Week 1 of the college football season is in the books and what a week it was! Tennessee fumbled, the SEC crumbled and an unheralded freshman from Nevada beat Purdue and earned himself a scholarship in the process.
Week 2 is just days away and we have you covered with hard-hitting insight and analysis on some of this week's most eagerly anticipated games as well as the latest trends and storylines from across the U.S.
Wager on all Week 2 NCAAF action at BetAmerica!
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#11 Texas A&M vs. #1 Clemson
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|
Texas A&M | +17.5 (-110) | +550 | O 64 (-110) |
Clemson | -17.5 (-110) | -840 | U 64 (-110) |
*All odds are subject to change.
Perhaps most notably, head coach Jimbo Fisher of Texas A&M is very familiar with Clemson and Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney. While at Florida State, Fisher had the opportunity to play Clemson every year and he did quite well against them even in his final years when Clemson clearly held the competitive advantage. In his first year at A&M in 2018, Jimbo lost by only two points and very nearly should have won the game. He knows that this is the game that delivers national recognition to his program, and with Week 1 having been his primer, we should be confident that all offseason was spent pointing to this game. Fisher is an excellent coach in terms of scheming offensive opportunities and against a Clemson team that is still breaking in new defensive players, there will likely be opportunities.
On Saturday afternoon in Clemson, the #1 team in the country takes on an SEC program with a full head of steam. After years of playing little brother to their Big 12 brethren but unwilling to admit it, Texas A&M now finds itself in the SEC and fully committed to big-time college football. Facilities have been upgraded, coaches have been hired, and recruits have been signed.
When Clemson and Texas A&M face off on Saturday, the Aggies will find themselves as significant underdogs. With a spread of 17.5, very few will expect this to be a matter of whether Clemson wins but rather by how much. Clemson should be on upset watch, however, as this Aggies team will be as dangerous a team that they face all season.Perhaps most notably, head coach Jimbo Fisher of Texas A&M is very familiar with Clemson and Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney. While at Florida State, Fisher had the opportunity to play Clemson every year and he did quite well against them even in his final years when Clemson clearly held the competitive advantage. In his first year at A&M in 2018, Jimbo lost by only two points and very nearly should have won the game. He knows that this is the game that delivers national recognition to his program, and with Week 1 having been his primer, we should be confident that all offseason was spent pointing to this game. Fisher is an excellent coach in terms of scheming offensive opportunities and against a Clemson team that is still breaking in new defensive players, there will likely be opportunities.
Magic Wand Mond.
This was a special throw from A&M's Kellen Mond | @KVUE pic.twitter.com/ohg5y2irJS — Jake García (@Jake_M_Garcia) August 30, 2019
When it comes to executing the play calls, Texas A&M QB Kellen Mond is more than capable of delivering big throws and making good decisions. He threw for 194 yards and 3 TD’s last week and in Year 2 under Fisher can be expected to make a big leap forward. While Clemson will undoubtedly be able to score nearly at will, Mond and Fisher need only to keep pace for most of the game in order to cover this massive spread.
Bet on Texas A&M vs. Clemson here.
Bet on Texas A&M vs. Clemson here.
#6 LSU vs #9 Texas
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|
LSU | -5.5 (-110) | -210 | O 55 (-110) |
Texas | +5.5 (-110) | +170 | U 55 (-110) |
In Saturday’s primetime game of the day and the best game of the week, we get a fascinating matchup between LSU and Texas. Texas ended 2018 with tremendous momentum, knocking off Georgia and cementing themselves as a preseason Top 10 team heading into 2019. Led by head coach Tom Herman, who has enjoyed tremendous success at everywhere he’s been, there’s reason to believe the hype. Herman simply takes offenses and makes them better. With QB Sam Ehlinger calling the plays and taking on linebackers like he’s a lead fullback, there is definitely a new sense of toughness in Texas.
310 total yards. 4 TDs.
