College Football Preview – Week 7

College Football Preview – Week 7

Week 6 of the College Football season brought us some memorable comebacks, some incredible upsets and some unfortunate injuries. Highlights included Florida’s upset win over LSU, Texas defeating bitter rival Oklahoma and Miami winning a nail-biter over Florida State. With some intriguing and important games on the card, let’s take a look at the value on offer in Week 7.

Arizona @ Utah (Saturday 1:05pm)
Arizona at the Line (+14)

Arizona Wildcats 

Arizona enters this matchup 3-3 after an important conference win over California last week. This was despite the poor performance of QB Khalil Tate, who threw for just 141 yards and a pick last week on 25 attempts. Tate did add a dual-threat element with 40 yards on the ground and complements starting RB J.J. Taylor well. It was ultimately defensively where the Wildcats shone last week. They effectively contained the California passing game, enjoying an impressive 3 interceptions on the afternoon. I expect a unit led by Tony Fields and Jarrius Wallace to keep things competitive on the road against Utah this week.  

Utah Utes 

Utah comes into this matchup off the back of an impressive road win over a favoured Stanford side. QB Tyler Huntley delivered a calm and controlled performance, throwing for 199 yards and a touchdown on just 21 passing attempts. RB Zack Moss led the way on offense, grinding his way to 160 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 20 carries. Defensively, the Utes really stood up against the high-powered Stanford offense. They picked off QB K.J. Costello twice and held starting RB Trevor Speights to just 3 yards per carry. Against a struggling Wildcats passing offense, this is a trend I expect to continue here. 

Prediction: Arizona +14 

After last week’s big win for Utah, I believe there is some line value for Arizona here. The key will be leveraging their strong run defence to limit Utes RB Zack Moss. Whilst they’ll struggle to go into Utah and win, they should be competitive enough to keep this within 7-10 points here.  

Northwestern @ Nebraska (Sunday 3:05am)
Northwestern at the Line (-3.5)

Nebraska Cornhuskers 

Nebraska enters this one 0-5 and playing for pride more than anything. That said, they were competitive last week against a strong Wisconsin outfit. QB Adrian Martinez led the way with 384 yards and 2 touchdowns as he averaged over 9 yards per attempt. JD Spielman had a big day in the receiving game, hauling in 209 yards and a touchdown of his own. Defensively, the Cornhuskers just couldn’t contain Wisconsin’s running game. They allowed 370 yards and 4 touchdowns in a truly embarrassing display on the ground. Whilst the passing defence was solid, this just isn’t acceptable at the Division 1 level. 

Northwestern Wildcats 

The Wildcats enter this one 2-3 fresh off of an impressive win over Michigan State last week. QB Clayton Thornson led the way, throwing for 373 yards and 3 touchdowns in an outstanding display. Flynn Nagel was the primary benefactor, hauling in 10 grabs for 111 yards. On defence, Northwestern did a great job containing the usually stout Michigan State running game. Whilst Brian Lewerke did throw for 329 yards, many of these came when the Spartans were trying to chase the game. Led by Blake Gallagher and JR Pace, I expect a strong performance from this Wildcats defence against the weak Nebraska rushing attack. 

Prediction: Northwestern -3.5 

I figured that this line would come out with Northwestern as a touchdown favourite. Their recent performances indicate that they are the much better team here and a raucous home crowd should spur them to victory here. Wildcats by 10 in a relatively cruisy victory. 

Penn State @ Michigan State (Sunday 6:35am)
Penn State at the Line (-13.5)

Penn State Nittany Lions 

The #8 ranked Penn State side enter this one at 4-1 after a narrow 1-point loss to Ohio State last week. QB Trace McSorley stepped up big time in this one, throwing for 286 yards and 2 touchdowns and adding a further 175 yards on the ground. Receiver KJ Hamler enjoyed 138 yards in the receiving game, however no-one else had a big day on offense. Defensively, the Nittany Lions fought valiantly. They shut down the famed Ohio State rushing attack but couldn’t quite contain QB Dwayne Haskins. Haskins threw for 270 yards and 3 touchdowns in what was ultimately the difference in this game.  

Michigan State Spartans 

The #20 ranked Spartans enter this one 3-2 off of a disappointing home loss to the unranked Northwestern Wildcats last week. Offensively, the Spartans just couldn’t get things going and only managed 19 points on the afternoon. However, QB Brian Lewerke put in a solid display, throwing for 329 yards and a score. The rushing game just couldn’t get going, with half of their 96 total yards coming one a sole Felton Davis rush. On defence, the Spartans just couldn’t contain the Northwestern passing game. Whilst they shut the rushing attack down, they allowed 373 yards and 2 scores through the air, only registering 1 sack on the afternoon. This just won’t cut it against a professional Nittany Lions offense. 

Prediction: Penn State -13.5 

I think Penn State is the much better team here on both sides of the ball. They should be able to pass on this week Michigan State secondary, whilst I believe their defence can shut down the vulnerable Michigan State offense. 

Central Florida @ Memphis (Sunday 6:35am)
Central Florida at the Line (-4)

University of Central Florida Knights 

#12 ranked UCF enter this one 5-0 after an impressive 28-point victory over SMU last week. QB McKenzie Milton put in another strong performance, throwing for 278 yards and 2 touchdowns on the afternoon. The rushing game featured a strong group effort and totalled 256 yards and 3 touchdowns on 43 carries. Defensively, the Knights were just as solid. They allowed only 5.6 yards per passing attempt and 2.1 yards per rushing attempt from an SMU offense that stood little chance. Nate Evans, Richie Grant and Brandon Moore led the way in what was a thoroughly dominant team display. 

