College Football Week 7: Expert Picks and Predictions
Week 7 of the college football season is upon us, and the stakes are higher than ever. As teams battle for conference supremacy and playoff positioning, every game carries significant weight. In this article, we’ll break down some of the most anticipated matchups, including Alabama vs. Missouri and Oregon vs. Indiana, providing expert picks and predictions to help you navigate the week’s action.
With insights from seasoned analysts and a data-driven approach, we aim to give you an edge when it comes to making informed decisions. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual observer, this guide will equip you with the knowledge you need to stay ahead of the game. So, let’s dive into the matchups and explore the key factors that will determine the outcomes.
From high-powered offenses to stingy defenses, Week 7 promises a blend of exciting contests and strategic battles. Get ready to explore the key matchups and gain valuable insights that will enhance your understanding of the game.
Games of the Week
No. 7 Indiana at No. 3 Oregon: This should be an absolute banger of a game. Oregon is a legitimate playoff team and a better team than the Indiana we saw last year. They’ve upgraded their offensive line, and Fernando Mendoza has been an upgrade on Kurtis Rourke. While Indiana has upgraded its overall talent level, I don’t love this matchup for them. Travel will impact Indiana here, too.
Oregon’s receivers are a major concern for Indiana. D’Angelo Ponds missed last week’s game against Iowa. Dakorien Moore is a better receiver than he or the Hoosiers have seen this year. Malik Benson and Gary Bryant round out the receiver corps, and then there’s tight end Kenyon Sadiq. Unless Indiana gets a tremendous amount of pressure on Dante Moore, I don’t know that it can cover all of them.
I do believe the Hoosiers’ offensive line can slow down Oregon’s pass rush a bit and that the Hoosiers will be able to find success of their own on offense. I just don’t know that they’ll find enough to stay within this number. I think Indiana is very good. I just think Oregon’s that much better.
The Pick: Oregon -7.5 (-105)
No. 8 Alabama at No. 14 Missouri: You were probably a little surprised to see the spread in this game was only 3.5 points, but that’s how good Missouri has been this year. I’m telling you right now, if the Tigers win this game, I will not be all that surprised by it. That said, I’m staying away from the spread because I believe there’s a much better play available.
Missouri is fourth nationally in rushing success rate on offense. Ahmad Hardy has rushed for at least 100 yards in every game they’ve played, and there’s depth behind him in Jamal Roberts and Marquise Davis. QB Beau Pribula will contribute a bit with his legs, too. So I expect Mizzou will move the ball and score points.
Missouri’s overall defensive numbers are solid, but the Tigers allowed 31 points to Kansas and 29 to South Carolina. If they can’t get home and put Simpson on his backside, I don’t think the Mizzou secondary will hold up.
The Pick: Over 51.5 (-110)
Lock of the Week
UCLA at Michigan State: Last week, UCLA hosted a Penn State team still licking its wounds after a double-overtime loss to Oregon that seemed to suck the life out of that locker room. While Penn State was feeling sorry for itself, it also had no idea what to expect from the UCLA offense. Michigan State knows what UCLA’s offense looks like because they have an entire game’s worth of tape.
Now, UCLA has to travel across the country to play three time zones over against a rested team that’s not in a great mood after losing its first two Big Ten games. Sparty played both USC and Nebraska on the road, but while it lost both games, it scored 58 points. Now it’s at home facing a UCLA defense that still ranks near or at the bottom of far too many defensive statistics I care about. I don’t expect UCLA to look nearly as good as it did last week, and this line should be double digits.
The Pick: Michigan State -7.5 (-112)
Team Total of the Week
Arkansas at Tennessee: If you prefer taking the full game over here, I won’t try to stop you. I prefer sticking to Tennessee’s side of the equation since this will be Arkansas’ first game under interim coach Bobby Petrino, and I don’t know exactly what they’ll look like.
In three games against quality competition, Arkansas has allowed 129 points (43 per game). Tennessee is scoring 51 points per game and hasn’t scored fewer than 41 in any of them. If the Vols can put up 41 on freaking Georgia in Knoxville, I’m confident they can put up 41 on Arkansas, too.
The Pick: Tennessee Over 40.5 (-120)
Technical School Game of the Week
Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech: I can try to tell you about how much better Virginia Tech has looked since the coaching change, and it wouldn’t be a lie. Georgia Tech is better than both of those teams, but I don’t know if it’s 14.5 points better than Virginia Tech.
Georgia Tech has certain tendencies. Seriously, since last season, Georgia Tech is 1-4-1 ATS when playing an unranked ACC opponent. The Bees aren’t a team I trust as a two-touchdown favorite in these spots.
The Pick: Virginia Tech +14.5 (-110)
Upset of the Week
No. 15 Michigan at USC: The last we saw USC it was losing on the road at Illinois in a close game, and they suffered some injuries while in Champaign. The Trojans were already without starting left tackle Elijah Paige, and starting center Kilian O’Connor went down during the game. While Paige might return for this one, O’Connor is out, which is a blow to a unit that hadn’t been performing all that spectacularly to begin with.
Even at full strength, I like Michigan along the lines of scrimmage more than I like USC, so if the Trojans are banged up, that tilts the scales even further into Michigan’s direction.
USC’s offense remains lethal and is easily the best offense the Wolverines defense has seen this year. But if that line can’t protect Maiava, he’s prone to make bad decisions when pressured. I also don’t know that USC’s defense will be able to slow the Michigan run game. I’m not convinced the right team is favored here, and there’s a strong chance Michigan goes into the Coliseum and gets a huge win in the Big Ten race.
The Pick: Michigan (+114)
Conclusion: Navigating the Week 7 Landscape
As Week 7 of the college football season unfolds, the matchups offer a compelling blend of strategic battles and high-stakes contests. From the games of the week featuring Alabama vs. Missouri and Oregon vs. Indiana to the upset potential in Michigan vs. USC, the landscape is ripe with opportunities for informed predictions.
By analyzing key factors such as team strengths, weaknesses, and recent performances, we’ve provided insights to help you navigate the complexities of each game. Whether it’s the lock of the week with Michigan State or the team total focus on Tennessee, these expert picks aim to enhance your understanding and enjoyment of college football.
Ultimately, the goal is to empower you with the knowledge needed to stay ahead of the game, making informed decisions and appreciating the strategic nuances of each matchup. So, as the action unfolds, keep these insights in mind and embrace the excitement of Week 7.
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