Week one of SEC football is in the books and there were only a few surprises. One of which was the thumping that East Tennessee State put on in-state foe Vandy. ETSU beat the ‘Dores 23 – 3 in a home game for Vandy in Nashville. The other surprise was how good the Georgia defense looked against Clemson in the Dawg’s 10-3 win over the Tigers on a neutral field. The Bulldog offense sputtered, due to multiple injuries heading into Week 1, but their defense carried them through.
Week 2 is here and the SEC is again running a full slate with all games in the conference being on Saturday. There’s only one in-conference game and that’s Missouri on the road against the Kentucky Wildcats in Lexington. Everyone else is playing out of conference. Here’s how things break down with odds via Intertops.
Biggest SEC Games to Bet on for CFB Week 2
Texas vs. Arkansas Week 2 Preview
When: Saturday, September 11 at 7:00 p.m on ESPN
Arkansas +6.5 (-105) vs Texas -6.5 (-115)
The Texas Longhorns (No. 15) are visiting the Arkansas Razorbacks in week two and both got nice wins last week. Texas downed the Ragin Cajuns and Arkansas disposed of Rice. Texas looked a bit stronger in their win over Louisiana while Arkansas seemed to allow Rice more room than they needed and had to man up during the 3 rd and 4 th quarters to secure the win. Texas comes in as a slight favorite and if they can keep the gas on they should be able to pull out the win. Also, Texas covered the spread by 11.5 points last week against the Ragin Cajuns. For Arkansas, they are at home and will be pumped up to be 2-0 in the SEC. A win against Texas will go a long way but they will need Texas to make mistakes.
Best Bet: Texas wins and covers.
Missouri vs Kentucky Week 2 Preview
When: Saturday, September 11 at 7:30 p.m. on SEC Network
Kentucky -5 (-110) vs Missouri +5 (-110)
This is the only SEC conference matchup this week and it sets the bar early for both teams. Missouri and Kentucky are both coming off wins last week with the Tigers beating Central Michigan 34-24 and Kentucky downing Louisiana Monroe 45-10. Kentucky will be at home and should come out strong in front of their fans. Last week they turned over the ball three times last week which was probably their only stumble. The Tigers are coming in with a revamped defense which could give the Wildcats some problems. Kentucky may have to rely on pounding things out over the long run on the ground.
Best Bet: Kentucky wins and covers.
Pittsburgh vs. Tennessee Week 2 Preview
When: Saturday, September 11 at 1:00 p.m. on ESPN
Tennessee +3.5 (-105) vs Pittsburgh -3.5 (-115)
This may not be a “Big Game” for fans across the football community – but it is for Tennessee Vol fans! After more than a decade of sub-par football on “Rocky Top,” the Vol Nation is ready for a winner. Tennessee hosts Pittsburgh this week after both teams scored victories last week. The Vols downed Bowling Green 38-3 but seemed to struggle some during the 2nd and they missed covering the 37-point spread. On the other hand, Pittsburgh walloped Massachusetts 51 – 7 while covering the 37.5-point spread by shutting down the Minutemen in both the running and passing game. Tennessee needs this win but they can’t relax like they did last week during the 2nd quarter against Bowling Green. Even at +3.5… Tennessee has a problem covering the spread but maybe they do this Saturday.
Prediction: Tennessee wins and covers.
Alabama State vs. Auburn Week 2 Preview
When: Saturday, September 11 at 12:00 p.m. on SEC Network
NOTE: As of this writing, there were no odds available. Auburn won over Akron last week 60-10 with QB Bo Nix going 20/22 for 275 yards. ASU is located less than an hour away from Auburn in Montgomery, AL and they are a better team than Akron. They would love to upset their I-85 rival. ASU is returning five starters on the offensive line.
Best Bet: Auburn beats Alabama State outright.
South Carolina vs East Carolina Week 2 Preview
When: Saturday, September 11 at 12:00 p.m. on ESPN2
South Carolina +1.5 (-110) vs East Carolina -1.5 (-110)
Who would have thought that South Carolina playing East Carolina would be such a tight game? The Gamecocks are slight underdogs according to most sportsbooks despite an opening 46-0 win over Eastern Illinois last week. East Carolina is not a pushover team and it’s a home game for them. Even so, South Carolina may have too much speed and depth.
