Caleb Wilfinger
Show Bio
Following a fun Week 1 slate, the 2022 college football season rolls on this Saturday. Last weekend’s games served as a terrific reminder of what we have been missing, and we should have more great games in store for Week 2.
Along with my weekly best bets pieces, I’ll also be targeting underdogs who could compete (and win) each week. With a full slate of games this week, there are plenty of matchups where the ‘dog could be frisky.
Let’s take a look at our best underdog bets for Week 2 of the college football season.
Houston +4 (-110) vs Texas Tech
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing
This line is reaching egregious territory at this point. Yes, Houston was probably outplayed in its win over UTSA. However, that was an extremely difficult road environment against a really good team. And at the end of the day, the Cougars showed up when it mattered and pulled out a crucial victory. Texas Tech looks to be better than it was a season ago, but I’d still make the Red Raiders short underdogs on a neutral field against a deep and experienced Houston team. With that in mind, do the Cougars really deserve to be 4-point underdogs here?
Texas Tech put up gaudy numbers in a Week 1 victory over Murray State, but Houston’s defense is much better than the one the Red Raiders just faced. The Cougars recorded 4 sacks a week ago and gradually broke down the UTSA offensive line as the game went on. And while Texas Tech quarterback Donovan Smith is talented, he struggled against quality defenses last season. On the other side, Clayton Tune is a veteran and should be unfazed by the atmosphere in Lubbock while carving up Texas Tech’s 118th rated pass defense from a season ago.
With 13 wins in its last 14 games and wins in 7 of their last 8 road games, the Cougars are used to going into raucous environments and emerging with victories. With over 60% of the bets coming in on Texas Tech, I’ll gladly fade the popular pick and ride with Houston. Take the points, and I would play the money line at +130 or better.
We’ll have picks for EVERY college football game this season.
Virginia +4 (-110) vs Illinois
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing
Much like my thoughts on the previous game, I’m not sure if Illinois is being priced correctly. It’s a little rich to have the Illini as 4-point favorites in a game that I would make closer to a pick’em. While the Illini defense has been solid thus far, they haven’t exactly played a high-caliber offense yet. That will change on Saturday against Brennan Armstrong and this Virginia passing attack. Armstrong threw for nearly 4,500 yards and 31 touchdowns in 2021 and he got off to a strong start in Week 1. The veteran quarterback threw for 246 yards and a pair of scores while adding another 105 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Armstrong and company should see success against an Illinois defense that gave up plenty of chunk plays to Connor Bazelak and Indiana.
Illinois’ offense isn’t a juggernaut and Virginia did a nice job in stopping the run against Richmond last weekend. If the Cavaliers defense can hold up against the pass or force timely turnovers, they should be able to pick up a road win. The wrong team might be favored here, so I’ll back take the points with confidence and sprinkle on the money line.
Don’t miss our Week 2 college football mega parlay!
Georgia State +7.5 (-110) vs North Carolina
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing
To round out my favorite underdogs in Week 2, I will be backing Georgia State against North Carolina. The entire world saw the Tar Heels’ offense look fantastic in a win over Appalachian State last week. However, what they also should’ve seen is that this is the same old porous North Carolina defense. UNC’s defense was gashed to the tune of 650 yards and a stuff rate of just 18%. North Carolina allowed nearly 7 yards per rush and 9 yards per pass while benefiting from 2 timely App State turnovers. The Heels were fortunate to emerge from that game with a victory and now travel to Georgia State for their second straight Sun Belt road game. It’s a weird scheduling spot and another dangerous game for the Tar Heels.
On the other side, the Panthers lost 35-14 to South Carolina a week ago. However, this final score was misleading; Georgia State actually led this game in the 3rd quarter. South Carolina was seriously aided by 2 turnovers, including a defensive touchdown in the second half. Outside of those turnovers, the Panthers would have easily covered the 2-touchdown spread on the road. Now at home, Georgia State’s run game should feast on this terrible North Carolina defense. I would feel comfortable playing this at +7 or better.
We offer a wide range of College Football Picks and College Football Predictions each week featuring the Power 5 teams and top matchups. Be sure to check out our College Football Best Bets for those top plays on this week’s schedule.
