Week 7 College Football Predictions and Best Bets Analysis

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Week 7 of the college football season is here, and honestly, the pressure’s starting to get real. Teams are scrambling for conference standings and eyeing those bowl invites—every matchup seems to matter just a bit more now.

Wes Reynolds has put together his best bets for the week, digging into some of the more interesting pairings and possible upsets. From Alabama’s comeback story to the wild scoring potential in Air Force vs. UNLV, there’s no shortage of drama. Let’s take a look at a few of the games that really stand out in Week 7.

Table of Contents

Alabama vs. Missouri: A Clash of Styles

Alabama’s season has been a bit of a rollercoaster. They opened with a loss at Florida State but then bounced back with solid wins over Georgia and Vanderbilt.

The Tide are back in the conversation as SEC favorites. Missouri, meanwhile, has had a pretty cushy schedule so far, playing all their games at home.

This one’s a big jump in competition for the Tigers, though. Alabama isn’t exactly a team you want to face when you’re just getting comfortable.

Key Factors

Alabama’s Defense: They’ve looked shaky against the run, especially versus Florida State and Georgia, but seemed to find their footing against Vanderbilt.
Missouri’s Rushing Offense: Mizzou is third in the country in rushing. If there’s a weak spot in Alabama’s armor, this could be it.
Home Underdog Advantage: Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri’s head coach, has a strong record as a home underdog (10-3 ATS). Feels like a statement game in the making.

K-State vs. TCU: Redemption and Resilience

K-State is trying to recover after a rough loss to Baylor, where they let a 31-17 lead slip away. Still, the Wildcats finally got their offense going, racking up over 500 yards for the first time this season.

TCU comes in riding high after a dramatic win over Colorado, sealed with a last-minute touchdown. The emotional swings in these games are wild.

What to Watch

Offensive Momentum: K-State’s offense is heating up, and that could be a problem for TCU.
Turnover Margin: TCU was plus-4 in turnovers against Colorado. That kind of luck can change a game fast.
Team Morale: K-State might not have the record they want, but they’re still grinding and haven’t packed it in.

Wake Forest vs. Oregon State: A Tricky Spot for the Demon Deacons

Wake Forest is coming off an emotional win at Virginia Tech. Now, they’re facing a winless Oregon State squad that’s been fighting hard lately.

The Beavers have dropped tight games to Houston and Appalachian State. Wake Forest has to be careful not to overlook them, especially with a tough ACC stretch looming.

Game Dynamics

Travel Fatigue: Wake Forest has to make the long trip out west, which could mess with their rhythm.
Oregon State’s Grit: The Beavers may not have a win, but they’ve been outgaining opponents and staying competitive.
Upcoming Schedule: Wake Forest gets a bye after this, then jumps right back into the fire with SMU, Florida State, and Virginia.

USC vs. Michigan: A Marquee Big Ten Showdown

USC is trying to shake off their first loss of the season, which came at the hands of Illinois. They’ve had a week to regroup and, apparently, some extra motivation from Michigan’s head coach running his mouth.

This game feels like a must-win for USC if they want to prove they belong with the Big Ten’s best.

Key Matchups

USC’s Offense: The Trojans are second in the nation on offense, with Jayden Maiava leading the charge.
Michigan’s Defense: They’re tough up front, but that secondary is a little suspect. USC could take advantage.
Quarterback Play: Bryce Underwood is getting better for Michigan, but keeping up with Maiava might be a tall order.

Auburn vs. Georgia: The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry

Auburn’s schedule has been brutal, and now they’re up against Georgia. The Tigers had a week to catch their breath and try to fix an offense that’s been sputtering.

Georgia is still tough, especially against the run, but they don’t look quite as dominant on the defensive line this year. Maybe there’s an opening?

Game Insights

Quarterback Mobility: Jackson Arnold gives Auburn some extra mobility at QB. That could help if things get messy.
Defensive Strengths: Both teams are strong against the run—top 20 in the nation, actually.
Signature Win: Hugh Freeze could really use a statement victory to get folks on his side in Auburn.

Air Force vs. UNLV: High-Scoring Showdown

Air Force’s offense is humming, but their defense? Yikes. They’re giving up almost 500 yards a game.

UNLV is undefeated, though if you look closer, they’ve had a few lucky breaks. This game has all the makings of a shootout.

Points of Interest

Offensive Firepower: Both teams can light up the scoreboard, no question.
Defensive Woes: Air Force’s defense is near the bottom nationally, so expect points—lots of them.
Turnover Margin: UNLV has been living off turnovers, and that could be the difference again.

Other Notable Games

There are a few more matchups worth a glance this week.

South Florida vs. North Texas: The over/under sits at 66.5. That’s a pretty high number, so maybe expect a shootout?
Ball State vs. Western Michigan: The under is favored at 44 points. Not exactly the most explosive outlook.
Arkansas at Tennessee: Arkansas comes in as a 13-point underdog. That’s a tough spot on the road.
Wisconsin vs. Iowa: Wisconsin is a 3-point underdog at home. That one could go either way, honestly.

If you’re hungry for more analysis or want a few extra bets, you can find Wes Reynolds’ full article over on VSiN.

Joe Hughes is the founder of CollegeNetWorth.com, a comprehensive resource on college athletes' earnings potential in the NIL era. Combining his passion for sports with expertise in collegiate athletics, Joe provides valuable insights for athletes, fans, and institutions navigating this new landscape.

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