Sam Ehlinger's Heisman Campaign is off to a nice start. @TexasFootball | #HookEm pic.twitter.com/84Lxo7xQNH — Stadium (@Stadium) September 1, 2019
Facing off against the Longhorns Saturday night will be the Tigers of LSU. If this matchup was taking place in the Bayou the spread would likely be 10 and much of the drama would be removed, but with it being a road game for LSU there is more intrigue and the spread is instead LSU -5.5.
When it comes to handicapping the matchup, there's a lot to like about LSU -5.5. The line has been driven by sharp money all the way up from the -2 that it sat at in the offseason with “Game of the Year” lines, but as long as it stays under a touchdown you'd be well advised to lay the points.
Texas lost three offensive linemen from their 2018 roster and it takes time to gel and work in new players at that position. They also face issues at running back where multiple injuries have sidelined presumed starters. A sophomore that was injured last month and some true freshman will be their options against an LSU defense that comes in full of NFL-caliber players.
On the other side of the ball, Joe Burrow looked fantastic in Week 1 but that comes on the heels of a final 4 weeks of 2018 in which he was incredibly efficient and effective at leading the offense. Burrow looks to be the real deal for LSU this year and should be expected to make all the right plays at critical points on the road. This could end up being a blowout if the Tigers' defense proves too powerful for a Texas offense not yet in full gear.
Bet on LSU vs. Texas here.
When it comes to handicapping the matchup, there's a lot to like about LSU -5.5. The line has been driven by sharp money all the way up from the -2 that it sat at in the offseason with “Game of the Year” lines, but as long as it stays under a touchdown you'd be well advised to lay the points.
Texas lost three offensive linemen from their 2018 roster and it takes time to gel and work in new players at that position. They also face issues at running back where multiple injuries have sidelined presumed starters. A sophomore that was injured last month and some true freshman will be their options against an LSU defense that comes in full of NFL-caliber players.
On the other side of the ball, Joe Burrow looked fantastic in Week 1 but that comes on the heels of a final 4 weeks of 2018 in which he was incredibly efficient and effective at leading the offense. Burrow looks to be the real deal for LSU this year and should be expected to make all the right plays at critical points on the road. This could end up being a blowout if the Tigers' defense proves too powerful for a Texas offense not yet in full gear.
Bet on LSU vs. Texas here.
#23 Stanford vs. USC
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|
Stanford | +2.5 (-110) | +110 | O 47 (-110) |
USC | -2.5 (-110) | -135 | U 47 (-110) |
We’re about to find out just how much depth the Trojans have at quarterback. USC received devastating news over the weekend when sophomore QB J.T. Daniels was ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a torn ACL in Saturday’s victory over Fresno State. The 19-year-old was 25-of-34 for 215 yards and one TD before being carted off just the field before halftime.
Daniels’ spot will be filled by true freshman Kedon Slovis, a three-star prospect from Arizona. The fresh-faced QB went 6-for-8 for 57 yards, but betrayed his lack of experience when he was picked off late in the third quarter. Should Slovis falter – and that remains a very real possibility - USC head coach Clay Helton will turn to redshirt junior Matt Fink, who has been a fixture on the sidelines since 2016.
Slovis will be facing a team in Stanford that has serious quarterback concerns of its own. First string QB K.J. Costello was forced to leave Stanford’s game against Northwestern in the first half after absorbing a nasty forearm to the chin. The blow drove his head back violently into the turf causing his helmet to pop off. Costello was able to walk off the field without assistance, but his availability for Saturday remains in question.
Daniels’ spot will be filled by true freshman Kedon Slovis, a three-star prospect from Arizona. The fresh-faced QB went 6-for-8 for 57 yards, but betrayed his lack of experience when he was picked off late in the third quarter. Should Slovis falter – and that remains a very real possibility - USC head coach Clay Helton will turn to redshirt junior Matt Fink, who has been a fixture on the sidelines since 2016.
Slovis will be facing a team in Stanford that has serious quarterback concerns of its own. First string QB K.J. Costello was forced to leave Stanford’s game against Northwestern in the first half after absorbing a nasty forearm to the chin. The blow drove his head back violently into the turf causing his helmet to pop off. Costello was able to walk off the field without assistance, but his availability for Saturday remains in question.
