For the time being this thread will be using the AP Top 25. Check out the current CSD Prime Computer Rankings here.
Note: Because the CSD Prime model does not rate FCS teams, no score prediction will be made for FBS vs FCS games.
Last Week’s Picks
Straight Up: 75-9 (84%)
Against The Spread: 24-19-1 (+2.84 units)
Against The Spread Best Bets: 5-1 (+3.55 units)
☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bets Week 2☆
Maryland +1.5 vs Syracuse – 12 PM ET
West Virginia +14 @ Missouri – 12 PM ET
Vanderbilt +7.5 @ Purdue – 12 PM ET
Texas A&M +17.5 @ Clemson – 3:30 PM ET
Colorado +5 vs Nebraska – 3:30 PM ET
UTSA +27.5 @ Baylor – 4 PM ET
Kansas -7.5 vs Coastal Carolina – 7 PM ET
Tulane +18 @ Auburn – 7:30 PM ET
Arkansas State +1.5 @ UNLV – 10 PM ET
WEEK TWO
William & Mary @ Virginia (1-0)
Friday, September 6th at 8 PM ET on ACC Network
Pick: Virginia
Wake Forest (1-0) @ Rice (0-1)
Friday, September 6th at 8 PM ET on CBSSN
Vegas Line: Wake Forest -18
Rice looked ahead of schedule in week one, but that’s not to say they still won’t be one of the worst teams in college football this year. Even at home, I don’t think that they’ll be able to compete with P5 talent, give me Wake big.
CSD Prime Pick: Wake Forest 37, Rice 20
Marshall (1-0) @ #24 Boise State (1-0)
Friday, September 6th at 9 PM ET on ESPN2
Vegas Line: Boise State -11
Two of the best teams in the G5 will square off to headline a pretty light Friday night slate. Boise struggled out of the gate last week against Florida State before putting up a tremendous second half performance. Marshall has the talented to pull the upset here, but after Hank Bachmeier’s great debut to start 2019, I think Boise wins a tight one.
CSD Prime Pick: Boise State 33, Marshall 25
Sacramento State @ Arizona State (1-0)
Friday, September 6th at 10 PM ET on Pac-12 Network
Pick: Arizona State
Ohio (1-0) @ Pittsburgh (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 11 AM ET on ACC Network
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh -4
This game is a huge opportunity for the MAC to pick up a non-conference victory over a power five team on the road. Pitt looked vulnerable in week one, and with Nathan Rourke at the helm for Ohio, I don’t think an upset would be too surprising even if I think home-field advantage will carry Pitt to a tight win.
CSD Prime Pick: Pittsburgh 30, Ohio 26
Cincinnati (1-0) @ #5 Ohio State (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 12 PM ET on ABC
Vegas Line: Ohio State -16
Both of these teams impressed in week one. Cincinnati, led by veteran QB Desmond Ridder, controlled UCLA from start to finish, and Ohio State looked as dominant as any team in the country. QB Justin Fields looks to be a potential star this year for the Buckeyes. There is talent on this Cincinnati team, but against an explosive OSU offense that hung 28 on FAU in a single quarter, I think Cincy falters here before rebounding once AAC play picks up.
CSD Prime Pick: Ohio State 38, Cincinnati 18
Army (1-0) @ #7 Michigan (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 12 PM ET on FOX
Vegas Line: Michigan -23.5
Both of these teams struggled last week, Army more so, the Black Knights needed a late game drive to knock of lowly Rice in a home game, and now they have to travel to the Big House. The Michigan run defense was terrific in week one and I think the offense gets things together, give me Michigan big.
CSD Prime Pick: Michigan 36, Army 14
Rutgers (1-0) @ #20 Iowa (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 12 PM ET on FS1
Vegas Line: Iowa -20
Rutgers looked dominant after about a quarter and a half last week while Iowa struggled with an (albeit high-level) FCS team. Nonetheless, at home and trying to prove a point after a poor performance, I’ll take the Hawkeyes to win big and start out Big Ten play on the right foot.
CSD Prime Pick: Iowa 37, Rutgers 20
#21 Syracuse (1-0) @ Maryland (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 12 PM ET on ESPN
Vegas Line: Syracuse -1.5
Syracuse dominated a high-powered Liberty offense in week one, holding them to zero points on the backs of their deadly pass rush. Maryland also held an opponent to zero in Howard, and put up 56 points of their own in the first half alone before cruising to a 79-0 victory. It’s hard to extrapolate games against teams like Howard, but Maryland looked excellent, and while the Syracuse defensive front impressed, there were cracks in the foundation, especially with QB Tommy DeVito’s play. Give me Maryland in a tight one.
