Early ATS Picks for Week 2 College Football – Best Bets Against the Spread
By Chris Amberley in College Football
Published:
- I am hunting for early line value across the Week 2 college football slate
- My top three early ATS picks feature an underdog and two favorites
- See below for my top early ATS picks for Week 2 college football, and best bets against the spread
Week 2 of the college football season is upon us, bringing a fresh slate of betting opportunities. The initial AP Top 25 rankings are shaping public perception, and I’m looking to buy low while others are selliing high.
The national spotlight shines on the #2 Oregon Ducks, who hit the road as massive favorites in the college football odds against an Oklahoma State Cowboys squad currently receiving AP poll votes. Down in College Station, the #8 Texas A&M Aggies look to justify their top-ten ranking as heavy home favorites against the visiting Arizona State Sun Devils.
Instead of waiting for the weekend, I am grabbing early value right now. By locking in my wagers early, I avoid eating bad numbers later in the week. Let’s dive into the stats to uncover my top early ATS picks for Week 2 college football, and the best bets against the spread.
Early ATS Picks for Week 2 College Football
I lock in these early college football picks because the betting board has yet to fully adjust to the massive statistical disparities on the field. Taking a home underdog getting points is classic value, while backing ground and pound machines laying short numbers is mathematically sound.
Securing these spreads now is crucial for my Week 2 college football best bets, ensuring I capture the best value before late money pushes these numbers into unfavorable territory.
Early Week 2 College Football Best Bets Against the Spread
Wake Forest vs Purdue ATS Pick
Taking the home underdog here provides incredible value. The Purdue Boilermakers match up well statistically, averaging 44 points and 523 total yards per game with a flawless 100% red zone efficiency rate. While the Wake Forest Demon Deacons move the ball slightly better with 559 total yards, Purdue holds a massive edge in third down conversions (54.5% compared to Wake Forest’s 46.7%).
Their balanced attack features 177 rushing yards per game to control the clock and win the field position battle. I am grabbing the +4 points before public money pushes this line under a field goal. Claim your BetMGM promo code now to back the home dog.
- Pick: Purdue +4 (-113) at BetMGM
South Florida vs Army ATS Pick
The Army Black Knights boast staggering offensive metrics, anchored by a devastating ground and pound game that averages 569 rushing yards and 59 points per contest. Army also maintains a dominant 66.7% success rate on third down conversions. The South Florida Bulls look like they have fallen off a cliff offensively in comparison, generating only 208 total yards and 19 points per game with a subpar 38.5% third down rate.
Laying a short -3.5 with a dominant rushing attack offers massive +EV before the market corrects this spread closer to a touchdown, making this one of my best bets against the spread. Claim your bet365 bonus code now if you are tailing.
- Pick: Army -3.5 (-108) at bet365
Washington State vs Kansas State ATS Pick
The Kansas State Wildcats enter this matchup dominating the stat sheet with 69 points and 559 total yards per game. Their explosive air raid offense resembled a National Championship odds contender in Week 1, converting an elite 81.8% of third downs with a perfect 100% red zone efficiency rate. Conversely, the Washington State Cougars are struggling immensely, scoring just 10 points per game with a disastrous third down conversion rate and a -3 turnover differential.
Kansas State’s advanced defensive schemes will test Washington State’s pocket presence, leading to short fields. Expect Kansas State to have racked up scores repeatedly by halftime. Securing -18.5 is a pure +EV play before the closing line inevitably inflates past the critical number of 20. Start betting with the Caesars Sportsbook promo code now to back the home favorite.
- Pick: Kansas State -18.5 (-106) at Caesars Sportsbook
Sports Writer
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
