After Mizzou’s bye week, we’re back in action as Week 7 of the College Football season features No. 14 Mizzou hosting No. 8 Alabama as SEC Nation visits Columbia again. ESPN’s College Gameday is in Eugene
for No. 7 Indiana at No. 3 Oregon, and FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff heads to Champaign for No. 1 Ohio State at No. 17 Illinois. Plus, some other key SEC games highlight the loaded Week 7 schedule.
Let’s make some picks! (with the odds presented by our partners at FanDuel Sportsbook):
Sammy Stava: 12-17 ATS (20-9 SU)
True Deck: 11-13 ATS (17-7 SU)
Nathan Hurst: 9-11 ATS (12-8 SU)
Matthew Gustafson: 8-11 ATS (10-9 SU)
Josh Matejka: 5-10 ATS (8-7 SU)
No. 14 Missouri Tigers vs No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide (-3.5) (11:00 a.m. CST on ABC):
Sammy Stava: This game is essentially a toss-up. Alabama is more talented, and perhaps the better team. Having said that, the better team doesn’t always win in College Football. Mizzou is coming off a bye week (two really if you count UMass) and they’re at home. This should be close either way, but Tigers find a way to pull it off. 35-31.
True Deck:
Nathan Hurst:
Matthew Gustafson: No matter the outcome, I’m expecting this game to be close. It’s crucial for the Tigers to keep this game competitive and ensure a loss would not cause a significant dip in their playoff chances. But Mizzou has its sights set on a lot more than a competitive loss, and the team has likely been preparing for this game for a while, now. Tigers win by a field goal, 34-31.
Josh Matejka: Look, this is the best shot the Tigers are ever going to get at ‘Bama, at least based on every piece of data we have. Mizzou is at home, they’re coming off a bye week and they’re a good matchup, at least on offense, against the Tide. Alabama is coming off of two very emotional games and is still struggling to fully find itself under Kalen DeBoer. Even with those factors at play, Alabama should win by virtue of its [gestures wildly] ‘Bamaness. But if I can’t pick the Tigers here, I can’t ever pick them. Mizzou wins a nail-biter, 28-27.
No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes (-14.5) at No. 17 Illinois Fighting Illini (11:00 a.m. CST on FOX)
Sammy Stava: Buckeyes roll in Champaign to prove that they’re the best team in the country right now. 37-21.
True Deck:
Nathan Hurst:
Matthew Gustafson: Ohio State picked up some steam with a dominant win in The Shoe over Minnesota, but it’s seemed like the Buckeyes are ranked No. 1 by default more than by what they’ve shown since their season-opening victory against Texas. I don’t think Illinois will pull off the upset, but the Illini should at least keep it within two touchdowns. Ohio State wins this one 35-24.
Josh Matejka: I know Illinois is fighting for respect again after getting thwacked by Indiana, but Ohio State just looks like different gravy right now. I’ll take the Buckeyes, but Illinois finds a way to cover the spread. 34-24, Ohio’s Tate.
No. 7 Indiana Hoosiers at No. 3 Oregon Ducks (-7.5) (2:30 p.m. CST on CBS)
Sammy Stava: Not going against Dante Moore and Oregon after I picked against them at Penn State. Moore furthers his Heisman case as the Ducks win convincingly at home, 38-27.
True Deck:
Nathan Hurst:
Matthew Gustafson: I’m sold on this Indiana team after a blowout victory two weeks ago over Illinois, but it’s incredibly difficult to go into Autzen and get the win. I’d be tempted to take the Hoosiers on a neutral field, but Oregon takes the matchup 28-24.
Josh Matejka:
Ducks 31-24.
No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners vs Texas Longhorns (-1.5) in Dallas (2:30 p.m. CST on ABC)
Sammy Stava: I guess John Mateer’s injury is why Texas is still favored in this one? Longhorns are in must-win territory, and I think their previous loss to Florida ruined their season. Sooners find a way to win in a defensive battle. 17-13, OU.
True Deck:
Nathan Hurst:
Matthew Gustafson: Texas? The favorite? Really? The Longhorns have fallen flat in every major test this season, while Oklahoma has passed every challenge – and might get John Mateer back this weekend. Give me the Sooners, 27-21.
Josh Matejka: Is Texas really favored in this game? All because of Mateer’s health? I guess… and maybe we’re all starting to underrate Texas now that they’ve fully pooped the bed. They may suck, but they’re pretty good for a team that sucks. I’m still taking Boomer Sooner, but it’ll probably be close. This rivalry tends to be that way. OU 21-17.
No. 10 Georgia Bulldogs (-3.5) at Auburn Tigers (6:30 p.m. CST on ABC)
Sammy Stava: Jordan Hare Stadium at night? This could be difficult task for the Bulldogs, but Georgia finds a way to get it done on the road as Kirby Smart out-coaches Hugh Freeze. 24-20, UGA.
True Deck:
Nathan Hurst:
Matthew Gustafson: Auburn tends to make it a struggle for the Bulldogs when they come to Jordan Hare, and Hugh Freeze’s squad has been a challenge for both Oklahoma and Texas A&M. Kirby Smart will have his team ready for a big environment and determined after the Alabama loss, though, and Georgia escapes with a 21-17 win.
Josh Matejka: Auburn isn’t a great team, but they’re difficult as hell to play against on The Plains. Georgia is fighting for its CFP life after losing to Alabama. I usually don’t pick against Kirby Smart, but I’ve got a gut feeling about this one. Auburn finds a way to get it done 27-24.