CSD Prime Pick: Maryland 29, Syracuse 25
☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – Maryland +1.5
Old Dominion (1-0) @ Virginia Tech (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 12 PM ET on ESPNU
Vegas Line: Virginia Tech -29.5
Virginia Tech lost this game last year and looked incredibly shaky in the first week of play of 2019. Tech lost a ton this offseason and needs to rebound from the week one loss to Boston College in order to make a bowl. I think they do that, and make a statement in the process with a big win.
CSD Prime Pick: Virginia Tech 43, Old Dominion 18
UAB (1-0) @ Akron (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 12 PM ET on CBSSN
Vegas Line: UAB -9.5
Both of these teams struggled in week one, UAB barely scraping by FCS Alabama State and Akron being throttled by Illinois. Since both underdelivered I’ll stick with my preseason judgment in UAB, but I’m not too confident in it.
CSD Prime Pick: UAB 25, Akron 22
Kennesaw State @ Kent State (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 12 PM ET on ESPN3
Pick: Kent State
Southern @ Memphis (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 12 PM ET on ESPN3
Pick: Memphis
West Virginia (1-0) @ Missouri (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 12 PM ET on ESPN2
Vegas Line: Missouri -14
Neither of these teams looked impressive at all in week one, and while I think Missouri wins out because of raw talent and home-field, in a game like this where I feel like anything could happen it feels safe to take the 14 points with West Virginia and their staunch defense.
CSD Prime Pick: Missouri 32, West Virginia 23
☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – West Virginia +14
Charleston Southern @ South Carolina (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 12 PM ET on SEC Network
Pick: South Carolina
Vanderbilt (0-1) @ Purdue (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 12 PM ET on BTN
Vegas Line: Purdue -7.5
After Purdue lost to Nevada to start out 2019, the Boilermakers suddenly need this win to go bowling. With the home crowd at their backs and Rondale Moore and Elijah Sindelar on offense I *think* they’ll win, but I’m not confident in it, so if you’re giving me a Vanderbilt team that looked pretty solid for the final three quarters against what I think is the #2 team in the country plus 7.5 against a team that just lost to Nevada, I’m taking Vandy every time, so while I think they’ll lose the game in a tight one, I feel very good about their chances of keeping it within one possession.
CSD Prime Pick: Purdue 31, Vanderbilt 28
☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – Vanderbilt +7.5
Bowling Green (1-0) @ Kansas State (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 12 PM ET on FSN
Vegas Line: Kansas State -23
Often times, people don’t like it when computer models extrapolate data from FCS games, but Kansas State impressed last week, overdelivering on projections in practically every facet of the game. I think they start the year 2-0 with a win here.
CSD Prime Pick: Kansas State 41, Bowling Green 20
Western Carolina @ NC State (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 12:30 PM ET on ACC Network Extra
Pick: NC State
Northern Illinois (1-0) @ #13 Utah (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 1 PM ET on Pac-12 Network
Vegas Line: Utah -22.5
Both of these teams have tremendous defenses and it should be a pretty fun watch in the 10 AM local time slot. Utah will pull away late, but I think the Huskies put up a fight.
CSD Prime Pick: Utah 33, Northern Illinois 14
Fordham @ Ball State (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 2 PM ET on ESPN3
Pick: Ball State
South Florida (0-1) @ Georgia Tech (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 2 PM ET on ACC Network
Vegas Line: Georgia Tech -5.5
Both of these teams got embarrassed to open the season, I’m not sure what to expect, but Georgia Tech has the home-field edge so even with the offense still a work in progress I think the Yellow Jackets pick up a win for the ACC.
CSD Prime Pick: Georgia Tech 35, South Florida 29
Tennessee Tech @ Miami (OH) (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 2:30 PM ET on ESPN+
Pick: Miami (OH)
#12 Texas A&M (1-0) @ #1 Clemson (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 3:30 PM ET on ABC
Vegas Line: Clemson -17.5
Texas A&M may rank 12th in the AP poll, but in my computer model, the Aggies actually are rated out as the #9 team in the nation. A&M not only took care of business in week one but dominated a Texas State team that I thought had some serious talent. Clemson also dominated on Thursday night, in their case against a rebuilding Georgia Tech team undergoing a huge system change, covering a massive 37 point spread in the process.
