Wake Forest vs. Vanderbilt Week 2 College Football Picks: Hartman's Return Will Boost Demon Deacons
Week 2 of the college football season arrives in Nashville when the Wake Forest Demon Deacons visit the Vanderbilt Commodores. Let's examine the clash in our Wake Forest-Vanderbilt picks.
Vanderbilt is off to a hot 2-0 start. But Wake Forest’s star quarterback Sam Hartman returning to the lineup, making it even more challenging for the Commodores to win.
Here are our top Wake Forest-Vanderbilt picks for the college football Week 2 game (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook and BetMGM; Pick confidence is based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Wake Forest vs. Vanderbilt Game Info
Date: Saturday, September 10, 12:00 ET
TV: SECN
Location: FirstBank Stadium, Nashville, TN
Weather: 80 degrees, 51% chance of rain, 9-mph wins
Wake Forest vs. Vanderbilt Odds Analysis
This game opened with Wake Forest as a -6.5 road favorite. However, with Hartman set to return, the line has skyrocketed to -12.5 in favor of the Demon Deacons.
There may be some buyback on the Commodores, but the line likely won't go lower than -11.5.
The total opened at 61.5, ballooning to 65.5 nearly across the board due to the Hartman news. It'll probably stay at that number after peaking briefly at 66.
Wake Forest vs. Vanderbilt Picks
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Wake Forest vs. Vanderbilt Spread Pick
Wake Forest -12.5 (-110) ★★★★
The importance of Hartman's return cannot be understated. He threw for 4,228 yards and 39 touchdowns in 2021 while leading his team to the ACC Championship game before falling to Pittsburgh 45-21. The six-point line move shows the oddsmakers' respect for Hartman and his ability.
We can anticipate the Demon Deacons to revert to emphasizing the passing game this weekend after rushing on 55% of their offensive snaps against the Virginia Military Institute in Week 1.
Additionally, Vanderbilt's sizzling start is a mirage. The Commodores faced a brutal Hawaii squad in their opener that looked like it ate spam for a pregame meal, and then a mediocre Elon program last week. The 57.3 and 59.3 pass-rush grades awarded to them through two games by Pro Football Focus (PFF) are troubling for the Commodores. If they struggled against VMI and Elon, how will the Commodores fare against Hartman?
Look for the rejuvenated Wake Forest offense to thrive in this matchup and cover the spread.
Wake Forest vs. Vanderbilt O/U Pick
Under 65.5 (-110) ★★★
Vanderbilt will do everything it can to avoid a shootout, and the team should try to establish the run game.
The school's rushing offense is averaging a solid 82.25 PFF grade through two contests. Quarterback Mike Wright has already rushed for 247 yards, while running back Re’Mahn Davis has rumbled for 187 yards on the ground.
Wake Forest defended the run well against VMI, but we can't put much weight on that due to the weak opponent.
The Demon Deacons will undoubtedly want to air it out. But the Under could hit if the Commodores can play decent coverage against Hartman in his first game back and establish their run game at home.
Wake Forest vs. Vanderbilt Prop Pick
First Half Under 34.5 (-110) ★★★
Vanderbilt will do its best to work the clock while running the ball and trying to keep this one close early.
Additionally, Hartman will likely be a little slow out of the gate during his first game back from a blood clot issue. He may not excel until the second half, when the Demon Deacons pull away.
Look for the pace to be slow early during this matchup before picking up late.
Where to Bet on Wake Forest-Vanderbilt Picks
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Wake Forest-Vanderbilt picks made 9/8/2022 at 12:50 p.m. ET
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