College Football Picks Against the Spread: Expert Betting Predictions for Week 2

Mike's Week 2 college football betting picks against the spread for Saturday, September 6, 2025. Free CFB betting predictions, odds analysis & ATS picks from RotoBaller.

It was a fun time in Week 1. We let the NFL have Thursday this week, which means a huge Saturday for real football. There are 79 games on Saturday, but only 48 of those are FBS vs. FBS games.

Most of the games between FCS and FBS schools aren't even on the major sportsbooks. Some sites will create a line for you if you ask, but it most certainly won't favor you. Since those are off the books anyway, I won't pick them, either. I have to draw the line somewhere.

We won't complain about those things. There are a lot of great matchups in Week 2, even if it lacks the star power of Week 1! We'll take a look at Week 2 of the 2025 season against the spread.

CFB Betting Picks for Week 2 (9/6/25)

I will pick every college football game every week. Not a top five. Not a top 10. All of them. Big deal, right? Lots of people make picks. Well, I do them all against the spread. I take the odds of each game and average them out at all the Vegas casinos and round to the nearest half. There will be no ties here. Ties are for the other (European) football.

I feel like you need to know who you're listening to. I've been doing this since 2014, and I have most of my record available for viewing here. This can help you know which teams I usually pick right or wrong, as the case may be.

Florida International at (2) Penn State (-41.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2

I'm a little surprised that this is lower than the Nevada line. I still don't think Penn State has any interest in covering. This is a glorified practice.

Pick: Florida International +41.5

San Jose State at (7) Texas (-36.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2

We get to find out how good Arch Manning can be here. San Jose played solid defense against a bad Central Michigan team and still lost. It's going to get real for the Spartans in Austin.

Pick: Texas -36.5

(11) Illinois (-2.5) at Duke

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3

This has become a very trendy upset pick in betting circles. So much so that the line has dropped under three points. I don't get it. Illinois returns most of its run game and Luke Altmyer. Duke has a new QB and a new run game. I think Duke stays close, but Illinois still wins.

Pick: Illinois -2.5

Iowa at (16) Iowa State (-3.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 5

Today I learned, may be the best rivalry name in college football.

"El Assico" pic.twitter.com/XzgXenZRxb

— Jim Graham 🏈💻🌮 (@bigjim) September 4, 2025

Welcome to ¡El Assico! It's a wondrous place full of punts and fumbles. Touchdowns are unicorns, and mistakes are pennies. The last time either team scored over 30 in this game was 2017. In each of the last three years and five of the last six, there have been more punts than scoring drives.

Iowa State's Kyle Konrardy hit a 63-yard field goal last week, so he's ready to be the MVP of ¡El Assico! Iowa State targeted its tight ends 20 times last week. The Cyclones are prepared to out-Iowa Iowa.

The road team has won five straight in this series. The last time the Cyclones beat Iowa at home was in 2011. That trend reverses this year. It's impossible for either team to blow the other out, but I think the Cyclones win by six or seven.

Pick: Iowa State -3.5

Baylor at (17) SMU (-2.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 4

Baylor got blown out at home by Auburn. It's no use mentioning last year's record because Auburn isn't remotely similar to what was on the field. That said, Baylor is...and Auburn ran for 304 yards on them. This is too low.

Pick: SMU -2.5

Kennesaw State at (23) Indiana (-35.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3

Kennesaw held Wake Forest to 10 points last week. Maybe Wake's offense really is that bad without Demond Claiborne. I'll admit to that. However, Indiana struggled with Old Dominion last week. This feels high.

Pick: Kennesaw State +35.5

Kent State at (24) Texas Tech (-48.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1

Hey! Kent just ended a 21-game losing streak! Show some respect! Another losing streak starts here, but I also think Tech holds out Behren Morton and plays the backups more than usual since the Red Raiders are already down QB1 and RB1 before the season is two weeks old.

Pick: Kent State +48.5

Virginia at North Carolina State (-3.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 4

Cam Ross is going to be fun to watch in the ACC opener this weekend.

124 receiving yards, TD, 17.7 YPC this past weekend + 100 yard kickoff return = 224 all purpose yards.

Going to be one of Chandler Morris’s favorite targets.

