College Football Predictions for Every Top-25 Game: Odds, Picks & Best Bets for Week 7
With a loaded Week 7 slate, I'm making my college football predictions for every top 25 game as part of our college football predictions for Week 7.
This week features 18 games involving top-25 programs - including the top-10 clash between Indiana and Oregon and the Red River Rivalry - and I'm making my top college football picks for each matchup and projecting a final score.
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🔮 College football predictions for Week 7
College football picks for every top-25 matchup based on the latest college football odds; subject to change.
🟢 No. 24 South Florida vs. North Texas
- When: Friday, Oct. 10 (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
- Best bet: North Texas ML (+108 via FanDuel)
South Florida may be ranked thanks to its dynamic QB, Byrum Brown, but North Texas looks poised to be the American Conference team with the best shot at giving Memphis a run for its money. Head coach Eric Morris is being linked to Power Four jobs for a reason, and his freshman combo of QB Drew Mestemaker (who wasn't even a starter in high school) and running back Caleb Hawkins is one of the best in the G5. Keep an eye on the Mean Green's College Football Playoff odds as a Group of Five sleeper.
Prediction: North Texas 33, South Florida 24
🟠 No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 17 Illinois
- When: Saturday, Oct. 11 (noon ET, FOX)
- Best bet: Illinois +14.5 (-110 via Caesars)
The first Battle for the Illibuck (a wooden turtle) since 2017, and while Juice Williams isn't taking the field to lead Illinois to an upset of No. 1 Ohio State, this game should be somewhat competitive. Bret Bielema's program is the best team the college football championship odds favorite has played since Week 1. In the end, a dominant defense led by Arvell Reese and a dynamic pass game should be the difference for the Buckeyes to win - but not enough to cover.
Prediction: Ohio State 30, Illinois 17
🐘 No. 8 Alabama vs. No. 14 Missouri
- When: Saturday, Oct. 11 (noon ET, ABC)
- Best bet: Alabama -3 (-110 via Caesars)
This matchup is being overlooked because Indiana vs. Oregon and Red River fall on the same day, but this could end up being the best game on the Saturday slate. Alabama has come alive in recent weeks since the emergence of QB Ty Simpson as a true contender by the Heisman Trophy odds, and Missouri has arguably the best running back in the country in Ahmad Hardy. Simpson's efficiency behind center should be the difference.
Prediction: Alabama 27, Missouri 20
⬇️ Pittsburgh vs. No. 25 Florida State
- When: Saturday, Oct. 11 (noon ET, ESPN)
- Best bet: Under 57.5 (-106 via FanDuel)
Florida State has dropped two games in a row and now has to deal with a Pittsburgh team that may have found something in true freshman QB Mason Heintschel. However, dealing with a Seminoles defense anchored by Darrell Jackson Jr. in Tallahassee is a lot tougher than playing Boston College at home. Don't count Pitt out completely with Pat Narduzzi's team having one of the best linebacker duos in the country (Rasheem Biles, Kyle Louis).
Prediction: Florida State 30, Pittsburgh 23
🦈 Washington State vs. No. 4 Ole Miss
- When: Saturday, Oct. 11 (12:45 p.m. ET, SEC Network)
- Best bet: Ole Miss -32.5 (-110 via DraftKings)
This is not the Washington State team that helped produce Cam Ward and John Mateer. Head coach Jimmy Rogers had to completely overhaul this roster when he was hired from South Dakota State, and it's essentially made up of FCS players. Ole Miss should have zero issue scoring on the Cougars behind QB Trinidad Chambliss, who is quickly becoming a cult hero in Oxford, and the other offensive stars that Lane Kiffin once again found via the transfer portal.
Prediction: Ole Miss 45, Washington State 10
⬇️ No. 7 Indiana vs. No. 3 Oregon
- When: Saturday, Oct. 11 (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS)
- Best bet: Under 55.5 (-115 via DraftKings)
This is the type of game you cancel plans to watch, which seems insane to say about Indiana football, but that's just the Curt Cignetti effect. And if you don't believe me, just Google Coach Cig. These are two of the top five teams in the country according to most advanced metrics - both have potential first-round QBs in Dante Moore (Oregon) and Fernando Mendoza (Indiana) along with loaded defenses. This is the most excited I've been for a game this season, and while I think Dan Lanning pulls off another top-10 victory, the Hoosiers should keep it close.
