College Football Picks & Parlays: Penn State-Michigan, Alabama-Tennessee Highlight Week 7

This is the weekend college football fans have been waiting for. Several games are on deck whose outcomes could impact the college football playoff picture—and they should all be great games to watch and bet on. Here are a few of our favorite college football picks and parlays for Week 7.

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Penn State vs. Michigan Betting Odds: Point Spread, Total, Moneyline, Pick

Michigan is favored against Penn State in a game with Big Ten title implications.

Since giving up 400+ yards of offense and 31 points to Purdue in the season opener, the Penn State (5-0 SU, 3-2 ATS) defense has been one of the better units in the conference. No opponent has scored more than 14 points since the opener, and they have become one of the stingiest run defenses in the nation (No. 5; 79.6 yards per game allowed).

As for the offense, it’s been productive (443.6 yards and 34.4 points per game), but it hasn’t faced a defense as tough as Michigan (6-0 SU, 3-3 ATS). The Wolverines D ranks inside the top 10 in the country in points allowed, total defense, rushing, and team passing efficiency defense (they rank No. 11 in passing yards allowed).

However, Michigan’s stats look as good as they do partly due to a weak non-conference slate that saw them outscore opponents 166-17. Games have not been as lopsided since conference play began, but the Wolverines defeated the three Big Ten opponents they’ve faced by a combined margin of 92-51.

Betting Analysis

Neither team has played an impressive schedule, making it hard to know just how good either one is. Both appear to be run-first teams, so fans can expect this one to be a slugfest, with both teams throwing the ball just enough to keep the defense on its toes.

Michigan may have the edge because the Wolverines could move the ball against Iowa’s top-10 defense (No. 9 total defense). The Wolverines will win, but don’t bank on them winning by a touchdown.

Our Pick: Penn State +7 or take the Under 50.5

Alabama vs. Tennessee Betting Odds: Point Spread, Total, Moneyline, Pick

Is it time for Tennessee to finally knock off Alabama?

Alabama (6-0 SU, 4-2 ATS) will always be the team to beat in the SEC (as long as Nick Saban is the head coach). But this season, unlike in years past, the Tide appear more vulnerable than usual.

Texas may have beaten them had Quinn Ewers been able to finish the game; without him, it still took a late, game-saving drive engineered by Bryce Young (Saban has said he’s a game-time decision this week) to win the game.

Four turnovers nearly cost them the Texas A&M game; had the Aggies had a halfway decent offense, they probably would have won that game.

If the Tide has similar turnover issues against Tennessee (5-0 SU, 4-1 ATS), it could be a long day for Alabama. The Vols have one of the best offenses in the country this season (No. 1 in total offense; No.2 in scoring). Tennessee will take advantage of turnovers and turn them into points. However, Tennessee’s offense is so fast-paced that it doesn’t stay on the field for long.

They are No. 125 in the country in time of possession. The last thing the Vols want is Alabama to have the ball for over half of the game.

Betting Analysis

If Bryce Young is out, then it’s an easy decision—take Tennessee to win. But if he isn’t, go with the Vols and the points (+7). Alabama is as tough as ever, but the Vols are good enough to keep it close against the Tide.

Our Pick: Tennessee +7

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Oklahoma State vs. TCU Betting Odds: Point Spread, Total, Moneyline, Pick

This is a big-time matchup between two unbeaten teams vying for Big 12 supremacy.

Oklahoma State (5-0 SU, 3-2 ATS) would love another game like the last one against TCU (5-0 SU, 4-0-1 ATS) in Stillwater when the Cowboys decimated the Horned Frogs, 63-17. Once again, the Cowboys have an offense capable of putting up a lot of points (No. 4 in the country; 45.2 points per game). But this is a different TCU team.

The Cowboys’ offense has Spencer Sanders at the helm, one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Running back Dominic Richardson would probably love another 100+ yard day against TCU; Sanders has been good for 50+ yards on the ground in four of five games this season.

However, while Oklahoma State has beaten every opponent by double-digits, its defense is not good. It has not been hard to move the ball on the Cowboys—and TCU has one of the most explosive offenses in the country (No.3 in total offense, passing efficiency, and scoring).

Max Duggan may be the most under-appreciated quarterback in the country. He should have an easy day against a Cowboys’ defense ranked No. 126 in the country against the pass.

