College Football Best Bets of the Week: Week 2

Week 1 of the college football season was outstanding for the FTN community, as we hit on the majority of our featured bets and also had a monster day of DFS results. We turn the page to Week 2, which presents with several intriguing spots to target. I will be highlighting my favorite college games to bet on and directing you to the site with the best line. Let’s get into it.

(All odds are per DraftKings Sportsbook.)

Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Cincinnati Bearcats

(Cincinnati -2, O/U 59.5)

It’s important to avoid overreacting to early season results, but it’s hard not to feel good about the way Pittsburgh looked last week against Kent State. With Alabama transfer Eli Holstein at the helm, Pitt’s offense was devastating. Holstein completed an impressive 74% of his passes for 330 yards and 3 TDs. 

New offensive coordinator Kade Bell has installed a fast-paced attack that’s going to be fun to watch this season. Elite quarterback play is a must in this system, and Holstein appears ready to answer the call. The offensive was ranked sixth-fastest in Week 1, and I would expect them to finish out 2024 near the top of college football in that category.

Western Carolina transfer Desmond Reid is the real deal and showed why the team would be just fine after the news that incumbent RB Rodney Hammond was ruled ineligible this season. The uber fast Reid scored on a 78-yard punt return and also took a 46-yard carry to the house. 

The Bearcats offense showed out last week as well with Brennan Sorsby throwing for over 383 yards and scoring 4 total TDs (2 rushing/2 passing) but it’s important to remember that it was against Towson. 

The Bearcats struggled at times defensively and gave up nearly 250 yards to Towson QB Carlos Davis while also getting burned for 194 yards on the ground to three different ball carriers. Again, it’s early in the season, but if the Cincy defense isn’t up to par against Towson they’re really going to find life difficult against a player of Desmon Reid’s caliber.

It’s a road game for Pitt, but I have far more confidence in them heading into Week 2, and they have an offense that will keep Cincy on their heels all game long and a defense capable of making plays against Sorsby.

The Pick

Pittsburgh ML (+110)

Tennessee Vols vs. NC State Wolfpack

(Tenn -8, O/U 60.5)

Most people are expecting the Nebraska-Colorado matchup to be the game of the week, but the Vols/Wolfpack battle has the potential to be an instant classic. The Vols come into this week after shredding FCS Chattanooga 69-3. Star QB Nico Iamaleava threw for 314 yards/3 TDs and showed off the elite talent that we expected to see. This upcoming matchup against the Wolfpack defense will be a great litmus test for the young signal caller.

Dylan Sampson started the year off right by rushing for 124 yards and 3 scores on just 12 carries, and he will clearly be an important part of the game plan for this matchup. Dont’e Thornton is healthy and finally had a breakout game in a Vols uniform by producing 3-105-2. It’s great to see Thornton play well and he will need to continue to perform at this level in order to provide Nico with enough diversity in the passing game. Bru McCoy, Craig Brazzel and Squirrel White round out this impressive receiver room.

The Grayson McCall era started in style for the Wolfpack, as he put up fantastic numbers in a closer-than-expected win over Western Carolina 38-21. McCall completed 26 of his 40 passes for 318 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Duke transfer Jordan Waters adds legitimacy to State’s running game and he piled up over 120 yards on the ground to go along with 2 scores. Brand favorite Kevin Concepcion showed that his freshman season was no fluke, and he was virtually unstoppable against the WCU defense. He caught 9 passes for 121 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Both of these teams feature a ridiculous amount of weapons on offense, and while I think it will be close throughout, it’s the total that we are going to attack. The Vols defense wasn’t tested against Chattanooga, but it will be this weekend against the Pack. Meanwhile, NC State’s defense struggled at times with the versatility of WCU QB Cole Gonzalez. One thing is certain, this matchup has shootout written all over it and points are going to come in bunches. I’m confidently slamming the over in this one.

The Pick

Over 60.5 Total Points (-108)