I’ve felt really high on Texas A&M all offseason and week one only helped confirm some of those suspicions. QB Kellen Mond and RB Jashaun Corbin were excellent for the Aggies, as were the play of their corners and interior lineman up and down the depth chart.
I really considered calling the outright upset here, and I’m taking Texas A&M +17.5 for sure, but especially at home in Death Valley, I just can’t pick against this Clemson team. The Tiger secondary, led by Tanner Muse, looked dynamite in week one, Travis Etienne and Tee Higgins looked great, and it seems like the offensive line won’t miss a beat as they were dominate against the Yellow Jackets. I’ve got Trevor Lawrence rebounding from a subpar performance and leading Clemson to a win, but it will be closer than expected.
CSD Prime Pick: Clemson 35, Texas A&M 28
☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – Texas A&M +17.5
Central Michigan (1-0) @ #17 Wisconsin (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 3:30 PM ET on BTN
Vegas Line: Wisconsin -35
Wisconsin was probably the most impressive team of week one to me, the Badgers dismantled what I expected to be a pretty solid South Florida team, and I think they do the same to Central Michigan here.
CSD Prime Pick: Wisconsin 45, Central Michigan 10
#25 Nebraska (1-0) @ Colorado (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 3:30 PM ET on FOX
Vegas Line: Nebraska -5
Nebraska wasn’t the team that disappointed me the most in week one, that honor would go to schools like South Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, Purdue, and USF, but the Cornhuskers weren’t far off, struggling from bell to bell against a South Alabama team that came into the season ranked 123rd of 130. Now they’ve got to on the road against a Colorado team fresh off of a dominating performance against their in-state rival? I don’t know what Vegas was thinking favoring Nebraska by nearly a touchdown here, but my model calls for Colorado to win this one straight up on the backs of the terrific offensive line and WR Laviska Shenault.
CSD Prime Pick: Colorado 35, Nebraska 33
☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – Colorado +5
Southern Illinois @ UMass (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 3:30 PM ET on Flo Sports
Pick: UMass
Charlotte (1-0) @ Appalachian State (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 3:30 PM ET on ESPN+
Vegas Line: Appalachian State -21.5
Appalachian State is up there with the best teams in the G5, and I think they prove that here with a commanding victory over an improving Charlotte squad.
CSD Prime Pick: Appalachian State 37, Charlotte 16
Grambling @ Louisiana Tech (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 3:30 PM ET on NFL Network
Pick: Louisiana Tech
Richmond @ Boston College (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 3:30 PM ET on ACC Network Extra
Pick: Boston College
Illinois (1-0) @ UConn (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 3:30 PM ET on CBSSN
Vegas Line: Illinois -20
UConn won a game last week, they won’t win another against an Illinois team that destroyed a decent Akron team to kick off the season.
CSD Prime Pick: Illinois 39, UConn 19
Eastern Illinois @ Indiana (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 3:30 PM ET on BTN
Pick: Indiana
Southern Mississippi (1-0) @ Mississippi State (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 3:30 PM ET on ESPNU
Vegas Line: Mississippi State -17
Mississippi State was a team that my model was much higher on than AP voters preseason, and while they did struggle a little against Louisiana for the first half of week one partly due to some unforeseen suspensions, I don’t think they’ll have that same type of trouble here, even against a USM team that could compete for a C-USA crown.
CSD Prime Pick: Mississippi State 30, Southern Mississippi 16
New Mexico State (0-1) @ #2 Alabama (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 4 PM ET on SEC Network
Vegas Line: Alabama -54
54 points? Are you serious Vegas? Actually, now that you say that it doesn’t sound so absurd (I’ve still got NMSU +54 with a gun to my head, but I wouldn’t bet on it).
CSD Prime Pick: Alabama 59, New Mexico State 7
Murray State @ #3 Georgia (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 4 PM ET on ESPN2
Pick: Georgia
UTSA (1-0) @ Baylor (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 4 PM ET on FSN
Vegas Line: Baylor -27.5
Matt Rhule has been trying to change the toxic culture at Baylor, but I’m not sure how much success he’s had so far. The Bears did look good against Stephen F. Austin, and they’ll win this game, but I’m more concerned about the spread. UTSA dominated a good Incarnate Word team last week in a game many expected them to lose outright, holding the ball for 40 minutes, and while I don’t think they’ll pull the upset here, they’ll keep it within four touchdowns thanks to their grinding pace.
