College Football Betting Trends That Matter: Week 2 Moneyline, Spread & O/U Notes

As we head into Week 2, it's time to highlight the key college football betting trends ahead of the weekend's biggest games.

While last week featured multiple top 10 matchups, the Week 2 slate is significantly lighter, with Michigan vs. Oklahoma providing viewers with the only ranked showdown on the schedule. Nevertheless, we can use analytics and historical data to make educated college football picks.

We highlight the weekend's biggest bouts, but our college football predictions for Week 2 offer a wider selection of best bets and expert picks.

---

🏈 Iowa vs. Iowa State preview

📈 Iowa vs. Iowa State betting trends

• Iowa leads the all-time series 47–24 over Iowa State
• The Cyclones have won two of the last three meetings, but the Hawkeyes are unbeaten in six straight in Ames
• Iowa is 125-120-7 ATS under Kirk Ferentz since 2005; Iowa State is 63-53-1 ATS under Matt Campbell
• The Cyclones and Hawkeyes have alternated ATS wins since 2017, with Iowa State covering in 2024
• The Cy-Hawk Trophy has gone Under in five of the last seven meetings

📊 Iowa vs. Iowa State odds

🔮 Iowa vs. Iowa State prediction

Full transparency: I had every intention of picking Iowa State to win. However, after a dive into the rivalry's storied history, I cannot in good conscience recommend backing the Cyclones to cover as field-goal betting favorites. I'm a fan of Rocco Becht, though, so I won't pick against the hosts either.

Our Rob Paul has Becht's back in his college football against the spread Week 2 predictions.

While I do believe Iowa State is the better team, Iowa has won the last six games in Ames. Matt Campbell has boasted the better football team on numerous occasions in that span, yet Kirk Ferentz and Co. always find a way to keep it close.

These were two of the sport's better Over teams last season, largely because shops overcorrected their totals following poor offensive showings. That could be the case again here, so I'll take the Cy-Hawk Trophy to do the unthinkable and go Over in back-to-back campaigns.

✅ Best bet: Over 41.5 (-105 via BetMGM) ⭐️⭐️⭐️

---

🏈 Illinois vs. Duke preview

📈 Illinois vs. Duke betting trends

• Duke and Illinois have split their all-time series at one apiece
• The Fighting Illini are 28-21-2 ATS under Bret Bielema; the Blue Devils are 8-5-1 ATS under Manny Diaz
• Duke is 3-0 ATS as a home underdog since 2024
• Illinois has only been a road favorite three times since 2021, posting a 2-1 ATS record in that span
• The Fighting Illini and Blue Devils posted a combined 57.69% Under percentage last season

📊 Illinois vs. Duke odds

🔮 Illinois vs. Duke prediction

This game features two experienced defensive minds in Bielema and Diaz against one another. Do you need any more explanation as to why I'm betting the Under?

Both Duke and Illinois have seasoned secondaries that will lead to the ground attacks featuring heavily in the game narrative. I wasn't convinced by what I saw from the Blue Devils in their Week 1 game. I'm also not certain the Fighting Illini's big-play abilities will translate when playing an FBS opponent after averaging 26.9 points per game last season (64th in FBS).

It's hard to envision a world in which these teams that went Under in 15 of 26 games last year combine for 50 points. I like the value on the Under, with Caesars offering the play at standard juice.

✅ Best bet: Under 49.5 (-110 via Caesars) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

---

🏈 Baylor vs. SMU preview

📈 Baylor vs. SMU betting trends

• Baylor leads the all-time series, 39-36-7, over SMU
• The Bears have beaten the Mustangs in 13 consecutive games dating back to 1989
• Baylor is 1-2 SU vs. ACC teams and SMU is 2-4 SU vs. Big 12 opponents since 2020
• The Bears are 32-27-3 ATS under Dave Aranda; the Mustangs are 21-21 ATS under Rhett Lashlee
• Baylor and SMU combined to go 16-10-1 to the Over last season

📊 Baylor vs. SMU odds

🔮 Baylor vs. SMU prediction

The last time SMU beat Baylor was in 1986. The Mustangs haven't gotten the best of the Bears in the Dallas metropolitan area since 1983, which was also coincidentally the start of the last time they posted back-to-back double-digit-win seasons before 2024.

