Week 2 already brings some fierce competition to the table in college football and we have you covered on all the big games for this weekend. Keep it here every week as we pick who will cover the spread and what big upsets are on the horizon -- and hopefully we can win you some cash while we're at it. Be sure to let us know what games you want us to highlight for the following week.
Mississippi State @ Auburn (6.5)
Mississippi State would be the easy pick at first glance, especially after the near loss Auburn faced at home last week against Utah State. Mississippi State is receiving plenty of attention with the offense clicking, gaining over 600 yards of offense versus Memphis last week, but this is an SEC game. For any team to go on the road in SEC play is tough, add Mississippi State’s failure to win an SEC opener since 1999 and the outcome looks bleak. Take Auburn as a dog at home. (The smart money -- over 57.5)
The Pick: Auburn (+6.5)
Alabama @ Penn State (10)
Alabama returns 10 starters on the defensive side of the ball that was already ranked at the top last season. A defense that held Kent State (yes it's only Kent State) to one yard or less on 20 of 30 plays—no matter who you’re playing that stat is impressive. This season brings a little more uncertainty on the other side of the ball, and Nick Saban plans to play two quarterbacks against the Nittany Lions, and Penn State will be looking to do the same – a two quarterback system versus the top defense in the country equals a recipe for disaster. I don’t see Penn State moving the ball against the speed of the SEC, the Bama will come out on top and cover.
The Pick: Alabama (-10)
Utah @ USC (-8.5)
Utah gets their welcome to the Pac-12 moment when they head into The Coliseum to battle Lane Kiffin and the Trojans. Utah will definitely be up for this game, something USC hasn’t been able to say for themselves -- recently squeaking out a win at home versus Minnesota. The Utah spread will give USC fits and the scrappy defense won’t allow much time for Barkley to sit in the pocket. USC tends to come out flat and play down to their opponent usually squeaking out small victories -- Utah is the play here.
The Pick: Utah (+8.5)
Notre Dame @ Michigan (3)
This game might be the toughest to predict out of all the games this week. Notre Dame comes into the Big House for the first night game in its long history. The new offense seemed to be taking shape last week for Michigan until the rain cancelled the game. Notre Dame came into their opener overhyped, ranked (for some reason), and full of mistakes and miscues on offense. A game which seemed to last all day finally ended with USF embarrassing the Irish at home 23-20. The score doesn't do the USF team justice physically outplaying the Irish. A big change up comes this week when Notre Dame plans to start their backup quarterback Tommy Reese over Dan Crist. Rees looked much better than Crist completing 24 of 34 for nearly 300 yards. If the Irish can keep their turnovers down they win, but they won’t. Take Michigan as the home dog.
