Category: Week 7

Miami (3-1) vs Pitt (3-2) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college football, go to BetMGM

Why Pitt Will Win

It’s not fair to say that Miami was exposed by Clemson, but let’s just say that in hindsight, beating UAB, Louisville and Florida State wasn’t as big a deal as it seemed when the Canes got to 3-0.

Miami has two massive issues – penalties and pass defense.

The Canes were flagged 15 times against the Tigers and 11 times against Louisville – they make way too many mistakes. The secondary is the biggest concern.

Louisville was able to stay alive with over 300 yards and three touchdowns, and Trevor Lawrence and company had few issues last week moving the ball.

Playing five games has something to do with it, but Pitt’s Kenny Pickett leads the nation in total passing yards. He’s coming off a rocky game, but he’s a veteran passer who stepped up his game this year and should be able to push the Cane corners a bit. However …

Why Miami Will Win

This is Pickett’s fourth crack at Miami. He engineered the big win at the end of the 2017 season, but he’s been awful against the Canes over the last two years.

Besides missing the two-point conversion, what went wrong in the 31-30 loss to Boston College? The secondary was ripped to shreds.

Sort of like Miami’s schedule in the first three games made everything look great, Pitt’s dates with Austin Peay, Syracuse and Louisville weren’t any big whoop. The Panthers might be two points away from being 5-0, but they were lit up through the air by NC State and Boston College over the last two weeks.

Enter D’Eriq King, who’s coming off a rough day against Clemson, but is just the sort of playmaker who should be able to give Pitt a whole slew of problems on the move. The Canes will try to pound away, but King is going to be too accurate to not balance out the O.

What’s Going To Happen

The Pitt pass rush will keep King from going off, but there won’t be enough of a running game to control the tempo. Miami – when it’s working – has been very, very deliberate, holding the ball for 33 minutes per game. It’ll have the ball for ten minutes longer than the Panthers will.

Miami vs Pitt Prediction, Line

Miami 31, Pitt 27
Bet on Miami vs Pitt with BetMGM
Miami -10.5, o/u: 48.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Must See Rating: 3.5

5: The Right Stuff (1983 movie version)
1: The Right Stuff (2020 TV version)

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Clemson vs Georgia Tech Prediction, Game Preview

Clemson Tigers vs Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets prediction and game preview.

Clemson vs Georgia Tech prediction and game preview.

Clemson vs Georgia Tech Broadcast

Date: Saturday, October 17
Game Time:12:00 ET
Venue: Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Network: ABC

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Clemson (4-0) vs Georgia Tech (2-2) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college football, go to BetMGM

Why Clemson Will Win

Alabama’s defense has struggled, Georgia’s offense is just okay, Notre Dame hasn’t been sharp, and Oklahoma and LSU are already out of the national title hunt.

Give credit to Clemson for making the dominant look routine.

The Tigers haven’t dealt with any real drama on the field so far with an ultra-efficient offense that’s explosive, tough, and brutally effective.

Georgia Tech isn’t sharp enough.

It commits too many penalties, has too many empty tripes, and the special teams have suffered a few meltdowns.

To make this simple, the Georgia Tech run defense isn’t good enough – it allowed over 240 rushing yards in two of the last three games and seven scores.

Why Georgia Tech Will Win

The defense has been doing a great job of taking the ball away.

Forget for a moment the five turnovers against both UCF and Syracuse, the defense came up with three takeaways in the wins over Florida State and Louisville, and three combined against UCF and Syracuse.

At home, the Yellow Jackets have to pound away and rumble for over 200 yards on the ground just to be in the discussion. They’re averaging over five yards per carry, and they have to keep it rolling by owning third downs, controlling the clock, and forcing turnovers and capitalizing on them.

What’s Going To Happen

Georgia Tech will have its moments of pesky with a few big shots down the field to at least have a little bit of fun, but Clemson will be emptying the bench in the fourth quarter yet again.

Clemson vs Georgia Tech Prediction, Line

Clemson 41, Georgia Tech 17
Bet on Clemson vs Georgia Tech with BetMGM
Clemson -27, o/u: 63.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2.5

Must See Rating: 2

5: The Right Stuff (1983 movie version)
1: The Right Stuff (2020 TV version)

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SEC Predictions, Schedule, Game Previews, Lines, TV: Week 7

SEC college football predictions, schedule, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 7 of the season.

