Week 2 NCAAF Best Bets: Moneyline, ATS and Over/Under Plays

Last week was a good one in which we cashed with Penn State (+185) on the money line while the early total on the LSU/UCLA game held up for us. The only setback was an ATS loss with the Hurricanes getting a boatload of points but couldn’t keep pace with the impenetrable Crimson Tide. Let’s keep cashing our college football picks with three more this week!

Oregon Ducks vs. Ohio State Buckeyes

Saturday, September 11, 2021 - 12:00 PM EDT at Ohio Stadium

The Buckeyes did what they had to do last week in defeating Minnesota by the score of 45-31 and pushing the 14-point impost. Their offense looked sharp in racking up 294 passing yards courtesy of Justin Fields’ successor, CJ Stroud, while their ground game chewed up 201 rushing yards. Nearly 500 yards of offense and 45 points is a nice way to begin the season, especially with a brand-new quarterback under center.

But the Buckeyes will be playing another offensive-minded team in the Oregon Ducks this Saturday, one that is ranked 11th in the nation after a 31-24 opening day win over Fresno State. This should be a high-scoring meeting because I don’t believe the Buckeyes’ defense is shutdown material which will allow the Ducks to move the chains and turn this into a shootout. That back-and-forth should allow Oregon to stay close in this game, or at least close enough to get the ATS cover, as we are getting what I believe is a generous 14 ½ point at . Play the road pup here.

College Football Pick: (visit our Sportsbook Review)

https://youtu.be/-1dsBTZ_K7A

Toledo Rockets vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Saturday, September 11, 2021 - 02:30 PM EDT at Notre Dame Stadium

The Fighting Irish got the win everyone anticipated last week in their game against Florida State but it certainly wasn’t easy and their defense looked far from sound. When the dust settled, the Irish walked away with a 41-38 overtime victory but it wasn’t enough to cover the 6 ½ to 7-point impost. Notre Dame’s aerial attack looked on point with the new man under center, Jack Coan, slinging for 366 yards and four touchdowns but their ground attack was almost an afterthought with a grand total of only 65 yards.

Although the Irish are 17 ½ point favorites and should have an easier time of it this week than they did against the plucky Seminoles, the Toledo offense is balanced enough to score at least three touchdowns against what I believe is a middling Irish defense. The Rockets had little issues with Norfolk State last week, trouncing the FCS entry 49-10, and passing for 236 yards, and rushing for 205 when the day was done.

The total is appealing as of this Monday morning writing, sitting at 53 ½ at most of the books, but remember, these lines can move drastically. Last week I plucked a beautiful number on the LSU/UCLA game, getting 68 ½ at Bovada before watching it fall to as low as 63 ½ in some spots. That proved to be critical as we cashed with under 68 but the combined score totaled 65 which proves it pays to pounce early if you feel the number is right.

College Football Pick: (visit our Sportsbook Review)

https://twitter.com/NDFootball/status/1434906996059381760?s=20

Air Force Falcons vs. Navy Midshipmen

Saturday, September 11, 2021 - 03:30 PM EDT at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium

The college football odds at all of the best online sportsbooks are showing the Falcons as 5 ½ to 6 ½ road favorites depending on where you shop. This line is consistent with what occurred last week when Air Force dropped a bomb on FCS entry, Lafayette, by the score of 35-14. Quarterback Haazig Daniels rushed for three touchdowns but passed minimally, connecting on just 3-of-5 passes for 50 yards. It’s fair to say, the Air Force’s aerial attack is grounded while their ground attack is soaring. I’ll stop now.

But what the victory doesn’t tell you is the caliber of their opponent. The Lafayette Leopards are not only an FCS school but a rather poor one at that. Consider that Lafayette has amassed a woeful straight-up record of 13-43 over the last five years, excluding 2020 in which they did not play. Now contrast Air Force’s 21-point victory with Navy’s 49-7 whoopin’ at the hands of Marshall last week. Who do you think the public will be backing heavily this week?

However, these games are all about the pride and prestige of defeating a rival academy and it is simply too early to be declaring one significantly better than the other. The caliber of teams each played was the polar opposite last week and I will happily take double my money on the home dog here. The masses will be slobbering all over themselves betting the Falcons but we’ll stay sharp and grab the hometown Middies on the money.

College Football Pick: (visit our Sportsbook Review)

*The pick reflects the line at the moment the writer made the play, the odds at the beginning of this article show the live line movement. Since the lines might vary, don’t forget to refer back to our live odds.