Each Week at RTHH we will run through some important games on the schedule. We will give reasons each team can cover. We also release a RTHH Free pick as well as at least one from a Hot Handicapper.

Week 2 College Football Betting Preview (With Free Pick)

Penn St

Last Week: Penn State opened the season with a 33-13 win at home against Kent St where they failed to cover as 24 point favorites. The Total went OVER the posted number of 44.

This Season: Penn St is 1-0 Straight Up and 0-1 Against The Spread. The Total Is 1-0

Why Penn St Can Cover The Spread

1. Bad news – Quarterback Trace Mcsorley did not play particularly well last week only completing 50 percent of his passes. Good News – He threw 2 touchdowns and no picks. Expect Mcsorley to play better in week 2 especially with the weapons he has around him in Chris Goodwin, Deandre Thompkins and Daesean Hamilton.
2. Pitt held Villanova to only 53 yards rushing a week ago. Don’t expect that to happen again. Penn State’s line is big and nasty. Super Sophomore running back Saquon Barkley should have a big day.

Pittsburgh

Last Week: Pittsburgh opened the season beating Villanova 28-7, failing to cover as 28 point favorites. The 35 points went UNDER the posted total of 49.5

This Season: Pitt is 1-0 Straight Up and 0-1 Against The Spread. The Total Is 0-1

Why Pitt Can Cover The Spread

1. Even though Pitt runs a very conservative offense that includes short throws and not a lot of chances downfield, QB Nate Peterman doesn’t make many mistakes that hurts his team. He didn’t throw a pick last week and only threw 8 last season. Don’t expect him to give the game away.
2. Penn St is absolutely dreadful on the road. Since coach James Franklin took over, the Nittany Lions are only 2-6 straight up and 0-8 against the spread in road games. When this team gets into to hostile territory it folds.

RideTheHotHand LEAN: Penn State +5.5

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Kentucky

Last Week: Kentucky opened the season with a heartbreaking loss at home to Southern Miss 44-35. A game in which they blew a big halftime lead. They failed to cover as 3 point favorites and the 79 points went OVER the posted total of 62

This Season: Kentucky is 0-1 Straight up and 0-1 ATS. The Total is 1-0

Why Kentucky Can Cover The Spread

1. Even though Kentucky choked last week’s game away they definitely had some bright spots they can hang their hats on. The offense looked good led by sophomore QB Drew Barker who threw for over 300 yards and 4 scores. Throw in running back Stanley boom Williams and plenty of playmakers at receiver and Kentucky can definitely score enough to stay within 17 points of the Gators.
2. New Florida starting QB Luke Del Rio looked shaky last week against UMASS. Kentucky’s pass defense is solid and played well last week, picking off Southern Miss 3 times. If they can contain the run a little better expect them to get some turnovers on an inexperienced QB.

Florida

Last Week: Florida won a hard fought game 24-7 against UMASS at home, that was closer than the final score. They failed to cover as 35 point favorites and the 31 points went UNDER the total of 51.

This Season: Florida is 1-0 Straight up and 0-1 ATS. The Total is 0-1

Why Florida Can Cover The Spread

1. Florida had some growing pains at offensive line last season. That’s what happens when you start freshman and sophomores. Well the offensive line is a year older and a year better. Southern Miss destroyed Kentucky on the ground last week, gaining 262 yards and 3 scores. Imagine what Florida’s running game will do to them.
2. DEFENSE! Florida will always have a good defense because they recruit great athletes. The defense held UMASS to only 180 yards last week and will be chomping at the bit watching the game tape of how Southern Miss shut down Kentucky in the second half. Look for Florida to not respect Kentucky’s run game and get after the quarterback.

RideTheHotHand LEAN: Kentucky +16.5

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Virginia Tech

Last Week: Virginia Tech opened the season with a 36-13 home win over Liberty. They failed to cover as -32 point favorites and the 49 points went UNDER the posted total of 58.

This Season: Virginia Tech is 1-0 Straight up and 0-1 ATS. The Total is 0-1.

Why Virginia Tech Can Cover The Spread

1. Virginia Tech didn’t look anywhere near as dominate against Liberty as some had hoped but QB Jerod Evans looked good in his debut. He wasn’t asked to take a lot of chances, completing short accurate passes to the tune of 4 TD’s. Expect a similar gameplan against The Vols young secondary.
2. Virginia Tech has a very underrated defense and very good secondary. Tennessee struggled throwing the ball against Appalachian St. If they don’t fix that this week it’s going to be another long day against this secondary.

Tennessee

Last Week: Tennessee won an overtime dogfight at home against Appalachian St. 20-13, they failed to cover as -22.5 point favorites. There was no total posted for that game.

This Season: Tennessee is 1-0 Straight up and 0-1 ATS. The total is 0-0.

Why Tennessee Can Cover The Spread

1. Run Run Run. Tennessee has an explosive running back in Jalen Hurd and a pretty good offensive line. Virginia Tech has a young defensive line and stopping the run will be tough against Hurd who can score every time he touches the ball.
2. Tennessee definitely has the talent and experience on defense to compete with anyone in The SEC. Virginia Tech doesn’t have an offense good enough to consistently move the ball on a defense like they will see on Saturday.

Final Analysis and RideTheHotHand Free Pick

The Tennessee Volunteers and their fans were looking forward to this season with a lot of optimism. Many people picked them to win the SEC East and maybe even be a long shot to make the playoff. Then last week happened. Appalachian St is no pushover but there is no way Tennessee should of gone to OT with them. Well Vols fans should not fear. That close call woke up the Volunteers and they will play much better this week. Virginia Tech QB Jerod Evans will have a much tougher go of it this week against a very good Tennessee defense and wont fair anywhere near as well as he did vs Liberty. Look for Jalen Hurd to have a big game and QB Joshua Dobbs to open it up a little more as Tennessee pulls away and wins by more than 2 touchdowns. The Pick: Tennessee -11.5

Jesse Schule