The college football season is in full swing, and we’ve already had plenty of chaos. Between a dominant UMass upset and a close call for Michigan, last weekend was a reminder that anything can happen on the gridiron. Several enticing games headline today’s loaded CFB slate. Which teams should be on upset alert heading into Week 2?
Let’s break down two plus money picks on DraftKings Sportsbook that could pull off an upset on Saturday.
Best CFB Upset Picks for Week 2
Purdue ML (+130) vs. Wake Forest
A tried and true method when hunting for upsets is targeting home dogs. In that regard, few teams fit the bill better this weekend than Purdue. Barry Odom’s crew started off on a high note, winning 44-19 against Indiana State. Still, this program has plenty to prove before earning any good faith. After a horrid two-win 2025 campaign, the Boilermakers need to show some signs of life.
Fortunately, things are looking up in West Lafayette. Quarterback Ryan Browne is a big reason why. The junior looked sharp last Saturday, throwing for 317 yards and three touchdowns vs. the Sycamores. There’s reason to believe he can improve off of a subpar sophomore season. An overhauled receiving corps paid dividends in Week 1. Transfers Xavier Townsend (Iowa State) and Asaad Waseem (Florida Atlantic) combined for 13 receptions and 154 yards. On the ground, former Minnesota running back Fame Ijeboi churned out 87 yards and a touchdown on just 11 carries. The Boilermakers gained just over four yards per attempt last season, and Odom should do his best to establish the run. Quarterback Gio Lopez looked good last week, but the North Carolina transfer only went 2-7 against Power 4 opponents last season.
That could prove to be the difference this afternoon. Wake Forest’s defense is nothing to sneeze at, finishing 26th in the nation last year in yards allowed. With that being said, the school ranked 12th out of 17 ACC programs in time of possession. The Demon Deacons love pounding the rock, making it essential that they cash in on scoring opportunities. That was one of the few things Purdue excelled at in 2025, ranking 31st in opponent red zone scoring percentage (79.59%). In addition, the run game held six opponents to 4.0 yards per rush or fewer. That included above-average offenses such as Ohio State, Minnesota and Rutgers.
It’s difficult to back Purdue at the moment; this squad has been a frequent afterthought in the Big Ten. However, it’s not as if there aren’t pieces in place on offense. If the defense bends but doesn’t break, they’ll have a shot at securing the home upset today.
Cal ML (+154) at Syracuse
Let’s try this one again.
Last week, I had Cal upsetting UCLA in a late-night affair at Berkeley. Safe to say, things did not go according to plan. The Bruins reeled off a 45-24 victory on the road, making a major statement under new head coach Bob Chesney. With that being said, don’t let the final score fool you. These two rivals were all tied up heading into the fourth quarter. That doesn’t erase a disastrous final frame for the Golden Bears, but it’s important context.
Now, Cal will head out to central New York for a battle with the Orange. Syracuse impressed last weekend, dominating New Hampshire en route to a 66-3 win. Still, it’s not exactly the most difficult competition. Saturday’s game will be SU’s first real test of 2026. Starting quarterback Steve Angeli is back, potentially leading one of the ACC’s better offensive units. However, the Golden Bears kept UCLA standout Nico Iamaleava in check during Week 1; he only threw for 184 yards and an interception. A similar stat line for Angeli would leave the Orange in a far worse spot this afternoon.
On the other side of the ball is where Cal’s talent could make a major difference. Quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is a potential NFL pick down the road. He’s only a sophomore, but has already proven to be an above-average ACC passer. Unlike last season, the Golden Bears seem to have placed added emphasis on the running game. Running back Adam Mohammed, a transfer from Washington, churned out 120 rushing yards and a touchdown vs. UCLA. His presence could be just enough to keep a lackluster Syracuse defense off balance. The Orange allowed 7.8 yards per pass attempt to opponents in 2025, ninth-worst among all Power 4 programs.
