Auburn vs. San Jose State Prediction and Odds for Week 2 College Football
Auburn football started the season off in a predictable fashion by failing to cover the sizable spread (-31.5) but also mauling Mercer to the tune of multiple touchdowns and collectively hitting the over with the Bears.
T.J. Finley was mostly on-point but threw two picks that will most certainly be remembered by every Tiger fan that witnessed them, and Robby Ashford finished with more all-purpose yards and only 12 fewer passing yards despite having half as many passing attempts. Those two statements make the quarterback situation even murkier than it was heading into Week 2.
Elsewhere, the defensive front looked predictably solid, and LB Cam Riley stood out as someone ready to replace the production lost from Zakoby McClain’s NFL departure. The secondary lent itself to be called a question mark, but one game that saw a suspension midway through the second half isn’t something to harp on too hard.
With that said, Penn State is looming in less than two weeks and Bryan Harsin needs to figure out who’ll be the offensive leader against a blue blood knocking on the door of the AP rankings, having received the second highest number of votes outside the Top 25. A two-QB system works against the FCS and Group of Five bottom-feeders, not against a Big Ten team with CFP hopes.
Will the signal-caller situation be sorted as San Jose State rolls onto the Plains? Will Auburn football spread-bettors triumph in the Tigers’ second pre-Penn State tune-up? Fly War Eagle has your odds and a prediction for Week 2 (All lines courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook):
San Jose State vs. Auburn football Odds, Spread and Total
Spread:
Auburn: -23.5 (-110)
San Jose State: +23.5 (-110)
Moneyline:
Auburn: -2000
San Jose State: +900
Total:
51.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
San Jose State vs. Auburn prediction
Mercer is likely a more serious program in 2022 than San Jose State since the latter was within a minute of losing to Portland State of the FCS. The Bears came out looking like SoCon world-beaters in their first appearance of the season, while the Spartans couldn’t hit the 50-yard benchmark against the Vikings and were beaten in every yardage category and in time of possession.
Auburn should have little trouble covering the spread and beating up a far inferior opponent this Saturday night. Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter should collect at least a touchdown each, and the defense will strike fear into the heart of Sean Clifford a week ahead of his Nittany Lions coming to Jordan-Hare Stadium to complete the two schools’ home-and-home series.