UVA got some playmakers. pic.twitter.com/11UtxlyPG9

— Garrett Armbrust (@4thandsaturday) September 3, 2025

The juice goes up with that half. I have only seen one site (FanDuel) offering anything but -3. I still like Virginia outright.

Cam Ross came up with some big plays, and Chandler Morris is expected to play. The Pack struggled with East Carolina's passing game. While Katin Houser is good, I tend to think Chandler Morris is better.

Pick: Virginia +3.5

Central Michigan at Pittsburgh (-22.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2

If Central Michigan starts Angel Flores, I may rethink this. I still think Joe Labas is a liability.

Pick: Pittsburgh -22.5

Connecticut at Syracuse (-6.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1

This line opened a couple of points higher, but I see why it dropped. Syracuse is talented, but young. UConn returns the starting QB (Joe Fagnano), RB (Cam Edwards), and leading receiver (Skyler Bell) from last year.

I expect a close game, but I'm not happy that this dropped below a touchdown. Give me UConn, but I'm leaving this alone. I have a sinking feeling Syracuse wins by seven.

Pick: Connecticut +6.5

Liberty (-6.5) at Jacksonville State

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2

Ethan Vasko looked good for the Flames in the opener, but this is going to be a tough road game. I'll take Liberty, but I'm not going nuts on this one.

Pick: Liberty -6.5

Utah State at (19) Texas A&M (-31.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2

The Aggies couldn't cover UTSA by this. Is Utah State better than UTSA? No, but they could be close. The Texas Aggies win the Aggie war, but I don't think they win by this much.

Pick: Utah State +31.5

Oklahoma State at (6) Oregon (-27.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3

Oklahoma State is a shadow of the team it was just two or three years ago. This feels low.

Pick: Oregon -27.5

Troy at (8) Clemson (-30.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2

Troy is not a good team, and Clemson wants to get right here. The Tigers pour it on.

Pick: Clemson -30.5

(20) Mississippi (-8.5) at Kentucky

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 5

KENTUCKY TAKES THE LEAD OVER NO. 6 OLE MISS WITH UNDER 3 MINUTES LEFT 😱

📺 ABC/ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/FZbE71UTQR

— ESPN (@espn) September 28, 2024

This play kept Mississippi out of the College Football Playoff last year. They have been stewing on it since, and Lane Kiffin spent all day on December 20 last year complaining that the Rebels should have been in. This is going to be revenge. Mississippi wins by triple this line.

Pick: Mississippi -8.5

Kansas at Missouri (-6.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 4

If it is true that Missouri ducked Kansas, then Missouri should be forced to give up the Indian War Drum to the Jayhawks @SickosCommittee pic.twitter.com/b4GBfw5tOl

— Tripp Upton (@tripp_upton) December 2, 2022

The ducking is over. This is the first meeting of the Border War since Missouri fled the Big 12 in 2011. Jalon Daniels is the best player on the field, and it's not close. Kansas reclaims the Indian War Drum for the first time since 2008.

Pick: Kansas +6.5

Miami (OH) at Rutgers (-15.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3

Hanging with Wisconsin is one thing. Hanging with a Rutgers team that can actually move the football is another. This is too low.

Pick: Rutgers -15.5

Fresno State at Oregon State (-2.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2

The Beavs got smoked by a true freshman quarterback last week. I haven't been that impressed with E.J. Warner yet, but it wasn't all Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. Cal did what they wanted on offense most of the game. With the strength of Fresno's rushing attack, I'm not sure the Beavers survive this either.

Pick: Fresno State +2.5

Bowling Green at Cincinnati (-22.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3

I'm not that confident in Cincinnati's offense, but Bowling Green may not score.

Pick: Cincinnati -22.5

Delaware at Colorado (-23.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3

The Blue Hens start in Folsom Field for their first FBS opponent as an FBS team. Ouch.

Pick: Colorado -23.5

Texas State at UTSA (-3.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 4

The Battle of I-35 is very heated. UTSA is also very good at home. Strange things happen in rivalry games, but this number isn't high enough to chase me off. Meep meep!

Pick: UTSA -3.5

UAB at Navy (-20.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2

Navy isn't built to cover spreads like this, but the Blazers almost lost to Alabama State last week.

Pick: Navy -20.5

North Texas (-9.5) at Western Michigan

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3

Drew Mestemaker had not started a game at QB since FR year of High School before the First Responders Bowl.

