Against the spread: Week Two CFB predictions

This season, Rivals.com's weekly college football predictions involve anyone on the national staff brave – or foolish – enough to risk embarrassment by making their picks against the spread. Week One wasn't horrible, except for the broken "locks" the crew handed out.

Here are the picks versus Wednesday's Vegas line, according to MGM Mirage.

RELATED: Against the Spread Week One | Trocchi's Betting Man column

ROB CASSIDY: South Carolina (+2.5) against Missouri. "What’s happening here? I actually had to check to make sure this wasn’t one of those typos where somebody messes up the plus and minus. I know South Carolina isn’t Alabama but Missouri – wonderful as the offense is – allowed something called Missouri State to score 43 points … 43. I’m on the Gamecocks."

MIKE FARRELL: Fresno State (+43 ½) against Alabama. "What? Alabama rarely, if ever, covers against a non-Power Five team under Nick Saban following a huge game. I heard that somewhere and I’m sticking with it."

ADAM FRIEDMAN: Louisville (-9.5) over North Carolina. "North Carolina just lost to Cal and the Louisville offense is much more potent than the Bears. Plus, the Cardinals' defense is strong enough to cover the spread."

ADAM GORNEY: South Carolina-Missouri over 72.5. "Has anyone ever given you free money? Of course not. You're all hardworking people and tremendous contributors to society. Well, here's free money. Missouri's defense is bad. The Tigers gave up 492 yards and 43 points to Missouri State in the opener. Think those problems get fixed overnight? The good news for the "Over" bet here is that Missouri put up 72 points and had 815 yards of offense. Need more good news than that? OK, here you go. South Carolina gave up 504 yards of offense to NC State - and still won. That's because the Gamecocks returned the opening kick 97 yards for a touchdown. You think Mizzou will be able to slow down QB Jake Bentley, WR Deebo Samuel and the South Carolina offense? Lots of points to be scored in this one."

JOSH HELMHOLDT: Michigan State (-7) over Western Michigan. "The Broncos were extremely impressive in Tim Lester's debut last weekend against USC, but that makes this upcoming game against Michigan State easy picking for bettors. The difference between these two teams is bigger than a touchdown and extra point right now, but if Western beats the spread again this week, folks in Kalamazoo will be asking, "P.J. Fleck who?"."

DEREK SAMSON: UCLA (-23.5) over Hawaii. "Letdown or momentum after the amazing comeback win last week? I'll go with momentum gained. Plus, I'm guessing the Bruins will try to pad Josh Rosen's numbers to keep him in the early Heisman chatter."

BILL TROCCHI: Stanford (+6.5) against USC. "Bryce Love runs all over a shaky USC run defense. Stanford upsets USC for the fourth time in its last five tries as an underdog against the Trojans."

WOODY WOMMACK: Cincinnati (+34.5) against Michigan. "These are two coaching staffs that are very familiar with one another and while I like Michigan to win this one, 34.5 is a big number. Cincinnati will find a way to put some points on the board against the Wolverines."

Midweek lines according to MGM Mirage (all times Eastern):

- Pitt at Penn State (-21), 3:30 p.m. Saturday

- Auburn at Clemson (-5.5), 7 p.m. Saturday

- Oklahoma at Ohio State (-7), 7:30 p.m. Saturday

- Georgia at Notre Dame (-6.5), 7:30 p.m. Saturday

- Stanford at USC (-6.5), 8:30 p.m. Saturday