2021 NCAA Week 2 Picks

7:30 pm Kansas at #17 Coastal Carolina (-25 1/2, 52) - Coming off an 0-9 2020 campaign, the Jayhawks opened their season with a 17-14 win over South Dakota. It was the first win for Kansas since a 37-34 win over Texas Tech on 10/26/19, ending a 13-game losing streak.

Coastal Carolina, which missed out on a perfect 12-0 record last season in a 37-34 OT loss to Liberty in the Cure Bowl, opened their season by dismantling The Citadel, 52-14, last week.

These two teams met last season, with the Chanticleers coming out on top of a 38-23 score at Kansas. The line is large and Kansas may be ready to prove they are not pushovers. A win would be a monumental upset, but the Jayhawks should keep this to a two-score game.

Coin Flip: Coastal Carolina

Prediction: Chanticleers 38 Jayhawks 24

9:30 pm UTEP at Boise State (-26, 56 1/2) - The Broncos got bounced by UCF in their opener last week, 36-31, though that's hardly a disgrace as the Knights are one of the top teams in college football's second tier.

The Miners already have notched a pair of wins this season, 30-3, over New Mexico State, and, 38-28, over Bethune-Cookman. Prior to 2020, UTEP had only two victories their previous three seasons. Winless in 2017, they matched 1-11 records in 2018 and 2019. They may be a better team than last year's 3-5 squad. QB Gavin Hardison is off to a fast start, hitting four TDs to just one pick on 25-39 passing for a season total of 432 yards.

Defense was an issue last season for the Broncos and the Miners may have just enough firepower to spin a big upset.

Coin Flip: Boise State

Prediction: Miners 31 Broncos 30

Saturday, September 11

12:00 pm #12 Oregon at #3 Ohio State (-14 1/2, 63 1/2) (FOX) - As usual the Ducks are looking for the PAC-12 championship and maybe a trip to football's final four. 2020 was a wash, going 4-3, ending with a 34-17 loss to Iowa State in the Fiesta Bowl. 2019 was more their usual: 12-2, a 28-27 win over Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl.

In their opener, Oregon slipped by Fresno State, 31-24.

Ohio State overcame a shaky start to top Minnesota on the road, 45-31, but it was not as convincing a win as some had hoped. The Buckeyes are possibly the most loaded offense in the country, especially if QB CJ Stroud pans out. RB Miyan Williams and wideout Chris Olave, are All-American types.

That said, this premier match-up may not go all Ohio State's way. Oregon is a classy bunch and they're unlikely to be blown out. 14 1/2 is too many points to give the talented invaders.

Coin Flip: Ohio State

Prediction: Buckeyes 41 Ducks 34

12:00 pm Pittsburgh (-3, 56 1/2) at Tennessee - A rarity, Pitt's Kenny Pickett is a 4-year starting QB, which indicates he's adequate, but not NFL quality. The Panthers clobbered UMass, 51-7, last week, but that's not saying much for a team coming off a 6-5 2020 season.

Tennessee has been remade from last year's 3-7 team. New QB, Joe Milton, new coach, Josh Heupel, got them off to a fast start with a 38-6 win over Bowling Green in their opener. The Vols have plenty of upside, confidence and new leadership that should land a home win.

Coin Flip: Pittsburgh

Prediction: Voluteers 31 Panthers 24

12:00 pm Tulsa at Oklahoma State (-13, 51) - This is usually a good match-up, at least for the first half, if the Tulsa kids play with collective chips on their shoulders. The Golden Hurricane got rocked by UC Davis, 19-17, on home turf, which is not a good sign after a 6-3 campaign in 2020.

The Cowboys took down Missouri State, 23-16, in their opener, but do not appear to be Big 12 contenders this season.

This game was the season opener last year, with the Cowboys coming out on top of a 16-7 score. After Tulsa's loss last week, the knee-jerk reaction would be to forego the points, but that would be a mistake as Tulsa will regroup.

Coin Flip: Oklahoma State

Prediction: Cowboys 27 Golden Hurricane 20

1:00 pm #13 Florida (-28 1/2, 58) at South Florida (ABC) - The Gators were not exactly rock solid in their 35-14 win over Florida Atlantic and the opposition is a better one this week. Gators come off an 8-4 season with Emory Jones taking over as QB.

South Florida's 45-0 loss to NC State last week was their ninth straight loss, dating back to a 9/9/20 52-0 shellacking by Notre Dame. They have not improved and the Gators are likely to put a hammer down on their offense.

Coin Flip: Florida

Prediction: Gators 48 Bulls 6

2:00 pm Middle Tennessee at #19 Virginia Tech (-20, 54) - The Blue Raiders come off two straight losing seasons (4-8 in 2019; 3-6 last year) but are usually a pretty good opponent out of Conference USA. Last week's 50-15 win over Monmouth shows they have some competitive spirit.

However, the Hokies shocked North Carolina last week, 17-10, indicating that they may have a very heady defense and more than enough offense to handle this week's opponent.

Coin Flip: Middle Tennessee

Prediction: Hokies 44 Blue Raiders 13

2:30 pm Toledo at #8 Notre Dame (-17, 55 1/2) - Toledo only played six games last season, but came up with wins in four of them. Their two losses (Western Michigan, Ball State) were by three points apiece, so they're still quality out of the MAC.

Last Saturday they opened their 2021 campaign with a 49-10 stomping over Norfolk State, a useful tuneup for the game at South Bend.

The Irish defense struggled against Florida State and had to go to overtime for the 41-38 win. Wisconsin transfer Jack Coan threw for 366 yards on 26-35 passing with four TDs and one pick. This one may not be as close, but the Irish should grab a win, regardless.

Coin Flip: Toledo

Prediction: Fighting Irish 34 Rockets 24

Click here for late games.

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IdleGuy.com December 2024, Vol. 1 #11