Week 1 and Week Zero of the college football season are in the books. The opening weeks of the college football season had a few expected beatdowns, wild upsets, and their fair share of drama. However, we’ve had a chance to get a look at everyone, and it’s time to update our analysis of teams to ride and fade in Week 2. The teams that we’re looking to ride either looked the part or have a matchup they’ll be able to exploit. The teams we’re looking to fade disappointed, and we’re expecting that they’ll continue to disappoint. Let’s get into it.
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Ride or Fade: College Football Betting Analysis From Week 1
College Football Betting Analysis: Teams to Ride
LSU Tigers
LSU absolutely dismantled Clemson in a 51-10 beatdown. Covering the 10.5 points LSU was laying was never in doubt. The LSU Tigers looked bigger, stronger, and faster than Clemson in every aspect of the game. LSU racked up over 600 yards of total offense, while holding Clemson to only 145 positive yards. Clemson punted more times (10) than they had first downs (8). LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt threw for 230 yards, ran for 113 yards, and played a hand in three touchdowns. Winston Watkins led LSU in receiving with seven catches for 110 yards and a touchdown.
The LSU Tigers stay at home and catch Louisiana Tech coming in hot off an 80-3 win over Northwestern State. Lane Kiffin has the Tigers in Eff You Mode, and the Bulldogs are the next victim. The line opened under 40 points. LSU could win this by 60. Ride with the Tigers looking for style points against an outclassed team from the Sun Belt Conference.
Best Bet: LSU -35.5, LSU Team Total Over 45.5
Kennesaw State Owls
Kennesaw State opened the 2026-27 college football season with West Georgia paying a visit to Kennesaw, GA. The Owls won 47-0, and that makes the game sound close. West Georgia never threatened, and covering the 22.5-point spread was never a worry for Kennesaw State.
The Owls racked up over 500 yards of total offense and limited West Georgia to only 160 yards. Kennesaw State’s new quarterback, Rickie Collins, went 18-for-23 while throwing for 156 yards. Collins also ran 51 yards and a touchdown on seven carries. Owls running back Latrelle Murrell only needed nine carries to record 88 yards and two touchdowns.
Georgia State is coming into Kennesaw, GA in Week 2. The Panthers are off a big win of their own over North Carolina A&T, but this is their first road game. Georgia State was expected to be among the worst teams in the Sun Belt this year, and Kennesaw State looks poised to finish near the top of the standings in Conference USA. Kennesaw State played Arkansas State last year in the non-conference schedule and won 28-21. Arkansas State finished second in the Sun Belt West. Kennesaw State should roll again in this matchup.
Best Bets: Kennesaw State -9.5, Team Total Over 31.5
Air Force Falcons
Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun said his current offensive line is among the best he’s ever coached. The O-Line showed up in the Falcons’ season opener against Duquesne as Air Force rolled to a 34-0 win. Air Force ran for 431 yards against the Dukes.
The Falcons will host the 2-0 North Dakota State Bison in their first Mountain West Conference game in Week 2. The Bison have looked solid in their games against Jacksonville State and Fordham, but this is their first time traveling in the Mountain West and their first FBS road game. Air Force is actually catching points at home against North Dakota State. Air Force should roll as the Bison find out what service academy football is all about.
Best Bet: Air Force moneyline
College Football Betting Analysis: Teams to Fade
California Golden Bears
The Golden Bears looked a bit soft defensively against UCLA, and they may not have their star quarterback as they travel to Syracuse for Week 2.
Cal lost to UCLA, 45-24. The Bruins ran for 277 yards, and Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele will likely miss the game at Syracuse with a lower-body injury. Expect more news to come out as we get closer to kickoff, but the early reports indicate that JKS will miss the upcoming game.
Cal has to travel over 3,000 miles to face Syracuse. The Orange looked good in a 66-3 win over New Hampshire. Syracuse can run the ball, and they catch Cal in a tough travel spot without its star quarterback. The Golden Bears look like a team that needs to be faded until they get healthy.
Best Bet: Syracuse -3
Buffalo Bulls
Buffalo barely got past Albany at home in a 21-17 win that had the Bulls favored by at least 17.5 points before kickoff. The Bulls offense struggled, and their defense didn’t look great against an Albany team that isn’t nearly as talented. Buffalo committed 10 penalties for over 100 yards, and their passing game looked really poor against a secondary they should have exploited.
The Bulls travel to Pitbull Stadium in Miami for a game against Florida International. FIU looked chippy against in-state rival South Florida. The Panthers managed a backdoor cover as a 14.5-point underdog against South Florida despite throwing for over 300 yards. Buffalo looked rough at home, and now they have to face a team coached by Willie Simmons on the road, and the Bulls won’t have a talent edge in this game. Fade the Bulls traveling to a team looking for its first win.
Best Bet: FIU -10.5
Arkansas Razorbacks
The Arkansas Razorbacks started the Ryan Silverfield era with a bit of a dud. Arkansas beat North Alabama 31-14, but looked really shaky at times. The Razorbacks struggled to run against North Alabama. Arkansas averaged just over three yards per carry against the Lions in Fayetteville. They got the win, but this looks like a team that needs to get faded against better competition.
In Week 2, the Razorbacks travel to Salt Lake City for a non-conference road game against Utah. The Utes started the Morgan Scalley era with a 66-14 beatdown of Idaho. Utah racked up 364 yards on the ground against Idaho. This is the spot to fade an Arkansas team that’s a work in progress. Arkansas has to travel to elevation, and this year’s Razorbacks team isn’t nearly as talented as it was in seasons past. The Razorbacks are also still adapting to Silverfield’s system, and they have a lot of new pieces. Arkansas is also on a look-ahead to Georgia. This one could get ugly.
Best Bet: Utah -11.5, Utah Team Total Over 35.5
The College Football Experience
For more analysis of every college football game in the 2026-26 season, tune in to The College Football Experience. Colby Dant and Moneyline Mac talk about each game on the entire slate. Listen for input on ATS and moneyline college football picks every week!