CSD Prime Pick: Baylor 38, UTSA 19
☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – UTSA +27.5
Western Illinois (0-1) @ Colorado State (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 4 PM ET on AT&T Sports Network
Pick: Colorado State
San Diego State (1-0) @ UCLA (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 4:15 PM ET on Pac-12 Network
Vegas Line: UCLA -7
Both of these teams had no offense in week one. This one won’t be pretty, and San Diego State will keep it close, but give me Chip Kelly and the Bruins in a tight one.
CSD Prime Pick: UCLA 24, San Diego State 15
Northern Colorado @ Washington State
Saturday, September 7th at 5 PM ET on Pac-12 Network Washington
Pick: Washington State
UL Monroe (1-0) @ Florida State (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 5 PM ET on ACC Network
Vegas Line: Florida State -22
I said that Florida State would be fine after the Boise State game, and I’m sticking to that. They lost a tossup game against a really good team, that happens, now you just have to take care of business against UL Monroe, and I think they’ll do that.
CSD Prime Pick: Florida State 42, UL Monroe 18
North Carolina A&T @ Duke (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 6 PM ET on ACC Network Extra
Pick: Duke
Gardner-Webb @ East Carolina (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 6 PM ET on ESPN3
Pick: East Carolina
Maine @ Georgia Southern (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 6 PM ET on ESPN+
Pick: Georgia Southern
South Dakota @ #4 Oklahoma (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 7 PM ET on PPV
Pick: Oklahoma
#18 UCF (1-0) @ Florida Atlantic (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 7 PM ET on CBSSN
Vegas Line: UCF -10
Transfer QB Brandon Wimbush looked solid in UCF’s 62-0 win over Florida A&M last week while Florida Atlantic’s defense got punched in the mouth by Justin Fields and JK Dobbins. Granted, the two teams faced two very different opponents, but it’s hard to feel confident about the FAU D. Owl QB Chris Robison will keep this one close, but I think Wimbush impresses and the Owl defense falters down the stretch before falling by ten points.
CSD Prime Pick: UCF 39, Florida Atlantic 29
Furman @ Georgia State (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 7 PM ET on ESPN3
Pick: Georgia State
Jackson State @ South Alabama (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 7 PM ET on ESPN3
Pick: South Alabama
Wyoming (1-0) @ Texas State (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 7 PM ET on ESPN+
Vegas Line: Wyoming -7
Wyoming looked tremendous in a week one victory over SEC Missouri, they should have no trouble with Texas State in week two.
CSD Prime Pick: Wyoming 37, Texas State 27
Western Kentucky (0-1) @ Florida International (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 7 PM ET on ESPN+
Vegas Line: FIU -8
Both of these teams have struggled to meet expectations in recent years. I’ll take the home team in FIU to start out C-USA play on the right foot.
CSD Prime Pick: FIU 34, Western Kentucky 23
Tennessee State @ Middle Tennessee (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 7 PM ET on ESPN3
Pick: Middle Tennessee
North Texas (1-0) @ SMU (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 7 PM ET on ESPN3
Vegas Line: SMU -3.5
SMU kicked off the year with a win over Arkansas State, and now they’ve got North Texas in what should be a really fun high scoring shootout. Shane Buechele looked great in week one, and with the home crowd at his back, I think the Texas transfer leads the Mustangs to a 2-0 start.
CSD Prime Pick: SMU 41, North Texas 37
Eastern Kentucky @ Louisville (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 7 PM ET on ACC Network Extra
Pick: Louisville
BYU (0-1) @ Tennessee (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 7 PM ET on ESPN
Vegas Line: Tennessee -3.5
Boy is this an interesting game to keep an eye on, not from a football perspective (it might be bad in that sense), but these two coaches are now both nearing the hot seat after embarrassing performances week one, for BYU’s Kilani take yet another loss to Utah, and for Tennessee’s Jeremy Pruitt a loss to Georgia State. I think home field and talent wins out, but a BYU win is not out of the question, and should that happen it would send the Vols spiraling out of control.
CSD Prime Pick: Tennessee 26, BYU 22
Coastal Carolina (0-1) @ Kansas (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 7 PM ET on ESPN+
Vegas Line: Kansas -7.5
Kansas is bad, but signs of improvement were there against Indiana State in week one, and that was without the best player on the team, RB Pooka Williams. Now, they get Pooka back against a really bad Coastal Carolina team that just let Eastern Michigan QB Mike Glass throw at a 91% accuracy rate, and yeah, not only do I take Kansas to win, but I’ll put money on them laying 7.5.
