Sam Sklar, Sports Editor (1-2)

Well, 1-2 wasn’t the start I was hoping for. New Mexico State had the ball deep in Minnesota territory in the fourth quarter, but turned it over and lost 38-0. The under in the Backyard Brawl was smashing through the first half until both teams refused to stop trading touchdowns.

Duke at Northwestern (Under 58.5)

If any game has the potential to get ugly, Duke-Northwestern has it written all over. Northwestern’s offense surprised just about everyone in Week zero versus Nebraska. Ryan Hilinski looked like a breakout star and the one-two punch between Evan Hull and Cam Porter at running back looks like it will make some noise in the Big Ten. Even though the Wildcats scored 31 points on Nebraska, I’m not yet convinced this is a great offense.

Nebraska’s defense has been shaky in two games, especially in stopping the run. Are we sure Northwestern will ever put up over 500 yards of offense against another power-five team? I don’t think so. I think Northwestern wins this game and we see a lot more of Luke Akers than we did versus Nebraska. Give me Northwestern 27, Duke 16.

USC (-7.5) at Stanford

This line has been moving like crazy since it opened at USC -10.5. I think it’s moved too much.

USC is the more talented team. There’s no doubt about it. And traveling from USC to Stanford won’t be much of a home game for the Cardinal, especially with the extra hype surrounding USC with Lincoln Riley. Oh yeah, Stanford hasn’t even started classes yet; don’t expect the student section to be rowdy.

Stanford stomped USC last year 42-28 as 17.5-point dogs. Revenge will be nice this Saturday, even though many players on this Trojan team weren’t on the team last year.

Virginia at Illinois (-4)

This -4 is an ugly number but I think it’s still worth it. I was convinced Illinois would pull off the win last week at Indiana, and they nearly had it before an epic collapse. And don’t even get me started on some of the calls made by the officials.

I think we get a ticked-off Illinois squad this week after a heartbreaking loss. Bret Bielema has this program moving in the right direction. Give me Illinois 26-20.

Alex Faber, Football Reporter (1-2)

Week one was not too kind to me. It only makes me feel a little better that Sam and Eli were also terrible. But scared money doesn’t make money. I’m approaching this week with the same confidence I did last week – just approach my bets with a bit of caution.

South Alabama at Central Michigan (-4.5)

Central Michigan was the only team that didn’t embarrass me last week. Sure, it took an odd back door cover to win the bet, but a win is a win.

I stand by my statement that CMU is the best team in the MAC. While the Chips couldn’t pull off an upset in Stillwater Thursday night, sophomore quarterback Daniel Richardson balled out. I don’t think South Alabama is ready for this vaunted Chippewa offense (although the Jaguars might chew up CMU’s secondary). Central Michigan will cover the spread in a high-scoring affair.

Wake Forest (-13.5) at Vanderbilt

As I was writing this suggestion, the line jumped from -8.5 to -13.5. That’s because Sam Hartman, Wake Forest’s electric QB, was finally cleared to play after a summer medical scare.

Vanderbilt’s defense gave up 31 points to Elon last Saturday. Head Coach Dave Clawson has this Demon Deacon offense humming – with Hartman back, the Demon Deacons might put a thousand on this terrible Vanderbilt defense.

I don’t care if the SEC “just means more,” give me Wake Forest and the points in the easiest money you’ll make all year.

Kentucky at Florida (-4.5)

Florida’s nail-biting win against Utah was one of the best matchups of the weekend. For the first time in a while, it looks as though Gainesville might have a must-watch football team. With Anthony Richardson at the helm, Florida has the ability to win on (almost) any given night.

Four and a half points is a little gross, but I’m confident that Florida can win by at least a touchdown. Kentucky has proven that they can hang with Florida in recent years, but history still favors the Gators, especially in Gainesville.

Eli McKown, State News Contributor (0-3)

Bad beat for me last week as Purdue’s clock management killed me, Illinois fell short and Louisville failed to reach all of my hopes and dreams. However, after readjusting my expectations, I’m back and ready for more… probably to my own detriment.

Boston College ML at Virginia Tech

Did literally anyone watch Virginia Tech lose to Old Dominion last week?

I did. Hokies quarterback Grant Wells, about the only one on the roster, threw four interceptions against the Monarchs. While Old Dominion is much tougher than the casual fan may know, the fact of the matter is that Virginia Tech is a couple of years away from success in the Brent Pry era.

Boston College, despite losing to Rutgers last week, is still a very good team, holding the Scarlet Knights to 312 yards of offense, including only 110 in the air. Phil Jurkovic threw for almost 300 yards, but three turnovers caused the one point loss.

Jurkovic is much better than three turnovers and with getting plus odds at multiple books right now, this feels like a steal.

Iowa State ML at Iowa

Okay, hear me out.

Yes, the Cyclones have not won a single Cy-Hawk game since 2014, but did you watch that Hawkeyes' offense?

The Ferentzs have a problem on their hands once again. As much as playing good defense and keeping good field position has worked for them in the past, not scoring a touchdown on South Dakota State is malpractice.

Iowa State is well coached and actually has an offense! Again, take the plus odds and run.

Houston ML at Texas Tech

I absolutely love Texas Tech, so this breaks my heart, but with Tyler Shough going down with a shoulder injury, this is going to be incredibly tough for the Red Raiders in year one under Joey McGuire with that loss and Houston being one of two teams that I think could get the group of five bid into the New Year's Six along with BYU.