Stanford losing KJ Costello *and* Walker Little is a ridiculous blow. Easily their two best offensive players on a side of the ball that already needs to replace a lot of guys.
— Michael Castillo (@MichaelCastFS) August 31, 2019
Losing Costello would be a massive blow for the Cardinal. The 22-year-old threw for the third most yards in school history in 2018 and is head and shoulder above his backup, Davis Mills, who fumbled twice on Saturday and looked badly rattled for much of the second half.
Expect a low-scoring and potentially sloppy affair when these two teams tangle on Saturday at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Bet on Stanford vs. USC here.
Expect a low-scoring and potentially sloppy affair when these two teams tangle on Saturday at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Bet on Stanford vs. USC here.
Here are the betting trends you need to know from Week 1:
- Home teams won 84.5% of all games SU
- Home favorites won a staggering 94% of all games SU
- Teams ranked in the AP Top 25 went 23-0 against unranked opponents
- 56% of all games went UNDER the projected total
- Underdogs were 42-41-1 ATS
We’ve narrowed down the 14 remaining games you can’t afford to miss from Week 2.
| Game | Date | Spread | O/U |
|---|
Marshall vs. Boise State | Fri, September 6 | BSU -10.5 | 55.0 |
Cincinnati vs. #5 Ohio State | Sat, September 7 | OSU -17.0 | 55.5 |
Rutgers vs. #19 Iowa | Sat, September 7 | N/A | N/A |
Northern Illinois vs. #15 Utah | Sat, September 7 | UTAH -23 | 43.5 |
Central Michigan vs. #16 Wisconsin | Sat, September 7 | WIS -33.5 | 50.5 |
New Mexico State vs. #2 Alabama | Sat, September 7 | ALA -54.5 | 63.5 |
Murray State vs. #3 Georgia | Sat, September 7 | N/A | N/A |
South Dakota vs. #4 Oklahoma | Sat, September 7 | N/A | N/A |
#17 UCF vs. Florida Atlantic | Sat, September 7 | FAU +9 | 70.5 |
UT Martin vs. #10 Florida | Sat, September 7 | N/A | N/A |
Showing 1 to 10 of 14 entries
Not a bad night for Nevada kicker Brandon Talton. Kicks the game winner to beat Purdue 34-31 & gets a scholarship pic.twitter.com/io266qItDM
— Busted Coverage (@bustedcoverage) August 31, 2019
Freshman kicker Brandon Talton earned himself a scholarship - and a place in Nevada lore - by leading the Wolf Pack to an epic come-from-behind win over the Boilermakers in Nevada's first game of the season.
#Clemson HC Dabo Swinney on QB Trevor Lawrence hustling to make a tackle after throwing an interception. “I talk about the eye of the tiger, the heart of a champion... it’s hard to describe but you know it when you see it. That was it.” @foxcarolinanews pic.twitter.com/ADwgUFJZd2
— Aaron Cheslock (@AaronCheslock) August 30, 2019
Most coaches would wince watching their quarterbacks lay out opposing defensive backs, but Clemson's Dabo Swinney was full of praise for Trevor Lawrence after the Heisman hopeful put his body on the line in the Tigers' opener against Georgia Tech.
“It Hurts So Good” @OU_Football
— Barry Switzer (@Barry_Switzer) September 2, 2019
You can count Barry Switzer among Jalen Hurts' growing legion of fans. The former OU coach took to Twitter on Sunday to show his support for Hurts after the Sooners QB threw for three touchdowns and ran for three more in his Oklahoma debut.
No one had a bigger coming-out party during Week 1 than Bo Nix. Here are three things you need to know about Auburn's freshman QB:
- Nix is the first true freshman quarterback to start an opener for Auburn since 1946
- Nix's father, Patrick, played quarterback at Auburn from 1992-95, throwing for 4,957 yards and 31 touchdowns. Bo grew up watching many of his father's highlights on dusty old VHS cassettes
- Nix played for his father at Pinson Valley High School, where he set an Alabama state record by becoming the first player to surpass 12,000 career yards. Not surprisingly, he was named the state's Mr. Football and earned Gatorade Player of the Year honors