SEC college football predictions, schedule, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 7 of the season.

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Results So Far
SU: 14-7, ATS: 10-11, Point Total: 15-6

Click on each game for game preview & prediction

Saturday, October 17

Auburn at South Carolina

12:00 ESPN
Line: Auburn -3.5, o/u: 51.5
– Bet on this at BetMGM

Ole Miss at Arkansas

3:30 ESPN2
Line: Ole Miss -3, o/u: 77
– Bet on this at BetMGM

Kentucky at Tennessee

3:30 ESPN2
Line: Tennessee -6, o/u: 46
– Bet on this at BetMGM

[lawrence-related id=520805]

LSU at Florida

4:00 ESPN
Line: Florida -13, o/u: 71.5
– Bet on this at BetMGM

Texas A&M at Mississippi State

5:00 SEC Network
Line: Texas A&M -6.5, o/u: 54.5
– Bet on this at BetMGM

Georgia at Alabama

8:00 CBS
Line: Alabama -6, o/u: 57
– Bet on this at BetMGM

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Georgia vs Alabama Prediction, Game Preview

Georgia Bulldogs vs Alabama Crimson Tide prediction and game preview.

Georgia vs Alabama prediction and game preview.

Georgia vs Alabama Broadcast

Date: Saturday, October 17
Game Time: 8:00 ET
Venue: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL
Network: CBS

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Georgia (3-0) vs Alabama (3-0) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college football, go to BetMGM

Why Georgia Will Win

Georgia didn’t get the memo that no one in the SEC is playing any defense this year.

The Bulldogs lead the nation in run defense, are second in total defense just behind a Houston team that played one game, and it’s been able to clamp down when needed in each of the first three games.

Arkansas and Tennessee were each in their respective games against the Dawgs, and then up came the wall in the second halves, and both games were over.

On the other side, how is it that Georgia is able to get by with Stetson Bennett at quarterback? He’s not making mistakes, he’s hitting the downfield throws that Jake Fromm didn’t last year, and he’s getting a whole lot of time to work behind a line that’s doing a terrific job so far.

The Alabama secondary has been toasted way too easily so far getting hammered for 322 passing yards per game and coming off a rough day getting ripped up by the Ole Miss attack.

However …

Why Alabama Will Win

Yes, the Georgia defense has been outstanding, but after dealing with fine Arkansas, Auburn, and Tennessee offenses, get ready for a whole other level of offensive fabulousness.

The Tide put away the Missouri and Texas A&M games early on and coasted, and last week against the Rebels, the attack was unstoppable after a few empty drives in the first quarter. Bama leads the nation averaging 51 points per game and is third in the country in yards.

Georgia might have the defense, but doesn’t have the offense to keep up if the Tide offense gets going early?

Mac Jones is playing like a Heisman candidate – hitting 80% of his passes for 1,101 yards and eight touchdowns.

Najee Harris is playing like a Heisman candidate – running for 347 yards and ten touchdowns and catching seven passes.

DeVonta Smith might be the best wide receiver in the country, if it’s not Jaylen Waddle.

However …

What’s Going To Happen

Georgia knows what it’s doing.

It’s great at controlling the clock, letting the defense take over games, making teams play at its level. Is Bennett up to the job?

Yeah, and it still won’t be enough.

Georgia will come up with more than enough stops to keep this from ever getting out of hand, and this certainly won’t be the Bama-Ole Miss game with haymakers being traded, but after last week the Tide defense will be better and the offense will still be the offense.

Georgia, though, will have its chances to come through, but it’ll settle for a few second half field goals when it’ll need touchdowns.

By the way, this might be the first of three meetings – these two could hook up in the SEC Championship and again in the College Football Playoff. Both of them are just that good.

Georgia vs Alabama Prediction, Line

Alabama 27, Georgia 23
Bet on Georgia vs Alabama with BetMGM
Alabama -6, o/u: 57
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 5

5: The Right Stuff (1983 movie version)
1: The Right Stuff (2020 TV version)

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Texas A&M vs Mississippi State Prediction, Game Preview

Texas A&M Aggies vs Mississippi State Bulldogs prediction and game preview.

Texas A&M vs Mississippi State prediction and game preview.

