USC has given up 65 points in its last two games...

Purdue has allowed 90 points the last two weeks...

I really liked the Broncos and Chargers entering the season, but both laid an egg in Week 1. Denver didn't match Kansas City's intensity in Patrick Mahomes' return from a knee injury. But what really stood out was that the Broncos' defense missed the most tackles in a game since 2018. That issue will get fixed. Denver's defense is too talented to play that way moving forward. Bo Nix looked dreadful, but we all know you can't overreact to one game in the NFL. I thought Jacksonville was a bit undervalued entering the season, although I don't believe this line should be below three. I still expect the Broncos to be tough at home and think they'll rebound on Sunday.

I'm always looking to back good teams in Week 2 who looked flat in the opener. No team fits that theory better than the Chargers. Credit to Arizona's coaching staff for having the Cardinals ready to play, but the Chargers looked like they were in slow motion. Jim Harbaugh said he should have played his starters more in the preseason, and I expect Los Angeles to be more focused on Sunday. I'm projecting Ladd McConkey to be out, but I expect the Chargers' defense to dominate here after the Raiders averaged just over 4.0 yards per play against what I think is the worst team in the NFL. If the Chargers won last week, this line is -9. I'll take LA to roll at home.

Tetairoa McMillan's yardage totals are still too low. He easily went over 57.5 last week against the Bears with 75 yards on five receptions. Going back to 2025, McMillan has exceeded this total in six of his last seven games. I expect Atlanta's defense to be tougher against the run than the pass this year, so look for Bryce Young to have another good game on Sunday. Play McMillan's over receiving yards up to 59.5.

Playing North Dakota State on the opener under 24 points. The Bison might be a wagon this year. NDSU dominated Air Force before running out of gas at altitude late. Sacramento State would still be an average FCS team. The Bison traditionally murder these teams and I think that trend continues here. Like them in a 52-13 kind of game.

I wanted to play this game early, but QB health is a key factor here for both teams. La Tech's starting QB, Blake Baker, is out with a fractured hand. Backup Trey Kukuk will get the nod and will face a lot of pressure because the Bulldogs can't run the football. Baylor QB DJ Lagway was held out of last week's game vs. Prairie View with an ankle injury, and while I originally expected him to play, Lagway was listed as doubtful on Thursday. Junior Nate Bennett will get his second start vs. Louisiana Tech. I'm still rolling with my Baylor bet at -19 because I expect the Bears' defense to dominate. However, I wouldn't play Baylor higher than 19.5 with Lagway out.

This will be a competitive game, but I like Louisville to prevail at home. My concern entering the season was SMU's rebuilt defensive line. Florida State rushed for 200 yards with no passing threat. The Cardinals ran for 162 yards vs. Ole Miss and ripped Villanova for 375. I also like that Louisville faced one of CFB's top offenses in Ole Miss. I think they will be more prepared for Kevin Jennings and SMU. This game is pretty even on paper, but I expect the Cardinals' three-headed rushing attack of QB Lincoln Kienholz, RB Isaac Brown, and RB Keyjuan Brown to be the difference. Give me the Cardinals ML -120 for 1 unit.

All the talk is about Patrick Mahomes returning for Week 1 but I'm more interested in the big uglies. I expect the Broncos to dominate this game in the trenches. Denver has my top-rated offensive line entering the season. Meanwhile, the Chiefs could start undrafted Kahlil Benson at right tackle. Benson may end up being a good player but an undrafted free agent protecting a QB coming off an ACL injury in Week 1 isn't ideal. I give Denver's vaunted pass rush a big edge in this matchup and expect a lower-scoring game. I'll grab the +3 now in case the number goes down closer to kickoff.

Half unit. The Cardinals enter the season with a lot of issues. One is the lack of talent and depth in the secondary. Slot receivers should eat Arizona alive this season and Ladd McConkey is priced a little low in Week 1. There is always the fear of Los Angeles getting a big early lead and shutting it down, although considering these guys no longer get much action in the preseason, I expect Jim Harbaugh to keep his foot on the gas a little longer. Play up to 53.5.

The Panthers will begin the season without starting LT Ikem Ekwonu and starting RT Taylor Moton. I like to look for offensive line issues early in the season because most NFL teams have a big drop-off from starters to backups on the line. Carolina is one of those teams. I also believe the Bears are a little undervalued here. I expect Chicago's defense to improve, while the offense takes another step forward with most of the players in Ben Johnson's system for the second year. Look for Caleb Williams and company to start the 2026 season with a win.

I'm in the camp that thinks the Saints will be contenders in the NFC South this year. However, New Orleans has a tough opener against a salty Lions team coming off a disappointing season. The Saints are an exciting, young team, although they are far from a finished product. I expect them to get better as the year goes on. Look for Dan Campbell's squad to get back to being physical and dominate this game in the trenches, especially in the second half. I like Detroit at home laying less than a touchdown.

I understand taking Air Force on the opening line of +6.5. That line was crazy and didn't last long. But now there is too much value on North Dakota State that I have to go the other way. I made the Bison -3.5 in this matchup, so getting them on the ML at -122 is purely a numbers play for me. NDSU head coach Tim Polasek knows Air Force from his time at Wyoming and said he spent most of the summer preparing for their option attack. If the defense can limit big plays, I think QB Nathan Hayes and North Dakota State's offensive line will be the difference in the fourth quarter. I grabbed the ML -122 for a half unit at FD.

I'm not quite sure where this line will go but I'm grabbing +10.5 with Kentucky on the opener. The Wildcats snagged the No. 11 transfer portal class and I thought they looked much improved in Week 1 under new coach Will Stein, especially in the trenches. I know it was only one game vs. Youngstown State, but QB Kenny Minchey looks like a nice fit in Stein's offense. UK was without both starting corners and played vanilla on defense. At least one is expected back this week, and I think DC Jay Bateman brings more heat, with Alabama's Keelon Russell making his first career road start. I like Kentucky to keep this game within double digits at home.

I played Syracuse last week, noting everything went wrong for the Orange in 2025, and I expect them to be much improved this season. Granted, it was against lowly New Hampshire, but it's obvious the team has more talent. Quarterback Steve Angeli returning from injury is huge for the Orange and I like the matchup overall against a Cal defense that allowed 277 rushing yards to UCLA. Add in the awful travel spot for the Golden Bears, and I'll take Syracuse on the ML for a half unit.