College Football Week 2: Point spreads for every game
After an exciting Week 1 of college football Week 2 promises to be just as good — if not better — with several marquee matchups between Power 5 opponents. Oddsmakers in Vegas are already gearing up for the upcoming slate of action, with Vegas Insider having released the point spreads for some of the biggest games.
Deion Sanders and Colorado came out of Week 1 with a statement win against TCU, while Mack Brown notched his 100th victory at North Carolina as the Tar Heels defeated South Carolina 31-17. Both of those teams will aim to keep rolling in Week 2 as the Buffaloes return home to face Nebraska and UNC gets Appalachian State in a rematch of last year’s shootout.
No game carries more hype than Texas vs. Alabama, as the Longhorns travel to Tuscaloosa in attempt to avenge a loss to the Crimson Tide loss from last season. That isn’t the only big-time matchup set to take place in Week 2 of college football, however, and you can view the point spreads for every contest below.
Illinois at Kansas (-3) — 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 8
Kansas will aim to keep the magic from the 2022 season going after making its first bowl game in 14 years. Similarly, Illinois hopes the momentum from last year will carry over as it finished with a winning record for the first time in more than a decade.
The Jayhawks return most of their offensive production from a year ago, including quarterback Jalon Daniels, who is set to make his season debut after sitting out Week 1. Running back Devin Neal also returns coming off of a 1,000-yard season. The Fighting Illini led the nation in scoring defense in 2022 and bring back a pair of All-Big Ten defensive linemen in Jer’Zahn Newton and Keith Randolph Jr.
No. 10 Notre Dame (-7) at NC State — Noon ET on Saturday, Sept. 9
Notre Dame won its first two games by an average of 46 points, but will face its first Power 5 opponent in Week 2. The NC State defense will hope to slow down Fighting Irish quarterback Sam Hartman after forcing him to throw three interceptions this past season when he played at Wake Forest.
Hartman, the ACC’s all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns, is just 1-2 in his career against the Wolfpack. Notre Dame has yet to give up a touchdown this season and NC State ranked 12th in the country last year in points allowed per game (19.2), so this could end up being an interesting defensive battle.
No. 12 Utah (-6.5) at Baylor — Noon ET on Saturday, Sept. 9
No Cam Rising was no problem for Utah as it rolled to a 24-11 victory against Florida in Week 1. Bryson Barnes filled in for the injured Rising at quarterback as the Utes defense stepped up and didn’t allow a touchdown until there was 9:22 left in the game. Rising will reportedly practice this week without limitations, though it’s unclear whether he’ll be ready to go against Baylor.
The Bears are hoping to bounce back from an embarrassing 42-31 loss to Texas State in the opening week. Quarterback Blake Shapen put together a respectable line of 21-of-31 passing for 303 yards and two touchdowns, but the defense will have to be much better if Baylor is to have a chance here.
Nebraska at No. 22 Colorado (-2.5) — Noon ET on Saturday, Sept. 9
Not many were sure what to expect from coach Deion Sanders after he brought in a whopping 71 new players and saw 57 more leave. But the Buffaloes delivered in Week 1, handing defending national runner up TCU a 45-42 loss as quarterback Shedeur Sanders threw for 510 yards and four touchdowns.
Now having successfully grabbed the nation’s attention, Colorado will look to keep rolling as it returns to Boulder to face a Cornhuskers team that also features a first-year coach in Matt Rhule. He’s still searching for his first win at Nebraska after the Cornhuskers gave up 10 points in the final five minutes to lose 13-10 on Saturday to Minnesota.
No. 23 Texas A&M (-4.5) at Miami — 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 9
Last year’s matchup between the Hurricanes and Aggies carried a lot of hype as both teams entered the season ranked in the top 25. However, they each disappointed down the stretch to finish with a losing record and miss out on a bowl game.
But a new year brings optimism for Texas A&M and Miami as they aim to bounce back from last year. Aggies quarterback Conner Weigman showed a strong connection with Evan Stewart in the season opener against New Mexico as he threw for five touchdowns (two to Stewart). The Hurricanes return Tyler Van Dyke for his third year as a starter and have the advantage of being the home team as they aim to avenge a 17-9 loss from 2022.
Iowa (-3.5) at Iowa State — 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 9
Iowa State snapped a six-game losing streak in the Cy-Hawk Series last season by handing the Hawkeyes a 10-7 loss. This year’s game will hopefully feature a little bit more offense after Iowa brought in some new players to make up for ranking 123rd in the FBS in scoring (17.7 ppg).
Former Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara steps in as the Hawkeyes starter and threw for 191 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-14 win against Utah State in the season opener. Still, expect defense to again take the center stage as both teams ranked in the top 20 this past season in points allowed per game.
No. 20 Ole Miss (-7.5) at No. 24 Tulane — 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 9
The Ole Miss offense got off to a hot start in Week 1 with a 73-7 victory against Mercer. Jaxson Dart beat out transfers Spencer Sanders and Walker Howard for the starting quarterback job and threw for 334 yards and four touchdowns in just two-and-a-half quarters.
Reigning SEC Freshman of the Year Quinshon Judkins rushed for 60 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Rebels showed why they’ll again be one of the most explosive teams in the country. Week 2 will be anything but a cakewalk, though, as Tulane entered the season as the only Group of Five team ranked in the AP poll. Green Wave quarterback Michael Pratt returns after leading the team to a Cotton Bowl win against USC last season.
