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Week 7 features six ranked vs. ranked matchups, including three enormous games where both teams are undefeated. Things begin in the noon window with a Big Ten clash between Michigan and Penn State before a massive SEC showdown between Tennessee and Alabama and a huge game in the Big 12 between Oklahoma State and TCU.
The card is so loaded two of those ranked vs. ranked games — No. 15 NC State at No. 18 Syracuse and No. 16 Mississippi State at No 22 Kentucky — were not even included in this preview story because of lingering quarterback health questions. For NC State, it’s unclear whether Devin Leary is healthy enough to play while Kentucky’s Will Levis was in a boot on the sideline in last week’s loss to South Carolina.
There are also a few ranked teams who are facing unranked opponents but could still be on upset watch or, in the cases of No. 19 Kansas and No. 24 Illinois, are outright underdogs.
Time: Noon | TV: Fox | Line: UM -7 | Total: 51.5
This is the biggest game of the season in the Big Ten thus far. Penn State enters Ann Arbor coming off a bye with a 5-0 record that includes two road wins already on the year. The Nittany Lions had a last-minute touchdown drive to beat Purdue in Week 1 and then went down to Auburn and blew out the Tigers 41-12. PSU has a veteran quarterback in Sean Clifford and an improved running game with freshmen backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. The defense is also off to a strong start, having forced 12 turnovers.
The PSU defense will have its hands full with Michigan, particularly corralling running back Blake Corum. Corum is seventh in the nation with 735 yards and is second with 11 rushing TDs. He’s been a big play threat for the Wolverines and is also a tremendous help for first-year starting quarterback JJ McCarthy. McCarthy has been very efficient, albeit against some lackluster competition. UM played one of the easiest non-conference schedules in the country and has knocked off Maryland, Iowa and Indiana so far in Big Ten play. The visiting Nittany Lions will be Michigan’s toughest test by a significant margin.
Nick Bromberg: Michigan -7, Sam Cooper: PSU +7
Time: 3:30 p.m. | TV: CBS | Line: Alabama -7.5 | Total: 65.5
All eyes will be on Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, entering Saturday’s showdown in Knoxville. Young injured his shoulder two weeks ago in the Arkansas game and missed last week’s win over Texas A&M. Without Young, Alabama was just not the same, with backup QB Jalen Milroe turning the ball over four times. Those turnovers helped A&M stay in the game and the Aggies nearly pulled off the upset. But a goal line pass in the final seconds fell incomplete and the Crimson Tide survived to improve to 6-0. Needless to say, Alabama needs Young if it wants to leave Knoxville with a victory.
Nick: Tennessee +7.5, Sam: Tennessee +7.5
Time: 3:30 p.m. | TV: ABC | Line: TCU -4 | Total: 68.5
From top to bottom, the Big 12 feels like the most balanced and competitive conference. And to this point in the season, Oklahoma State and TCU are the lone unbeatens remaining in the league (Kansas State is 3-0 in Big 12 play but has a loss to Tulane). Oklahoma State was expected to contend for the conference crown. OSU played in the title game last year and was in CFP contention, but lost a heartbreaker to Baylor.
Time: 7:30 p.m. | TV: ABC | Line: Clemson -3.5 | Total: 51
Is this trip to Florida State the toughest test of the season so far for Clemson? The oddsmakers certainly think so. Clemson is just a 3.5-point favorite on the road at FSU, according to Bet MGM. That’s the smallest point spread of the year for the Tigers, who were favored by 7.5 points at Wake Forest and 6.5 points at home vs. NC State. Clemson handled NC State 30-20 but needed double-overtime to best Wake Forest. That was a day game in Winston-Salem. A primetime game in Tallahassee is a different animal and the Tigers could be in for a serious challenge from an FSU team coming off back-to-back losses.
Nick Bromberg (Last week: 2-1, Overall: 12-6)
Miami OH (-6.5) at Bowling Green: Both teams are 1-1 in MAC play but Miami looks to be the better team. Bowling Green has been outscored by 86 points so far this season while Miami has a win over Northwestern and its MAC win is over Kent State. Bowling Green's is over an Akron team that’s been outscored by 135 points. With the spread within a touchdown, I’m taking the favorite.
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