College Football Week 7 Predictions

Well, it wasn’t a perfect 4-0 week as it was 14 days ago, but last Saturday’s CFB picks, factoring in both my top four plays, and the three best bets for BYU vs. Notre Dame, resulted in a 5-2 weekend.

Not too shabby. Let’s keep this two-week 11-2 overall record going as we move into the meat of the season.

Big games galore dot this Saturday’s schedule and I’ve settled on four – and it’s not going to include No. 3 Alabama at No 6. Tennessee. Nick Saban hasn’t exactly been forthright when it comes to the status of reigning Heisman Trophy-winning QB Bryce Young. Is he healthy? Who knows. Is he actually going to play? Beats me.

Eh, screw it. Let’s start out with a bang by saying this is finally where ‘Bama gets upended. It nearly happened against Texas in Week 2 and then last weekend against Texas A&M.

So here we go, with odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. But don’t forget about all the other great gambling options available in your state including BetMGM, FanDuel and more. 

My picks are in CAPS with the plus or minus points beside the team I’m taking and the betting price.

Alabama at TENNESSEE (+7, -110)

The Vols demolished a solid LSU team on the road last week, and this one just feels like it’s upset time for ‘Bama. I thought the Tide were gonna roll through the regular season unbeaten but injuries are starting to take their toll. This is the biggest game in Knoxville in almost 20 years--it will be rowdy, for sure, but Nick Saban’s boys will be ready. His Tide teams have never lost to Tennessee (he’s an incredible 15-0 against the Vols since he took over in 2007). But, I believe Josh Heupel’s team will be up to the challenge. If nothing else, take the Vols with the points. That’s too many and I’m betting they win outright thanks to a Herculean effort by quarterback Hedon Hooker.

Auburn at MISSISSIPPI (-14, -110)

This is where Bryan Harsin’s tenure at Auburn ends. He’s been on the hot seat basically since he became head coach of the Tigers. It was a bad fit and after the Rebels roll on Saturday his fate will be sealed. I expect him to be done by Monday. Nobody wants to see a good guy let go, but this has been a struggle and Ole Miss is scoring at will. No matter who’s playing quarterback for the Rebels, all you have to do is throw the ball to wide receiver Jonathan Mingo, who totaled a school-record 247 yards on nine receptions with two touchdowns last week against Vanderbilt.

Arkansas at BYU (PICK ‘EM, -110)

This spread has flipped. The Razorbacks had been favored by as much as two to three points but now it’s even. Pick ‘em. I, among many, had big expectations for Arkansas this season, but they have now lost three straight games – against quality opponents (Texas A&M, Alabama, and Mississippi State), granted. Problem is, though, the Razorbacks are beaten up. Coach Sam Pittman admits that what his squad really needs is a bye week. Sorry, Sam. Instead, he and his crew will face an ornery BYU team that had a chance to beat Notre Dame last week and fell short after a couple of questionable late-game decisions. Still, take the Cougars. They’ll be geeked up after last week’s tough loss and hosting their first-ever meeting against the Razorbacks.

Penn State at Michigan UNDER 50.5 points (-110)

Both defenses are solid. The offenses, just fine, but not high-scoring and not particularly special. This feels like a 23-20 game. Who’s the victor? I’m leaning toward Penn State with the points (+7) but the over/under seems a tad too high.

Penn State QB Sean Clifford and his counterpart, Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, are calm, cool leaders with bare-bones skills and consistent stats. But each defense is Oktoberfest stout. I expect some serious hits, shutdown stops, and plenty of three-and-outs.

In the end, I think Michigan wins as it tries to keep on the road to a second consecutive CFB playoff appearance. The first step is taming the Nittany Lions and the defense will come through.