominance, underdogs dream of chaos, and bettors everywhere are scanning the board for value.
It’s wall-to-wall action, and we’ve got ChatGPT in the war room. The generative AI chatbot has crunched the odds, sized up the matchups, and is dropping fearless NCAAF picks and analysis for every Week 1 game featuring an AP Top 25 team.
Strap in. It’s gonna get wild.
NCAAF Week 2 moneyline picks
| Matchup | Pick |
|---|---|
 San Jose State vs No. 7  Texas |
NA |
 Florida International vs No. 2  Penn State |
NA |
No. 12  Illinois vs  Duke |
-146 |
 Baylor vs No. 17  SMU |
-130 |
 Kennesaw State vs No. 23  Indiana |
NA |
 Iowa vs No. 22  Iowa State |
-142 |
 Kent State vs No. 24  Texas Tech |
NA |
 Utah State vs. No. 19  Texas A&M |
-10000 |
 Grambling vs No. 1  Ohio State |
NA |
 Troy vs No. 8  Clemson |
NA |
 Austin Peay vs No. 5  Georgia |
NA |
 Oklahoma State vs. No. 6  Oregon |
-7000 |
No. 21  Mississippi vs  Kentucky |
-365 |
 East Tennessee State vs No. 24  Tennessee |
NA |
 South Florida vs No. 13  Florida |
-850 |
 Bethune-Cookman vs. No. 5  Miami |
NA |
 South Carolina State vs. No. 10  South Carolina |
NA |
 Louisiana Tech vs No. 3  LSU |
NA |
No. 12 Arizona State vs  Mississippi State |
-235 |
No. 15  Michigan vs No. 18  Oklahoma |
-188 |
 UL Monroe vs No. 21  Alabama |
NA |
Odds courtesy of FanDuel as of 9-3. ChatGPT went 18-4 in Week 1.
San Jose State vs No. 7 Texas
Moneyline prediction: Texas
Odds: Texas is a 36.5-point favorite; the total is 51.5.
Texas is looming large, trying to shake off a Week 1 loss to Ohio State, while San Jose State scraped by Central Michigan in a nerve‑wracking opener. It’s hard to sense value in fading the Longhorns, except maybe in against‑the‑spread parlays. But for a straight‑up bet, Texas has the star power, elite defense, and home turf. Expect a bounce‑back blowout here.
Florida International vs No. 2 Penn State
Moneyline prediction: Penn State
Odds: Penn State is a 41.5-point favorite; the total is 54.5.
Penn State heads into Week 2 with the nation’s No. 2 ranking and zero interest in messing around. A whopping 41.5-point spread underscores how lopsided this looks on paper. Betting on Florida International to make a dent in this one just feels like a major grasp. Penn State’s got the depth, coaching, and confidence to dominate from whistle to whistle. No drama here — Nittany Lions roll.
No. 12 Illinois vs Duke
Moneyline prediction: Illinois (-146)
Odds: Illinois is a 2.5-point favorite; the total is 49.5.
This is a sneaky coin-flip profile that pits Illinois’ efficiency against Duke’s vertical juice. The Illini throttled Western Illinois 52–3 in the opener, with Luke Altmyer a sharp 17-of-21 for 217 yards and 3 TD, Hank Beatty posting 108 receiving yards plus a 69-yard punt-return TD, and edge Gabe Jacas wreaking havoc (2.0 sacks, FF).
Duke answered by burying Elon 45–17 behind transfer QB Darian Mensah (ex-Tulane), who debuted at 27-for-34, 389 yards, 3 TD, repeatedly striking Cooper Barkate and Sahmir Hagans.
This game is essentially even, and it’s Illinois’ first road trip—always an execution test. From a market standpoint, FanDuel has Illinois modestly favored, reflecting wider trust in Illinois’ defense/special teams baseline and Altmyer’s low-mistake profile after a turnover-free Week 1. Duke’s passing ceiling with Mensah is very real, but Illinois’ front should pressure enough to keep explosive plays in front and leverage hidden yardage on specials. In a tight one, I’ll side with the team that can win field position and red-zone downs.
Baylor vs No. 17 SMU
Moneyline prediction: SMU (-130)
Odds: SMU is a 2.5-point favorite; the total is 65.5.
SMU is a small favorite at home, with a 2.5‑point spread. They look more dynamic through the air, while Baylor’s offense is still finding its rhythm. SMU had the sharper look in its Week 1 performance and returns to a sliver of a line. I'll back SMU to edge it in a close one.
Kennesaw State vs No. 23 Indiana
Moneyline prediction: Indiana
Odds: Indiana is a 35.5-point favorite; the total is 52.5.
Kennesaw State is FCS-level, and even Indiana’s a bit raw. Still, elite programs shouldn't get sloppy. I’d expect Indiana to win comfortably, but no ML posted means I can’t quote exact odds. I’m taking the Hoosiers to win, likely in blowout fashion.
Iowa vs No. 22 Iowa State
Moneyline prediction: Iowa State (-142)
Odds: Iowa State is a 2.5-point favorite; the total is 41.5.
