Over the Hill: The Best Bets of College Football Week 2!

Syracuse Orange quarterback Garrett Shrader runs the ball and evades tacklers — Sep 2, 2023; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange quarterback Garrett Shrader (6) runs by Colgate Raiders defensive back Owen Goss (27) in the first quarter at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Are you ready to see which college football picks we’re paying attention to this week? Let’s go through them right now.

Welcome back to Over the Hill, the newest column from Maroon and White Nation where I give you four of my favorite picks of the college football slate! This isn’t gambling advice, it’s just an adventure of my betting endeavors.

Last week we went 2-2.

North Carolina took care of business of South Carolina (-2.5), while Florida looked abysmal against Utah which in turn cashed the under(44). Texas Tech (-14) lost outright in a nail-biter to Wyoming, and the Tigers of Auburn showed off their new offensive power against UMass(+35.5) on the Plains.

We will look to bounce back in Week 2!

If you know College Football, you remember the name Garrett Shrader. And you might say to yourself, “Why do I remember that name?”

Here is why.

3 years ago today, Mississippi State's Garrett Shrader did his best impression of a helicopter on this huge hit 🚁😅 pic.twitter.com/OnG6zLoASa
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 14, 2022

Yes, THAT Garrett Shrader is now the starting quarterback for the Orange. He has reached his potential as a starting quarterback, and wins games on a regular basis in an explosive offense. He led Syracuse to a 65-0 win over Colgate last week.

I have faith the Orange can do similar damage to Western Michigan this Saturday.

Underdog to Cover the Spread: Purdue +3 at Virginia Tech.

Purdue Boilermakers running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (3) receives a hand-off from Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Hudson Card (1) during the NCAA football game against the Fresno State Bulldogs, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Fresno State Bulldogs won 39-35.

This pick is purely based off of one thing: Purdue wins away games.

I don’t know how they do it, but every year you look up and see the Boilermakers winning games in a hostile environment. Last year they won 4 conference away games. Somehow, against similar competition, they seem to get it done.

Give me the Black and Gold on the road in Blacksburg.

Over/Under: Iowa vs. Iowa State UNDER 36.5

Iowa Hawkeyes punter Tory Taylor (9) kicks the ball as the Hawkeyes take on Utah State at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.

I know this is probably the most predictable pick of the week, and everybody and their mother is betting the under here.

But how can you not, am I right?

Iowa only put up 24 points against Utah State last week. Iowa State only put up 30 against Northern Iowa. This game has Big 10 knockdown-dragout fight written all over it. We’re rooting for another under in Week 2.

Brooks’s “Bet the House” Pick of the Week: Colorado -2.5 vs. Nebraska.

Apr 22, 2023; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the first half of the spring game at Folsom Filed. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Coach Prime, Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter.

These are all now household names because of what the Buffs pulled off Saturday against TCU. A huge victory propelled Colorado into the spotlight, and another big matchup against Big10 opponent in Nebraska awaits.

Nebraska did the thing again against Minnesota last week, losing a low scoring one-score game. Personally, I am drinking the Coach Prime kool-aid. I like Colorado and I like them to win BIG.

Let’s go Buffs!