We were given Iowa’d closing week, girls and boys. The Hawkeyes and their black magic proved to be the variation between a 4-2 week and the 3-3 document we posted. Not that I absolve myself of the entire blame right here. My Lock of the Week on Arkansas State briefly proved to be a mistake. I will’t imagine I put myself able to rely on a Butch Jones-led crew at the street.
Still, whilst I’ll come clean with that mistake, I can move to my grave satisfied taking Purdue used to be the appropriate play. We mainly misplaced because of one play: Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson broke free for a 67-yard landing run within the first quarter, which used to be the variation.
How giant of a distinction? Aside from that 67-yard run, Iowa had 224 yards of offense on its different 55 performs. Quarterback Deacon Hill finished best 6 of 21 passes for 110 yards with a landing and an interception. Hill additionally fumbled, however the Hawkeyes were given it again.
Purdue used to be the easier total crew outdoor of 1 play, however it did not topic. Iowa gained as a result of way back it made a take care of some evil entity that agreed to let it win video games however best within the ugliest means conceivable.
It’s time to shake that one off and get again to paintings in this week’s video games. Hopefully, we will to find ourselves at the proper aspect of good fortune this week.
Odds by means of SportsLine consensus
Games of the Week
No. 8 Oregon at No. 7 Washington: I like Washington. I declared it a Wagon weeks in the past (you’ll’t spell Washington with out W-A-G-O-N!), and it stays a Wagon regardless of the outcome this weekend. The drawback for the Huskies is that of the entire groups they are going to play this season, Oregon is their maximum tricky matchup. It’s no secret that Washington’s protection is its weak point, however that is as a result of its offense is so potent. In reality, the protection is not nice, however it is not horrible, both. Its weakest spot is up entrance alongside the internal and protecting the run.
The Huskies permit best 3.8 yards consistent with elevate, however their luck fee ranks 97th from a down-to-down standpoint. This will likely be an issue in opposition to an Oregon offensive line that is without doubt one of the highest within the nation and particularly robust alongside the internal. The highest approach to prevent Washington’s offense is to stay it off the sphere, and the Ducks will lean on their flooring recreation to take action. That will have to stay issues shut if not anything else, so I can take the issues with the underdog. The Pick: Oregon +3 (-105)
No. 10 USC at No. 21 Notre Dame: Notre Dame seems exhausted, which will have to be anticipated making an allowance for its closing 3 video games (Ohio State, Duke and Louisville) had been difficult. It’s a just right factor it could actually relaxation simple this weekend seeking to prevent Caleb Williams and the Trojans! I do not know who will win this recreation. Both groups are just right however have obtrusive flaws. After scoring 46 issues consistent with recreation of their first 4, the Fighting Irish have averaged 18.3 issues of their closing 3. USC’s protection is best in comparison to closing season however nonetheless is not what any one would imagine “good.”
What stands proud about this matchup is the elements forecast. Temperatures within the mid-40s with rain and excessive winds are predicted for Saturday night time in South Bend, Indiana. If you are in search of a climate forecast able to slowing down the USC offense, that is what we will get Saturday. That, mixed with Notre Dame’s conservative offensive means in giant video games, leads me to imagine this may not be a high-scoring affair. The Pick: Under 60.5 (-110)
Lock of the Week
Florida at South Carolina: I understand how dumb this sounds, however I’d select South Carolina if this recreation used to be being performed within the night time. You see, the South Carolina State Fair is occurring this weekend, and the ambience at Williams-Brice can get just a little cuckoo this time of 12 months, in particular when the sport begins past due and enthusiasts have had quite a lot of time to “prepare.” With the afternoon get started, alternatively, issues will likely be rather less raucous.
That makes it so much more straightforward to take the Gators. I don’t believe Florida is fantastic, however it is higher than South Carolina. The key matchup is a Florida go rush that ranks No. 21 nationally in drive fee and No. 2 in my Chaos Rate statistic. It’ll face off in opposition to a South Carolina offensive line that is been a crisis all 12 months. The Gamecocks rank No. 121 in drive fee in opposition to and No. 127 in sack fee allowed. Quarterback Spencer Rattler has been an absolute warrior all season as he is continuously beneath hearth, however it’s so arduous to win that means and I do not be expecting the Gamecocks to this weekend. The Pick: Florida +2.5 (-106)
Under of the Week
Texas A&M at No. 19 Tennessee: While it will be hotter in Knoxville than South Bend, the similar climate device impacting the Notre Dame recreation will likely be felt at Neyland Stadium. This recreation can be rainy, however extra essential to our pursuits are the 15 mph winds anticipated. No climate issue has a extra important have an effect on on scoring in football than wind. Still, I’d just like the beneath on this one even though it used to be 75 and sunny with a slight breeze.
Why? Neither crew can end drives. With Tennessee, it is a scenario wherein quarterback Joe Milton is best at taking deep photographs than brief to intermediate throws, which handicaps the Volunteers’ offense just a little on shorter fields. Texas A&M’s crimson zone potency ranks No. 91 nationally, in the meantime. I’m no longer solely positive there may be precisely something on which to pin the blame, however my principle is the Aggies are so dangerous on first and 2nd down that they depart themselves in too many third-and-long eventualities. Of Texas A&M’s 78 third-down makes an attempt this 12 months, 50% had been 7 yards or extra. It’s arduous to complete drives when you find yourself mechanically in the ones spots. The Pick: Under 55.5
Big 12 Newcomer of the Week
BYU at TCU: The BYU offense has struggled mightily in its first Big 12 season, which is why it is this sort of huge underdog on this spot. Still, I see quite a lot of alternative for the Cougars. TCU quarterback Chandler Morris suffered a sprained MCL in closing week’s loss to Iowa State and may not play on this recreation. Instead, it will be redshirt freshman Josh Hoover making his first occupation get started.
Hoover threw for 119 yards in reduction of Morris closing week, however he additionally tossed an interception and averaged best 6.3 yards consistent with strive. Odds are, the Frogs will stay issues relatively conservative with the green QB in opposition to a stingy BYU protection, so it will be arduous for the Frogs to drag away. If Hoover has any freshman moments, the Cougars may just get this one outright. The Pick: BYU +6 (-110)
Silver State Battle of the Week
UNLV at Nevada: I do not know for those who’ve spotted, however UNLV is a laugh and lovely just right, too. I can’t say the similar about Nevada. There’s a powerful argument to be made that the Wolf Pack are the worst crew within the nation. All you must do is level to any statistic you need. Pick one randomly, and there is a robust probability that the Wolf Pack will rank one hundredth or worse nationally.
The Rebels are not juggernauts, however they will have to have the ability to run the ball at will in contrast Nevada protection. It’s no longer at all times lovely from all the way down to down, however the Rebels rank No. 19 nationally with an explosive run fee of 13.6%; Nevada ranks No. 111 in luck fee in opposition to the run, No. 132 in yards allowed prior to touch and No. 128 in explosive rush fee in opposition to. I am getting there is a contention facet to this recreation which is able to on occasion gum up the works, however anything else lower than 10 issues with the Rebels seems like stealing. The Pick: UNLV -9.5
|
Games of the Week |
1-1 |
6-8 |
-2.83 |
|
Lock of the Week |
0-1 |
3-4 |
-1.40 |
|
Overall |
3-3 |
22-18 |
2.15 |
Which college football picks are you able to make with self belief in Week 7, and which underdogs will win outright? Visit SportsLine to see which teams will win and cover the spread — all from a confirmed laptop fashion that has returned greater than $2,000 in benefit over the last seven-plus seasons — and to find out.