Week 2 NCAA Football Underdog Betting Predictions: Duke vs. Illinois, Mississippi State versus Arizona State
Week 2 College Football Highlights and Predictions
Week 2 of the college football season is underway, and there are some intriguing matchups on the horizon. Here are some key points to watch for in some of the upcoming games.
In the Illinois vs. Duke contest, Hank Beatty, playing out of the slot, emerged as Illinois' go-to receiver with five catches on five targets. Meanwhile, Duke quarterback Darian Mensah had an impressive performance against Elon, going 27-for-34 for 389 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. Defensively, Duke had 10 tackles for loss and three sacks in their previous game, indicating that they will likely put pressure on Illinois' quarterback, Luke Altmyer.
Collin Wilson and Stuckey, hosts of the college football betting podcast "Big Bets on Campus," predict Duke to keep the pressure up on Altmyer. However, Altmyer had a clean day in his last game, completing 17-of-22 attempts, albeit with fewer big-time throws compared to touchdowns.
Arizona State could potentially be without their starting right tackle and wide receiver Jalen Moss for the upcoming game. This could pose a challenge for their offensive line, which struggled without Cam Skattebo in the backfield in their previous game. On the other hand, Mississippi State seems bigger and stronger compared to Arizona State. Kelley Jones, a Mississippi State player, is expected to be matched up with Arizona State's top receiver, Jordyn Tyson.
Stuckey, who has joined the Mississippi State Bulldogs team for the 2023 college football season, predicts Mississippi State's moneyline (+200) as his pick for Week 2. For Week 2, they have selected two Power 4 home underdogs for their picks.
Manny Diaz's aggressive approach is evident in Duke's defensive strategy. Half of Duke's drives against Elon were explosive, meaning they gained 10 or more yards per play during those drives. This suggests that Duke's offense is capable of putting up big numbers when they find their rhythm.
Justin Bowick, Illinois' tight end, scored two touchdowns but was only on the field for eight passing snaps, primarily as a red-zone weapon. This indicates that Illinois may rely on Bowick in key situations to move the ball and score points.
The first underdog pick is Duke (+130) playing against Illinois. With their impressive defensive performance and the potential absence of key players for Arizona State, Duke could potentially pull off an upset in this game. Tune in to "Big Bets on Campus" for more insights and predictions on these and other college football games.