Memphis Tigers 

The 4-2 Memphis Tigers enter this matchup fresh off of a 55-14 home win over UConn last week. QB Brady White was near perfect from the field, completing 16/18 passes for 239 yards and a touchdown on the day. It was the running game where Memphis really shined through, with duo Darrell Henderson and Patrick Taylor Junior combining for an obscene 335 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns. Defensively, the Tigers completely shut UConn down. Allowing only 5 yards per pass attempt and 3.7 yards per rushing attempt, Memphis also managed to force an impressive 4 turnovers. Against a balanced UCF offense, this is something that will need to continue here in Week 7. 

Prediction: Central Florida -4 

Based on their incredible start to the season, I believe UCF should be slightly higher favourites here. They’re the better team on both ends here and I expect their strong rushing attack to carry them to victory here. UCF by 10. 

Alabama @ Missouri (Sunday 10:05am)
Alabama at the Line (-28)

Alabama Crimson Tide 

The 6-0 Crimson Tide head into this one after dropping 65 points on Arkansas last week. QB Tua Tagovailoa led the way, throwing for 334 yards and 4 touchdowns on just 13 attempts. RB Damien Harris had 111 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on the day, part of a rushing effort that produced 246 yards and 4 scores in total. On defence, Alabama did a good job managing Ty Storey and the dangerous Arkansas offense. They held them to only 5.8 yards per pass attempt and forced 3 total turnovers. Expect another strong performance from this outstanding and balanced defensive unit against Missouri. 

Missouri Tigers 

The 3-2 Tigers enter this matchup after consecutive conference losses, including a nail-biting 2-point loss to South Carolina last week. QB Drew Lock performed poorly, throwing for only 204 yards and 2 interceptions, one of which resulting in a touchdown. 286 yards and 3 touchdowns from the Tigers famed rushing offense just wasn’t enough. Defensively, Missouri just couldn’t contain the strong South Carolina passing game. Despite keeping the Gamecocks rushing game in check, they allowed 249 yards and 3 touchdowns in the air, which ultimately proved the difference. Things will need to tighten up this week against the high-flying Crimson Tide. 

Prediction: Alabama -28 

As with most Alabama games, this one is an obvious mismatch. I honestly fear for Drew Lock and Co having to come up against this incredible defensive front. Offensively, Tua Tagovailoa will make enough big plays to ensure the Tide win by at least 30. 

Arkansas @ Ole Miss (Sunday 10:35am)
Arkansas at the Line (+7)

Arkansas Razorbacks 

Arkansas head into this clash off of five straight losses, including last week’s thrashing at the hands of Alabama. The offense just couldn’t establish a proper rhythm all afternoon, with RB Rakeem Boyd the only player who got anything going. Defensively, it was a nightmare for the Razorbacks. They allowed 4 touchdowns and just under 22 yards per attempt in the air, in addition to 6 yards per rushing attempt and a further 6 touchdowns on the ground. This was admittedly against the strong Alabama offense, but the performance simply has to be better this week. 

Ole Miss Rebels 

Ole Miss head into this one at 4-2 and fresh off of hanging 70 points on UL Monroe last week. QB’s Jordan Ta’amu and Matt Corral combined to complete 90% of their passes for over 500 yards and 5 touchdowns in a dominant offensive display. Similarly, the incredible rushing attack added an extra 300 yards and 5 touchdowns on the ground. The defence didn’t have to do all that much, but they managed the game effectively and limited the dangerous UL Monroe rushing attack. They’ll need to keep up this level against a versatile Arkansas offense. 

Prediction: Arkansas +7 

Given last week’s results, I can’t help but feel as though there’s some line value on Arkansas here. I expect Ty Storey, Rakeem Boyd and Co to deliver a strong offensive performance in what is likely to be a close-fought game. 

Michigan @ Wisconsin (10:35am Sunday)
Michigan at the Line (-7)

Michigan Wolverines 

The Jim Harbaugh led Wolverines head into this highly anticipated matchup on the back of 5 straight victories. QB Shea Patterson had another dominant performance last week, throwing for 282 yards and 3 touchdowns en route to a comfortable win. However, it was defensively where Michigan really won this game. They allowed just 73 passing yards in what was a smothering display. Led by Tyree Kinnel, Devin Bush and Josh Ross, I expect another strong outing from this dominant Wolverines defensive unit in Week 7. 

Wisconsin Badgers 

The #16 ranked Wisconsin Badgers enter this matchup positioned strongly with a 4-1 record. RB Jonathan Taylor stole the show in last week’s victory over Nebraska, rushing for 221 yards and 3 touchdowns in a breathtaking display. This masked the average performance of QB Alex Hornibrook, who will need to be better against this strong Wolverines defence. Whilst the Badgers did a good job limiting Nebraska’s running game, they did allow 400 yards through the air. A fair portion of this came when Nebraska was chasing the game, however this secondary has to acquit itself better against Michigan. 

Prediction: Michigan -7 

I think Michigan has a strong edge here in each of the most important matchups. Buoyed by a strong home crowd, I expect their defence to shut down Hornibrook and the Badgers offense. Offensively, Shea Patterson will make enough plays for a comfortable 10-14-point Wolverines win here.