This week will mark the halfway point of the college football season and there is still little clarity on what the hierarchy of teams is. There was some notable change in the AP Top 25 as Texas dropped from 3rd to 9th following their 34-30 loss to Oklahoma.
This victory for the Sooners pushed them from 12th in the rankings last week all the way to 5th. Georgia remains the top team with their 6-0 record with Michigan, Ohio State, and Florida State rounding out the top four. 11 of the top 15 teams remain unbeaten and some of the most notable matchups across all of college football are rapidly approaching. With the story of this college football season still being written, each team must continue to take things seriously as one blemish could drastically change their outlook.
There is plenty of value left on the board for all fans of college football betting and here is a look at some of the most appealing matchups of the week.
🏅 Win odds overview for this week’s matchups
- Colorado (-11) vs Stanford (+330 ML) | DraftKings
- Utah (-12) vs California (+350 ML) | BetRivers
- Washington (-3) vs Oregon (+125 ML) | BetMGM
- Tennessee (-3) vs Texas A&M (+125 ML) | Unibet
- Kansas (-3) vs Oklahoma State (+124 ML) | Betway
- Louisville (-7.5) vs Pittsburg (+250 ML) | DraftKings
- LSU (-11) vs Auburn (+310 ML) | BetRivers
- Notre Dame (-2.5) vs USC (+120 ML) | BetMGM
- North Carolina (-4) vs Miami (+150 ML) | Unibet
- Oregon State (-3.5) vs UCLA (+154 ML) | Betway
NCAAF weekly predictions
The first few weeks of college football always make it difficult to tell where teams rank as many programs tend to kick things off with favorable matchups. These “cupcake” games cannot last forever as the top teams must eventually square away. This week includes a few measuring stick-type matchups for several schools.
In the Week 7 slate, there will be three matchups between teams within the Top 25. Only #1 Georgia (-31.5 vs Vanderbilt), #2 Michigan (-33 vs Kent State), and #6 Penn State (-41.5 vs Massachusetts) will be favored by more than 20 points out of the ranked teams. Coming off a Week 6 in which #10 USC was pushed to overtime by Arizona, #21 Notre Dame was defeated by #14 Louisville, and #25 Miami suffered one of the most heartbreaking losses of all time- expectations are even higher for Week 7.
#4 Florida State will face off with a sneaky Syracuse team who had some steam let out from their season as #12 North Carolina destroyed them 40-7 last week. #8 Oregon will face off with #7 Washington in a matchup that will have major implications in the PAC-12 and Heisman race. As things currently stand, Washington QB Michael Penix Jr is the Heisman favorite at +210 odds on DraftKings while Oregon QB Bo Nix is third in the Heisman odds at +600. He trails Caleb Williams at +230 odds for the second spot in this race.
#21 Notre Dame looks dead in the water and suffered a heartbreaking 33-20 loss to Louisville to drop them out of the top 20. Sam Hartman and the rest of the roster will now have to pick themselves up and face off against #10 USC led by Caleb Williams. #12 North Carolina will also face off against #25 Miami with each team entering off opposite ends of the emotional spectrum. #15 Oregon State vs #18 UCLA will be the final ranked matchup of the week.
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Week 7 college football betting picks
With plenty on the line this week, here is a look at the best value on the betting slate and a breakdown of each matchup.
✔️ Kansas State vs. Texas Tech: Kansas State +1.5 outcome at -112 odds (BetRivers)
- Date and Time: Saturday, October 14th, 7:00 PM EST
- Location: Jones AT&T Stadium, Texas Tech
- TV/Stream: FS1
Kansas State enters the matchup with a 3-2 record and coming off a 29-21 loss to Oklahoma State. Their other loss this season was 30-27 at the hands of Missouri while the Wildcats have defeated Troy, SEMO, and UCF. Quarterback Will Howard struggled in the loss to Oklahoma State completing just 15 of his 34 pass attempts for 152 yards and tossing three interceptions. Howard has been mostly solid this year throwing for 244.8 yards per game and nine touchdowns through the air as well as rushing for six. Kansas State is coming off an extra day of rest after playing on Friday last week and also had their bye week before this. They are well-rested, have an offense capable of putting up points, and the Wildcats have won their last seven matchups against the Red Raiders.
