College Football Predictions for Week 2 of the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS Season

College Football Predictions for Week 2 of the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS Season

We finished as follows last week (Week 0 and Week 1 combined): 
73-11 in calling the winner
40-43-1 against the spread, and
44-38-2 against the over/under.

If possible, we compete against the quoted opening odds ("the line", "the spread") as available online (e.g. Vegas Insider, OddsShark, Sportsline). We were unable this week to access the standard college football page of the College Football Prediction Tracker, so we have dropped it from our calculations. We do our predictions for fun and are not affiliated with any service or institution. Caveat Emptor! Please do not use our predictions for wagering. We disclaim any and all liability for anyone's use of our materials and prognostications. May the best team win. Football schedule via various online portals, including fbschedules.com.

Friday, September 6, 2019
Recall, if available, that we quote the opening line, not the updated line....
We are not competing against bettors... but against other prognosticators.
 
Wake Forest at Rice
The Demon Deacons were favored over the Owls by 17.5 points.
The over/under was 57.5 points.
Our Call: 27-24 for Wake Forest. Wake Forest averaged 5.51 yards per play (ypp) against Utah State last week, who averaged 7.54 ypp, and should probably not have lost. Rice played unexpectedly tough against Army, averaging 5.52 yards per play to 4.44 ypp for the Black Knights, but whose ypp is already lower since they depend almost solely on their rushing game.
Result: ??

William & Mary at Virginia
The Cavaliers were favored over the Tribe by 34.5 points.
The over/under was 44.5 points.
Our Call: 49-13 for Virginia. Mike London is the new head coach of the Tribe, who defeated the Lafayette Leopards 30-17 in their first game this season. Virginia topped Pittsburgh 30-14 in their opener for a strong start.
Result: ??

Marshall at Boise State
The Broncos were favored over the Thundering Herd by 12.5 points.
The over/under was 54 points.
Our Call: 41-24 for Boise State.
Result: ??

Sacramento State at Arizona State
The Sun Devils were favored over the Hornets by 33.5 points.
The over/under was 63.5 points.
Our Call: 51-14 for Arizona State.
Result: ??


Saturday, September 7, 2019
 
Ohio at Pittsburgh
The Panthers were favored over the Bobcats by 5.5 points.
The over/under was 56.5 points.
Our Call: 34-31 for Pittsburgh.
Result: ??

Southern U (FCS) at Memphis
The Tigers were favored over the Jaguars by 37.5 points.
The over/under was 68.5 points.
Our Call: 55-14 for Memphis.
Result: ??

Rutgers at Iowa
The Hawkeyes were favored over the Scarlet Knights by 20 points.
The over/under was 50.5 points.
Our Call: 41-17 for Iowa.
Result: ??

West Virginia at Missouri
The Tigers were favored over the Mountaineers by 12 points.
The over/under was 65 points.
Our Call: 38-35 for Missouri.
Result: ??

Vanderbilt at Purdue
The Boilermakers were favored over the Commodores by 9.5 points.
The over/under was 54.5 points.
Our Call: 31-27 for Vanderbilt.
Result: ??

UAB at Akron
The Blazers were favored over the Zips by 9 points.
The over/under was 55 points.
Our Call: 35-21 for UAB.
Result: ??

Syracuse at Maryland
The Orange were favored over the Terrapins by 5 points.
The over/under was 58.5 points.
Our Call: 34-27 for Syracuse.
Result: ??

Army at Michigan
The Wolverines were favored over the Black Knights by 23 points.
The over/under was 48 points.
Our Call: 41-14 for Michigan.
Result: ??

Bowling Green at Kansas State
The Wildcats were favored over the Falcons by 24.5 points.
The over/under was 54 points.
Our Call: 41-13 for K-State.
Result: ??

Charleston Southern (FCS) at South Carolina
The Gamecocks were favored over the Buccaneers by 40 points.
The over/under was 50 points.
Our Call: 49-7 for South Carolina.
Result: ??

Cincinnati at Ohio State
The Buckeyes were favored over the Bearcats by 16.5 points.
The over/under was 55 points.
Our Call: 34-27 for Ohio State.
Result: ??

Kennesaw State at Kent State
The Golden Flashes were favored over the Owls by 1.5 points.
The over/under was 53.5 points.
Our Call: 27-24 for Kent State.
Result: ??



Old Dominion at Virginia Tech
The Hokies were favored over the Monarchs by 28 points.
The over/under was 55.5 points.
Our Call: 44-14 for Virginia Tech.
Result: ??

