Week 6 was yet another example of why the college football regular season is by far the best pertaining to team sports. UCLA shocked Penn State. Florida upended Texas along with key victories from Miami, Alabama, Virginia, and Cincinnati. Week 7 is loaded with marquee matchups and under the radar games with ranked teams facing dangerous dogs. Before you know it the first playoff committee ranking will be released so don’t get hung up on the AP poll. The conference races are heating up as we head into another great week of football.
#3 Oregon vs. #7 Indiana: Two weeks ago, the Ducks flew across the country to face the then-highly ranked Penn State. Oregon came out unscathed, defeating the Nittany Lions in double overtime. Not all that long ago the Hoosiers devoured Illinois and followed it up with a gritty win at Iowa. Last year, when taking on the elite level opponents, Indiana fell short. That’s not to say they didn’t compete, but their offense didn’t level up so to speak. Oregon was supposed to be young and inexperienced in 2025 breaking in a new quarterback and losing an important wide receiver before the season began. In the Penn State victory, the biggest impact positions were the interior defensive line play and young but talented wideouts. Earlier in the week this college football podcaster jumped on that higher spread securing a +10.5 with juice. In the end the Ducks will outlast the Hoosiers, but the outcome will be in the balance well into the 4th quarter.
The Pick: Indiana +7.5
#8 Alabama vs. #14 Missouri: This week 7 marquee matchup marks the third challenge in as many weeks for Alabama as they travel to Colombia, Missouri. Back-to-back wins at Georgia and a payback at home versus Vandy has the Crimson Tide feeling good again. Mizzou has beaten good teams in Kansas and South Carolina, but on paper this is their toughest hurdle. Bama QB Ty Simpson is a great fit for head coach Kalen Deboer system, and it appears he’s not only seeing the field but delivering the ball on time. Penn State transfer QB Beau Pribula has hit the ground running this season. Missouri is putting up video game type numbers on offense. Let’s see if those numbers translate against an improving Alabama defense. Same goes for the rush defense, which the Tigers only give up 62 yards per game. Crimson Tide RB Jam Miller had a breakout game last week. Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy has rushed for 100+ yards in 5 straight games. If Hardy makes it six it would go a long way in getting his team over the hump.
The Pick: Alabama -3
#10 Georgia vs Auburn: Auburn has been close to upsetting a ranked foe in consecutive weeks. The Tigers QB Jackson Arnold holds on to the ball too long and has a habit of being off target on game changing pass attempts. The Auburn defense has kept them in games only for the offense to fail. The offensive line for Auburn is struggling so the Bulldogs defense should finally be able to apply real pressure. Georgia QB Gunner Stockton has been hit or miss but he will have to deliver in week 7 on the road. The Bulldogs have won 7 in a row versus the Tigers as they look to keep pace in the SEC with a road victory. To his credit Jackson Arnold doesn’t have an interception this year. Of course, by typing that sentence almost guarantees he will throw a pick. Strange things happen at night in Jordan-Hare Stadium, something to think about when betting. To be honest I feel more comfortable –2.5 Bulldogs.
The Pick: Georgia -3.5
#5 Texas A&M vs. Florida: Texas A&M has proven they can win via grind it out style or by shootout. Florida finally showed what many thought the Gators were capable of in a solid dub over Texas in week 6. The Gators gauntlet of a schedule was always going to put a ceiling on how many wins were possible. Freshman WR Dallas Wilson showed just how explosive he can make the Gators offense as QB DJ Lagway stretched the field. Speaking of wide receivers, the Aggies have Mario Carver and KC Concepcion. Turnovers and redzone competence will be the difference in this SEC contest.
The Pick: Texas A&M wins but Florida +7.5
Wyoming upsets San Jose State as a slight +1.5 home dog.
#15 Michigan vs USC: USC came up short the last time they faced a ranked Illinois. Michigan is rounding into form on defense and especially on offense. Leaning into the rush attack heavily with RB Justice Haynes and unlocking true frosh quarterback Bryce Underwood. Underwood has made positive steps in the pass game and once he gets that down he will be a real killer. The Trojans can move the ball and score with the best of them per usual. The problem has been on defensive miscues and breakdowns in the secondary. This will be a separator when it comes to the Big Ten race.
The Pick: Michigan +2.5
#24 South Florida vs. North Texas: North Texas is averaging 45 points per game, but the opposition doesn’t compare to the Bulls. The Bulls got beatdown against Miami sure, but that was coming off an upset over Florida in the swamp. With a razor close point spread and an over/under set at 67.5 fits perfect for a Friday night barnburner.
The Pick: South Florida –1.5
Rutgers +10.5 versus Washington
Kansas +14 versus #9 Texas Tech
Pitt +10.5 versus #25 FSU
Quick Hits Recap
-UCLA became just the 5th team to pull an upset over an Associated Press Top 10 team with a record of 0-4 or worse dating back to 1941. The Bruins were a 24.5-point dog.
-Bruins QB Nico Iamaleava was the first UCLA player in 30 years to score 3 rushing TD’s and pass for 2 touchdowns.
-Miami QB Carson Beck threw for 4 touchdowns to defeat bitter rival FSU 28-22.
-Bama QB Ty Simpson threw for 2 TD’s and 340 passing yards in a 30-14 win over Vandy.
-Texas Tech dominate performances continue scoring their 5th win of 20+ points in a 35-11 thrashing of Houston.
-Cincinnati earned their first ranked victory over a Top 15 foe by holding off Iowa State 38-30.
-Michigan RB Justice Haynes is delivering for the Wolverines rushing for 117 yards and 2 TD’s in a 24-10 win over the Badgers.
-Illini QB Luke Altmeyer put up a career best 390 passing yards as Illinois beats Purdue 43-27.
-Virginia did it again in overtime with a 30-27 victory of Louisville in a game the Cavs had 2 defensive touchdowns.
-Pitt freshman Mason Heintschel went crazy throwing 4 touchdowns and 323 passing yards as the Panthers devoured Boston College 48-7.
Written by Chris Carlson Host of The College Ball Show available under The Rope A Dope Radio Podcast Umbrella on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker, I-Heart Radio, The Grueling Truth Sports Network, Amazon Podcasts, Google Podcasts & More! Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio

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