Texas Tech has a 3-3 record on the season and is coming off a pair of impressive wins against Houston and Baylor. This is a matchup that has the potential for a letdown spot for Texas Tech. They also have suffered losses at the hands of Wyoming, Oregon, and West Virginia. Texas Tech has turned to Behren Morton at quarterback after the original starter, Tyler Shough, suffered a broken fibula which is likely to keep him out for the season. Morton looked solid last week completing 19 of his 26 pass attempts for 180 yards and three touchdowns. Tahj Brooks took his 31 carries in the matchup for 170 yards. On the season Brooks has run for 688 yards and four touchdowns.
Both these teams are similar in terms of talent, but Kansas State is in a good place to go down to Texas and get the victory. Expect them to lean heavily on their running ability as they rank 20th in all of college football by tallying 202.8 yards per game on the ground. On the season Texas Tech is allowing 126.2 yards per game and this will be put to the test. While both these teams have a strong running game, Kansas State is better equipped to slow this down as they have the 14th-ranked rushing defense allowing just 93.4 yards per game. This will be a grind-it-out matchup but expect Kansas State to come out on top. Texas Tech has been too inconsistent and the difference in the running game could decide the game. You can bet this at -112 odds on BetRivers Sportsbook.
🏈 Bet on a Kansas State +1.5 outcome at -112 with BetRivers 🏈
✔️ North Carolina vs. Miami: North Carolina -4 outcome at -108 odds (Unibet)
- Date and time: Saturday, October 14th, 7:30 PM EST
- Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- TV/Stream: ABC
There may not be a worse way to lose a game than what Miami did last week. Miami head coach Mario Cristobal elected not to take a knee with 33 seconds remaining and instead handed it off to running back Don Chaney Jr. The ball was fumbled and led to a game-winning Georgia Tech touchdown with one second remaining and a final score of 23-20. This wild last-second change of fate allowed the Yellow Jackets to get the upset victory as 19-point underdogs. Miami will now have to pick themselves up off the mat and bounce back against a talented North Carolina team. The Hurricanes hold a 4-1 record on the season which includes wins over Miami OH, Texas A&M, Boston College, and Temple.
North Carolina enters the matchup riding high after their biggest blowout of the season in which they took down an impressive Syracuse team 40-7. The Tar Heels are 5-0 on the season which also includes victories over South Carolina, Appalachian State, Minnesota, and Pittsburgh. They are led by quarterback Drake Maye who has rounded into form after a quiet start to the season. The future NFL draft pick has completed 72.1% of his passes for 1629 yards and eight touchdowns on the season. He also added 174 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
Drake Maye will be the best player on the field in this matchup, and North Carolina’s defense is coming off its best performance as well. The Tar Heels rank 41st in the country in rushing and 11th in passing as well as 35th in red zone efficiency. They also are 27th in total defense, 35th against the run, 43rd against the pass, and 28th in defensive red zone efficiency. North Carolina has done a good job of protecting the football and looks to just be hitting their stride. Look for them to take advantage of an emotionally-low Miami team that is now facing its most difficult matchup of the season. You can bet on them to cover the 4-point spread at Unibet Sportsbook.
🏈 Bet on a North Carolina -4 outcome at -108 with Unibet 🏈
✔️ Alabama vs. Arkansas: Arkansas +20 outcome at -110 odds (DraftKings)
- Date and time: Saturday, October 14th, 12:00 PM EST
- Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
- TV/Stream: ESPN
Arkansas has sunk to 2-4 on the season and is 0-3 in SEC play. They most recently were defeated 27-20 by 14th-ranked Ole Miss. The Razorbacks have also been defeated by Texas A&M, BYU, and LSU with their two victories being over Kent State and Western Carolina University. Arkansas has tallied 19 touchdowns this year and turned the ball over seven times. They average 31.3 points per game which ranks 53rd in the country. Arkansas’ biggest issue has been on the defensive side of the ball as they are giving up 25.3 points per game. On the season they are allowing 340.7 yards per game and they have given up 15 touchdowns.
