CFB Bets 2018-19 - Week 2

            Feels so good to be back again writing come college football prediction! So much is happening but we here at Casual Sports Talk remember where we started, right here writing predictions!

            Last week there was no article as Ethan was moving into University, but if you checked twitter (@CasualSportsPod) you would have seen his picks for the week! All in all, Ethan went 4-3-0 ATS (including 2 predictions made on opening Thursday night).

            Without further or due, here is Ethan’s picks for Week 2 of the 2018-19 College Football season!

18 Mississippi State (-7) @ Kansas State

            The Bulldogs are a team I am extremely high on this year and should only get better with the return of starting quarterback Nick Fitzgerald after serving a one-week suspension. Even without Fitzgerald last week, the Bulldogs offense amassed 618 yards of total offence against Stephen F. Austin.

            It’s a different tale for the home team in this game, Kansas State. Last week, at one point, they were trailing by 14 against an FCS opponent, South Dakota, before just squeaking out a win.

            Big key for this game? Turnovers. Kansas State lost the ball 4 times in last weeks disaster and Nick Fitzgerald threw 11 interceptions last year, both teams obviously need to limit this. I see turnovers playing the biggest role in this game.

            Two teams going in two different directions, I see Mississippi State rolling into Bill Snyder Family Stadium and coming up with a convincing win, roll with the Bulldogs by at least a touchdown!

Duke (+2.5) @ Northwestern

            If you watched opening night last Thursday, you would have realized that Northwestern played well for about a quarter & a half and still managed to get the W against Purdue.

            Now they go back home to face a Blue Devil team that’s on a high after a 34-14 win against Army last week. Thanks to the return of their starting QB Daniel Jones, Duke now seems to have a rather underrated team. Playmakers on offence +  a very solid defense is just a very solid mathematical equation.

            Northwestern’s passing attack is lead by senior Clayton Thorsen, who is on some sort of “pitch count” with TJ Green coming in last week in relief on multiple occasions. Duke’s pass defence may limit that passing attack this week, so look for Northwestern to rely on Jeremy Larkin if they want to win.

            Duke won last year’s game as an underdog 41-17, I think they surprise the Wildcats and do it again!

Buffalo (+4) @ Temple

            The Bulls may end up being better football team in Buffalo this season as they are a team I’m extremely high on this year, higher than I am on the Buffalo Bills.

            Main reason why I think Buffalo can do well in the MAC and specifically in this game: it’s all about their passing game. The strong-arm Tyree Jackson to deep-threat (and potential high NFL pick) Anthony Johnson is just to clean to ignore as I think they will dominate defences all season long.

            Temple struggled mightily, culminating in a loss last week, against FCS Villanova (this is football not basketball they do not have a good team!)  I don’t believe the Owls have enough to beat this team and will struggle to contain this Bulls attack.

            I’m extremely confident in Buffalo +4 and I’m more confident in Buffalo walking into Lincoln Financial Field and grabbing the win. Go Bulls!

Colorado @ Nebraska (-3)

            Scott Frost’s Nebraska debut was derailed last week by a little rain, so it gets pushed to today! Nebraska at home in his debut I say eat the 3 points they will put on a show for the home crowd at Tom Osborne Field at Memorial Stadium.

            Digging deep I found out that the Cornhuskers have won 31 of their last 32 season openers, something to make bettors feel extra comfortable backing Nebraska here.

            Adrian Martinez will make his first start as a true freshman for Scott Frost, a former QB himself. His dual-threat ability will forsure test this Buffs defence, especially if Frost runs the same type of offence he ran at UCF (where he did “win” a National Championship)

            Look for this to be a competitive game but for the Cornhuskers to come out on top to start the Scott Frost era in Nebraska!

Fried’s 50/50s

A fan favourite has made its return this season; Fried went 2-3-0 ATS last week and has more of his shot-in-the-dark predictions for those who love staying even at years end!

Arizona @ Houston (-3)

Liberty @ Army (-7.5)

Western Michigan @ Michigan (-27.5)

Holy Cross (+44) @ Boston College

UCLA (+29.5) @ Oklahoma

Portland State (+48) @ Oregon

Good luck to you all and we’ll see you next week!