The annual Red River Rivalry between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns takes place this Saturday. Oklahoma, fresh off a loss to Iowa State, is the 7.5 favorite. Texas has played Oklahoma tough in the rivalry game the past few seasons.
I preview and make a pick for the 2017 Red River Rivalry. I also look at the other most intriguing matchups in my 2017 College Football Week 7 Preview. Check it out!
2017 College Football Week 7 Preview
Friday, Oct. 13
2 Clemson -21.5 at Syracuse +21.5
Clemson is undefeated. That’s all well and good. But, the Tigers are only 2 and 5 ATS in their last 7 conference games. Syracuse is an interesting 4 and 0 against the spread in their last 4 versus a team with a winning record. Does that mean the Orange have a shot ATS in this? Doubtful. Syracuse’s defense allows over 24 points per. Clemson should roll.
Pick: Clemson -21.5
9 Washington State -14.5 at California -14.5
California is a gritty football team. The Golden Bears give it their all every single time they step onto the football field. But, I don’t feel California has played a team that’s as well-rounded as Washington State. The Cougars’ D held Oregon to only 10 points in a massive 33 to 10 road win in College Football Week 6. California doesn’t have much of a chance of stopping Washington State’s offense while the Cougars’ D could damper Cal’s ability to move the football.
Best Pick: Washington State -14.5
Saturday, Oct. 14
Purdue +16.5 at Wisconsin -16.5
Wisconsin is undefeated. Unfortunately, the Badgers haven’t beaten any team that’s going to impress the CFP Selection Committee. Beating Purdue by 17 points at home in Week 7 won’t impress anyone. That doesn’t mean Wisconsin won’t cover the spread. Purdue is 1 and 10 in the last 11 meetings against the Badgers. Still, I like Purdue. I’m surprising myself by writing I believe the Boilermakers make it 2 and 12 after this Saturday’s matchup.
Pick: Purdue +16.5
16 Michigan -5 at Indiana +5
Michigan is without their starting quarterback. It might not matter. Michigan State, it turns out, is a better team than most college football fans believed they were. Indiana, it turns out, isn’t nearly as good as their 34 to 17 win over Virginia in Week 2 indicated. Michigan bounces back after the loss to Sparty with a big win and cover against the Hoosiers.
Pick: Michigan -5
8 Ohio State -24 at Nebraska +24
Ohio State has no business not thumping Nebraska by 30 in this game on Saturday. In college football, things don’t always work out the way they should. Ohio State has played nothing but creampuffs this season save for Oklahoma in Week 2. The Buckeyes lost to Oklahoma in Week 2. Ohio State did beat Nebraska 62 to 3 last season. I think Nebraska hangs tougher this season.
Pick: Nebraska +24
Cincinnati +24.5 at 15 South Florida -24.5
South Florida should cover this spread with ease. Cincinnati goes into this after losing to Central Florida 23 to 51 in a rain shortened contest this past Saturday. The Bearcats allow an average of 33 points per game. South Florida scores 44.8 per. the Bulls ATS are a Best Pick.
Best Pick: South Florida -24.5
12 Oklahoma -7.5 vs. Texas +7.5
Oklahoma must dominate Texas by at least 20 points to impress the College Football Playoff Selection Committee. If Oklahoma only beats Texas by 10, will it matter? I don’t think so. I also don’t believe Oklahoma beats Texas by at least 10 points.
Texas could just as easily be 5 and 0 as they are 3 and 2. The Longhorns should have beaten Maryland in Week 1. For some reason, Texas just wasn’t prepared in that matchup. Texas had USC on the ropes in the L.A. Coliseum before losing straight up in overtime.
I believe the Longhorns have a legit shot to upset Oklahoma on the money line. This is a huge rivalry game. There’s no way I can’t take the points.
Pick: Texas +7.5
4 Washington -17 at Arizona State +17
This has blow out written all over it. Arizona State’s defense allows an average of 36.4 points per game. Washington has one of the best defenses in the nation. 17 points isn’t that much in a Pac 12 game between one team with a much better defense than the other. ASU goes down hard.
Best Pick: Washington -17
Baylor +25.5 at 17 Oklahoma State -25.5
I believe the Baylor Bears deserve some credit for playing rivals tough. Oklahoma State’s defense has fallen apart. Although it’s tough to back the Cowboys because of how they’ve been playing, Baylor is 1 and 8 ATS in the last 9 meetings between these 2 in Stillwater. I must back Boone Pickens’ alma mater.
