NCAAF Week 2: Best Bets and Leans

Gambling Opinion by Josh Blatt and Ethan Irish

Records through Week One

(Win-Loss-Push)

Josh: 2-0-1

Ethan: 2-1-0

Game: #9 Baylor @ #21 BYU

Josh's Best Bet: Baylor +3.5 (-118)

    I see this game as a low scoring contest, but it'll have to stay close the whole way through for BYU to be able to cover. If Baylor can manage to strike early this thing has a Baylor dub written all over it. IF BYU can manage to win, I highly doubt it'll be by more than 3 points and I'm more confident in this pick than I was in any other game last week, but only by a hair. Baylor will be competing with Oklahoma State for the Big 12-- and while this isn't the most important game in accomplishing that goal, this is the type of game that can make or break the Bears' playoff hopes. I am worried about Baylor's defense slightly, as they only forced one turnover (a fumble) in their 69-10 dismantling of Albany-- who happens to be an FCS team. BYU running back and California transfer, Christopher Brooks (formally known as Christopher Brown Jr.) was outstanding in a 50-21 win over American Conference laughing stock Southern Florida, posting 135 yards and a touchdown on just 13 carries. 

    Baylor does have a fringe first round pick on their defensive line in Siaki Ika. The 6'4" 360 pound defensive tackle wrecks interior offensive lines, he may not always get the shiny stats, but his impact is clear. Ika is the main reason I believe that Baylor can manage to contain Christopher Brooks, who seems to be the X-Factor in this game. Baylor is known for intense defense and I believe that'll be more than enough for the Bears to shut down Brooks, especially since they're literally and figuratively leagues better than BYU's week one opponent, USF. I personally believe Baylor wins this game in Provo, Utah and shows the country why they're ranked at 9. Baylor +3.5 is a gimme.

Josh's Other Leans: 

#10 USC @ Stanford: USC -7.5 (-105)

Southern Alabama @ Central Michigan: CMU -5.5 (-112)

Odds from Fanduel

Game: #23 Wake Forest @ Vanderbilt

Ethan's Best Bet: Wake Forest -12.5 (-110)

    Sam Hartman has been cleared to play this Saturday which is big news for the Demon Deacons. Hartman, who sat out last week, threw for 4,228 yards last year with 50 total touchdowns and is getting a below average defense from Vanderbilt this week. The Commodores allowed Elon's quarterback, Matthew Mckay, to put up 333 yards last week with 2 passing touchdowns and 2 rushing touchdowns. Elon's quarterback... imagine what Hartman will do against this Vanderbilt squad in his first game of the season. Wake Forest brings back elite playmakers on the offensive side of the ball this year in the likes of A.T. Perry and Taylor Morin who put up a combined 1,914 receiving yards last season. 

    While I see this game being very easy for this Wake Forest team, who knows what they will do with Hartman? Will they take it easy? Will he stay in the entire game? Either way I even like Wake Forest's backup, Mitch Griffis, who completed 21 of his 29 attempts last week agaisnt VMI with 288 yards. Vanderbilt only beat Elon by 11 points and now they will get a real wake up call against a top 25 ranked team. I think Hartman comes out in his first game of the season and shows why he had a QBR that 13th best last year.

Ethan's Other Leans:

South Carolina @ #16 Arkansas: South Carolina +8 (-110)

Miss. St. @ Arizona: Miss. St. -10.5 (-110)

Odds from Caesar's Sportsbook