El Assico is back, and Iowa State is the narrow favorite at home. Iowa ran roughshod on Albany, especially on the ground, though passing was shaky. But Iowa State’s offense looks smoother, making this their game to lose. I’ll take ISU to win a knock‑down, drag‑out rivalry in Ames.
Kent State vs No. 24 Texas Tech
Moneyline prediction: Texas Tech
Odds: Texas Tech is a 48.5-point favorite; the total is 58.5.
Kent State just doesn’t match up athletically or schematically. It may be ugly early. Mark it down: Tech cruises.
Utah State vs No. 19 Texas A&M
Moneyline prediction: Texas A&M
Odds: Texas A&M is a 31.5-point favorite; the total is 54.5.
Texas A&M steamrolled in Week 1 and come home with serious fire. Utah State is talented, but this isn’t a thriller: A&M dominates and hits the ML in a rout.
Grambling vs No. 1 Ohio State
Moneyline prediction: Ohio State
Odds: NA
No spread or ML published yet, but pro tip — you're not fading Ohio State. The FPI projects a 58‑point win. Just a formality. Buckeyes win.
Troy vs No. 8 Clemson
Moneyline prediction: Clemson
Odds: Clemson is a 33.5-point favorite; the total is 51.5.
Clemson is firmly in control at home by a big number. Troy is feisty, but the Clemson machine should roll. ML not listed, but it's a no‑brainer.
Austin Peay vs No. 5 Georgia
Moneyline prediction: Georgia
Odds: NA
Georgia is a national powerhouse, and you don’t need lines to know who wins. FPI projects >99% odds in their favor. Expect a textbook shutout.
Oklahoma State vs No. 6 Oregon
Moneyline prediction: Oregon
Odds: Oregon is a 28.5-point favorite; the total is 57.5.
Oregon opens as nearly a 30‑point favorite at home. OSU is solid, but the Ducks spread the field with speed and space. Ducks cover and win on ML.
No. 20 Mississippi vs Kentucky
Moneyline prediction: Mississippi
Odds: Mississippi is a 10.5-point favorite; the total is 50.5.
Mississippi enters hot after a 63–7 blowout and is a 10.5‑point favorite. Kentucky’s defense is stout, but this is revenge tour time in Oxford. Speed and offense still tilt toward the Rebels. I like Mississippi to win, likely covering.
East Tennessee State vs No. 24 Tennessee
Moneyline prediction: Tennessee
Odds: NA
No line, but Tennessee is the ranked, tousle‑headed SEC beast here. ETSU simply doesn’t own enough firepower. Go Vols.
South Florida vs No. 13 Florida
Moneyline prediction: Florida
Odds: Florida is a 17.5-point favorite; the total is 55.5.
No betting board in sight, but Florida’s ranked while USF is not. Florida wins, and you'd bet them if lines appeared.
Bethune-Cookman vs No. 5 Miami
Moneyline prediction: Miami
Odds: NA
Indications are that Miami is nationally formidable, just not enough public data yet. It’s a breeze, B‑C doesn’t match Miami’s firepower.
South Carolina State vs No. 10 South Carolina
Moneyline prediction: South Carolina
Odds: NA
Gamecocks. No further explanation needed.
Louisiana Tech vs No. 3 LSU
Moneyline prediction: LSU
Odds: LSU is a 37.5.-point favorite; the total is 51.5.
No line published, but the Tigers are historically dominant. Louisiana Tech has toughness, but LSU is on another level. Tigers win.
No. 12 Arizona State vs Mississippi State
Moneyline prediction: Arizona State (-235)
Odds: Arizona State is a 6.5-point favorite; the total is 58.5.
Sun Devils ranked, Mississippi State not. ASU has more national gravitas. Lean Sun Devils to win.
No. 15 Michigan vs No. 18 Oklahoma
Moneyline prediction: Oklahoma (-188)
Odds: Oklahoma is a 5.5-point favorite; the total is 45.5.
The only ranked-vs-ranked tilt of Week 2 brings freshman star Bryce Underwood into Norman for his first road start. He was composed in his debut (21-of-31, 251 yards, 1 TD), while Justice Haynes powered Michigan with 159 yards and three scores in a 34–17 win over New Mexico; the defense grabbed three interceptions.
Oklahoma counters with transfer QB John Mateer (ex-Washington State), who detonated in his Sooners debut: 30-of-37 for 392 yards, three TD, and a rushing TD.
The environment matters: ABC primetime in Norman, and Brent Venables’ defense will test a young QB’s protections and cadence more than New Mexico did. Schematic note: Michigan OC Chip Lindsey leaned play-action and quick game in Week 1; expect early, easy throws for Underwood and run-game sequencing to blunt OU’s rush.
Given the venue edge and proven QB explosiveness, pick Oklahoma.
UL Monroe vs No. 21 Alabama
Moneyline prediction: Alabama
Odds: Alabama is a 36.5-point favorite; the total is 50.5.
Alabama is set to dominate ULM — a 36.5‑point margin was their pregame number. Tide wins and likely covers emphatically.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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