CSD Prime Pick: Kansas 33, Coastal Carolina 18
☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – Kansas -7.5
McNeese @ Oklahoma State (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 7 PM ET on ESPN+
Pick: Oklahoma State
#6 LSU (1-0) @ #9 Texas (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 7:30 PM ET on ABC
Vegas Line: LSU -5.5
LSU and Texas throttled two really good group of five programs last week by a combined score of 100-17, and they did that while both trying to hide much of their offenses in preparation for this blockbuster week two showcase.
This matchup fascinates me, and if it’s nearly as exciting as last week’s primetime ABC game we’ll be in for a treat, but let’s start with Tom Herman’s Texas Longhorns, a team known to have messed around with lower-level opponents in the past, but one that certainly did not do that in week one. The Longhorns were led on offense by RB Keontay Ingram and a terrific offensive line, and while QB Sam Ehlinger had a pretty average game, with the home crowd behind him in a big spot, I think he rebounds. Texas also boasts maybe the top edge rusher in the Big 12 in Joseph Ossai (88.5 PFF grade), and he’ll be going up against an LSU line that wasn’t playing at the level they should’ve been last week against Georgia Southern.
For the Tigers, you’ve got raw talent in the skill corps and in the secondary, along with star QB Joe Burrow, one of the most underrated QBs in college football (five touchdowns, 85% completion rate in week one). Even if Burrow or the running back stable struggle to get started, they are backed up by an extraordinary defense led by maybe the best linebacking corps in the country and a pair of studs in the secondary between Grant Delpit and Kristian Fulton.
This may truly be a college football playoff elimination game as early as week two, and with both quarterbacks facing big tests, I trust the LSU defense to put more pressure on Ehlinger and for the Tigers to win the day in a tight one on the road.
CSD Prime Pick: LSU 29, Texas 24
Tulane (1-0) @ #10 Auburn (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN2
Vegas Line: Auburn -18
My bet of Tulane -2 last week was against the “sharp consensus” but it ended up turning out ok, as the Green Wave not only covered two points but demolished FIU 42-14. Add in the “hangover factor” after Bo Nix’s brilliant emotional game-winning drive against Oregon, and while I don’t think they pull the upset, I’ve got Tulane +18 as a surefire best bet for week two on the backs of their sneaky reformed offense.
CSD Prime Pick: Auburn 30, Tulane 17
☆Crazy Sports Dude Best Bet Alert☆ – Tulane +18
UT Martin @ #11 Florida (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 7:30 PM ET on ESPNU
Pick: Florida
Buffalo (1-0) @ #15 Penn State (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 7:30 PM ET on FOX
Vegas Line: Penn State -30
Buffalo could be great in the MAC this year, but there is no reason to overthink this. Give me Penn State, big.
CSD Prime Pick: Penn State 41, Buffalo 14
Nevada (1-0) @ #16 Oregon (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 7:30 PM ET on Pac-12 Network
Vegas Line: Oregon -23
Nevada looked really great in their crazy comeback win against Purdue last week. The Wolfpack, led by QB Carson Strong, now have to go on the road against an Oregon team looking to make a statement after coming up short in their week one blockbuster against Auburn. Justin Herbert looked tremendous last week, and the Nevada defense is no Auburn. Herbert will shine and the Ducks will pull away after a tight quarter and a half.
CSD Prime Pick: Oregon 41, Nevada 22
Western Michigan (1-0) @ #19 Michigan State (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 7:30 PM ET on BTN
Vegas Line: Michigan State -16
This game is going to be a low scoring defensive battle, but Michigan State will win it in one that will be close than expected.
CSD Prime Pick: Michigan State 28, Western Michigan 15
Eastern Michigan (1-0) @ Kentucky (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 7:30 PM ET on SEC Network Alternate
Vegas Line: Kentucky -14.5
Kentucky struggled out of the gate against Toledo last week before pulling away to win, I see a similar situation playing out here.
CSD Prime Pick: Kentucky 33, Eastern Michigan 19
Arkansas (1-0) @ Ole Miss (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 7:30 PM ET on SEC Network
Vegas Line: Ole Miss -6.5
Please don’t watch this game. Both of these teams looked bad in week one, Ole Miss put up just ten points on what is considered to be a poor Memphis D, and Arkansas struggled with Portland State. I’ve got Ole Miss winning because of the home-field edge, but after both failed to come close to expectations last week I don’t feel that confident in it.
