Week 2 of the 2026 college football season is here and our VSiN team is attacking it relentlessly. If you haven’t already, make sure you check out the Week 1 CFB Betting Hub for write-ups and picks from all of our talented analysts. However, I’d love for you to keep reading for my college football best bets and predictions for this exciting Week 2 slate. I’ll probably add some picks as lines move and more information comes out later in the week — and on game day. If I do, I’ll put them on the VSiN Pro Picks page. Don’t miss out on those.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for college football best bets from all of our analysts
Arizona State Sun Devils at Texas A&M Aggies -12:00 pm ET
We have some interesting trends for this game. Since Mike Elko took over at Texas A&M, the Aggies are 1-8 against the spread in home games against non-conference opponents. In that same span, while the Aggies are 4-1 straight-up as favorites of 10.5 to 21 points, they’re 1-4 ATS in such games. Meanwhile, under Kenny Dillingham, the Sun Devils are 7-4 ATS as road underdogs.
Outside of the way these teams have performed in games with big spreads, it’s going to be hard for A&M to create serious separation against an explosive Arizona State offense. Sure, the Sun Devils lost Sam Leavitt in the offseason, but Cutter Boley sure looked good as his replacement. The Kentucky transfer threw for 387 yards and six touchdowns in the season opener last week. And while that was against miserable competition, Boley is a 6-foot-5 signal-caller with a ton of talent. He could be fantastic in this offense, and the Sun Devils have some real ballers at the skill positions.
There’s also a decent chance the ASU defense holds up against the A&M offense. While I like Marcel Reed a lot, he hasn’t exactly torched good teams. He’ll also be attempting to do so with a new offensive coordinator.
Bet: Arizona State +15.5 (-110)
California Golden Bears at Syracuse Orange – 3:30 pm ET
This one feels pretty straightforward. California is coming off a loss to UCLA, but how can we be sure the Bruins aren’t good? UCLA hired one of the better coaches in the nation in former James Madison head coach Bob Chesney. The Bruins also happened to bring in a ton of talented players with starting experience. That said, I’m not sure we should dock the Golden Bears too much after last week’s loss. This is a team with a good defensive mind leading the way, as people seem to really respect former Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi. Cal also has one of the best quarterbacks in college football in Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele.
In comparing the depth charts, Syracuse doesn’t have nearly as much to be excited about. This spread just seems like an overreaction to the Orange having won 66-3 against New Hampshire last week. It could also be heavily factoring in the travel required from the Golden Bears here. But I’ll take the points with the better football team. I’ll also note that Syracuse is just 2-5-1 ATS as a home favorite under Fran Brown.
Bet: Cal +3.5 (-110)
Iowa State Cyclones at Iowa Hawkeyes – 7:30 pm ET
I know that Iowa State is completely unproven with Matt Campbell now coaching Penn State. However, the Cy-Hawk Series has been decided by 14 or fewer points in eight consecutive years. I’m not sure Iowa’s offense is good enough for that to change.
We have seen some minor progress from the Hawkeyes offense in recent years, but this is still a team that wants to win games on the ground. That’ll make it hard for them to win by a wide margin. And that’s especially true against a team coached by Jimmy Rogers, who has been extremely sharp coaching up his defenses. Rogers should know that Iowa State can keep things somewhat tight be keying in on the run, as Hank Brown hasn’t shown that he can consistently beat teams over the top.
The Cyclones also happen to have a playmaker at quarterback, as Jaylen Raynor understands how to beat defenses in a number of different ways. Honestly, with Raynor at QB, I think it’s more likely Iowa State wins outright than Iowa wins by at least 15.
Bet: Iowa State +14.5 (-120)
Added Plays
PARLAY: Michigan +8.5 vs. Oklahoma & Minnesota +8.5 vs. Mississippi State (+114)
South Alabama +10 (-110) vs. Tulane
Check the Pro Picks page for any additional plays, or come back here right before kick-off to see if I added something on the game you’re interested in.
Week 1
Miami-Stanford Over 47.5 (-110)
Tulane +9.5 (-120) vs. Duke
LSU -10 (-110) vs. Clemson
UMass-Rutgers Over 52.5 (-114)
UCLA ML (-120) vs. California
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2026 Record: 5-1 (+3.80 units)