Western Carolina (FCS) at North Carolina State
The Wolfpack were favored over the Catamounts by 40.5 points.
The over/under was 66.5 points.
Our Call: 56-14 for NC State.
Result: ??

Northern Illinois at Utah
The Utes were favored over the Huskies by 19.5 points.
The over/under was 44 points.
Our Call: 30-13 for Utah.
Result: ??

Fordham (FCS) at Ball State
The Cardinals were favored over the Rams by 28 points.
The over/under was 51 points.
Our Call: 44-14 for Ball State.
Result: ??

South Florida (USF) at Georgia Tech
The Yellow Jackets were favored over the Bulls by 6 points.
The over/under was 58.5 points.
Our Call: 41-13 for Georgia Tech.
Result: ??

Tennessee Tech (FCS) at Miami of Ohio
The RedHawks were favored over the Golden Eagles by 36 points.
The over/under was 60 points.
Our Call: 41-14 for Miami of Ohio.
Result: ??

Southern Illinois (FCS) at Massachusetts
The Minutemen were favored over the Salukis by 3.5 points.
The over/under was 80.5 points.
Our Call: 49-34 for UMass.
Result: ??

Southern Miss at Mississippi State
The Bulldogs were favored over the Eagles by 18 points.
The over/under was 51 points.
Our Call: 31-17 for Mississippi State.
Result: ??

Texas A&M at Clemson
The Tigers were favored over the Aggies by 15 points.
The over/under was 60 points.
Our Call: 31-30 for Texas A&M. They came close to beating Clemson last season on the road. Is the 12th man the difference here?
Result: ??

Central Michigan at Wisconsin
The Badgers were favored over the Chippewas by 33 points.
The over/under was 50 points.
Our Call: 38-14 for Wisconsin.
Result: ??

Charlotte at Appalachian State
The Mountaineers were favored over the 49ers by 21 points.
The over/under was 51.5 points.
Our Call: 31-21 for Appalachian State.
Result: ??

Eastern Illinois (FCS) at Indiana
The Hoosiers were favored over the Panthers by 34 points.
The over/under was 67 points.
Our Call: 45-7 for Indiana.
Result: ??



Grambling State (FCS) at Louisiana Tech
The Bulldogs were favored over the Tigers by 29 points.
The over/under was 51 points.
Our Call: 44-14 for Louisiana Tech.
Result: ??

Illinois at Connecticut
The Illini were favored over the Huskies by 18 points.
The over/under was 64 points.
Our Call: 37-20 for Illinois.
Result: ??

Nebraska at Colorado
The Huskers were favored over the Buffaloes by 6.5 points.
The over/under was 62.5 points.
Our Call: 35-24 for Nebraska. We make that call as a Nebraska alum. Hope springs eternal. The Huskers won the first game of the season on the strength of their defense. The Big Red offense, however, was weak. See the quotations and commentary at CornNation.
Result: ??

Richmond (FCS) at Boston College
The Eagles were favored over the Spiders by 33 points.
The over/under was 57 points.
Our Call: 45-7 for Boston College.
Result: ??

Murray State (FCS) at Georgia
The Dawgs were favored over the Racers by 49 points.
The over/under was 61.5 points.
Our Call: 51-7 for Georgia.
Result: ??

UTSA at Baylor
The Bears were favored over the Roadrunners by 28.5 points.
The over/under was 55.5 points.
Our Call: 44-14 for Baylor.
Result: ??

Western Illinois (FCS) at Colorado State
The Rams were favored over the Leathernecks by 6 points.
The over/under was 54.5 points.
Our Call: 34-23 for Colorado State.
Result: ??

New Mexico State at Alabama
The Crimson Tide were favored over the Aggies by 55.5 points.
The over/under was 63.5 points.
Our Call: 63-7 for Alabama.
Result: ??

San Diego State at UCLA
The Bruins were favored over the Aztecs by 8 points.
The over/under was 51 points.
Our Call: 27-20 for UCLA.
Result: ??

Northern Colorado (FCS) at Washington State
The Cougars were favored over the Bears by 38.5 points.
The over/under was 63 points.
Our Call: 48-7 for Washington State.
Result: ??

Louisiana Monroe at Florida State
The Seminoles were favored over the Warhawks by 21 points.
The over/under was 63 points.
Our Call: 48-17 for Florida State.
Result: ??

Gardner-Webb (FCS) at East Carolina
The Pirates were favored over the Runnin' Bulldogs by 28 points.
The over/under was 58.5 points.
Our Call: 45-7 for East Carolina.
Result: ??