CSD Prime Pick: Ole Miss 28, Arkansas 21
Stony Brook @ Utah State (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 7:30 PM ET on Facebook Video
Pick: Utah State
Liberty (0-1) @ Louisiana (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN+
Vegas Line: ULL -14
ULL held their own against Mississippi State for most of the first half last week and Liberty failed to put up a single point against Syracuse. Give me the Cajuns by double digits.
CSD Prime Pick: Louisiana 37, Liberty 25
Prairie View @ Houston (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 8 PM ET on ESPN3
Pick: Houston
Miami (0-1) @ North Carolina (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 8 PM ET on ACC Network
Vegas Line: Miami -5.5
This is a big game for Miami coming off of the loss to Florida. I still think this is a really good football team (My model actually still has them in the top 25) but they’ve got to prove themselves here against a North Carolina team that looked excellent in a neutral site rivalry game against South Carolina. The Hurricanes had an extra week to prepare for this because of their week one bye and I think they get the win here on the road on the backs of Jarren Williams and DeeJay Dallas, but if North Carolina pulls the upset watch out for the Tar Heels as a potential contender in the ACC Coastal.
CSD Prime Pick: Miami 25, North Carolina 20
UTEP (1-0) @ Texas Tech (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 8 PM ET on FSN
Vegas Line: Texas Tech -34
UTEP, my lowest-rated team in the country, won a game against FCS Houston Baptist last week! I don’t think they’ve got much of a shot here against Texas Tech, but you’ve got to start somewhere, right?
CSD Prime Pick: Texas Tech 49, UTEP 17
Tulsa (0-1) @ San Jose State (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 9 PM ET on ESPN3
Vegas Line: Tulsa -6
Tulsa looked real bad against Michigan State, totaling -74 (!) rushing yards from the game. However, the Hurricane D is just too talented to lose to a rebuilding San Jose State team, even on the road.
CSD Prime Pick: Tulsa 29, San Jose State 24
Arkansas State (0-1) @ UNLV (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 10 PM ET on Facebook Video
Vegas Line: Arkansas State +1.5
I felt really good about Arkansas State this offseason and they burned me last week, but I’ll take the Red Wolves to rebound here.
CSD Prime Pick: Arkansas State 36, UNLV 26
California (1-0) @ #14 Washington (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 10:30 PM ET on FS1
Vegas Line: Washington -14
Washington, led by Georgia transfer QB Jacob Eason, looked excellent in week one against a really high-level FCS team in Eastern Washington, and afterwards I called the Huskies the surefire Pac-12 favorites, an assertion that I held in the preseason (maybe with less conviction though). With the home crowd on their side and a lot of the new defensive players now with the first game butterflies under their belts, I think they take care of Cal team that is led by an excellent defense in a game that could be close for a while before the Huskies pull away.
CSD Prime Pick: Washington 27, California 16
#23 Stanford (1-0) @ USC (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 10:30 PM ET on ESPN
Vegas Line: USC -1
Both of these teams are still ranked in my computer model’s top 25, although those rankings don’t take into account the injuries that befell Stanford QB KJ Costello and USC QB JT Daniels. Because of that, this is one of the rare occasions where my official pick deviates slightly from the model, as I feel better about Stanford and Davis Millis than I do about USC and their true freshman QB Kedon Slovis. Slovis looked alright against Fresno, but in a primetime local kick game against an incredible Stanford defense, I don’t like his chances. This will be low scoring as both QBs get accustomed to their situations, but the Cardinal will win in a tight one.
CSD Prime Pick: Stanford 21, USC 20
Minnesota (1-0) @ Fresno State (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 10:30 PM ET on CBSSN
Vegas Line: Minnesota -3
Boy was it tempting to take Fresno State here after Minnesota’s struggles against South Dakota State in week one, but even on the road, I’m calling for PJ Fleck and the Golden Gopher’s talent to win out. The difference at the lines will be too much for Fresno to handle, and the terrific Minnesota duo of Mo Ibrahim and Rodney Smith will lead them to a close win.
CSD Prime Pick: Minnesota 25, Fresno State 23
Northern Arizona @ Arizona (0-1)
Saturday, September 7th at 10:45 PM ET on Pac-12 Network
Pick: Arizona
Oregon State (0-1) @ Hawai’i (1-0)
Saturday, September 7th at 11:59 PM ET on Facebook Video
Vegas Line: Hawai’i -6.5
Oregon State’s offense looked nice in week one, but on the road against a Hawai’i team firing on all cylinders, I’ll take Cole McDonald and the Rainbow Warriors to take a second Pac-12 scalp to open the year.
CSD Prime Pick: Hawai’i 43, Oregon State 39