Prediction: Oregon 27, Indiana 24
⬇️ No. 6 Oklahoma vs. Texas
- When: Saturday, Oct. 11 (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
- Best bet: Under 43.5 (-110 via FanDuel)
This was supposed to be one of the best Red River Rivalry games in recent memory, one with massive Heisman ramifications. Instead, Texas's Arch Manning has been a massive disappointment, and Oklahoma's John Mateer is dealing with a thumb injury. While there are rumors that Mateer could play, this game is going to be about the defenses with both sides stocked with future NFL players. Since Brent Venables took over calling plays for his Sooners defense, it's been one of the best units in the country, and Manning could be in major trouble at the State Fair of Texas.
Prediction: Oklahoma 20, Texas 17
🐝 Virginia Tech vs. No. 13 Georgia Tech
- When: Saturday, Oct. 11 (3:30 p.m. ET, ACC Network)
- Best bet: Georgia Tech -14.5 (-110 via bet365)
While Virginia Tech has played better since firing Brent Pry and making Philip Montgomery the interim head coach, the Hokies are running into one of the most physical teams in the country this week. Speaking of interim head coaches, Georgia Tech sure is happy it gave its own the full-time gig with Brent Key boasting a 19-12 record since 2023 and leaning on a dominant run game led by Haynes King and Jamal Haynes.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 34, Virginia Tech 17
🐺 NC State vs. No. 16 Notre Dame
- When: Saturday, Oct. 11 (3:30 p.m. ET, Peacock)
- Best bet: NC State +22.5 (-110 via Caesars)
There are times when NC State looks like it could compete with some of the best teams in the ACC ... and other times when it looks like things might be getting stale with Dave Doeren in Raleigh. Still, QB CJ Bailey is ultra-talented and has a few dynamic playmakers around him in Hollywood Smothers, Terrell Anderson, and Justin Joly. Notre Dame should win this easily with CJ Carr, Jeremiyah Love, and Jadarian Price leading the way, but winning by 23 is a tough ask.
Prediction: Notre Dame 38, NC State 20
🌪️ No. 22 Iowa State vs. Colorado
- When: Saturday, Oct. 11 (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
- Best bet: Iowa State -3 (-105 via DraftKings)
With Iowa State coming off an upset loss to Cincinnati, the Cyclones desperately need to win in Boulder to stay in contention for the Big 12 title. While Matt Campbell's team is dealing with key injuries - especially in the secondary - the Cyclones' offense has too much talent for Deion Sanders' program to slow down. QB Rocco Becht, running back Abu Sama, and wide receiver Brett Eskildsen should all have big days in a road win.
Prediction: Iowa State 30, Colorado 24
⬆️ Arkansas vs. No. 12 Tennessee
- When: Saturday, Oct. 11 (4:15 p.m. ET, SEC Network)
- Best bet: Over 68.5 (-110 via Caesars)
Sam Pittman is out in Arkansas, and now Bobby Petrino is auditioning to get the job for the second time. Beating Tennessee would go a long way in impressive the Razorbacks' billionaire boosters (Jerry Jones, John Tyson, the Walton family). But as fun as Arkansas' offense is with Taylen Green, this defense can't stop a nose bleed, and Josh Heupel's offense is running hot. Volunteers QB Joey Aguilar could be a riser in the Heisman race after this one.
Prediction: Tennessee 44, Arkansas 27
🤠 Florida vs. No. 5 Texas A&M
- When: Saturday, Oct. 11 (7 p.m. ET, ESPN)
- Best bet: Texas A&M -7.5 (-105 via bet365)
Billy Napier's tenure in Gainesville is still going to end sooner rather than later, even after upsetting Texas last week. While Gators QB DJ Lagway finally looked like the prince that was promised, I don't suspect that will continue against this feisty Mike Elko defense. Texas A&M has too much talent at the skill positions, namely Mario Craver and KC Concepcion, to be kept quiet the way the Longhorns were last week.
