Each week, I will use this space to tell you what I think are a few of the best bets heading into the weekend. I will also throw in an upset of the week, which will be a team that is at least a touchdown underdog that I am picking to win outright.
I will also give you picks on other games involving potential College Football Playoff teams. There may be scenarios for teams I am not listing that get them CFP consideration, but I don’t consider them likely.
I got back to level with a 3-0 mark last week, and I am now 9-9 overall. The upset special is both 2-4 straight up and ATS.
Here are the best bets for Week 7 with odds from Caesars Sportsbook.
Week 7 Picks
Purdue at No. 2 Iowa
Featured Game | Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue is coming out of an off week and Iowa just had its biggest win in recent memory, so the Hawkeyes could be a little flat. However, if the Iowa defense shows up at all, this under could hit comfortably. These are two of the best defenses in the Big Ten, but the Boilermakers struggle to finish drives and turn the ball over too easily. That plays right into Iowa’s hands. All five of Purdue’s games have hit the under this season while Iowa’s games hit four of six. Pick: Under 44
No. 5 Alabama at Mississippi State
Featured Game | Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama has not played well on the road yet this season, but you rarely see the Crimson Tide put together back-to-back bad performances. Look for the Bulldogs to pull out all the stops, but it will not matter in the end against a highly motivated and angry Alabama. Pick: Alabama -17
No. 24 San Diego State at San Jose State
Featured Game | San Jose State Spartans vs. San Diego State Aztecs
The reigning Mountain West champion Spartans have really struggled to score this season, and that does not figure to get any easier against the stingy San Diego State defense. The Aztecs offense has been pretty sharp as well, and they may have put themselves in the best position to emerge as Mountain West champs at the end of the year. Pick: San Diego State -8
Upset of the Week
Navy at Memphis
Featured Game | Memphis Tigers vs. Navy Midshipmen
It has taken three weeks for Memphis to convince me that it is not nearly as good as I thought. The Tigers have lost three straight, and it might be four if not for some generous officiating in the Mississippi State game. Memphis isn’t exactly getting blown out, but they aren’t winning either. The Tigers are heavy favorites this week against a Navy team that won at UCF two weeks ago and was competitive in losses to Houston and SMU. This line is too rich for me. Pick: Navy (+310)
Other CFP candidates
- No. 11 Kentucky at No. 1 Georgia (-23.5) Pick: Georgia
- UCF at No. 3 Cincinnati (-21) Pick: Cincinnati
- TCU at No. 4 Oklahoma (-11.5) Pick: TCU
- Cal at No. 9 Oregon (-13.5) Pick: Oregon
- No. 10 Michigan State at Indiana (+4.5) Pick: Michigan State
- No. 12 Oklahoma State at Texas (O/U 60) Pick: Over
- No. 13 Mississippi at Tennessee (+3) Pick: Mississippi
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