Week 7 of the 2024 college football season has an amazing schedule that includes Ohio State vs. Oregon, Texas vs. Oklahoma, and Penn State vs. USC. Let’s forecast a few things.
Our second attempt at picking Penn State and the most important games on the college football schedule against the spread occurred last week. We finished a respectable 4-4 last weekend (and would have been 5-3 if we had waited until Florida State’s game vs Clemson changed from +14.5 to +16.5). We have a 7-8-1 record after two weeks.
Here are my predictions for Week 7’s big college football games, including Penn State vs. USC. Tail (or fade) responsibly as usual.
(FanDuel Sportsbook provided all lines as of Thursday morning.)
Clemson (-20) at Wake Forest, No. 10
ESPN, Saturday at 12:00
A few weeks ago, Wake Forest faced a top-10 team; Ole Miss crushed them at home, 40–6. Since then, the Demon Deacons have suffered defeats to Louisiana-Lafayette and N.C. State, who were without Grayson McCall. Since the season-opening defeat to Georgia, Cade Klubnik and Clemson have been dominant. The Tigers should establish and maintain an early advantage.The selection is Clemson -20.
No. 18 Oklahoma vs. No. 1 Texas (-14.5)
At 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, ABC
The favorite is 2-6 against the spread in the eight Red River Rivalry games with a double-digit point spread this century. Strange things frequently occur in this game. However, I believe that Texas is significantly superior over Oklahoma, especially with Quinn Ewers. Can Michael Hawkins, the Sooners’ rookie quarterback, produce some spectacular plays? Yes. But not enough to maintain this proximity. It is advised to wait and see whether the line shifts to -14 or -13.5. In any case…The selection is Texas -14.5.
At USC, No. 4 Penn State (-4.5)
At 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, CBS
The Penn State reporters at PennLive were divided. I went for the Penn State win and cover with Max Ralph. Joe Hermitt and Bob Flounders predicted that USC would win by a landslide. There is definitely a chance that the Nittany Lions will lose. USC is gifted and desperate. However, I believe that Penn State’s brutality in the trenches will be too much to bear.Penn State is the choice at -4.5.
No. 8 Tennessee at. Florida (-15.5)
ESPN, Saturday, 7 p.m.
Following their shocking defeat against Arkansas, the Vols are hoping to recover. Florida’s run defense is among the weakest in the nation. Perhaps Nico Iamaleava doesn’t need to vent all that much. Watch Dylan Sampson leave after giving him it.Tennessee -15.5 is the selection.
Ole Miss, No. 9 (-3.5), at LSU, No. 13
At 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, ABC
Since the Tigers’ Week 1 neutral-site loss to USC, I don’t think we’ve discussed LSU all that much. The Tigers are somewhat unreliable because they haven’t defeated any notable opponents. However, since 2008, Ole Miss has not prevailed in Death Valley. Garrett Nussmeier, in my opinion, is comparable to Jaxson Dart, and a mediocre Ole Miss offensive line gets frustrated by LSU’s pass rush.LSU +3.5 is the selection.
No. 3 Oregon against No. 2 Ohio State (-3.5).
At 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, NBC
I’m honestly a little conflicted. How much of Ohio State’s playbook has offensive coordinator Chip Kelly been reserving for this matchup intrigues me. At a boisterous stadium like Autzen, I’m also interested to see if Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard can steer clear of a few costly errors. Most likely, the Buckeyes will prevail. However, I’ll take the points in a game that pits two of the top teams in the Big Ten against two candidates for the national championship.Oregon +3.5 is the selection.
Colorado vs. No. 18 Kansas State (-4.5)
ESPN, Saturday, 10:15 p.m.
Which version of Avery Johnson, the quarterback for Kansas State, will we get? The one that lost at BYU after throwing two picks? Or the one that dominated Oklahoma State with five touchdowns? Johnson shouldn’t have to play hero ball against a Colorado run defense that is manageable. The Wildcats should have no trouble defeating Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter, and the Buffaloes thanks to DJ Giddens and Dylan Edwards.The selection: -4.5 for Kansas State
Hawaii’s No. 17 Boise State (-20.5)
11 p.m. on Saturday, CBS Sports Network
Ashton Jeanty is the one I’m not betting against. It’s as easy as that.Boise State -20.5 is the selection.