Week 6 was not kind to us, with a couple of games coming close and a couple others finishing with shocking results. Week 7 has better value, and we are ready to bounce back in our college football picks and predictions.
Week 7 College Football Picks and Predictions
Last Week: 1-6-0 (0.142)
This Season: 21-28-0 (0.429)
Overall Record: 102-112-3 (0.477)
For all current betting odds surrounding the college football season, check out our live betting odds and make your plays today!
All lines are via Draft Kings Sportsbook. You can find the best available odds from sportsbooks all over the country below as well.
Georgia Southern +3.5 (-110) vs. James Madison -3.5 (-110)
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The Georgia Southern Eagles have been really successful this season. Outside of a five-interception performance against Wisconsin from quarterback Davis Brin, they have won all of their games and have put up at least 34 points in each.
With a relatively balanced attack, the Eagles are at their best through the air. Khaleb Hood and Derwin Burgess Jr. are excellent on the outside, with both averaging more than seven receptions/game on the season.
The James Madison Dukes are in a weird spot. They currently sit atop the Sun Belt at 5-0 but are ineligible for the postseason.
Yes, you read that correctly.
Because the Dukes are in their second season in the FBS, they aren’t eligible for postseason play. It’s a bogus rule, but it’s reality right now.
MORE: College Football Bowl Predictions
The Dukes are in the driver’s seat to (theoretically) earn a spot in the Sun Belt Title game. They are 2-0 in conference play and even beat Virginia on the road 36-35.
Quarterback Jordan McCloud has been the biggest reason for their success. With 11 passing and two rushing touchdowns, he has been a dynamic weapon for them in coordinating the offense.
Not only are the Dukes on an eight-game winning streak, but they have also won three in a row against the spread. Last season, the Eagles won this matchup 45-38, but the heavy hitters from that team have moved on.
The Dukes are primed to win this game, and the betters agree, as the line has moved from -3.5, where I grabbed it on Sunday, to -6 on DraftKings. The Dukes are primed to go 6-0 on Saturday.
Bet: James Madison -3.5 (-110)
Texas A&M +3.5 (-110) vs. Tennessee -3.5 (-110)
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The Texas A&M Aggies are a fascinating team.
They have all of the raw talent in the world, especially on the defensive line. With multiple five-stars in the trenches, you would think the Aggies would be in an even better spot. Needless to say, the talent should be helping them a little bit more.
As it sits, the defense is playing well. They are fourth in the nation in success rate and seventh in EPA/rush. That is an impressive stat for the Aggies. It’s even better when you factor in the Tennessee offense’s struggles throwing the ball with any consistency.
MORE: College Football Week 7 TV Schedule
The offense has been more consistent with Max Johnson than it was with Conner Weigman, but the explosiveness isn’t quite there.
For the Tennessee Volunteers, when they do throw the ball, they have their most success deep. It’s about the only thing that he does with any kind of consistency. Milton has an incredible arm, but it’s very inconsistent in terms of accuracy. It’s the main reason the Volunteers have taken a step back this season.
Looking at this matchup, it’s a close one. The biggest battle will be in the run game when Tennessee is on offense. A&M’s consistency under Johnson and being 5-1 ATS this season will be the key to them taking the win.
Bet: Texas A&M +3.5 (-110) Play to +3
Louisville -9.5 (-110) vs. Pittsburgh +9.5 (-110)
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The line action for this game is interesting as the Louisville Cardinals are clearly the better team, especially when you consider the turmoil the Pittsburgh Panthers have had at quarterback.
MORE: Top College Football Quarterback Rankings
The Cardinals have played well all season but really put themselves on the map when they cruised past Notre Dame 33-20 last week. Head coach Jeff Brohm has done a great job with the Cardinals in his first year and it starts with transfer wide receiver Jamari Thrash.
His presence and ability to create big plays has helped open things up for the offense. Jack Plummer isn’t the most consistent, but a 6-0 record has them primed to make a run at the ACC title.
For Pitt, it’s been downhill ever since Jordan Addison transferred to USC. Pat Narduzzi is stuck in his old ways, the offense is relatively archaic, and the skill positions aren’t what they’ve been in the past.
The biggest stat here: Pitt is 0-5 ATS on the season, even though they have been favored in four of their five games. The line has dropped to Louisville -7.5, which is fascinating because Louisville is a significantly better team.
Bet: Louisville -9.5 (-110) Play to -7
Arizona +9.5 (-110) vs. Washington State -9.5 (-110)
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If Jedd Fisch were just a tad more aggressive, the Arizona Wildcats would have beaten USC last week. They didn’t just cover a 21.5-point spread (my only ATS win on the week), they took USC to triple overtime and lost by two.
If Jayden de Laura returns, it will be his first game in Pullman since he transferred from Washinton State. He was the quarterback in Jack Dickert’s first season as head coach when he took over for Nick Rolovich.
The passing game has been really good all season and hasn’t taken a step back with Noah Fifita at the helm. Tetairoa McMillan is emerging as a star, and Jacob Cowing looks like a potential top-75 pick in the NFL Draft.
The Cougars had a tough loss to UCLA on the road. Cam Ward could not get anything going and played his worst game of the season by far. He completed less than 50% of his passes and threw two touchdowns. Ward just could not get comfortable, and Wazzu struggles in general on the road.
Against the best offense they have arguably faced all season, the Cougars are in for a tough test. I grabbed this line when it was Arizona +9.5 and Draft Kings currently has it as Arizona +7.5. The Wildcats are also 5-1 ATS on the season and are primed to do it again.
The value is there on Sunday afternoons if you get on the lines quickly.
Bet: Arizona +9.5 (-110) Play to +7
Other Bets
- Texas State -15.5 (-110) vs. Louisiana Monroe
- North Carolina -3.5 (-110) vs. Miami FL
- Wyoming +10.5 (-110) vs. Air Force