Texas A&M vs Mississippi State Broadcast

Date: Saturday, October 17
Game Time: 4:00 ET
Venue: Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS
Network: SEC Network

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Texas A&M (2-1) vs Mississippi State (1-2) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college football, go to BetMGM

Why Texas A&M Will Win

There doesn’t seem to be an interception that Mississippi State isn’t happy to throw.

The Mike Leach passing game works, but the offense has lost three fumbles and aa interceptions in the first three games, giving away six interceptions in the 24-2 clunker to Kentucky.

That’s one more turnover than Mississippi State gave up in all of 2018.

But can the Texas A&M defense handle the quick-hitting midrange timing offense? Short answer, sort of, but the real key to this game is on the other side of the ball.

For all of Mississippi State’s issues, it’s hanging on to the ball for forever – almost 34 minutes per game. Texas A&M is keeping it for almost 33 minutes a game because it’s hitting on third down play after third down play.

Miss State can’t win this thing without offensive control, and it probably won’t have it.

Why Mississippi State Will Win

This thing is going to work … eventually.

It was amazing that the Mike Leach offense had the timing and effectiveness it did against LSU to open up the season. With no spring ball and a modified offseason, it was supposed to take a while to get everything in place. Eventually, everyone will get it and it’ll all just click.

Lost in the all of the issue on offense is a Bulldog defense that’s been terrific at getting into the backfield and strong at hitting the quarterback, and the run defense – partly because everyone is throwing to try to keep up – has been outstanding.

The A&M pass defense has been lit up over the last two weeks by Alabama and Florida, allowing the two to complete 73% of their throws for close to 750 yards and eight touchdowns. As long as KJ Costello can do everything possible to not throw a ton of picks, everything changes.

What’s Going To Happen

It’s not just that the Mississippi State passing game isn’t clicking, it’s not clicking down the field to make big plays.

Both lines will play well, but the Aggies and QB Kellen Mond will be far more careful with the ball. They’ll do enough to keep the Bulldogs from controlling the clock, but it’ll be a close fight throughout.

Mississippi State won’t be that bad again.

Texas A&M vs Mississippi State Prediction, Line

Texas A&M 34 Mississippi State 28
Bet on Texas A&M vs Mississippi State with BetMGM
Texas A&M -6.5, o/u: 54.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Must See Rating: 3.5

5: The Right Stuff (1983 movie version)
1: The Right Stuff (2020 TV version)

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Florida vs LSU Prediction, Game Preview

Florida vs LSU prediction and game preview.

Florida vs LSU prediction and game preview.

Florida vs LSU Broadcast

Date: Saturday, October 17
Game Time: 4:00 ET
Venue: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL
Network: ESPN

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Florida (2-1) vs LSU (1-2) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college football, go to BetMGM

Why LSU Will Win

To get ugly and put a global pandemic into football terms – is Florida okay? Not only is it coming off the tough loss at Texas A&M, but it’s had enough of a COVID outbreak to shut down team facilities this week.

LSU might be having a whole slew of issues, but what is it doing well?

The defensive front is getting behind the line, the run defense has been solid, and the D – for all of its problems – has been able to take the ball away nine times in the first three games.

Lost in the 1-2 start is that 1) the Tigers are closer than it might seem to being 3-0, and 2) Myles Brennan has been great, throwing for 337 yards or more in each of the first three games with 11 touchdowns and three picks. The passing game is keeping the team alive, and now it gets to hit up a Gator defense that’s getting torched for 331 yards per game.

Brennan has been great at cranking up the yards, but …

Why Florida Will Win

As good as Brennan has been, LSU can’t keep things moving. It’s dead last in the SEC on third downs, going 0-for-10 in last week’s loss to Missouri and converting just nine of 39 chances overall on the year.

The Tiger offense can’t afford a service break against Kyle Trask and the Gator O.

Just when it seemed like the 623 passing yards and five touchdowns allowed to KJ Costello in the LSU loss to Mississippi State seemed like an aberration, Missouri’s Connor Bazelak went off for 406 yards and four scores and hit on big play after big play down the field.

Trask has been Heisman-worthy, connecting on 72% of his passes for 996 yards and 14 scores with a pick. The offensive line is giving him plenty of time to work against an LSU secondary with superstar corner Derek Stingley fighting through an ankle injury.

