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College Football Week 2 Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (9/9)

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Let’s take a look at the College Football Week 2 odds, picks, and predictions for Friday’s games.

And check out our other game previews and picks for Week 2 of College Football:

Check out Thor Nystrom’s Week 2 College Football Power Rankings >>

College Football Week 1 Odds, Picks & Prediction: Friday

Louisville vs. UCF

Not many teams had a worse opening week than Louisville, who was drubbed 31-7 on the road by Syracuse. Now, the Cards are catching close to a touchdown on the road against UCF, who cruised past South Carolina State, 56-10.

Now, those are two polar opposite results. But they have to be taken with context. Louisville managed to move the ball and averaged 6.2 yards per play against Syracuse. The problem was they couldn’t convert on those opportunities. Specifically, Louisville turned the ball over on downs on Syracuse’s 2-yard line, and quarterback Malik Cunningham threw a pick on Syracuse’s 35.

There’s no doubt that Cunningham had an awful day with two picks and a lost fumble. But he’s one of the most talented QBs in the ACC and should bounce back against the Knights. If nothing else, Louisville should be able to run the ball better against a UCF defense that struggled to defend the run last year and lost all three starters along the defensive line.

Speaking of the Knights, it’s hard to take much away from their opening win. They out-gained South Carolina State 600-91 but committed 10 penalties against a lousy opponent.

This game feels like a classic overreaction spot that leads to a buying opportunity. I’ll give Cunningham and the Cards a chance to bounce back.

The pick: Louisville +6.5

Boise State vs. New Mexico

My system is showing a tasty eight points of line value on Boise State. That’s mostly because of BSU’s stunning Week 1 dud against Oregon State. But that game was over before it started due to QB Hank Bachmeier’s three first-half turnovers.

The offense gained only 22 yards in Bachmeier’s 17 snaps before he was given the hook. It was a performance totally out of character with his previous work. Will BSU go back to the previously-steady veteran, or turn to exciting frosh QB Taylen Green?

Green took over for Bachmeier against Oregon State and impressed, becoming the first Broncos quarterback since 2014 to rush for more than 100 yards. Green finished 19-of-28 for 155 yards and an INT while rushing for 102 yards and two TD on 11 attempts.

In the preseason, my adjusted spread for this game was BSU -25.5. BSU lost a little ground in the power rankings this week due to last week’s loss. But favoring BSU by a mere -16.5 is an overreaction. BSU isn’t going to turn the ball over three times immediately after kickoff again.

New Mexico checks in at No. 123 in my power rankings. The Lobos beat FCS Maine in the opener 41-0. Perhaps that result gained some trust in the marketplace, but not from me. The Lobos’ run-heavy offense is going to have more issues moving the ball against BSU than they did Maine.

I see Boise State taking out some frustration from last weekend by blasting New Mexico on Friday night.

Bet: Boise State (-16.5)

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