Week 7 of the college football season offers plenty of excitement, featuring everything from a top-five showdown to unbeaten ranked teams facing tough road tests, and even one of the nation’s most heated rivalries. It’s a weekend packed with can’t-miss action. Whether it’s Ohio State traveling to Oregon, the Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma in Dallas, or LSU hosting Ole Miss, these matchups promise to be crucial—and hopefully, these predictions will give you an edge.
What? College Football Week 7
When? Saturday, October 12
Where? USA
Nearly every game involving top 25 teams carries significant weight for both the College Football Playoff and conference title races. With key contests across the Big Ten and SEC, the stakes are higher than ever. Only 12 teams remain unbeaten, and after Saturday’s games, that number is sure to shrink.
Below are the updated odds for the NCAA champion, ahead of week 7, from three of the best online betting sites.
The top college football betting sites have curated their odds for the weekend so let’s see if we can find some value in some of the big games.
Ohio State v Oregon
The No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes (5-0) head to Autzen Stadium to face the No. 3 Oregon Ducks (5-0) in a pivotal Big Ten clash on Saturday, October 12, 2024.
Oregon’s ground game has made noticeable strides since the start of the season, highlighted by junior running back Jordan James’ impressive performance against Michigan State, where he racked up 168 yards on 24 carries, including a touchdown. The Ducks will need to replicate that ground success to keep Ohio State’s defense off balance.
Meanwhile, Ohio State’s offense remains a force, with a potent combination of rushing and passing, thanks to their talented running-back duo and deep wide receiver corps.
For Oregon, a win over the Buckeyes would not only keep them undefeated but would also mark their best season start since 2013. However, they’ll need to deliver in all three phases of the game to pull off the upset. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. at Autzen Stadium.
The upcoming Red River Rivalry will be the 120th meeting between No. 1 Texas and No. 18 Oklahoma, with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, a departure from the traditional noon start. This time shift comes as both programs prepare for their transition to the SEC, making this matchup even more critical for their College Football Playoff aspirations.
Texas is looking to remain unbeaten and solidify its place in the CFP race, while Oklahoma is hoping to strengthen its postseason hopes following an earlier loss this season. Known for its tightly contested matchups, this historic rivalry often sees games decided by a single touchdown or less.
The outcome of this Red River Rivalry clash is set to have major implications for both programs as they enter the crucial stretch of the season. A win for Texas would strengthen their CFP resume, especially with a looming matchup against Georgia, while an Oklahoma victory could breathe new life into their playoff hopes.
This game is pivotal not just for the traditional bragging rights but also for shaping the postseason paths of both teams. In a rivalry as fierce as this, the stakes are higher than ever, with the result likely to impact the future of both programs in the evolving SEC landscape.
Texas Longhorns -14.5Oklahoma Sooners v Texas Longhorns
This is a tough spot for Ole Miss, as they head into their seventh consecutive road game, facing LSU in one of the most challenging environments in college football.
While Ole Miss has been the more balanced team so far, LSU will be coming off a bye week, rested and healthier than they’ve been all season. Meanwhile, the Rebels are dealing with a growing injury list, including key players like wide receiver Tre Harris, edge rusher Princely Umanmielen, and running back Henry Parrish.
After back-to-back matchups against top-25 defenses in Kentucky and South Carolina, Ole Miss’s offense is beginning to show signs of fatigue. Several offensive linemen are also dealing with injuries, further complicating matters.
Although LSU’s defense has shown vulnerabilities under new coordinator Blake Baker, they still boast a top-15 pass rush according to Pro Football Focus, which could pose problems for an Ole Miss offense that’s running on fumes. The key question is whether LSU’s defense can create enough disruption to get crucial stops.
On offense, LSU has the advantage of facing an Ole Miss defense that hasn’t been tested by strong passing teams yet. The Rebels haven’t gone up against a unit ranked in the top half of the country in EPA/Pass, giving LSU an edge in preparation and execution.
This sets up perfectly for LSU to cover the spread as three-point home underdogs, with a real shot at pulling off the outright win.
Starting out in the betting industry, Henry later found his calling in sports writing. Specializing in soccer, golf, and darts, he also offers insights into a wide array of sports across the globe. After earning a BA Honors degree in Business and Management, Henry advanced through the ranks at William Hill in England. His career isn't just limited to sports; he's also made a mark in Property and Finance, fields in which he remains engaged. Henry now resides in Barcelona, where he enjoys playing golf year-round as part of the Real Federacion Espanola de Golf.