Week 7 of the 2025 college football season is here, and you can feel the buzz among fans and bettors. Our guy Zachary Cohen at VSiN has dug deep into the matchups, aiming to give you the most practical bets and predictions for a wild weekend.
Whether you’re all about the big games or hoping to catch an edge in the lesser-known clashes, Cohen’s analysis is worth a look. Let’s dive into his top picks and see what’s behind the numbers—maybe you’ll spot something that helps you out this week.
Michigan vs. USC: A Clash of Titans
Michigan hasn’t been great as a road underdog under Sherrone Moore, sitting at 2-3 straight-up (SU). The Wolverines are also 2-3 SU when facing teams averaging over 425 yards per game.
USC, on the other hand, has thrived with Lincoln Riley at the helm. They’re 5-2 SU coming off a bye week and a staggering 18-2 SU as a home favorite.
Why USC Has the Edge
USC’s offense is a machine, leading the country in Adjusted EPA per play at 0.40. Jayden Maiava’s looked sharp throwing the ball, and the run game has kept defenses honest.
Michigan’s defense is solid, but not invincible—they gave up 27 to Nebraska and 24 to Oklahoma earlier this year. With the way USC scores, it wouldn’t be shocking to see them light up the scoreboard again.
Plus, USC’s defensive coordinator, D’Anton Lynn, has had two weeks to prep for Michigan’s offense. That kind of time can make a real difference, especially against a team that doesn’t get too fancy with their playbook.
Bet: USC ML (-130 – 1.5 units)
BYU vs. Arizona: A Defensive Battle
BYU runs the ball a ton—25th in the country in Rushing Play Percentage at 58.02%. This takes some heat off their freshman QB, Bear Bachmeier.
The Cougars’ defense is tough too, ranking 16th in Adjusted EPA per play allowed (-0.17). That usually means fewer points on the board.
Arizona’s Defensive Prowess
Arizona’s defense is even better, second in college football in Adjusted EPA per play allowed (-0.32). Under Danny Gonzales, they’ve become a real problem for opposing offenses.
Offensively, Arizona is 66th in Adjusted EPA per play (-0.03). They’re not explosive, but they don’t give up many points either.
With both teams leaning on defense and the run game, this matchup screams Under. The Under is 3-2 in BYU’s games and 4-1 in Arizona’s. BYU has also gone Under in 24 of 43 games against teams with winning records under Kalani Sitake. Arizona’s got a strong Under trend in tight and home games with Brent Brennan, too.
Bet: Under 48.5 (-112)
Other Notable Bets
Besides the headliners, Zachary Cohen points out a handful of other games you might want to watch for Week 7. Here’s a quick rundown:
- North Texas ML (-125 – 1.5 units) vs. South Florida
- Illinois +14.5 (-105 – 1.5 units), Illinois Alt +8.5 (+158 – 0.5 units), Illinois ML (+480 – 0.25 units) vs. Ohio State – CLICK HERE for the Ohio State vs. Illinois preview!
- Indiana +7.5 (-115) vs. Oregon – CLICK HERE for the Indiana vs. Oregon preview!
- Missouri +3.5 (-115) & Missouri ML (+140 – 0.5 units) vs. Alabama – CLICK HERE for the Alabama vs. Missouri preview!
- Texas ML (-102) vs. Oklahoma – CLICK HERE for the Oklahoma vs. Texas preview!
- New Mexico +16.5 (-110 – 1.5 units) vs. Boise State
- Arizona State +9.5 (-110) vs. Utah
For more plays and any last-minute moves before kickoff, check the Pro Picks page or swing back to Cohen’s article. There’s always a chance something new pops up.
Conclusion
Week 7 in college football is shaping up to be a wild ride. There are some seriously fun matchups and plenty of betting angles to consider.
Zachary Cohen’s analysis? It’s a solid tool for anyone trying to make smarter bets. Maybe you’re leaning toward USC against Michigan, or you’re eyeing that BYU-Arizona game for a defensive battle.
Whatever your angle, Cohen’s breakdowns add a layer of confidence—or at least a nudge in the right direction. If you’re looking for more picks and predictions, VSiN keeps rolling out fresh insights all season.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