Pick: Oklahoma State
11 Auburn -6.5 at LSU +6.5
Can LSU keep it going versus a Top 3 SEC squad at home? LSU beat Florida straight up in Week 6 after losing to Troy in Week 5. The Tigers played a marvelous game on defense. I believe LSU comes crashing back to earth in Week 7. Auburn is a legitimate Top 10 squad. The Tigers’ lone loss was 6 to 14 to Clemson. Auburn should dominate LSU in this game.
Pick: Auburn -6.5
Arkansas +30.5 at 1 Alabama -30.5
The Crimson Tide is easily the best team in the nation. Although most won’t agree, Alabama shouldn’t have been favored by 25 points versus Texas A&M in College Station. Texas A&M is one of the better teams in the SEC this season.
I think the Tide rolls in this game. Arkansas isn’t a talented bunch while Bama coach Nick Saban is going to pound on his players to pick it up after the less than impressive win over the Aggies.
Best Pick: Alabama -30.5
East Carolina +33.5 at 21 UCF -33.5
The absolute best pick of College Football Week 7 is on Central Florida to cover the -33.5 points against East Carolina. The East Carolina Pirates might be the worst team in the nation. Temple beat East Carolina 34 to 10. UCF should beat East Carolina 53 to 3.
Best Pick: UCF -33.5
22 Michigan State -3 at Minnesota +3
I get it. Michigan State upset Michigan in the Big House straight up as a dog in College Football Week 6. Why wouldn’t Michigan State be favored over Minnesota on the road? Here’s the thing, Minnesota’s a decent football team while Michigan State should have a letdown game after beating the Wolverines. I like the Gophers.
Pick: Minnesota +3
23 Utah +13 at 13 USC -13
Utah is still ranked in the Coaches Poll. For this blog, I always use the Coaches Poll Rankings. Utah goes to L.A. having lost to Stanford 20 to 23 as a 3 point dog. The Utes have a slight edge with their defensive line. I believe USC wins. But, I also believe 13 points are too many to give to a solid squad like Utah.
Pick: Utah +13
20 NC State -12 at Pittsburgh +12
The Wolfpack have no reason not to beat Pittsburgh by at least 2 touchdowns in this game. Pittsburgh isn’t that good of a football team while NC State outscored Louisville in their last. The Wolfpack figures to beat Pitt by 14 to 17. The margin of victory could be much greater because Pitt’s defense shouldn’t ber able to stop NC State’s offense.
Pick: NC State -12
Georgia Tech +6.5 at 10 Miami -6.5
This could be a trap game for the Miami Hurricanes. The Canes left it all on the field in their 24 to 20 win over Florida State in College Football Week 6. Not only that, but Miami RB Mark Walton is hurt. Georgia Tech’s offense averages 396 rushing yards per game. Miami’s defense allows 152.2 rushing yards per game. Georgia Tech upsets Miami on the money line in this matchup.
Pick: Georgia Tech money line
Missouri +30.5 at 5 Georgia -30.5
Georgia has been trouncing opponents. The Bulldogs squashed Vanderbilt 45 to 14 on the road this past Saturday. Missouri has no shot of keeping this one within 42 points, much less 30.5.
Best Pick: Georgia -30.5
Oregon +10.5 at 25 Stanford -10.5
Oregon’s offense failed to make a dent against the Washington State Cougars in the Ducks’ close to incredible 10 to 33 loss to WSU in Week 6. Stanford beat Utah 23 to 20. Stanford has lost to USC and San Diego State. Both of those teams are ranked in the Top 20. The Cardinal should handle the Ducks in a Pac 12 rivalry game unusually lacking any fire.
Pick: Stanford -10.5
Texas A&M +3.5 at Florida -3.5
I feel that Texas A&M is the better football team. Florida has had moments of being a decent football team. Texas A&M is a good football team. Save for the meltdown in Week 1, A&M would only have a single loss on their record. That loss was to Alabama this past Saturday. Florida should lose its second straight game at home.
Pick: Texas A&M money line
Boise State +7 at 18 San Diego State -7
What an incredibly tough game to handicap! Boise State is one of the few teams on San Diego State’s schedule that matches up well with the Aztecs. San Diego State is a legitimate Top 20 college football team, though. Which team comes out ahead? I believe the Aztecs pull out the win. I can’t back San Diego State against the spread. Boise State is the play ATS even though SDSU should win straight up.
Pick: Boise State +7