They will face off against an Alabama team that has begun to pick up some steam. After suffering a 34-24 loss to Texas in the second week of the season, they have won four consecutive games against South Florida, Mississippi, Mississippi State, and Texas A&M. Quarterback Jalen Milroe has begun to show the signs of development that was hoped after having to be benched just a few weeks ago. Milroe has looked more patient in the pocket for plays to develop and has been less reliant on his legs. While his dual-threat ability is part of what makes him special, Milroe has looked more confident in his arm of late. The Crimson Tide are averaging 31.2 points per game and 360.0 yards per contest on the season. They also are allowing just 15.2 points per game which ranks 14th amongst all division one programs.
While this is a matchup that Alabama should feel confident in their chances of winning, their ability to blow out teams is still in question. Arkansas is still a competitive team that will not roll over and they have enough talent to remain competitive. Expect this to be a matchup made up of physical and defensive-minded teams in which Alabama is unable to fully put the Razorbacks away. Count on Arkansas to keep within striking distance before Alabama cruises to a win in the second half. You can feel confident in wagering on the 20-point spread and wager on this at DraftKings Sportsbook at -110 odds.
🏈 Bet on an Arkansas +20 outcome at -110 odds with DraftKings 🏈
College football betting weekly highlights
- Utah’s QB Cam Rising’s status remains uncertain for the Week 7 matchup against California
- Rising missed Weeks 1-6 as he recovers from his ACL tear
- Rising has been considered to have a chance to play each week
- Nate Johnson split snaps with Rising this week at practice
- WR/CB Travis Hunter (Colorado) questionable vs Stanford after recovering from Lacerated Liver
- Hunter rejoined the team at practice this week
- QB Cade McNamara (Iowa) out for the season with a torn ACL
- QB Riley Leonard (Duke) set to miss several weeks with a high ankle sprain
- QB Jalon Daniels (Kansas) is doubtful with a back injury vs Oklahoma State
- Missed the last two games for Kansas
- QB Jayden de Laura (Arizona) is questionable with a leg injury vs Washington State
- Missed the last two games for Arizona
- QB Jaden Rashada (Arizona State) remains out with an undisclosed injury
- QB Chandler Morris (TCU) is out for several weeks with an MCL injury
- Home teams are 305-131 this year straight up (70.0%)
- Away teams are 131-305 this year straight up (30.0%)
- Home teams are 207-216-13 against the spread this season (51.1%)
- Away teams are 216-207-13 against the spread this season (48.9%)
- Favorites are 213-210-13 against the spread this season (50.4%)
- Underdogs are 210-213-13 against the spread this season (49.6%)
- Home favorites are 153-156-9 against the spread this season (49.5%)
- Away favorites are 60-54-4 against the spread this season (52.6%)
- Home underdogs are 54-60-4 against the spread this season (47.4%)
🏈 Best college football betting sites
- BetMGM (Available in: AZ, CO, FL, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MA, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, PR, TN, VA, WA, WV, and WY)
- DraftKings (Available in: AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, and WV)
- BetRivers (Available in: AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV, and WY)
- Unibet (Available in: AZ, IN, IA, NJ, PA, and VA)
- Desert Diamond (Available in: AZ)
- Betway (Available in: IA)
Big football fan? Check out the best NFL betting sites for the season!
About the author
Sean Barnard
Sean Barnard has worked in sports media for the past five years. He has spent time as the 76ers Lead Writer for Philly Sports Network, Associate Editor at CluchPoints, Eagles Beat Reporter for YardBarker, and more. He also owns and operates his own Podcast Network called Pick Swap Media and is a radio host on Fox 102.5 The Gambler presented by iHeartMedia. Sean has written over 1500 articles and recorded over 500 podcasts and is just getting started. Based out of the Philadelphia region in the United States, Sean is a lifelong passionate sports fan who can be reached on Twitter at @Sean_Barnard1 where he rattles off basketball breakdowns and other news.
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