Prediction: Texas A&M 27, Florida 17
🏴☠️ Kansas vs. No. 9 Texas Tech
- When: Saturday, Oct. 11 (7:30 p.m. ET, FOX)
- Best bet: Texas Tech -14 (-115 via bet365)
The best QB in the country on a team that won't be ranked this season is Kansas' Jalon Daniels. Even so, Texas Tech is just that much more talented than any other Big 12 team. Cody Campbell's bag-dropping was put to good use by James Blanchard and Joey McGuire, and now the Red Raiders are destined for a College Football Playoff push behind a terrifying front seven led by Jacob Rodriguez and David Bailey and a plethora of offensive weapons for Behren Morton.
Prediction: Texas Tech 37, Kansas 21
🐶 No. 10 Georgia vs. Auburn
- When: Saturday, Oct. 11 (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
- Best bet: Georgia -3.5 (-105 via BetMGM)
Can you feel that heat? It's Hugh Freeze's seat, and it's going to be scorching if Auburn's offense doesn't get itself together soon. I don't see that happening on Saturday, even against a Kirby Smart defense that isn't elite, with how sporadic Jackson Arnold has looked this season. Gunner Stockton has proven to be a capable QB for the Bulldogs, and the emergence of Chauncey Bowens at running back gives Georgia a consistent playmaker to lean on.
Prediction: Georgia 24, Auburn 20
🗡️ No. 15 Michigan vs. USC
- When: Saturday, Oct. 11 (7:30 p.m. ET, NBC)
- Best bet: USC -2.5 (-110 via Caesars)
This is a fun cross-country matchup with USC having one of the best offenses in the country and Michigan having one of the best defenses. The other side of the matchup, though, could end up being the difference with the Wolverines' offensive inconsistencies and the Trojans continuing to have defensive issues. In the end, Lincoln Riley's offense should have too much talent - Jayden Maiava, Makai Lemon, Waymond Jordan - for Michigan true freshman QB Bryce Underwood to keep up with for four quarters.
Prediction: USC 30, Michigan 27
🐓 South Carolina vs. No. 11 LSU
- When: Saturday, Oct. 11 (7:45 p.m. ET, SEC Network)
- Best bet: South Carolina +9.5 (-115 via BetMGM)
This is an underrated game on a loaded slate, especially for fans of NFL teams that might be picking high in the draft in April. LSU's Garrett Nussmeier was previously the favorite to be the No. 1 pick, according to the 2026 NFL Draft odds, while South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers remains in the hunt thanks to his absurd physical skill set. Sellers isn't the only freak on the Gamecocks, either, with pass rusher Dylan Stewart looking like a potential top-five pick in 2027. It's going to be interesting to see if LSU can rebound from its loss to Ole Miss against a previously ranked South Carolina team - I'm expecting a close finish.
Prediction: LSU 24, South Carolina 20
⬇️ No. 18 BYU vs. Arizona
- When: Saturday, Oct. 11 (8 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
- Best bet: Under 48 (-110 via bet365)
Who wins in a fight, a bear or a wildcat? Find out when Bear Bachmeier leads BYU against Arizona on Saturday night in Tucson. Don't expect this to be an explosive matchup with the Cougars consistently leaning on running back LJ Martin and using Bachmeier, a freshman QB who wears No. 47, like a battering ram. However, Arizona has been a sneaky tough team thanks to Texas State transfer Ismail Mahdi at running back and an overlooked front seven.
Prediction: BYU 24, Arizona 20
🔴 No. 21 Arizona State vs. Utah
- When: Saturday, Oct. 11 (10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)
- Best bet: Utah -5.5 (-110 via Caesars)
This game has major "Pac-12 After Dark" potential and feels like the perfect nightcap to close out a wicked day of college football. Both teams feature dynamic QBs (Devon Dampier, Sam Leavitt) and have likely first-round picks on offense with them (wide receiver Jordyn Tyson at Arizona State, tackle Spencer Fano at Utah). The winner of this game will likely end up playing Texas Tech for the Big 12 title, and I'm backing Utah in this one with John Henry Daley leading the Utes' defense.
Prediction: Utah 30, Arizona State 23
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