NCAA College Football Picks: Week 7

2018 SCORE: 22 right / 23 games (49% Right)

Holy upsets last week. Seven of the top 25 teams were upset.

After getting 9 and 10 wins (out of 15 total games) picked correctly the first two weeks I got 3 (3!) right last week. I’m picking the closer games here, I’m not doing a layup Alabama vs. Arkansas State because that doesn’t help anyone. I need to rebound this week.

Oklahoma St at Kansas St.

Analysis: Oklahoma State is fairly up and down, they beat ranked Boise State but lost to Iowa State, meanwhile Kansas State has a win vs. UTSA and South Dakota and loses to Baylor, Texas, West Virginia and Mississippi St (brutal schedule for the Wildcats). I think the Cowboys prevail behind a stronger offense with Taylor Cornelius passing to Tylan Wallace and Justice Hill who is having a good year (10^th most rushing yards in NCAA). Alex Barnes (Kansas St.) is no joke with the 15^th most rushing yards, expect the run battle to be entertaining.

Iowa at Indiana

Analysis: Iowa’s defense will need to stand tall against Peyton Ramsey and Stevie Scott. Peyton has done alright but there are a number of people questioning his skill. The Hoosiers should rebound from Ohio State, their only two losses are to ranked Michigan State and Ohio State but then again their wins are over Rutgers, Ball and UVA. Ultimately I think Iowa prevails but looks like a game that will be down to the wire.

Nebraska at Northwestern

Analysis: Quite honestly Nebraska is a complete dumpster fire right now, the teams making jokes on the sideline amidst a 0-5 record and I will not be buying into them winning all season (until they finally win a game). Northwestern looked strong vs. Michigan State last week.

Florida at Vanderbilt

Analysis: I was not buying in on Florida and I was very wrong. Feleipe Franks is legit, their defense is even more so, LB Vosean Joseph DL Jachai Polite and True Freshman Kyree Campbell have all stepped up in a big way to command the Gators defense.

Duke at Georgia Tech

Analysis: TaQuon Mitchell has 557 yards and 9 TDs and is among the top QB’s in NCAA right now. They face a 4-1 duke team who has beaten Baylor and Northwestern but fell to Virginia Tech last week in a big fashion. I expect the Blue Devils to come out hungry and win this one.

#7 Washington at #17 Oregon

Analysis: Two very strong teams, Washington with it’s amazing defense and Oregon with Justin Herbert who is making a bit name for himself this season. It will be a matchup of Oregon’s offense (top 15 in nation) vs. Washington’s defense who have limited opposing teams to less than 14 points on average. I think the home field decides it, give me the Ducks!

#22 Texas A&M at South Carolina

Analysis: Well Kevin Sumlin shut down my run with the Wildcats, I’ll go with them to continue their momentum over South Carolina who had a late win over Missouri last week. I have to keep reminding myself that the Aggies two losses this season are to Alabama (#1 ranked) and Clemson (#2 ranked). Trayvon Williams has been great and should be one of the deciding factors here.

#2 Georgia at #13 LSU

Analysis: This should be a wildly entertaining game. LSU will be hungry for to rebound from the loss to Florida and Georgia has showed no signs of slowing down, although I feel as if the Bulldogs haven’t properly been tested until now. They’ve played good teams but no one great. I really want to pick LSU given the home field and desire to bounce back but I’ll go with the Bulldogs here.

#10 UCF at Memphis

Analysis: Darrell Henderson has been amazing for Memphis, his 12 touchdowns are good for 2^nd most in NCAA right now while his 934 rushing yards is the most in NCAA. They face UCF who I can’t figure out since they haven’t really played anyone (maybe except Pittsburgh). So their avg 17 points against is misleading but McKenzie Milton does look to be the part and his duo threat capabilities is certainly an asset. I think Memphis ends the win streak.

#16 Miami at Virginia

Analysis: Miami has the better offense, defense, record and to me coach – Mark Richt has really delivered for the Hurricanes.

#6 West Virginia at Iowa St.

Analysis: Will Grier is one of the 10 best college quarterbacks. Iowa State has a tendency to usurp and surprise people but I don’t see it happening this weekend. I suppose with Kentucky out, the Mountaineers can be my new undefeated underdog team to back

UCLA at California

Analysis: I really don’t trust UCLA this year and conversely I do trust California. It goes beyond their records I just don’t buy into UCLA’s system and the way it’s being run right now. Chip Kelly has either lost his touch or is playing a long game with the program and anticipating it coming in strong next year.

#15 Wisconsin at #12 Michigan

Analysis: This is really going to say a lot about who sits in second in the Big Ten. I’m going with Patterson outdueling Alex Hornibrook at QB and the home field advantage to take the Wolverines in this matchup. The x-factor for the Badgers will be Jonathan Taylor who has 849 rushing yards (3^rd most in NCAA)

Mississippi at Arkansas

Analysis: Arkansas owns the series between these two with four wins in their last four meetings. Jordan Ta’amu has other plans as the fifth most passing yards in the league. There is always a chance the Razorbacks throw in an upset here, they certainly put up more points on Alabama than I thought they would given their weaker offense but I’m trusting in Matt Luke.

#19 Colorado at USC

Analysis: USC has two loses – Stanford and a Texas team who is proving themselves to be what everyone hope they would be under Tom Herman. Colorado is undefeated but they have beat Colorado State, Nebraska, New Hampshire, UCLA and Arizona State, not a notable list there. Give me the Trojans at home.