All of this is to say, this isn't your dad's SMU. I don't like the way Baylor struggled against a mobile quarterback in Jackson Arnold during a Week 1 loss to Auburn. Thus, I'll take a flier on the Mustangs to end the streak and pick up a historic victory at home with a convincing win over the Bears.

✅ Best bet: SMU -2.5 (-110 via FanDuel) ⭐️⭐️⭐️

---

🏈 South Florida vs. Florida preview

📈 South Florida vs. Florida betting trends

• Florida is 3-0 in the all-time series against South Florida
• The Gators are 21-18 ATS under Billy Napier; the Bulls are 15-12 ATS under Alex Golesh
• Florida is 1-2 ATS in three previous meetings with South Florida
• The Bulls and Gators have gone Over in every previous matchup
• The two teams combined to go 13-12-1 to the Over in 2024

📊 South Florida vs. Florida odds

🔮 South Florida vs. Florida prediction

South Florida has shown historically that it can hold its own against the cream of the crop in the Sunshine State. The Bulls have chipped in with at least 14 points in every previous meeting between the two sides, and that was without a dynamic offense that features Byrum Brown.

This game features Heisman Trophy odds long shots under center for both sides, which often results in fireworks from an offensive standpoint.

I need a bigger sample size from both squads before deciding how to play the spread, so I simply won't in Week 2. Instead, I'll play the lowest total in a meeting between the two this decade and back them to remain perfect toward the Over in their rivalry's short history.

✅ Best bet: Over 56 (-110 via bet365) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

---

🏈 Michigan vs. Oklahoma preview

📈 Michigan vs. Oklahoma betting trends

• Oklahoma beat Michigan 14-6 in the programs' only meeting back in 1975
• The Wolverines are 2-2 SU vs. the SEC, and the Sooners are 2-0 vs. the Big Ten since 2020
• Michigan is 6-8 ATS under Sherrone Moore; Oklahoma is 19-21 ATS under Brent Venables
• John Mateer is 7-7 ATS as a starter, whereas Bryce Underwood failed to cover in his collegiate debut
• The Wolverines and Sooners combined to go Over at a 50% clip in the previous campaign

📊 Michigan vs. Oklahoma odds

🔮 Michigan vs. Oklahoma prediction

A swift peek at our college football picks page will reveal that the entire Sportsbook Review team is siding with the Sooners in this spot. Oklahoma is at home, it has a more experienced quarterback, and more playmakers on offense - what's not to love?

I love the poise Bryce Underwood displayed in his debut, even if Michigan didn't look as dominant as many had hoped. People are too quick to count out the Wolverines' experienced defense, as well. Brent Venables' roster looks a lot better on paper this year, but I need to see it to believe it.

Unfortunately, there aren't many trends to tell us to lean one way, so I have to rely on instinct. Michigan is 4-3 ATS as an underdog under Moore, and I believe the best college football betting sites are giving the visitors too many points.

✅ Best bet: Michigan +5.5 (-110 via FanDuel) ⭐️⭐️⭐️

---

💡 College football expert picks for Week 2

Don't miss any of our college football expert picks this week.

• College football AI predictions
• College football anytime touchdown scorer predictions
• College football player props
• College football best bets
• College football moneyline parlay
• College football picks against the spread
• College football upset picks
• College football trends that matter

---

❓ College football trends FAQs

What are the best college football trends for Week 2?

Florida and South Florida have gone Over the designated total in all three of their previous meetings. As such, my best bet for the Bulls and the Gators is Over 56, a play that's trading at standard juice with the best sports betting sites.

How do college football odds work?

When betting on college football odds, the point spread shows how many points the favorite needs to win by in order to cash the bet. For example, a favorite of -3 must win by more than 3 points to cover the spread, while an underdog at +3 must win outright or lose by fewer than 3 points to cover the spread.

You can determine the payouts and implied probabilities for any wager - or convert odds to different formats - with our odds converter.

Where are college player props legal?

Check out our guide to college player prop betting by state to see where college football player props are legal.

(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.

Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.