Best Bet: South Carolina wins and covers.
Florida vs South Florida Week 2 Preview
When: Saturday, September 11 at 1:00 p.m. on ABC
Florida -29 (-110) vs South Florida +29 (-110)
South Florida is not a bad team and this is a home game as Florida is playing them on the road. That being said, Florida is looking like a strong team and should handle the Bulls on both sides of the ball. South Florida lost their first game of the season against NC State. The only thing that will keep the Gators from winning and covering is Florida turnovers.
Best Bet: Florida wins and covers.
UAB vs. Georgia Week 2 Preview
When: Saturday, September 11 at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN2
Georgia -24.5 (-110) vs UAB +24.5 (-110)
The Georgia Bulldogs dropped Clemson to open up the season and it was all defense. The offense only scored a field goal while the defense accounted for a pick-six for the 10-3 win. Birmingham (UAB) is not Clemson but they have a decent defense – by Conference USA standards. UAB may give Georgia fans a better look at what their offense will achieve this year – covering the spread may be a problem.
Best Bet: Georgia wins outright.
Texas A&M vs Colorado Week 2 Preview
When: Saturday, September 11 at 3:30 p.m. on FOX
Texas A&M -17 (-110) vs Colorado +17 (-110)
Colorado can pull out a win against Texas A&M but only if the Aggies start tossing interceptions again this week. If A&M can hang onto the ball then they may be tough to stop.
One Note: This game is being played in Denver at the Broncoas stadium.
Best Bet: Texas A&M wins and covers.
Mercer vs. Alabama Week 2 Preview
When: Saturday, September 11 at 4:00 p.m. on SEC Network
Alabama looked impressive against the Miami Hurricanes in their 44-13 win last week. They play Mercer at home this week which will give the Tide coaches an opportunity to move some players around and test some things before SEC play. Mercer scored 69 points in their blanketing of Point University last week.
Best Bet: Alabama wins outright.
NC State vs. Mississippi State Week 2 Preview
When: Saturday, September 11 at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN2
Miss State +2.5 (-105) vs NC State -2.5 (-115)
Both teams won last week but Mississippi State had to put up 21 unanswered points to stave off a loss winning over Louisiana Tech. They also turned the ball over to Tech four times. NC State put a thumping on USF last week 45-0 and looked completely in command. If Miss State turns the ball over frequently against the Wolfpack they’ll lose big.
Best Bet: NC State wins and covers.
Austin Peay vs. Ole Miss Week 2 Preview
When: Saturday, September 11 at 7:30 p.m. on SEC Network+ / ESPN+
NOTE: As of this writing, there were no odds available. Ole Miss won last week against the Louisville Cardinals 43-24 with Coach Lane Kiffin not in attendance due to COVID-19. Kiffin is expected back this week at home against Austin Peay. The Governors won last week against in-state foe Chattanooga 30-20 and have some speed on offense – but not SEC speed.
Best Bet: Ole Miss beats Austin Peay outright.
McNeese vs. LSU Week 2 Preview
When: Saturday, September 11 at 8:00 p.m. on SEC Network+ / ESPN+
NOTE: As of this writing, there were no odds available. LSU lost on the road last week against UCLA and should rebound with a vengeance against McNeese. The Tigers left California with a slight limp with many fans wondering about Ed Orgeron – look for LSU to come out hard.
Best Bet: LSU beats McNeese outright.
Vanderbilt vs Colorado State Week 2 Preview
When: Saturday, September 11 at 10:00 p.m. on CBS Sports Network
Vanderbilt +7 (-115) vs Colorado State -7 (-105)
Vandy suffered a huge loss last week and they are on the road this week against Colorado State. Vandy is 0-8 straight up for their last 8 games on the road. Colorado State also lost last week against South Dakota State 42-23 but they put up 462 yards of offense compared to 321 for the Dores with 3 turnovers.
Best Bet: Colorado State wins outright.
