The second week of bowl season is upon us and we started over 0.500 against the spread. The key to looking at the matchups is knowing who is and isn’t playing, which you can find with our bowl opt-out tracker.
This edition of ATS picks will run through the 26th and will have a brief synopsis on each game.
Bowl Season Week 2 College Football Picks and Predictions
Last Week: 6-4-0 (0.600)
This Season: 60-60-1 (0.500)
Overall Record: 141-143-4 (0.497)
For all current betting odds surrounding the college football season, check out our live betting odds and make your plays today!
All lines are via DraftKings Sportsbook. You can find the best available odds from sportsbooks all over the country below as well.
Troy -7 (-110) vs. Duke +7 (-110)
Both teams have lost their coaches to new jobs but the wealth of players in the transfer portal for the Blue Devils will be their downfall. Without Riley Leonard, Duke struggled and that will continue here.
Bet: Troy -7 (-110)
Arkansas State -2.5 (-115) vs. Northern Illinois +2.5 (-105)
This one is simple. Arkansas State is the better team from the better conference and has the better resume. They will get the win over the Huskies.
Bet: Arkansas State -2.5 (-115)
Georgia State +1.5 (-105) vs. Utah State -1.5 (-115)
This is going to come down to quarterback play. With Marcus Carroll having transferred to Missouri, it’s going to be up to the dual-threat Darren Grainger to carry the load. As he’s shown over the last two seasons, he’s more than capable, especially against an up-and-down Utah State team.
Bet: Georgia State +1.5 (-105)
James Madison -1.5 (-115) vs. Air Force +1.5 (-105)
It’s never easy facing a triple-option team, especially one as disciplined as Air Force. Troy Calhoun is 7-5 in bowl games but they are 4-1 in their last five and provide a matchup nightmare for the Dukes, who lost their head coach Curt Cignetti to Indiana. The Falcons are primed to make it five out of six. Plus, the odds that close to even are great
Bet: Air Force +1.5 (-105)
South Alabama -17 (-112) vs. Eastern Michigan +17 (-108)
The Sun Belt taking on the MAC in another matchup. It’s not going to be pretty as the Jaguars offense still has the potential to be lethal even without Caulin Lacy.
Bet: South Alabama -17 (-112)
Utah -6.5 (-110) vs. Northwestern +6.5 (-110)
Northwestern’s run post-Pat Fitzgerald has been nothing short of remarkable. David Braun taking this team to seven wins is incredible and they face a team that has struggled on offense all year and was devastated by the transfer portal. Get ready to see an eight-win Northwestern team.
Bet: Northwestern +6.5 (-110)
Coastal Carolina +9.5 (-105) vs. San Jose State -9.5 (-115)
The Spartans have been excellent all season long. The record won’t show it but the offense has been lethal at times. The Chanticleers may have a good record but the opt-outs are likely over 20 players, including starting quarterback Grayson McCall and that will do them in on Saturday.
Bet: San Jose State -9.5 (-115)
Bowling Green +3.5 (-110) vs. Minnesota -3.5 (-110)
The Golden Gophers may only have one quarterback in Cole Kramer whom they paid $30k in NIL money to play this game, but they aren’t strangers to running against heavy boxes. Darius Taylor is primed to run like crazy against the Falcons and that will likely be enough.
Bet: Minnesota -3.5 (-110)
Texas State -6 (-108) vs. Rice +6 (-112)
This has the potential to be one of the best bowl games of the season. G.J. Kinne just inked a five-year extension with the Bobcats after turning them around in his first season. Rice also had a slight turnaround this season with six wins.
This should be a high-scoring affair and the Bobcats explosive offense will take over and get the win.
Bet: Texas State -6 (-108)
Kansas -13 (-110) vs. UNLV +13 (-110)
Like the game that proceeds it, this matchup has a real chance to be a high scoring affair with two explosive and creative offensive attacks. The difference here is the loss of Andy Kotelnicki who departed for Penn State. Brennan Marion’s go-go offense will be able to keep it close and potentially win.
Bet: UNLV +13 (-110)
Miss any action from the top college QB Rankings during the 2023 football season? Want to track all the movement with the college football’s transfer portal? College Football Network has you covered with that and more!