College Football Best Bets Week 2

College Football Best Bets Week 2 

Texas at Alabama

When: Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 4pm Pacific

Location: Bryant Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Line: Alabama -7

Total/Over-Under: 54.5

This game could very well be a back and forth affair as Texas head coach Steve Sarkesian rolls into Alabama for the first time since leaving his post as Nick Saban’s assistant for the Crimson Tide a few years ago. I have respect for this Texas offense – Longhorn QB Quinn Ewers is legit and Alabama’s defense needs to be at the ready to absorb the offensive attack that will come from the Longhorns on Saturday.

All that said, Alabama QB Jalen Milroe could very well be the best athlete on the field in Tuscaloosa on Saturday. He can run and launch home run style passes downfield as well. Milroe is a true dual threat quarterback that reminds one of a mix of Donovan McNabb and Patrick Mahomes in terms of body frame and playing style. Alabama played a very vanilla offense last Saturday vs Middle Tennessee State but that won’t be the case in this matchup. Texas’ defense will be taxed facing this type of quarterback and an Alabama offensive line that has size and experience. So, here, give me Nick Saban over Steve Sarkesian every day of the week and twice on Sunday…or in this case, Saturday.

The Play: Alabama -7

Vanderbilt at Wake Forest

When: Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 8:00 AM Pacific

Location: Truist Field – Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Line: Wake Forest -10

Total/Over-Under: 55.5

The Demon Deacons of Wake Forest come into this game well rested after a Thursday night win against FCS level Elon, which served as a good tune up for Wake Forest. I do not have confidence in Vanderbilt’s defense, who gave up over 350 yards passing to Hawaii at home in Week Zero. It doesn’t bode well for Vandy as they take on a Wake Forest offense that is going to throw the ball early and often Saturday morning. Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson didn’t reveal a lot of the Demon Deacon offensive playbook in their aforementioned opener vs. Elon. The Demon Deacon offense actually let off of the gas a bit after getting a comfortable lead early in the game.

I think Wake Forest takes care of business at home where they hold a positive ATS record since 2021 and are 12-1 straight up in the same time frame.

The Play: Wake Forest -10

Additional College Football Week 2 Plays:

Appalachian State +18.5 

Notre Dame/NC State Over 51

Arizona +9.5

Jacksonville State +14.5