Cy-Hawk Showdown Highlights Week 2 College Football Best Bets for Iowa Fans
College football Week 2 brings a clearer picture than last week, but the betting market has already made major adjustments. Several spreads have moved multiple points since opening, creating fresh opportunities for Saturday's slate. For Iowa sports fans, the Cy-Hawk Trophy game between Iowa State and Iowa headlines the action, but there are six other games where the current numbers still offer value.
Iowa State vs. Iowa: Cy-Hawk Rivalry Brings Tight Margins
The Cy-Hawk game at Kinnick Stadium has Iowa listed as a 14-point favorite, but that number may be too generous for a rivalry known for close finishes. The Hawkeyes still haven't named a starting quarterback, with three players taking snaps in their 40-0 shutout of Northern Illinois. Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski split reps while Kamari Moulton carried the offense with 183 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Iowa State turned over nearly its entire starting lineup after Matt Campbell left for Penn State, but the Cyclones beat Southeast Missouri 38-10 with six sacks. Quarterback Jaylen Raynor accounted for four touchdowns, though he has thrown 28 interceptions in his career.
Six of the last 10 meetings in this rivalry have been decided by 7 points or fewer, and Iowa State has won the last two outright. The number opened at 11.5, and 14 is too many for a defensive game between rivals.
Pick: 24-13, Iowa
Tennessee vs. Georgia Tech: Biggest Line Movement of the Week
No line on the Week 2 board moved further than Tennessee's. The Volunteers opened at 8.5 and now lay 12.5 after Georgia Tech lost 14-13 to Colorado on a blocked field goal in the closing seconds. Tech managed only 51 rushing yards in that loss.
Tennessee beat Furman and hasn't faced anything close to a test. Quarterback Faizon Brandon makes his first true road start at Bobby Dodd Stadium. The Yellow Jackets get the crowd, the bounce-back motive, and 4 more points than were available on Sunday. Josh Heupel's team should win this game without covering two scores.
Pick: 35-24, Tennessee
Ohio State vs. Texas: Buckeyes Offer Value as Underdogs
A game that opened at pick 'em and settled at Texas -1.5 tells you the market can't separate these teams, and neither can recent history. Ohio State leads the all-time series 3-2 and has won the last two meetings, beating Texas 28-14 in the College Football Playoff semifinal in January 2025, then winning 14-7 in Columbus last August.
Julian Sayin went 21-of-25 for 320 yards and three touchdowns in a 56-3 win, and Arch Manning went 20-of-27 for 305 yards and four scores in a 59-7 win. Sayin returns with Jeremiah Smith and Bo Jackson. The Buckeyes' defense held Ball State to 165 total yards.
Texas gave up 161 rushing yards at 3.9 per carry to Texas State, which is the door Jackson can walk through. The Buckeyes are also sitting at +100 on the moneyline if you'd rather avoid the hook entirely.
Pick: 24-20, Ohio State
Oregon vs. Oklahoma State: Ducks Cover Despite Road Environment
Boone Pickens Stadium gets a matchup between a team that nearly lost its opener and one that actually did. Oregon trailed Boise State 17-7 late in the first half before pulling away for a 34-27 win. Oklahoma State lost 24-10 at Tulsa as a double-digit favorite in Eric Morris' first game.
Blocking is the problem in Stillwater. Left tackle Jacob Sexton is out for the season, and that line already surrendered two sacks and 10 quarterback hits against a Group of Six front. Now it draws Bear Alexander and A'Mauri Washington. Oregon opened at -20.5 and has been pushed to -23.5, but 3 points of movement doesn't close the distance between these two rosters.
Pick: 41-13, Oregon
Penn State vs. Temple: Owls Cover in Philadelphia
Lincoln Financial Field won't feel like a road trip for a program that is 40-4-1 against Temple, which is part of why the number climbed 2 points off the open. Penn State beat Marshall 45-0 in Matt Campbell's debut, piling up 487 yards while holding the Thundering Herd to 147.
Temple beat Rhode Island 38-14 and leads the FBS in red zone offense, though the Owls converted just 25% of third downs. K.C. Keeler sends Penn State transfer Jaxon Smolik out against his old program. Campbell's first road trip comes early in the day after a blowout, and 23.5 asks plenty of a Penn State ground game that was the one soft spot last week.
Pick: 34-14, Penn State
Wake Forest vs. Purdue: Boilermakers Get Home Field Advantage
Ross-Ade Stadium hosts the only game on this card where the market moved toward the home underdog, with Wake Forest dropping from -3.5 to -3. Both quarterbacks were efficient in Week 1. Ryan Browne went 23-of-29 for 317 yards and three touchdowns in Purdue's 44-19 win over Indiana State.
Jake Dickert returns six starters in his second season and lost nine All-ACC performers without replacing them through the portal. Barry Odom has his starting quarterback back, plus a receiver in Asaad Waseem, who went for 107 yards and a touchdown in the opener. Getting the field goal at home with the more established offense is the play.
Pick: 27-24, Purdue
Arizona vs. BYU: Cougars Win Close One at Home
LaVell Edwards Stadium has been unkind to the Wildcats, and BYU has won five straight in the series, including a 33-27 double-overtime win in Tucson last season. Both teams handled overmatched openers. Arizona beat Northern Arizona 35-7 and held the Lumberjacks to minus-7 rushing yards.
Noah Fifita nearly knocked off BYU in last year's double-overtime meeting. BYU also lost senior safety Raider Damuni to injury, which matters against an Arizona offense returning its starter and most of his weapons. The total has fallen 4 points from 51.5 to 47.5, and a lower-scoring game keeps this inside a touchdown plus the hook.
Pick: 27-24, BYU
Frequently Asked Questions About Week 2 College Football Bets
Which college football games have the best betting value in Week 2?
The best values include Iowa State covering +14 against Iowa in the Cy-Hawk rivalry, Georgia Tech covering +12.5 against Tennessee, and Ohio State covering +1.5 against Texas. Purdue also offers value as a home underdog against Wake Forest.
Why did the Tennessee-Georgia Tech line move so much?
Tennessee opened as an 8.5-point favorite and moved to 12.5 after Georgia Tech lost 14-13 to Colorado on a blocked field goal. The Yellow Jackets managed only 51 rushing yards in that loss, prompting bettors to back the Volunteers.
Is Iowa State a good bet against Iowa in the Cy-Hawk game?
Iowa State has won the last two meetings outright and six of the last 10 rivalry games have been decided by 7 points or fewer. The 14-point spread is too many for a defensive game between rivals, making the Cyclones a solid cover bet.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.