Auburn football didn’t cover the spread in Week 1, but against an FCS team like Mercer, winning handily is the only goal. Falling five points short of a four-touchdown + field goal spread isn’t the end of the world for a mismatched SEC opener.
With San Jose State coming to town, the Tigers have just one more week of preparation before the meat of the schedule takes place — starting with Penn State and concluding with a trip to Ole Miss in mid-October, with Georgia and the other two sets of SEC Tigers in between.
The Spartans were less than impressive in their own opener, nearly losing to FCS Portland State in a game they had to come from behind late to win. Despite the fourth-quarter comeback, San Jose State is being given only 23 points on the spread from oddsmakers.
Will Auburn football make Vegas pay for disrespecting them against a team that looks a night and day difference from the San Jose State squad that won the Mountain West during the pandemic-stricken 2020 season?
Best Auburn Football Bets Week 2
Let’s start out with a prop for San Jose State that Tiger fans should bet the over on: Jermaine Braddock’s over/under receiving yard total (25.5). Consider it a win-win — either the Auburn football secondary neutralizes the top Spartans’ top receiver and proves ready for Sean Clifford’s big arm, or you net some cheddar for doubting them.
Next, let’s talk backing the (orange and) blue by betting on an Auburn receiver doing the same. In week one, Ja’Varrius Johnson stole the show, but this week, it could be the super-senior WR room leader Shedrick Jackson that leads the team in receptions. Jackson was one of the top four receiving threats from a season ago, and he finished up Week 1 with 47 receiving yards. He’ll top that and hit the over (48.5) to establish himself as the receiving corps’ top pass-catcher.
Finally, when it comes to the 23-point spread, Auburn football should prove that oddsmakers are either doubting them too much (likely) or are simply high on a San Jose State return to form following a disappointing Week 1.