College Football Week 2 Best Bets: Five Picks for Sept. 12, Including Ohio State vs. Texas
By John Damon
Week 2 of the college football season brings a loaded slate headlined by No. 1 Ohio State at No. 4 Texas, plus No. 12 Oklahoma heading to the Big House to face a newly unranked Michigan squad. After Miami opened the week with 77 points against Florida A&M, here are five best bets for Saturday's action. Odds courtesy of DraftKings.
No. 1 Ohio State at No. 4 Texas (-1.5): O/U 49.5
Last year's box score between these two didn't tell the full story, as the Buckeyes came out on top. Now with a night kickoff in Austin, this game will shape the trajectory of both seasons.
Ohio State is 5-0 to the Over in its last five games as an underdog. If points do come, expect wide receiver Jeremiah Smith to finally find the end zone against Texas. In 12 career non-conference games, Smith has scored in 10 of them. The two exceptions? Both against Texas. History says the Longhorns can't hold him out three straight times.
Pick: Jeremiah Smith anytime touchdown (-115)
No. 12 Oklahoma (-5.5) at Michigan: O/U 43.5
The line has shifted dramatically from Michigan -1.5 to Oklahoma -5.5 after the Wolverines' Hail Mary win, leaving little value on the Sooners. Instead, look at Michigan's defense, which remains its strength. Oklahoma scored at least seven points in the first quarter of all four true road games last year, but the Big House will be rocking after Michigan's players-only meeting.
Pick: Oklahoma first quarter team total Under 6.5 (-105)
Old Dominion at Virginia Tech (-19.5): O/U 47.5
Virginia Tech is nearly a three-touchdown favorite in a revenge game after last year's embarrassing 45-26 home loss to Old Dominion, where the Monarchs jumped out to a 28-0 halftime lead. New head coach James Franklin led the Hokies to a 77-3 demolition of VMI in the opener and appears intent on making a statement.
Pick: Old Dominion first quarter team total Under 0.5 (-130)
Georgia Southern at Clemson (-19.5): O/U 55.5
Clemson has a pattern of losing an early-season game and bouncing back with a big win. After falling to Duke in 2023, the Tigers crushed Charleston Southern 66-17. In 2024, they beat App State by 46 after losing to Georgia. Expect Dabo Swinney's squad to come out angry in its home opener.
Pick: Clemson -19.5 (-110)
Arkansas at No. 20 Utah (-12.5): O/U 55.5
Arkansas faces a tough road test in a different time zone at altitude. The Razorbacks struggled to run the ball against North Alabama at 3.5 yards per carry and turned it over three times. With quarterback KJ Jackson making his first road start, first-quarter points may be hard to come by against a stout Utah defense.
Pick: Arkansas first quarter team total Under 6.5 (-115)
Week 2 Picks Summary
- 1.5 units: Jeremiah Smith anytime TD vs. Texas (-105)
- 1 unit: Clemson -19.5 (-110)
- 1 unit: Oklahoma 1Q team total Under 6.5 (-105)
- 1 unit: Old Dominion 1Q team total Under 0.5 (-130)
- 1 unit: Arkansas 1Q team total Under 6.5 (-115)
Season record: 8-8, -0.03 units
Gambling involves risk. Please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.