What’s Going To Happen

Will Florida even be able to go? Assuming the game is still on and things won’t take an awful turn, expect yet another wild and crazy 2020 SEC shootout with both teams hitting the 300-yard passing mark with ease.

Florida will be sharper, it’ll be stronger on the lines, and it’ll be far, far better on third downs.

Florida vs LSU Prediction, Line

Florida 37, LSU 26
Bet on Florida vs LSU with BetMGM
Florida -13, o/u: 71.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2.5

Must See Rating: 3.5

5: The Right Stuff (1983 movie version)
1: The Right Stuff (2020 TV version)

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Tennessee vs Kentucky Prediction, Game Preview

Tennessee Volunteers vs Kentucky Wildcats prediction and game preview

Tennessee vs Kentucky prediction and game preview.

Tennessee vs Kentucky Broadcast

Date: Saturday, October 17
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN
Network: SEC Network

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Kentucky (1-2) vs Tennessee (2-1) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college football, go to BetMGM

Why Kentucky Will Win

It’s amazing what happens when you take away the ball six times. After failing to generate any turnovers in the first two games – both losses – the Wildcats came up with six interceptions in the 24-2 win over Mississippi State to potentially turn the season around.

It helps when an opponent throws it 70 times like Mississippi State did, but the UK run defense really has been solid so far. Helped by 408 yards against Ole Miss, the Wildcat running game has been great, too, leading the SEC with 212 yards per game.

Tennessee’s running game hasn’t done much so far and the offensive line has struggled in pass protection, which is part of the reason why the offense is having so many problems on third downs.

Why Tennessee Will Win

The Kentucky passing game isn’t doing much of anything. That’s nothing new – the team was just fine last season with a fantastic ground game – but the rushing attack hasn’t been consistent. It might lead the SEC in yards, but most of that came against Ole Miss – it struggled against Mississippi State last week.

The passing game only managed 73 yards last week and isn’t doing enough down the field.

Tennessee has been great at not turning the ball over, and the running game was just fine against South Carolina and Missouri – the stats are skewed after struggling against the great Georgia defensive front.

There’s generally a nice balance for the Vols – Jarrett Guarantano has been steadily good. The veteran has been excellent in his three games against Kentucky, winning in the last two seasons.

– CFN Experts Picks: College

What’s Going To Happen

Tennessee has figured out the Kentucky thing over each of the last two seasons. It got run over last year, and won. The D pitched a gem in 2018, and won.

The Vols will come up with just enough offensive balance to counteract the Kentucky time of possession advantage. Guarantano will have another nice – and unappreciated – day in a workmanlike win.

Tennessee vs Kentucky Prediction, Line

Tennessee 27, Kentucky 23
Bet on Tennessee vs Kentucky with BetMGM
Tennessee -6, o/u: 46
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Must See Rating: 3

5: The Right Stuff (1983 movie version)
1: The Right Stuff (2020 TV version)

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College Football Expert Picks, Predictions: Week 7

College football expert picks, predictions for Week 7, highlighted by Alabama vs Georgia, LSU vs Florida, Pitt at Miami

College football expert picks, predictions for Week 7, highlighted by Alabama vs Georgia, LSU vs Florida, Pitt at Miami

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* next to the pick means the team will win, but not cover.
Click on each game for the game preview and CFN Prediction

Wednesday, October 14

Coastal Carolina at Louisiana

7:30 ESPN
Line: Louisiana -7, o/u: 50.5
– Bet on this at BetMGM

Gill Alexander, VSIN: Louisiana
Patrick Conn, Longhorns Wire: COMING
Jeff Feyerer, Fighting Irish Wire: Louisiana
Pete Fiutak, CFN: Louisiana *
Dan Harralson, Vols Wire: Louisiana
Phil Harrison, Buckeyes Wire: Louisiana
Clint Lamb, Roll Tide Wire: Coastal Carolina
Jeremy Mauss, MW Wire: Louisiana*
Big Game Ben Niewoehner, CFN: Coastal Carolina
Johnny Rosenstein, SportsBookWire: Louisiana
Nick Shepkowski, Fighting Irish Wire: Louisiana
Scott Steehn, WinnersandWhiners: Louisiana*
Keith Stewart, WinnersandWhiners: Coastal Carolina
Brian Stultz, Auburn Wire: Louisiana*
Clucko the Chicken, CFN: Louisiana
CONSENSUS PICK: Louisiana*

NEXT: Georgia State at Arkansas State, SMU at Tulane

Pages: 12345678910

Ole Miss vs Arkansas Prediction, Game Preview

Ole Miss Rebels vs Arkansas Razorbacks prediction and game preview.