Since then in 2 games he has:

- 722 passing yards
- 5 passing TDs
- 2 rushing TDs + 85 rushing yards
- 74.5 QBR

This is what CFB is all about. pic.twitter.com/susyWGRP1v

— Garrett Armbrust (@4thandsaturday) September 2, 2025

Drew Mestemaker looked really good last week, proving that his performance in the First Responder Bowl wasn't a fluke. The defense is a problem, but I'm not sure the Broncos can move the ball with any consistency.

Pick: North Texas -9.5

Middle Tennessee State at Wisconsin (-28.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2

What a horrible line. Wisconsin couldn't move the ball with any consistency last week, but the Blue Raiders got blasted by Austin Peay. The Badgers should be able to hand off 60 times and cover.

Pick: Wisconsin -28.5

West Virginia (-3.5) at Ohio

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 4

@OhioFootball Parker Navarro week one: 21/31, 239 yds, 3 TDS + MAC offensive player of the week 🔥 pic.twitter.com/TeFVRVhBLK

— Stephen Koroly (@stephen_koroly) September 3, 2025

I still like Ohio outright. I was impressed with how they played on the road at Piscataway in Week 1. Rutgers is solidly in the middle of the Big Ten (18).

Pick: Ohio +3.5

South Florida at (13) Florida (-17.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3

Byrum Brown is reminding the country that he’s one of the most electric QBs in college football. Forced 48 missed tackles and had 31 runs of 10+ yards two years ago for South Florida. pic.twitter.com/kqEnYgkFtd

— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) August 28, 2025

Do you want to hear an alarming stat? Long Island had TEN tackles for loss in the first half against Florida. With the way USF's defensive line chewed up Boise's offensive line, I can see them wreaking havoc on Florida as well. I know that Florida is good, but South Florida might be the best Group of 5 team. This is too many.

Pick: South Florida +17.5

Arkansas State at Arkansas (-23.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3

They’ve been playing football for over a combined 200 years, but they’ve never played each other… until this week.

Arkansas vs Arkansas State at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. pic.twitter.com/JihUmBpmfR

— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) September 1, 2025

Well, it's about damn time! That still doesn't mean this will be a good game.

Pick: Arkansas -23.5

Missouri State at Marshall (-8.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3

I know that Marshall doesn't have much left, but the Bears don't have anything at all. This feels low.

Pick: Marshall -8.5

North Carolina (-13.5) at Charlotte

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2

It's in an NFL Stadium, so Bill Belichick should feel at home in this one. I'm not really confident in the Tar Heel offense, so I'm not laying much on this.

Pick: North Carolina -13.5

Army at Kansas State (-17.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1

Army lost to Tarleton State in double overtime last week. Kansas nearly lost to North Dakota (not the good team in the state, mind you) at home last week. I have little confidence in the Wildcats. Tarleton pushed Army around. I don't know that K-State is strong enough to do that.

This feels like another trap for K-State, and I think the loss to Tarleton lit a fire under Army. This is too many.

Pick: Army +17.5

Houston (-13.5) at Rice

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2

The Bayou Bucket is officially back. @RiceFootball and Houston announce the series will be played in 2024 and 2025. pic.twitter.com/EVxnCstNp9

— The Roost (@AtTheRoost) January 25, 2024

The Bayou Bucket is a big deal in Houston. Rice knocked off what was supposed to be a solid Louisiana team last week, but this is a Big 12 (16) foe. Still, it's a rivalry for Rice, and they are coming off a big win. This should stay close.

Pick: Rice +13.5

Western Kentucky at Toledo  (-7.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3

Hmmm...no. Toledo didn't have to deal with a passing game at all last week, and the Hilltoppers have one of the best. I highly doubt Toledo wins by more than one score.

Pick: Western Kentucky +7.5

Memphis (-13.5) at Georgia State

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3

I like all of the transfers that Memphis brought in, and Georgia State was a total mess last week. Playing Ole Miss had a lot to do with that, but Memphis is in the discussion for the best Group of 5 team.

Pick: Memphis -13.5

Tulane (-10.5) at South Alabama

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 4

The only way that Tulane doesn't cover this is if they split time between Jake Retzlaff and Brendon Sullivan.

