Top College Football ATS Picks Week 2

We just finished one of the most exciting opening weeks in recent memory in college football betting. If your betting lines got shredded by such unexpected occurrences as Texas’ double-overtime win over Notre Dame, don’t worry — we have some sweet ATS picks for you to consider as you put your wagers together for this weekend’s action.

Here Are the Top College Football ATS Picks for Week 2

Ohio State (-28) over Tulsa

If you’re a Tulsa fan, you might bristle at this line. After all, your Golden Hurricane just dealt the San Jose State Spartans a 45-10 drubbing in Week 1. The connection between Dane Evans and Keevan Lucas was dynamic, as Lucas gained 112 yards in receptions while Evans threw for 198 yards total. James Flanders led Tulsa with 82 yards on the ground, and Tulsa galloped out to a 305-53 lead in rushing yards (and 512-287 overall). A pick-six from Jesse Brubaker made the score 24-7 at the end of the first quarter, and the Hurricane never looked back. However, there is a world of difference between San Jose State and Ohio State. In Week 1, the Buckeyes demolished Bowling Green, 77-10, as J.T. Barrett threw six touchdown passes to tie his own record, and he ran for another touchdown. He did throw a pick-six to Brandon Harris, but that would be Bowling Green’s only visit to the end zone. Last year, Bowling Green was a contender in the MAC, while Tulsa dwelt at the bottom of the American Athletic Conference standings. I like the Buckeyes to roll over Tulsa much like they rolled over Bowling Green.

USC (-16.5) over Utah State

You might be tempted to take Utah State in this matchup given the 52-6 drubbing that USC took from Alabama in Week 1. Here are some reasons why you should reconsider that. First, Utah State has finished 5-10 ATS in their last 15 games as an underdog. USC is 5-3 ATS in their last eight games at home as a favorite. Remember, though, that USC held Alabama to just a dozen yard in the first quarter of that shellacking (imagine what the score might have been otherwise!). Utah State did thrash Weber State in Week 1 by a 45-6 score, as Devante Mays rumbled for 208 yards and three scores and the Aggies gained more than twice as many yards (528-245) as the Wildcats, including 428 total yards on the ground. While Weber State missed tackle after tackle, though, I don’t think USC will have any trouble finishing tackles after the embarrassment they suffered on national television. USC is playing this game at home, and the fan base will be fired up to push the team to 1-1. While the opening loss to Alabama was emphatic, it doesn’t have any impact on the Trojans’ stance in the Pac-12, and USC is still setting up nicely to be a contender to win the South division of their conference. I like them to figure things out and deliver a whipping of Utah State.