NCAA Football Week 7 Straight Up Picks

One of the more interesting observations from college football this week was that it looks more likely that a two-loss team would make the College Football Playoff than three unbeatens would make it. Given that Central Florida is unbeaten once again (and ranked tenth in the nation), and given that they do not have any Power Five opponents left on their slate, it would be extremely difficult to leave them out of the conversation again this season. However, as long as the top four keep winning, it will also be difficult for Central Florida (or other teams in the top ten) to crack the playoff. Of course, an eventual meeting between Alabama and Georgia in the SEC Championship would mean defeat for one — but not necessarily removal from the national semifinals. You can check out three of our NCAA Football Week 7 odds picks for straight up action in this article. As always, home teams are in all caps.

NCAA Football Week 7 Straight Up Picks

AP Top 25 is out https://t.co/AggESxacWI

— Saturday Down South (@SDS) October 7, 2018

Saturday, October 13

GEORGIA TECH (-3) over Duke (12:20pm ET, ACC ESPN Network)

The Yellow Jackets are just 3-3, but their last two games have been emphatic victories over Bowling Green and Louisville. Quarterback TaQuon Marshall only completed one pass for Georgia Tech in that game, but he carried the ball for 175 yards on 23 attempts, scoring twice. Tobias Oliver also ran for 103 yards and a pair of touchdowns on his own in a rout. Georgia Tech runs that triple option that can befuddle defensive coordinators who are not ready for the slow, steady pounding of the attack — which is always ready to turn into a big play if the defense hasn’t contained everyone. Duke enters the game at 4-1, losing to Virginia Tech by 17 in their last game. Quarterback Daniel Jones looked sharp for the Blue Devils, throwing for 226 yards, but had a pick with his interception, and Virginia Tech shut down the Duke running attack, as Brittain Brown led the team with just 35 yards — and needed a dozen carries to get there. Duke has covered the spread in four straight on the road, but Georgia Tech has covered the spread in eight of their last 11 at home, and given their 129 points in their last two games, I’d say they are on a roll. NCAA Football Week 7 Prediction: Georgia Tech 37, Duke 23

SOUTH CAROLINA (+2) over Texas A&M (3:30pm ET, SEC ESPN Network)

South Carolina is a difficult road destination for teams, and while the Texas A&M Aggies did knock off Kentucky in overtime a week ago, going on the road is a test. The Aggies are 4-2 on the season, and Kellen Mond has accounted for 13 touchdowns, nine through the air and four with his feet. Trayveon Williams leads the Aggie running attack with 720 yards in six games, along with seven touchdowns. Jimbo Fisher has his team averaging 33.3 points per game, so they can put up points. They visit a Gamecock team that held off a fiery Missouri offense by a 37-35 score. Quarterback Michael Scarnecchia got his first start in garnet and black at quarterback, and he threw three touchdown passes. With an average scoring output of 30 points per contest, South Carolina has the players to put together some offense on their own. South Carolina has covered the spread in nine of their last 15 games — and the underdog has covered the spread in three of the last four meetings between these two sides. It’s time for an Aggie letdown on the road. NCAA Football Week 7 Prediction: South Carolina 30, Texas A&M 27

Ole Miss (-6.5) over ARKANSAS (7:30pm ET, SEC ESPN Network)

Arkansas hasn’t won since a Week 1 laugher over Eastern Illinois. They did hang 31 on Alabama last week, but most of that was in garbage time as the Crimson Tide rolled up 31 points. They did hang tough with Texas A&M in a neutral-site game two weeks ago but fell by a touchdown. The problem for the Razorbacks is their defense, and new head coach Chad Morris doesn’t have a lot of defense on his resume. Ole Miss has yet to win in SEC play, losing by 55 at home to Alabama and then again by 29 at LSU. They have routed the likes of Texas Tech, Southern Illinois, Kent State and Louisiana-Monroe, and their offense can fly — which is why they will outscore Arkansas for their first SEC win. NCAA Football Week 7 Prediction: Ole Miss 48, Arkansas 34