Pick: Tulane -10.5

Louisiana Tech at (3) LSU (-36.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2

We all know who has the real Death Valley now. The Tigers defend the crown easily.

Pick: LSU -36.5

(12) Arizona State (-6.5) at Mississippi State

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 5

The Bulldogs looked good last week, but if the top of the Big 12 (16) can't beat the bottom of the SEC on the road by more than a touchdown, college football is more screwed than we thought.

Pick: Arizona State -6.5

(15) Michigan at (18) Oklahoma (-4.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 4

If Brent Venables doesn't win this game, he's gone before the season is over. I think the players feel that as well. BOOMER!

Pick: Oklahoma -4.5

Ball State at Auburn (-42.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1

Will Auburn show off? I kind of think they will after last year. There is no way in hell that I would bet on it, though.

Pick: Auburn -42.5

Vanderbilt at Virginia Tech (-2.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 4

I'm a little surprised by this line. Vanderbilt was the talk of the SEC after downing Alabama last year, and the team returned a lot of its roster. I still believe in Diego Pavia.

Pick: Vanderbilt +2.5

Akron at Nebraska (-33.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2

Nebraska vs. Akron Cancelled due to lightning #NebraskaHuskers #Nebraskafootball #Akron https://t.co/Lxy4TbnliW pic.twitter.com/YeiLptHZTk

— TJ Goldrock (@TJGoldrock) September 2, 2018

An act of God thwarted the first meeting in what was supposed to be Game 1 of the Scott Frost era at Nebraska. In hindsight, Nebraska should have known right then that Frost would be a disaster.

Nebraska looks better than that 2018 team, and Akron somehow looks worse. Give me Nebraska, I guess.

Pick: Nebraska -33.5

Georgia Southern at USC (-28.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2

USC couldn't be stopped last week. Was that more a product of Missouri State's first game in FBS, or was USC purposely trying to show off? If that's the case, they'll do it again.

Pick: USC -28.5

Boston College at Michigan State (-4.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3

If Boston College sticks with Dylan Lonergan instead of trying to force a two-quarterback system that is totally unnecessary, this line is backwards.

Pick: Boston College +4.5

Louisiana-Monroe at (21) Alabama (-34.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2

Just because Alabama shouldn't be ranked doesn't mean this game will be close.

Pick: Alabama -34.5

UCLA (-2.5) at UNLV

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 5

UCLA's problems are much deeper than just Nico Iamaleava. Anthony Colandrea is going to tear this secondary apart!

Pick: UNLV +2.5

Tulsa (-4.5) at New Mexico State

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3

This feels low, even in Las Cruces. Give me Tulsa.

Pick: Tulsa -4.5

San Diego State at Washington State (-1.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1

This line opened at a touchdown and is now down to even in some spots. Wazzu needed everything it had to get rid of Idaho. I'm not confident in this at all, but the Aztecs wiping out Stony Brook doesn't impress me.

Pick: Washington State -1.5

Stanford at BYU (-20.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3

BYU demolished Portland State with a true freshman at quarterback. The good news is that Bear Bachmeier was solid on his 11 pass attempts, but BYU committed to leaning on LJ Martin. That should be a successful formula in this game as well.

Pick: BYU -20.5

Sam Houston at Hawaii (-6.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3

Hawai’i quarterback Micah Alejado (foot) not wearing boot on Wednesday but remains a non participant in practice. Head Coach Timmy Chang said on Tuesday that the QB will be “game time decision” for Saturday vs. Sam Houston #HawaiiFB #GoBows @KHONnews @khon2SportsTV pic.twitter.com/cbLiNiLVKk

— Rob DeMello (@RobDeMelloKHON) September 3, 2025

This is good news for Hawaii. The line shows that Vegas thinks Micah Alejado will play. If he does, I think Hawaii takes this. If not, Luke Weaver was awful against Arizona. It's too many if Alejado is out. I'll take Hawaii for three points if Alejado plays, and Sam Houston for three if he's out.

Pick: Hawaii -6.5 if Alejado plays

I ended up with a minimum of five bets this week. That's only 10% of the picks, so we have plenty of room to make money. I'm heavy in the middle with 17 two-point bets and 16 three-point bets. I have eight on the four line and four max bets this week. Good luck out there!

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