Betting Analysis

This will be your stereotypical Big 12 game with a ton of offense and almost no defense—which means a ton of points. Betting the Over on a total of 68.5 points may seem like a questionable call. But the winner will likely be whoever has the ball last, making it tough to pick a side in this one.

Our Pick: Over 68.5 points

USC vs. Utah Betting Odds: Point Spread, Total, Moneyline, Pick

This is a pivotal Pac-12 game between two conference powerhouses.

All the pieces are in place for USC (6-0 SU, 4-2 ATS) to make a run at the Pac-12 and national championships this season. Caleb Williams is one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. He has two of the best wide receivers in the country to work with in Mario Williams and Jordan Addison, and an excellent running back in Travis Dye.

But it isn’t just the offense that makes this USC team great. The defense ranks No. 1 in the country in interceptions and sacks, and ranks No. 1 in several additional categories within the Pac-12. So, not only can they score points, but the Trojans are good at keeping opposing teams out of the end zone, too.

However, the Trojans are not good at stopping the run (No. 81 in the country; No. 8 in Pac-12)—and Utah (4-2 SU, 4-2 ATS) has a solid rushing attack, averaging around 200 yards a game. Arizona State is the only team not to run for 4+ yards per carry against the Trojans; Utah averages 5.1 yards per carry this season.

Betting Analysis

This is a must-win game for USC. With few marquee games on their schedule, the Trojans have to win the few they have if they’re going to make the playoffs this year. But as great as the USC offense is, it can’t score points if it doesn’t see the field.

Look for Utah to run early and often and only throw when necessary to control the game.

Our Pick: Utah at -3.5, but if you are not confident about the point spread, take them via the moneyline at -161.

Also read: How To Bet On College Football Games | CFB Week 7 Underdogs | Heisman Trophy Odds | College Football Championship Odds 2024 

College Football Parlays: Week 7

Betting is more fun when you win more money, right? So, why not go with a few parlays when betting on the games? Yes, winning more is great, but the edge lies with the house when it comes to parlays. This is especially true if you let the possibility of a massive payday blind you to the truth and include too many legs.

The risk is exponentially greater with parlays. So, if you will bet on one (or a few), keep them small and don’t bet the farm on them. Let’s review a few parlays based on the above games.

Parlay No. 1—Penn State vs. Michigan (odds via DraftKings)

• Blake Corum 105+ rushing yards +100
• Under 50.5 +100
• Parlay Odds: +300

Since conference play began, Michigan has been feeding Corum the ball (30, 29, and 25 carries); he ran for 100+ yards in each game. While Penn State has been tough to run on this year, the Nittany Lions haven’t faced a good run game until now. Corum will clear 105+ yards. As for the total, expect both teams to lean heavily on their run games, which will limit scoring opportunities and make it unlikely the score gets out of hand.

A $100 bet will result in a $400 payday, your stake plus $300 in winnings.

Parlay No. 2—Alabama-Tennessee and Oklahoma State-TCU (odds via DraftKings)

• Alabama vs. Tennessee: Vols +7.5 -115
• Oklahoma State vs. TCU: Over 68.5 points -110
• Parlay Odds: +256

Whether Bryce Young plays does not matter—this will be a great game that will likely come down to the end. Tennessee may pull off the upset. But if they don’t, the Vols will not lose by more than a touchdown. Oklahoma State-TCU could also come down to whoever has the ball last. But with those high-powered offenses and pedestrian defenses, a ton of points will be on the scoreboard in the end.

A $100 bet will result in a $356 payday, your stake plus $256 in winnings.

Parlay No. 3– USC vs. Utah (odds via FanDuel)

• Jordan Addison, Anytime Touchdown Scorer -220
• Travis Dye, Anytime Touchdown Scorer -250
• Over 65.5 points    -102
• Parlay Odds: +297

Both offenses are too good not to score some points in this game. They may get slowed down a little by the opposing defense, but look for both teams to score north of 30 points in this one.

For USC, that will mean getting the ball into the hands of two of their best players early and often. Travis Dye has scored in every game but the first one this season. Jordan Addison scored at least one TD in the first four games but has not hit pay dirt in the last two weeks. In a game as important as this, Caleb Williams will target his best player in the end zone every chance he gets.

A $100 bet will result in a $397 payday, your stake plus $297 in winnings.

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