Friday Forecast: SDS staff picks 5 Week 2 matchups against the spread
By Ethan Stone
Published:
The Saturday Down South crew is back with its Week 2 picks, and there are some great games on the docket this weekend. Ohio State at Texas is one of the most anticipated games of the regular season. Additionally, conference play is soon to be underway as Alabama travels to face Will Stein and the Kentucky Wildcats.
Let’s make some picks.
(All odds are via DraftKings, finalized on Thursday, Sept. 10. Point spreads might not necessarily reflect current odds.)
Week 2 Picks ATS
Here’s how the SDS crew picked 5 SEC games in Week 2 (against the spread).
Looking to join in on the fun? Take a look at our guide of the best sports betting apps to score a sign-up bonus for Week 2.
2026 Season Records
- Spenser Davis: 6-2
- Andy Olson: 1-7
- Adam Spencer: 3-5
- Ethan Stone: 6-2
Mizzou (-5.5) at Kansas
Spenser Davis: I think Kansas is underrated. Isaiah Marshall looked good in Week 1 and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki is back in Lawrence after a stint at Penn State. KU is live to win outright, so I’m happy to take the points. PICK: Kansas +5.5
Andy Olson: I like Mizzou by a full TD and Austin “Muck Vick” Simmons to make the Jayhawks sad. PICK: Mizzou -5.5
Adam Spencer: I’m never going to pick Kansas to do anything. Terrible state and it pains me to even have to capitalize it. It’s not a proper noun and it’s not a proper place. I’ll let Super Bowl champion Drew Lock take it from here. PICK: Mizzou by a million (or -5.5, whatever)
Ethan Stone: Fierce rivalry, primetime game at Kansas. Isaiah Marshall looked great in the season opener, and the Jayhawks want this one bad. But Mizzou is the superior program in this rivalry and will probably win by 2 possessions again. Just how it goes, folks. PICK: Mizzou -5.5
Oklahoma (-5.5) at Michigan
Spenser Davis: Michigan was favored by as much as 2.5 points in the Game of the Year markets this summer and was only a slight underdog as recently as a week ago. One data point, albeit a very concerning one if you’re a Michigan fan, shouldn’t be enough to move the line this much. I think the Wolverines keep it close. PICK: Michigan +5.5
Andy Olson: We’re all wondering if Bryce Underwood and the Michigan Wolverines are really as bad as they looked in Week 1, and we’re probably overreacting a bit. Let’s not pretend Western Michigan is like Florida State-level bad. I’m going to go with the home team finding some juice and keeping it closer than expected. The Wolverines have the talent and the coaching to hang. PICK: Michigan +5.5
Adam Spencer: The vibes out of Michigan are at a low after Kyle Whittingham’s comments on QB Bryce Underwood and Underwood’s less-than-enthusiastic response to those comments. I don’t think Underwood will be the starter for much longer. Give me the Sooners to stomp the Wolverines. PICK: Oklahoma -5.5
Ethan Stone: I don’t adore that Oklahoma is going to be without several key linemen for this one, to be honest. Still, I can’t pick the Wolverines here. Bryce Underwood looked putrid in what should have been a loss to Western Michigan. John Mateer, on the other hand, is a good quarterback flanked by a Brent Venables defense. PICK: Oklahoma -5.5
Alabama (-10.5) at Kentucky
Spenser Davis: If this game was played in November, I think there’s a good chance Alabama would run away with it. But in Week 2, before Kentucky’s depth will be tested and before Keelon Russell can benefit from experience, I think the Wildcats will keep this close. Will Stein and Kenny Minchey are still relative unknowns, which will make them harder to prepare for. I think Alabama will win, but UK keeps it within the number at home. PICK: Kentucky +10.5
Andy Olson: Alabama, I heard you loud and clear after picking East Carolina to cover in Week 1. PICK: Alabama -10.5
Adam Spencer: While I’m bullish on the long-term future of Will Stein at Kentucky, I’m low on the Wildcats this year. Meanwhile, I think the Tide are a Playoff team in 2026. Based on those 2 variables, I’m comfortable taking the points here. PICK: Alabama -10.5
Ethan Stone: Sportsbooks are trying to bait you into taking Kentucky with this +10.5 number. I understand the argument. Kenny Minchey impressed and Kentucky’s offense didn’t look like 11 walking corpses for once. That said, I believe in this Alabama defense, and I don’t have the same confidence in Kentucky’s against a shifty Keelon Russell. PICK: Alabama -10.5
Tennessee (-12.5) at Georgia Tech
Spenser Davis: Since 2023, Brent Key and the Yellow Jackets are 13-6 against the spread with an impressive 9 outright victories. Tennessee is relying on a true freshman quarterback and will be playing just its second game under new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. Georgia Tech looked awful last week against Colorado, but that doesn’t scare me off here since I’m getting double digits. PICK: Georgia Tech +12.5
Andy Olson: Georgia Tech wishes Buster Faulkner and Aaron Philo were still in Atlanta for this one. It’s a big road line to cover against a Power 4 team, but I like the Vols to get it done. PICK: Tennessee -12.5
Adam Spencer: This is just too many points. I like the Vols to win the game, but a true freshman QB in his first road game and his first matchup against a Power 4 team will struggle. Fortunately for Josh Heupel and company, the Georgia Tech offense might stink this year. Give me Tennessee to win by 10 points in a low-scoring battle. PICK: Georgia Tech +12.5
Ethan Stone: The road to victory (or even a compelling game, really) is the Georgia Tech crowd getting to Vols freshman Faizon Brandon. Seeing as the true freshman looked like a seasoned vet in his first ever college start, I’m gonna bank on another big outing for Brandon. I’m a believer, man. PICK: Tennessee -12.5
Ohio State at Texas (-1.5)
Spenser Davis: I think Texas wins this game at home. The Longhorns are loaded with skill talent on offense and should have an elite defense, too. I had some questions about the hiring of defensive coordinator Will Muschamp in the offseason, but we’ll know a lot more after this game. Ohio State is great, but Julian Sayin isn’t nearly as good when he’s faced with the kind of pressure Texas’s front 7 will be able to apply on Saturday. PICK: Texas -1.5
Andy Olson: Against my better judgement, I’m drinking the burnt orange kool-aid. You’re telling me Arch Manning is in Year 4, oil money has stacked the roster via NIL and Will Muschamp is back coaching the defense? Ok, cool, Hook ‘em. PICK: Texas -1.5
Adam Spencer: I know it was against lesser competition last week, but I liked the way Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo played together. That tandem is going to be tough for any defense, even one led by Matt Patricia, to stop. Yes, Jeremiah Smith will get his yards and catches, too, but I like the Longhorns in Austin. PICK: Texas -1.5
Ethan Stone: The safer pick here is Ohio State, even with the Buckeyes being on the road. Ohio State is consistently great. Texas has to prove it’s great. Sure, the Longhorns could win this game – but I won’t bet on it. PICK: Ohio State +1.5
Ethan Stone is a Saturday Down South News Editor and an advocate for the return of the Seattle Supersonics.
