NCAA Football Predictions: Week 7 Opening Line Report and Picks

by Joey House - 10/9/2023

NCAA football predictions Week 7 opening line report Christian Veilleux Pitt Panthers

Welcome to the Doc's Sports NCAA Opening Line Report, where we give you an early look at the upcoming week's important games. I'll analyze the opening line of select games that caught my attention and briefly explore my initial lean. We're slowly turning it around, going 2-2 this weekend and losing the Boston College game by half a point, known as "the hook." The only thing I hate more than paying the vig is losing by the hook.

The "Red River Rivalry" most definitely lived up to its billing. I hope the SEC keeps that tradition alive when those two teams move into the Southeastern Conference next season. The Miami Hurricanes head coach, Mario Cristobal, won the "What Were You Thinking Award" for the colossal boneheaded play call that cost Miami the game. Every coach should be forced to watch the 1978 "Miracle at the Meadowlands" on why to use the victory formation. Maybe they could call this play "Heartbreak at the Hard Rock."

Two weeks ago, there were 27 undefeated teams in the college football realm. As we head into Week 7, 14 squads with spotless straight-up records remain. Five teams have a perfect ATS record: Penn State, Oklahoma, and Oregon. The remaining teams will probably shock you: UNLV and Rutgers at 5-0-1. Interestingly, both of those teams have played No. 2 Michigan. While they both lost straight up, UNLV covered a 38-point spread, and Rutgers pushed on a 24-point line.

Doc’s Sports offers college football expert picks for every game on our college football predictions page.

Indiana at No. 2 Michigan (-34/49.5) Sat. Noon FOX

While Indiana sports a 2-3 SU record, it is not because they cannot score, as they are averaging 20.8 ppg through the first five contests, and that includes the season-opener against Ohio State, where the Hoosiers only scored 3 points. During head coach Jim Harbaugh's suspension, Michigan scored an average of 32 ppg. In the three games since he's returned to the sidelines, the Wolverines have jumped to 42.7 ppg. It seems that Vegas had mispriced Michigan's totals for the first three games, as they were in the 50s. I'm initially leaning towards the over here, as I think the Wolverines' offensive output will continue to be explosive (they hung 52 points on Minnesota and 45 on Nebraska. I think the Hoosiers' offense can muster 10 points and see Michigan scoring 45 or more. PICK: Indiana-Michigan OVER 49.5

Iowa at Wisconsin (-9.5/37.5) Sat. 4:00 PM FOX

When Iowa's starting QB, Cade McNamara, went down with a season-ending ACL injury, the Hawkeyes's weak offense became even less potent. That’s disappointing, because Iowa has a defense that is surrendering 16.3 ppg and is 16th in the nation. However, no matter how great a defense is, if it never gets off the field, it will eventually wear down, and I see that happening in this game. In road games this year, Iowa is averaging only 20:31 of time of possession. Defenses weren't created to be on the field two-thirds of the game.

While there was quite a stir when Luke Fickell and Phil Longo became Wisconsin's head coach and offensive coordinator in the offseason because of their aerial prowess, the Badgers' success still lies in the run game. Wisconsin is 4-1 SU this year, and their only loss saw them rush for under 100 yards. In their four victories, they rambled for 195 yards or more. I think they'll do more of the same against a valiant Iowa effort. PICK: Wisconsin -9.5

No. 14 Louisville at Pittsburgh (+7.5/47.5) Sat. 6:30 PM CW Network

Louisville's prodigal sons, Jeff and Brian Brohm, are adding to their legendary legacy. Already revered for their passing prowess in the first year with Jeff as the head coach and Brian as his offensive coordinator, they've helped steer the Cardinals to a 6-0 record. They feature a balanced offensive attack that runs for 192.3 and throws for 275 yards per game. They just defeated then-ranked 10th Notre Dame on Saturday, 33-20. Now, they face a Pittsburgh squad in utter disarray. They had a bye week this past Saturday, and during it, they announced their starting QB was moving to tight end, and Penn State transfer Christian Veilleux will get his first collegiate start. He is the only reason I have a little trepidation for taking the Cardinals because he's a quality QB and maybe just the spark that the Panthers need. However, we'll take that risk. LEAN TO: Louisville -7.5

Kansas State at Texas Tech (-1/56.5) Sat. 7:00 PM FS1

At my initial glance at the board, this game jumped out as having my best bet of the week. Texas Tech's 3-3 record is slightly deceiving, as they gave away a win to Oregon and then lost to a surprisingly good West Virginia team. Their only headscratcher would be the season-opening loss to Wyoming, but that was on the road and is a tricky venue. However, they get the Wildcats in the friendly confines of Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock. They are averaging 34.2 ppg and giving up 23.0 a contest, while Kansas State is coming in at 35.8 ppg on offense and 20.6 on defense. In the last eight meetings at Texas Tech between these two teams, the over is 6-1-1. The lowest total was 55, and the only under occurred in the previous year when they put up 49 points on a 60.5-point total. When these two teams meet, defense goes out the window, and I believe this year will be no different. PICK: Kansas State-Texas Tech OVER 56.5

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NCAA Football Predictions: Week 7 Opening Line Report and Picks

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