Maine (FCS) at Georgia Southern
The Eagles were favored over the Black Bears by 10.5 points.
The over/under was 51 points.
Our Call: 34-20 for Georgia Southern.
Result: ??

North Carolina A&T at Duke
The Blue Devils were favored over the Aggies by 26.5 points.
The over/under was 49 points.
Our Call: 42-7 for Duke.
Result: ??

South Dakota (FCS) at Oklahoma
The Sooners were favored over the Coyotes by 36.5 points.
The over/under was 80.5 points.
Our Call: 63-14 for Oklahoma.
Result: ??

Jackson State at South Alabama
The Jaguars were favored over the Tigers by 24 points.
The over/under was 47 points.
Our Call: 42-7 for South Alabama.
Result: ??

Wyoming at Texas State
The Cowboys were favored over the Bobcats by 6.5 points.
The over/under was 46.5 points.
Our Call: 31-14 for Wyoming.
Result: ??

Western Kentucky (WKU) at Florida International (FIU)
The Golden Panthers were favored over the Hilltoppers by 10.5 points.
The over/under was 60.5 points.
Our Call: 38-21 for Florida International FIU.
Result: ??

UCF (Central Florida) at Florida Atlantic (FAU)
The Knights were favored over the Owls by 9.5 points.
The over/under was 71.5 points.
Our Call: 48-24 for UCF.
Result: ??

Tennessee State (FCS) at Middle Tennessee (MTSU)
The Blue Raiders were favored over the Tigers by 25.5 points.
The over/under was 56.5 points.
Our Call: 49-13 for Middle Tennessee.
Result: ??

North Texas at SMU
The Mustangs were favored over the Mean Green by 3.5 points.
The over/under was 69 points.
Our Call: 34-33 for North Texas.
Result: ??

McNeese State (FCS) at Oklahoma State
The Cowboys of OSU were favored over the Cowboys of McNeese by 35 points.
The over/under was 60 points.
Our Call: 41-27 for Oklahoma State. The new McNeese State football head coach this season is Sterlin Gilbert, previously offensive coordinator for USF (South Florida), who was joined by former USF offensive line coach Matt Mattox, now the Cowboys offensive coordinator. Without those coaches, USF lost its first game this season 49-0 to Wisconsin. McNeese State has many new coaches.
Result: ??

Furman (FCS) at Georgia State
The Panthers were favored over the Paladins by 7 points.
The over/under was 61.5 points.
Our Call: 41-17 for for Georgia State. Georgia State (2-11 last season) is fresh from a 38-30 upset win over the Tennessee Volunteers. Voices are heard calling for the Vols to hire Shawn Elliott, head coach of the Panthers.
Result: ??

Eastern Kentucky (FCS) at Louisville
The Cardinals were favored over the Colonels by 26 points.
The over/under was 60 points.
Our Call: 45-13 for Louisville.
Result: ??



Coastal Carolina at Kansas
The Jayhawks were favored over the Chanticleers by 10 points.
The over/under was 52.5 points.
Our Call: 37-17 for Kansas.
Result: ??

BYU at Tennessee
The Cougars were favored over the Volunteers by 3.5 points.
The over/under was 51 points.
Our Call: 27-20 for BYU. After an opening 38-30 loss to Georgia State (2-11 in 2018), Tennessee head football coach Jeremy Pruitt is not in an enviable position. Some voices are calling for the Vols to hire Shawn Elliott, head coach of the Georgia State.
Result: ??

Tulane at Auburn
The Tigers were favored over the Green Wave by 20.5 points.
The over/under was 50 points.
Our Call: 38-17 for Auburn.
Result: ??

Tennessee Martin at Florida
The Gators were favored over the SkyHawks by 41 points.
The over/under was 59 points.
Our Call: 49-6 for Florida.
Result: ??

Western Michigan at Michigan State
The Spartans were favored over the Broncos by 17.5 points.
The over/under was 47.5 points.
Our Call: 31-7 for Michigan State.
Result: ??

Arkansas at Ole Miss
The Rebels were favored over the Razorbacks by 7 points.
The over/under was 55.5 points.
Our Call: 20-17 for Ole Miss.
Result: ??

Buffalo at Penn State
The Nittany Lions were favored over the Bulls by 23.5 points.
The over/under was 55.5 points.
Our Call: 37-17 for Penn State.
Result: ??

