Taking Bets | Dabo Seems Chill | Week Two

2024 ATS Record

Blaine Duncan: 3-0 (Week One: 3-0)
TD Wood: 1-2 (Week One: 1-2))
Mallory McCormack: 2-1 (Week One: 2-1)
Greg Bosworth: 0-3 (Week One: 0-3)

Each Friday evening, “Taking Bets” gets you ready for the football weekend with some ideas on the bets worth making. It’s host of The Staredown Mallory McCormack, host of Takin’ On Sports TD Wood, editor-in-chief Blaine Duncan, and – new to the column this year – co-host of Takin’ On Sports Greg Bosworth! Find them and their bets here each week! This week, it’s the debut of the NFL picks for the season!

Blaine Duncan 
Week One tends to be where I shine with the rest of the season’s picks turning into the dookie of the dookie sandwich. Most of my picks this week leave me feeling unsure.

Georgia Tech (-3) at Syracuse – The Yellowjackets have two wins so far, and one was against Florida State, who may not be as good as originally thought. Still, getting more than a field goal to beat Syracuse sounds good. I know it’s hard to win up there, but I think Georgia Tech has talent this year. They’ll win by seven. 

Cal at Auburn (OVER: 53) – The Tigers are favored by 12.5, which is tempting. What does Cal have? I can’t think of much. I do see the touchdowns rolling in for Auburn in an attempt to gain some traction for rankings. 

Colorado at Nebraska (-7) – It’s one of the games that screams, "Stay away!" this weekend, but two things: 1. I'm a fool, and 2. Matt Rhule has success in his second years at schools. Colorado has explosive talent, of course, but Nebraska at home will get a touchdown victory.  

Jets at 49ers (-4.5) – Ah, Monday Night Football. It's where you make all of your money back. (Also, there’s a Friday night NFL game!? Is this new?!) There’s no reason why the Jets come close to winning. San Francisco going up by a touchdown and staying there all night seems feasible. 

TD Wood
As per tradition, a losing record in Week 1. Should’ve listened to myself when I said it would take Willie Fritz time to work his magic at Houston, and maybe those 48.5 points were a little ambitious for the Buckeyes. Now that we’ve appeased the gambling gods, it’s time to get serious.

Michigan State at Maryland (-9.5) – September Maryland, baby. That is all.

South Florida at Alabama (-31) – Much like last week, I expect the new-look Bama offense to flex their muscles and score a whole lotta points. The defense looked violent and intense, too, which I love. I expect there are plenty of Crimson Tide players who want to make sure people know last year’s close game was a fluke, and I imagine the Bulls’ trip to Bryant-Denny Stadium isn’t going to be a pleasant one.

Colorado at Nebraska (OVER 55.5) – I have no earthly idea who’s going to win this game, all I know is there are gonna be points galore. 

Patriots at Bengals (-8) – I don’t trust the Bengals over the long run of the season – Joe Burrow’s wrist is truly worrisome – but I do like them to put some crooked numbers on the board and roll over what might be the NFL’s worst team. 

Mallory McCormack 
Solid start for the season. My husband is still mad I didn’t let him leave the Ole Miss game early because I thought maybe for once in my life I would see us score 80. Seventy-six is close enough, I guess. But still, the players don’t leave early and neither do I. Anyway...Week 2: let’s get it...

Georgia Tech (-3) at Syracuse - The Wreck keeps on Rambling. I’m here for it. Go nerds!

Virginia at Wake Forest (-1) - Wake doesn’t overlook Virginia. It’s definitely by at least a field goal. 

South Florida at Alabama (-31) - The videos of the Bama team letting kids battling illnesses score touchdowns at the end of their practices gets me. Heart and athleticism, Bama by at least 40. 

Minnesota (-1.5) at NY Giants - Giants, Giants help us god…please let us get through the season unscathed. But show DJ the door. 

Greg Bosworth 
So much for beginner’s luck, insert eye roll emoji, lol . The SEC showed me no love and it was an ugly week 1.  But have no fear I’ve got great picks for week 2 and will be 3-3 after Saturday. 

Texas (-7.5) at Michigan – Game Day will be there and this is a very interesting matchup in September for several reasons. It  is rare to see Michigan play a big time opponent at home in September, so it should be a fun atmosphere  Saturday afternoon . Michigan has a lights out defense, but not near the offensive prowess of the last few seasons, which will be the difference in this game. Quinn Ewers will have a big game similar to what he did in Tuscaloosa last year and the Longhorns will leave Ann Arbor with a double digit win. 

Colorado at Nebraska (OVER: 55.5) – This Old Big 12 Rivalry is renewed for the second season in a row, this time in Lincoln. Shedeur Sanders vs Dylan Raiola should be a fun back and forth Saturday night. I see both teams putting up over 30 a piece in what might be the most entertaining games in Week 2. 

Houston at Oklahoma (-28.5) – Jackson Arnold and the Sooners offense got busy last week, and this week should look even better against their 1 year former conference member. All I can say after getting dominated by UNLV, it is going to be a long year for the Cougars first year Head Coach Willie Fritz. I expect this to get out of hand early and OU might have the spread covered by half time. 

Cowboys at Browns (-2.5) The Cowboys had a soap opera off season with the Ceedee Lamb and Dak Prescott contract issues and added nothing worth talking about in free agency despite being “All In”. Often it’s hard to get the season started well with so many off the field distractions. The Browns got better by adding Jerry Jeudy as another weapon for Deshaun Watson. Playing in the Dawg Pound should really give this Cleveland team the push they need to win and the home atmosphere will Sunday afternoon. Don’t be surprised if this game ends with a late Cowboy’s turnover as they are driving down the field. 

Note: All games are against the spread. Odds are taken from MGM Grand Sportsbook.