College Football Picks, Week 2 (9/5-9/7/24)
College Football Picks, Week 2 (9/5-9/7/24)
Another week of picks from the CFAJ Crew
[Last week’s results at the bottom of the page.]
Ten members of the Corn from a Jar Crew submitted their picks for the week, this time with commentary.
Consensus Picks
Games with 3 or more pickers all choosing the same team. Week 1’s consensus picks went 3-2.
Tennessee (-7.5) vs. NC State: The entire CFAJ Crew picked Tennessee to cover against the Wolfpack. When asked why he picked UT, Mr. C. Lanatus said “WGWTFA. Vols by Fiddy. Nico.” Can’t argue with that.
Texas (-7.5) at Michigan: Harold Richard says take the Longhorns because there’s “no Harbaugh. First game Michigan looked shitty. I actually watched. I think UM crashes this year. And Ewers is a stud.” He’s not alone, seven pickers chose the ‘Horns.
Georgia Tech (-3.5) at Syracuse: Six pickers all chose the Ramblin’ Wreck. Here’s the rest of this week’s consensus picks [with the number of pickers].
Utah (-13.5) vs. Baylor [4]
Auburn (-13.5) vs. Cal [3]
Kentucky (-9.5) vs. South Carolina [4]
Ole Miss (-41.5) vs. MTSU [5]
App State (+17.5) at Clemson [3]
Liberty (-22.5) at New Mexico St. [3]
USC (-27.5) vs. Utah State [3]
80% Club
Games with one contrary picker. Games in this category was 2-1 last week in favor of the oddball.
Nebraska (-7.5) vs. Colorado: The Cornhuskers are the majority pick here (4 to 1), but Locksmith, Jr. has the Buffaloes. He says it’s “not about the Buffs, it’s about Nebraska. Overrated and still small upfront. Don’t see them moving anybody. ND State had some size up front. Some of [Colorado’s] guys look like big league linemen.”
Split Decisions
Games with an even or nearly even split in pickers.
Arkansas (+6.5) at Oklahoma State: Six pickers chose this game, with an even 3/3 split on each side. Rod Johnson’s taking the Hogs, because he says they had a “better offensive output in game 1. Petrino is a goofball but a good football coach. I also think the Big 12 is overrated and I hate Okie State and Mike Gundy is a bitch.” And here I thought he was a man (he’s 40?).
In contrast, JML, Esquire, says “with Oklahoma State playing at home, having the oldest and most experienced OL in history, and Ollie Gordon running the ball, Arkansas (a year away from being 4-8) is not ready to keep up with OK State’s offense.”
Alabama (-30.5) vs. USF: Two of the crew are taking the Tide and laying the points. But Cox Bigly thinks the Bulls will keep it competitive. “So here’s my thought. Golesh runs our offense, gave the Tide defense issues last year with Saban, and I’m betting, truly, that they will back door cover late.”
Oregon (-19.5) vs. Boise State: A 1 to 1 split for pickers of this game, but Luck Day likes the Ducks because he sees “an overreaction to how they looked week one and outgained their opponent 487 to 217. Just had a few mistakes that didn’t allow them to score. Boise St. staff changes did nothing to help them on defense and they still look like trash on that side of the ball. It started at over three touchdowns and has been bet down so I believe they will cover the 19.5.”
Houston (+28.5) at Oklahoma: Two picks came in for each of these teams. B. Vern Ghiz is taking Houston because “you know what, screw ‘em. Go Cougars. If they can’t get hyped for Oklahoma, eff them.”
Mississippi State (+6.5) at Arizona State: a 2-1 edge for the Bulldogs here, with Dale Wallace telling you to “believe in Lebby.” The following games had an even split among pickers who chose them:
BYU (+10.5) at SMU [2-2]
Kansas State (-9.5) at Tulane [1-1]
UTSA (+1.5) at Texas St. [1-1]
One-Offs
These games had just a single picker (or two) chose them. One-Offs had a 5-6 record last week as a group.
Northwestern (-2.5) vs. Duke
Florida Atlantic (-3.5) vs. Army
Memphis (-17.5) vs. Troy
Pitt (+2.5) at Cincinnati
Penn State (-34.5) vs. Bowling Green [2]
UNC (-21.5) vs. Charlotte
Iowa (-2.5) vs Iowa State [2]
Maryland (-7.5) vs. Michigan State
Notre Dame (-28.5) vs. Northern Illinois
Marshall (+19.5) at Virginia Tech [2]
San Jose State (+6.5) at Air Force
Kansas (-5.5) at Illinois [2]
Ohio State (-37.5) vs Western Michigan
Texas Tech (-1.5) at Washington State [2]
Last Week’s Results
A week ago, Cox Bigly was the lone picker with Ole Dominion beating the spread against South Carolina, while C. Lanatus was the only picker with Vandy & the points against Virginia Tech (seven of us got that wrong). Five of the group had Miami covering 2.5 against Florida and won easily, while three of us had the Gators and should’ve known better. And while nine of us rightly had the Tide rolling to cover a hefty 30.5 line, five us also stupidly had LSU covering 5.5, while B. Vern and Cox had the Trojans.
Agree with this week’s picks? Disagree? Let us know…