No. 11 Texas at No. 3 Alabama (-7) — 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 9
The Longhorns and Crimson Tide both took care of their Week 1 opponents, setting the stage for the premier matchup of Week 2. Last year’s game came down to the final seconds as Alabama kicked a field goal to escape with a 20-19 victory in Austin, and fans can only hope this season’s version will be equally entertaining.
Jalen Milroe got the start at quarterback in the Crimson Tide’s 56-7 drubbing of Middle Tennessee and impressed with five total touchdowns (three passing, two rushing). Texas loses Bijan Robinson from last year but returns quarterback Quinn Ewers and has hopes of competing for a Big 12 title in its final year before joining the SEC. Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian will aim to become just the third former Nick Saban assistant to earn a win against his old boss, joining Jimbo Fisher and Kirby Smart.
No. 13 Oregon (-6.5) at Texas Tech — 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 9
The Heisman campaign for Bo Nix is in full swing after he led the offense to score a school record 81 points in Week 1 against Portland State. Nix was an efficient 23-of-27 passing in that contest for 287 yards and three touchdowns and the Ducks also rushed for 348 yards and seven more scores.
Texas Tech, on the other hand, dropped its season opener 35-33 to Wyoming and now runs the risk of starting the year 0-2. Red Raiders quarterback Tyler Shough began his career at Oregon and will have the chance to get his revenge against the Ducks. He was 31-of-47 for 338 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in the Week 1 loss.
Stanford at No. 6 USC (-30.5) — 10:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 9
USC rolled through its first two games to score an average of 61 points and now enters conference play against the Cardinal. The Trojans are no doubt one of the top offenses in the entire nation with Caleb Williams leading the way, but still must answer concerns about their defense.
Stanford won just one Pac-12 game in 2022 but notched a 37-24 in Week 1 against Hawaii as Ashton Daniels finished with 248 yards passing and a pair of touchdowns. Expect USC to roll to another lopsided victory in what will be its third straight home game to start the year.
College football point spreads for every Week 2 game
Thursday, Sept. 7
Murray State at Louisville (-41.5)
Friday, Sept. 8
Indiana State at Indiana (N/A)
Saturday, Sept. 9
Vanderbilt at Wake Forest (-11.5)
Ball State at No. 1 Georgia (-43.5)
Youngstown State at No. 5 Ohio State (N/A)
Delaware at No. 7 Penn State (N/A)
Troy at No. 15 Kansas State (-15.5)
Delaware State at Army (N/A)
Purdue at Virginia Tech (-3)
Holy Cross at Boston College (N/A)
James Madison (-7.5) at Virginia
South Carolina State at Georgia Tech (N/A)
New Hampshire at Central Michigan (N/A)
Eastern Illinois at Bowling Green (N/A)
Charleston Southern at No. 25 Clemson
Eastern Kentucky at Kentucky (-35)
Southern Utah at BYU (N/A)
UNLV at No. 2 Michigan (-36.5)
Richmond at Michigan State (N/A)
UTEP (1.5) at Northwestern
Western Michigan at Syracuse (-23.5)
Miami (OH) (-7) at Massachusetts
Texas State at UTSA (-11.5)
Wagner at Navy (N/A)
Southern Illinois at Northern Illinois (N/A)
Texas Southern at Toldeo (N/A)
Kent State at Arkansas (-37.5)
Marshall (-3.5) at East Carolina
Cal Poly at San Jose State (N/A)
Portland State at Wyoming (N/A)
Tulsa at No. 8 Washington (-34.5)
Austin Peay at No. 9 Tennessee
Southeastern Louisiana at South Alabama (N/A)
Appalachian State at No. 17 North Carolina (-18.5)
SMU at No. 18 Oklahoma (-16.5)
New Mexico State at Liberty (-10.5)
Lafayette at No. 21 Duke (N/A)
Duquesne at West Virginia (N/A)
UAB at Georgia Southern (-6.5)
Ohio at Florida Atlantic (-5.5)
Louisiana (-6.5) at Old Dominion
Morgan State at Akron (N/A)
Fordham at Buffalo (N/A)
North Texas (-12.5) at Florida International
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh (-7)
Jacksonville State at Coastal Carolina (-12.5)
UConn at Georgia State (-2.5)
Northwestern State at Louisiana Tech (N/A)
Middle Tennessee at Missouri (-20.5)
Houston Christian at Western Kentucky (N/A)
UCF (-3.5) at Boise State
Houston (-9.5) at Rice
Florida A&M at South Florida (N/A)
Memphis (-21.5) at Arkansas State
Idaho at Nevada (N/A)
Grambling State at No. 14 LSU (N/A)
No. 19 Wisconsin (-6.5) at Washington State
McNeese State at Florida (N/A)
Charlotte at Maryland (-24.5)
Eastern Michigan at Minnesota (-20.5)
Arizona at Mississippi State (-10.5)
Temple at Rutgers (N/A)
Furman at South Carolina (N/A)
UCLA (-13.5) at San Diego State
Nicholls State at TCU (N/A)
Air Force (-14.5) at Sam Houston State
Lamar at Louisiana-Monroe (N/A)
Tennessee Tech at New Mexico (N/A)
Idaho State at Utah State (N/A)
Southern Miss at No. 4 Florida State (-29.5)
UC Davis at No. 16 Oregon State (N/A)
Eastern Washington at Fresno State (N/A)
Auburn (-6.5) at California
Oklahoma State (-3.5) at Arizona State
Albany at Hawaii (N/A)