PHOTO USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES. Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood (19), right, and quarterback Jadyn Davis (2), left, warm up ahead of the New Mexico game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, August 30, 2025. College football blue bloods, in-state rivalries, and even some that date back to the Civil War. It’s everything that makes this sport great. Let’s get into the games.
#11 Illinois (1-0) -2.5 @ Duke (1-0) | Total: 49.5
This game is screaming “trap line.” Fortunately, I can’t hear, and I LOVE the Illini in this one.
I know Duke shelled out big NIL money for Darian Mensah to steal him from Tulane, but there are too many holes in the rest of this roster.
Both teams looked great against their Week 1 FCS opponents, but Illinois showed a glimpse of what this team can be. A Bret Bielema defense that mucks games up and a ground-and-pound offense that controls the clock.
My play of the entire week is Illinois -2.5 and the under as an official play. I see Duke struggling to move the ball.
Picks: Illinois (-2.5) and Under 49.5
#15 Michigan (1-0) @ #18 Oklahoma (1-0) -5.5 | Total: 45.5
Two blue bloods are looking to rebound after down years in 2024, and both have a massive opportunity for a season-defining win.
I’m nervous Justice Haynes will rush for 200 yards against a shaky Oklahoma defense. On the other hand, I can’t bet against John Mateer. Between him and Georgia Tech’s Haynes King, we’ve got two of the grittiest players in college football — who also might be pretty good.
I think this game will turn into a bit of a shootout, and if that happens, I don’t love betting on a true freshman quarterback in a hostile environment like Bryce Underwood.
Oklahoma will pull away late and potentially put up 30+ points on a Michigan defense that might be overrated.
Pick: Over 45.5
Lean: Oklahoma (-5.5)
Kansas (2-0) @ Missouri (1-0) -6.5 | Total: 51.5
The Border War makes its much-needed return for the first time since 2011, and we could be in for a great game.
Most of the time, I complain about how overrated the SEC is, but for what might be the third year in a row, Missouri is wildly underrated. It’ll pain me to bet against Jalon Daniels, but I can’t trust him to stay on the field in a big game against an SEC defensive front.
Either way, I don’t see Kansas stopping transfer QB Beau Pribula and Missouri’s high-powered offense. Eli Drinkwitz is quietly building one of the most consistent rosters year after year in one of the toughest SEC markets.
I hope this game turns into a shootout, so I love the over as well.
Picks: Missouri (-6.5) and Over 51.5