Eastern Michigan at Kentucky
The Wildcats were favored over the Eagles by 14.5 points.
The over/under was 53 points.
Our Call: 38-17 for Kentucky.
Result: ??

Liberty at Louisiana Lafayette
The Ragin' Cajuns were favored over the Flames by 11.5 points.
The over/under was 66 points.
Our Call: 30-21 for Louisiana.
Result: ??

LSU at Texas
The Tigers were favored over the Longhorns by 3 points.
The over/under was 53 points.
Our Call: 24-17 for LSU. In beating Georgia Southern 55-3 in their opening game this season, LSU averaged 6.56 yards per play on offense and a formidable 1.96 yards per play on defense. LSU transfer QB Joe Burrow (from Ohio State, initially discovered by current Texas head coach Tom Herman, then the offensive coordinator for the Buckeyes) was selected the SEC player of the week. Win or lose in this game, Herman is setting his mark. In a further twist of fate, Ed Orgeron became the LSU head coach because Herman went to Texas. As written at Sports Illustrated by Ross Dellenger:"Almost three years later, the two programs meet on the gridiron for a game that many UT supporters believe is the most highly anticipated home contest in more than a decade."
On paper, LSU has the better current stats, Burrow looks like a Heisman candidate, and the defense is packed with superb athletes. However, one must note that the Longhorns in their opener this year beat Louisiana Tech 45-14, a team that LSU last season topped by only 38-21. This year, the LSU pro spread offense has been re-tooled. As written by Brooks Kubena at The Advocate: "Constructed by first-year passing game coordinator Joe Brady and offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger, the new system has invigorated a receiving corps that now expects to make the explosive plays LSU coach Ed Orgeron demanded more of last season." So, who knows. Two fine teams. Two top head coaches. It could be one of the great games in 2019. Oddsshark predicts a win for Ed Orgeron's LSU. May the best team win. Oddsshark
Result: ??

Nevada at Oregon
The Ducks were favored over the Wolf Pack by 21 points.
The over/under was 64 points.
Our Call: 45-21 for Oregon. Both teams are coming off of remarkable games. Nevada upset Big Ten Purdue 34-31 while Oregon blew a 3rd quarter 21-6 lead and lost in the closing seconds of the game to the coaching magic of Auburn's Gus Malzahn 27-21.
Result: ??

Stony Brook (FCS) at Utah State
The Aggies were favored over the Seawolves by 27.5 points.
The over/under was 55.5 points.
Our Call: 44-14 for Utah State.
Result: ??



Miami of Florida at North Carolina
The Hurricanes were favored over the Tar Heels by 6.5 points.
The over/under was 49 points.
Our Call: 24-23 for North Carolina.
Result: ??

Prairie View A&M (FCS) at Houston
The Cougars were favored over the Panthers by 29.5 points.
The over/under was 77 points.
Our Call: 49-7 for Houston.
Result: ??

UTEP at Texas Tech
The Red Raiders were favored over the Miners by 34 points.
The over/under was 65.5 points.
Our Call: 49-7 for Texas Tech.
Result: ??

Tulsa at San Jose State
The Golden Hurricane were favored over the Spartans by 5.5 points.
The over/under was 56 points.
Our Call: 27-20 for Tulsa.
Result: ??

Arkansas State at UNLV
The Red Wolves were favored over the Rebels by 3 points.
The over/under was 63 points.
Our Call: 31-30 for UNLV.
Result: ??

California at Washington
The Huskies were favored over the Golden Bears by 11 points.
The over/under was 43.5 points.
Our Call: 17-13 for Washington. Cal beat the Huskies at home 12-10 last year.
Result: ??

Minnesota at Fresno State
The Golden Gophers were favored over the Bulldogs by 2 points.
The over/under was 47.5 points.
Our Call: 24-23 for Fresno State. The Bulldogs lost on the road to the Golden Gophers last year 21-14.
Result: ??

Stanford at USC
The Trojans were favored over the Cardinal by 3 points.
The over/under was 44 points.
Our Call: 20-17 for Stanford. As a Stanford Law School alumnus, we are of course biased and give the nod to the Cardinal over Southern Cal. However, one of these years we hope that football head coach Shaw gets an offense.
Result: ??

Northern Arizona at Arizona
The Wildcats were favored over the Lumberjacks by 26.5 points.
The over/under was 65 points.
Our Call: 45-17 for Arizona.
Result: ??

Oregon State at Hawaii
The Warriors were favored over the Beavers by 2.5 points.
The over/under was 74.5 points.
Our Call: 41-38 for Hawaii.
Result: ??