Ole Miss Rebels vs Arkansas Razorbacks prediction and game preview.

Ole Miss vs Arkansas Broadcast

Date: Saturday, October 17
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Venue: Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, AR
Network: ESPN2

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Ole Miss (1-2) vs Arkansas (1-2) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college football, go to BetMGM

Why Ole Miss Will Win

The offense is really, really good.

The Rebels have ramped it up right away with an attack that’s not only devastating, but air-tight – it has only given the ball away once so far.

The running game is second in the SEC, the passing attack is averaging 381 yards per game, and the team is second in the nation behind UCF in total offense. It’s all clicking, QB Matt Corral has been amazing, and Lane Kiffin and the new coaching staff have everything working.

Arkansas has played well so far – it’s been far, far better than any reasonable expectations – but the offense is struggling on third downs. Don’t hold serve against Ole Miss, and you’re screwed.

Why Arkansas Will Win

What has improved so much so quickly under new head coach Sam Pittman?

The offense is still just okay. There isn’t much of a running game, and the passing game doesn’t do a whole lot deep. However, the defense has been terrific at taking the ball away – at least it was against Mississippi State – the pass rush has been fine, and the team is finding ways to hang around games.

No, the O hasn’t been amazing, but that Ole Miss D might fix that.

The Rebels are last in the SEC in total defense, scoring defense, run defense, third down stops, and on and on. Alabama punted the ball away in the first quarter and it lost a fumble – that was it.

The Rebel defense couldn’t stop the Tide on touchdown drive after touchdown drive. Arkansas doesn’t have that type of talent, but there’s enough to keep up the pace. However …

What’s Going To Happen

Arkansas isn’t going to do anything to grind out the clock.

Neither team seems to care at all about the time of possession battle, but Arkansas needs to somehow keep its offense on the field as much as possible. Ole Miss might not be doing anything defensively, but Arkansas doesn’t have enough punch to keep up.

These two can’t play boring games this year, and nothing will change in Fayetteville.

Ole Miss vs Arkansas Prediction, Line

Ole Miss 41, Arkansas 30
Bet on Ole Miss vs Arkansas with BetMGM
Ole Miss -3, o/u: 77
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2.5

Must See Rating: 3

5: The Right Stuff (1983 movie version)
1: The Right Stuff (2020 TV version)

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Auburn vs South Carolina Prediction, Game Preview

Auburn Tigers vs South Carolina Gamecocks prediction and game preview.

Auburn Tigers vs South Carolina Gamecocks prediction and game preview.

Auburn vs South Carolina Broadcast

Date: Saturday, October 17
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC
Network: ESPN

[jwplayer NUyjFbjC]

Auburn (2-1) vs South Carolina (1-2) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college football, go to BetMGM

Why Auburn Will Win

The Tigers aren’t screwing up.

They might not be putting a whole lot of points on the board, they’re not grinding out long drives, and they’ve got the second-worst offense in the SEC so far. But they’re not giving away easy points.

Keep your comments to yourself, Arkansas fans, about how the Tigers should have a lost fumble added to this mix, but the offense has only lost one turnover so far – an interception against Georgia.

Defensively, send the pass rushers, and keep sending them. The South Carolina offensive line has been fine for the ground game, but it’s having a rough time protecting the quarterback. But …

Why South Carolina Will Win

The Gamecocks are doing a fantastic job so far of controlling games. The defense isn’t a brick wall, but it’s outstanding on third downs – it gets off the field in a hurry – and the offense is grinding it out.

Auburn hasn’t done much to control the clock so far – the defense is struggling on third downs – while South Carolina has dominated the time of possession battle, keeping the ball for well over 34 minutes a game.

The offense might not be quite as strong as Auburn at not turning it over, but the four turnovers in three games haven’t been all that bad – Collin Hill has only thrown one pick.