College Football Week 2 Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (2023)

What a wild ride Week 1 of the college football season was! There were several notable upsets, while some top teams handled their business. We’re going to have you covered through Week 2 of the college football season. Let’s take a look at our top picks and predictions for Friday’s games.

College Football Week 2 Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday

Indiana State vs. Indiana

We know nothing about Indiana after the Hoosiers lost 23-3 to the Ohio State Buckeyes in Week 1. They looked pretty solid on defense, but offensively they couldn’t move the ball. Is a 20-point loss to Ohio State noteworthy, or is this a team that is going to be bad all season long? What we do know is that while they only had 153 yards against the Buckeyes, the Sycamores only had 219 in their 27-0 loss to Eastern Illinois. The Sycamores also turned the ball over a whopping six times. This game is going to get really ugly really fast, and even if the Hoosiers offense isn’t good, they should be able to score in the 40s in this one.

Pick: Indiana -30.5 (-110)

Illinois vs. Kansas

Kansas and Illinois enter this Week 2 showdown both at 1-0, but took quite different paths to get there. The Jayhawks steamrolled Missouri State, 48-17, without star quarterback Jaylon Daniels, who missed the game with a back injury. Meanwhile, Illinois needed a late field goal to squeak past Toledo at home. While this does feel like a good spot to back Illinois following a less-than-encouraging opening game, I don't see a ton of value in the spread. I have more confidence in the over. Illinois allowed 400 yards to Toledo in their season opener and are replacing three starters in the secondary. Whether it's Daniels or capable backup Jason Bean under center for Kansas, they should be able to move the ball efficiently through the air. Meanwhile, Illinois racked up 4.7 yards per carry against Toledo last weekend and should be able to dominate on the ground against an underwhelming Kansas front seven. Plus, Illinois actually has a competent QB in Ole Miss transfer Luke Altmyer. Expect a back-and-forth shootout in Lawrence Friday night.

Pick: Over 56.5