2026 College Football Week 2 Best Bets: Five picks for Sept 12 including Texas vs Ohio State, Michigan, Utah

Week 2 in the College Football world is headline by #1 Ohio State at #4 Texas, #12 Oklahoma going to the Big House to face a newly unranked Michigan squad, and we've already witnessed Miami kick off the week with 77 points on Florida A&M. Let's see what else Week 2 has in store for us! Game odds are courtesy of DraftKings. Here are my five best bets for Week 2 in College Football. Best of luck!

#1 Ohio State at #4 Texas (-1.5): O/U 49.5

If you looked at the box score of last year's matchup between Ohio State and Texas, you would haven’t thought the Buckeyes were the winner. Nonetheless after a noon kickoff last year, we have a night game in Austin that will shape the trajectory of these teams seasons.

Ohio State is 5-0 to the Over in their last five games as an underdog. If we do see plenty of points, I'd expect Jeremiah Smith to find the end zone. I lean Ohio State +1.5, but think the best bet is for Smith to finally break through and score a touchdown against Texas.

In 12 career non-conference games, Jeremiah Smith has scored a touchdown in 10 of those games. The two he didn’t? Well, Texas, and Texas, again. I don’t think the Longhorns hold Smith out of the end zone three-straight games. That would be unheard of. Give me Smith to score a touchdown at -115 and -125 odds. Some oddsmakers have him at -185!

Pick: Jeremiah Smith anytime TD (1.5u)

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#12 Oklahoma (-5.5) at Michigan: O/U 43.5

After the line switched from Michigan -1.5 to Oklahoma -5.5 following the Wolverines' Hail Mary win, there isn't much value on the Sooners anymore. One angle I like in this game is Michigan to come out and do what it does best, play defense. Last year, Oklahoma jumped out to a 14-0 halftime lead and was up 7-0 in the first.

In four true road games last year, Oklahoma has scored at least seven points. The Big House will be rocking and after Michigan's captain's held a players only meeting, you'd have to expect an all-out effort early. I like the Sooners to go Under their first quarter team total of 6.5 at -105 odds.

Pick: Oklahoma 1Q Team Total Under 6.5 (1 unit)

Old Dominion at Virginia Tech (-19.5): O/U 47.5

Virginia Tech are almost three touchdown favorites in a revenge game after last year's 45-26 home loss to Old Dominion. The Monarchs jumped out to a 28-0 halftime lead and was up 31-0 before the Hokies scored. That game dropped Virginia Tech to 0-3 and it was the most points they allowed all year.

Now enter James Franklin who led Virginia Tech to a relentless 77-3 win over VMI in the season opener. I think Franklin is out to make a point and smashing Old Dominion would go a long way in exciting the Hokies faithful. The Old Dominion first quarter team total is -130 to the Under and I will get in and get out on this game, but I lean Virginia Tech -19.5.

Pick: Old Dominion 1Q Team Total Under 0.5 (1 unit)

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Georgia Southern at Clemson (-19.5): O/U 55.5

Over the last three seasons, Clemson has lost an early season Week 0,1 or 2 game each year and bounced back the following game with a big win. In 2023, Clemson smacked Charleston Southern 66-17 after losing to Duke. In 2024, Clemson beat App State by 46 after losing to Georgia, and in 2025, Clemson beat Troy 27-16 after trailing 16-3. This seems to be a theme for Dabo Swinney.

Georgia Southern may have won 31-0 in their season opener, but Charleston Southern went 5-7 last year after going 1-11 the season prior in the FCS. Georgia Southern jumped out to a 21-0 first quarter lead then cruised. Clemson comes in angry at its the home opener. I think the Tigers can win by three touchdowns. I lean the first half -10.5, but wanted a -9.5.

Pick: Clemson -19.5 (1 unit)

Arkansas at #20 Utah (-12.5): O/U 55.5

Arkansas will playing in a different time zone, late, and in altitude. All of that goes into Utah being favored, but rewatching these two in Week 1, it was evident the Utes had the better performance. Arkansas struggled to run the ball versus North Alabama at 3.5 yards per carry, turned the ball over three times, and posted pretty poor offensive pass blocking grades too, per PFF.

Last season, Arkansas lost all five road games and scored at least seven points in the first quarter of all five games — but that was with Taylen Green at quarterback. KJ Jackson isn't as seasoned as Green was. Green was a two-year starter at Boise State before he took over at Arkansas for the past two seasons. I don't think Arkansas will get in the end zone during the first quarter of Jackson's first road start. At -115 odds, I like the angle enough to ride. The first half team total is 10.5 and juiced -135 to the Under.

Pick: Arkansas 1Q Team Total Under 6.5 (1 unit)

Week 2 Picks

1.5 units: Jeremiah Smith anytime TD vs Texas (-105)
1 unit: Clemson -19.5 (-110)
1 unit: Oklahoma 1Q Team Total Under 6.5 (-105)
1 unit: Old Dominion 1Q Team Total Under 0.5 (-130)
1 unit: Arkansas 1Q Team Total Under 6.5 (-115)

Season Record: 8-8 -0.03 units
Week 0 Record: 1-2 -1.57 units
Week 1 Record: 6-5 +0.99 units
Week 2 Record: 1-1 +0.55 units

Week 2 College Football Articles:

Week 2 Heisman Trophy Rankings
Week 2 Top 25 Poll
#1 Ohio State at #4 Texas Game Preview
Alabama at Kentucky Game Preview
Iowa State at Iowa Game Preview
Rice at #3 Notre Dame Game Preview
#11 Oklahoma at Michigan Game Preview
#6 Oregon at Oklahoma State Game Preview

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