Three previews for Week 2 NCAAF games and our picks based on spreads for 10 games on the slate.
(10) Iowa vs (9) Iowa State
Coming off an exceedingly close win over Northern Iowa (16-10), NCAAF No. 8 ranked Iowa State will host No. 14 ranked Iowa (34-6 winners over Indiana in their Big10 opener). Iowa leads the in-state clash 45-22 and will be looking to extend its current five-game winning streak (Iowa last won 18-17 in 2019).
Looking for continued improvement off of a 9-3 record in 2020, the Cyclones have quarterback Brock Purdy returning. Purdy led the high-flying offense (436 yards and 33 points per game) last season, completing 243 of 365 pass attempts for 2,750 yards and 19 touchdowns. Rejoining Purdy in the backfield is the star running back Breece Hall.
To spearhead the receiving corps, TE Charlie Kolar (44 catches for 591 yards and a team-high seven scores) and Senior WR Xavier Hutchinson (64 catches for 771 yards and four scores) both return. Hutchinson had seven catches for 88 yards against UNI, while Kolar didn’t play due to injury. He should return this week.
Iowa’s offense is led by Junior QB Spencer Petras. Petras completed only 140 of 245 passes (57.1 %) for 1,569 yards and nine TD’s in 2020. He was even less effective in the win over Indiana recently (13-27 for 145 yards). Versatile Junior RB Tyler Goodson is back to pace the rushing attack. He had 143 carries for 762 yards (5.3 ypc) and seven touchdowns last year.
TE Sam Laporta (27 catches for 271 yards and one TD) and Junior WR Nico Ragaini (18 catches for 191 yards and zero TD’s) both return for Iowa. Ragaini had two catches for 21 yards against Indiana.
NCAAF Devy Players to Watch
- Breece Hall – RB-Iowa State: Over his first two seasons in Ames, Hall has rushed for a combined 2469 yards and 30 TDs, on 467 rushing attempts and 5.29 yards per carry. Hall has also added 46 receptions for 432 yards and three TDs.
- Tyler Goodson – RB – Iowa: Goodson had 19 carries for 99 yards and a TD against Indiana. Goodson will be extremely important in this game as Iowa will need to rely on its defense and running game to pull the upset.
- Sam Laporta – TE – Iowa: Laporta had a very impressive season debut with 5 catches for 83 yards. Laporta should vastly exceed his previous season’s totals.
Staff Picks
Iowa State -4
- Brandon @hayeb3: Iowa +4
- Brian @vandygrad92: Iowa +4
- Joe @TheHQNerd: Iowa +4
(15) Texas vs Arkansas
This is a matchup of two teams in the Southwest Conference that consisted mostly of teams from Texas. Texas leads the series 56-22 but Arkansas won the last matchup in 2014 by the score of 31-7.
Last week, Lousiana played tough with Texas for a half, but Texas pulled away for a comfortable 20 point win in the first game of the Steve Sarkisian era. Bijan Robinson looked like his dominant self, but new starter Hudson Card showed some great things on his way to three overall TDs.
Arkansas also was tested early but was able to eventually beat Rice pretty easily. Arkansas is breaking in a new QB in KJ Jefferson. Jefferson was not great passing the ball, but did rush for 89 yards and two TDs. Adding to that rushing attack was RB Treylon Smith who gained over 100 yards and a TD.
Even though Arkansas is at home, I believe Texas should be able to come out victorious. Texas has more weapons and KJ Jefferson has not shown he can be consistent enough to score with Texas. WR Treylon Burks was nicked up before the Rice game, so they will need him to be able to be as close to 100% as he can to try to pull the upset.
NCAAF Devy Players to Watch
- Bijan Robinson- RB- Texas: Robinson is one of the top prospects for the 2023 NFL Draft and in week 1 he did not disappoint. In Sarkisian’s offense, Robinson looks to be involved even more in the passing game and should continue to make wow plays each week.
- Treylon Burks – WR – Arkansas: Burks is an athletic freak but sometimes the scheme and QB play at Arkansas as held him back. Burks is a raw WR that is still learning technique but he should eventually translate to possibly a better NFL player than a college player.
- Hudson Card – QB – Texas: Card was in a QB competition with Casey Thompson but eventually won the job. He left some plays on the field against Louisiana but it was a solid outing. Card will look to continue his development against a defense that has allowed over 34 ppg the last two years.
Staff Picks
Arkansas +5
- Brandon @hayeb3: Texas -5
- Brian @vandygrad92: Texas -5
- Joe @TheHQNerd: Arkansas +5
(12) Oregon vs (3) Ohio State
The game of the week resides in Columbus, Ohio, for Week 2 of the college football season. No. 11 Oregon (1-0) travels East to take on No. 4 Ohio State (1-0).
Both teams struggled at times in their openers. Oregon needed a fourth-quarter come back to take down a stingy Fresno State squad. At the same time, Ohio State overcame some early obstacles on the road vs. Minnesota.
The Ducks will need quarterback Anthony Brown to play big to have any chance to upset the Buckeyes this week. A noon eastern time kickoff is never easy on west coast teams. Look for Oregon to rely heavily on their running game with CJ Verdell and Travis Dye.
For Ohio State, signal-caller CJ Stroud overcame some early struggles against Minnesota but eventually found a groove and made enough plays to win. He will look to build on chemistry with his two-star wide receivers Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. Look for CJ Stroud to be a little more comfortable at home this week. Oregon will have to win the turnover battle if it wants to upset the Buckeyes.
NCAAF Devy Players to Watch
- Treyveon Henderson- RB- Ohio State: It didn’t take long for the number one running back in the freshman class to make an impact. Henderson carried the ball only twice, but he made a huge splash with a 70-yard receiving touchdown against Minnesota. He’s an explosive playmaker and an elite Devy asset. Look for his role to expand as the season rolls along.
- CJ Stroud – QB – Ohio State: CJ Stroud struggled to find rhythm in the first half last week. He settled in during the second half against Minnesota, accounting for four touchdown passes. Stroud is a talented quarterback, but there’s not much room for error at Ohio State. He’s a guy I will be closely watching on Saturday against Oregon.
Staff Picks
Ohio State -14.5
- Brandon @hayeb3 : Ohio State -14.5
- Brian @vandygrad92: Ohio State -14.5
- Joe @TheHQNerd: Ohio State -14.5
Other NCAAF Game Picks Based on the Spread
Brandon Haye
Brandon grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and works as a health insurance data analyst. He has no children, but two fur babies - Squirt and Brownie. He and his wife, Katie, spend their time playing poker and enjoying time with their pups. Brandon is a huge Michigan Wolverine and Jacksonville Jaguars fan. He at one time was in 77 fantasy leagues and loves the game of football. Brandon started writing for The Leauge Winners in 2021.