2025 Week 2 College Football Best Bets
2025 Week 2 College Football Best Bets
Week 1 of the college football season exceeded our expectations. All three of the top-10 matchups lived up to the hype. We had a huge upset in Tallahassee, with Florida State upsetting then-ranked #8 Alabama by two scores. Bill Belichick made his college debut. And five full days of college football action.
Now, the slate for week 2 does fall off compared to last week. But we still have a ranked matchup with Michigan and true freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood traveling to Norman to take on Oklahoma. Teams like Iowa State, Illinois, and SMU could be on upset alerts as slight favorites. We are in store for another great week of college football. Here are my week 2 college football best bets.
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. Lines are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly and within your means. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
More: How to Build Your Own Football Projections for 2025: A Guide
Week 1: 3-2 (+.73 units)
Kennesaw State (0-1) vs. #20 Indiana (1-0)
Indiana -35.5; O/U 50.5
Indiana -35.5 (-112)
The Hoosiers failed to cover last week, despite not allowing Old Dominion to take a snap in their territory. Old Dominion’s quarterback, Colton Joseph, had two touchdown runs for 75 and 79 yards. The Monarchs recorded just 160 yards the rest of the game. Indiana had six trips to the red zone on Saturday, yet only scored 20 points. Two of those drives resulted in getting stuffed at the goal line. Coach Cignetti expressed his frustration after the game despite the outcome never in question.
For Kennesaw State, this is just their second game against a Power Four opponent as a FBS program. Wake’s best offensive player, Demond Claiborne, left the game early and only recorded three touches. I believe the running back group of Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black can run on this Kennesaw State defense. Indiana’s defense will have to contain quarterback Dexter Williams III – a former Hoosier. But if he cannot get it going on the ground, I am not expecting him to beat Indiana through the air; the senior has 101 career attempts with just 43.6% completion rate. I like the Hoosiers to bounce back in Week 2.
More: 2025 College Football Futures
#21 Ole Miss (1-0) vs. Kentucky (1-0)
Kentucky +10; O/U 52.5
Under 52.5 (-115)
A rematch of a pivotal game in 2024, where Kentucky went into Oxford and upset the Rebels, 20-17. This was likely the game that kept Ole Miss out of the College Football Playoff, as it was Kentucky’s lone conference win on their way to a 4-8 season.
For the Wildcats, they have failed to score more than 20 points in each of their last nine conference games; the under has cashed in seven of those contests. This year’s team does not look to be an offensive juggernaut, either. The Wildcats lost their top two receivers – Dane Key (Nebraska) and Barrion Brown (LSU) – to the transfer portal this offseason. In the opener against Toledo, seventh year senior quarterback Zach Calzada went 10 for 23 for 85 yards and an interception.
For the Rebels, Austin Simmons looked strong in his debut against Georgia State. But trends with Lane Kiffin do not suggest this one will be a high scoring affair. Since 2021, Ole Miss’s conference games are 22-10 to the Under. This hit rate increases to 9-3 when the Rebels are a road favorite. In the two meetings between Mississippi’s Lane Kiffin and Kentucky’s Mark Stoops, only 78 points have been scored with the under cashing in both. With this being Simmons first road contest, I think the Wildcats will slow down the Rebels from coming close to the 63 they put up in the opener. I’m on the Under as SEC conference play kicks off in week 2.
Kansas (2-0) vs. Missouri (1-0)
Missouri -6.5; O/U 50.5
Over 50.5 (-115)
The Over is 15-6-2 when Kansas is on the road under Lance Leipold (71%). Jalon Daniels has played well to start the year, but more importantly, is healthy. The Kansas offense will go as Daniels goes. For Missouri, this is Beau Pribulla’s first big game as a starter. The rushing duo of he and Ahmad Hardy can get this offense going. In the last 10 home games against Power Four programs, Missouri is averaging 30.8 PPG, and has hit 30 seven times. I think the Border War clears the total in Week 2.
Middle Tennessee (0-1) vs. Wisconsin (1-0)
Wisconsin -28.5; O/U 45.5
Wisconsin -28.5 (-105)
Under 45.5 (-118)
This is a list of the least explosive teams prior to the Monday night game between TCU and North Carolina. Here are the opponents for those five teams:
134. Miami OH – at Wisconsin
133. Middle Tennessee – Austin Peay
132. Ohio State – #1 Texas
131. Marshall – at #5 Georgia
130. New Mexico – at #14 Michigan
Two things stand out: the first is Wisconsin limiting DeQuan Finn and the RedHawks offense in the opener. Wisconsin allowed just 2.93 yards per play.
The second is Middle Tennessee being second to last playing an unranked FCS school in Austin Peay, a game where they lost 34-14 at home.
Wisconsin lost Billy Edwards Jr. for the game last week, but the Badgers scored just three points when he was on the field. I don’t see things improving for Middle Tennessee in a week against a Power Four opponent. The question is how much Wisconsin can score on a Middle Tennessee team that allowed 4.63 yards per play to Austin Peay. I like Wisconsin to get the offense going in this one.
More: Fantasy Football 2025: Top Players to Avoid in Early Drafts
Outright Underdogs (.5 units)
Week 1: 1-1 (+.50 units)
Iowa at #16 Iowa State +140
Matt Campbell is just 2-6 in the Cy-Hawk rivalry, and is 0-4 at home. Iowa has committed just six turnovers in the eight matchups, all coming in the last three years. The Cyclones? 14 turnovers in that eight-game span. Iowa has their new quarterback, and while he didn’t play well against Albany last week, he didn’t need to. This is Iowa’s true opener, and I believe they can pull the upset in Ames.
Ohio vs. West Virginia +142
Ohio has their home opener after nearly upsetting Rutgers in Piscataway. The Bobcats outgained Rutgers 440-399, but fell short by a field goal. Parker Navarro is a baller, going 12-2 as a starter since 2023. His two losses were against Power Four opponents, but both times Ohio covered. Plus, this could be a look ahead spot for WVU as they get the Backyard Brawl next week against Pitt. I like Ohio to win this one outright.
Mississippi State vs. #12 Arizona State +200
I hate buying into a Mississippi State team that went 2-10 last year. But in this matchup last year in Tempe, Cam Skattebo outgained Mississippi State himself, 297 to 292. He’s now playing on Sunday’s for the Giants. The big question is if Mississippi State can slow down the combo of Sam Leavitt and Jordyn Tyson. Last year was Leavitt’s first game against a Power Four team, but he completed just 50% of his attempts for 69 yards (3.45 YPA). Tyson had just two catches for seven yards. I’ll sprinkle a little on Mississippi State to pull the upset.
What is your favorite 2025 week 2 college football best bets? Let me know on X!
Follow @drewroberts_ and let’s discuss any football topic you’d like
