College Football Picks, Schedule: Predictions vs. Spread, Odds for the NCAA’s Top 25 Games in Week 7

Week 7 brings a blockbuster selection of matchups as the midway point of the college football regular season approaches and there is still much to be resolved in the national hierarchy. By late Saturday night, we should have a clearer picture of where many teams — particularly the Big Ten’s top contenders — stand in the pecking order.

No. 4 Penn State heads on the road for the first time since Week 1 to face USC in a game that could put the Nittany Lions in prime position to secure a spot in the Big Ten title game. Teams traveling across multiple time zones for Big Ten battles have struggled this season, and the Trojans hope that trend continues as they tried to recover from a double-start in the conference.

No. 2 Ohio State also makes a cross-country trip as the Buckeyes take on No. 3 Oregon in the day’s most anticipated matchup. Although Ohio State is the favorite, it will face a hostile environment as the Ducks host the Buckeyes for the first time since 1967.

Be sure to stick with CBS Sports all day Saturday for college football coverage starting with the opening game. Let’s take a look at our expert picks for the best games in Week 7, with quoted tips from the best sports betting apps available.

Always east

No. 9 Ole Miss at No. 13 LSU

7:30 p.m. | ABC, fubo (Try for free) — This game seems ripe to create chaos and confusion with a back-and-forth style that can come down to which team has the ball last. While Ole Miss was the best performing team statistically, LSU should come out of the off week with a strong focus on what it takes to win and maintain an undefeated start to SEC play. In this series, the home team is 10-2 in the last 12 games and has covered the difference in nine of the last 10 games. That continues here. Pick: LSU +3.5 over Caesars – Chip Patterson

No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Oregon

7:30 p.m. | NBC, fubo (Try for free) — This will be the first real test of the season for Ohio State. It’s the Buckeyes’ first game against a ranked opponent and Autzen Stadium is an extremely difficult place to play. However, Ryan Day’s team fits together really well here. Oregon hasn’t exactly wowed the world so far, and its offensive struggles have been a big reason why. The Ducks’ offensive line allowed seven sacks in the first two games, and although they have tailed off since then, Ohio State brings the best defensive front they will see all year. Oregon’s running game has stalled of late, but Ohio State has held three of its five opponents under 100 total yards rushing. This game will be close and Ohio State should cover. Pick: Ohio State -3.5 via Fanatics Sportsbook –Backus

No. 7 Alabama at South Carolina

lunch | ABC, fubo (Try for free) — South Carolina doesn’t have the offensive weapons to tear Alabama apart like Vanderbilt, but the Gamecocks are much better defensively – especially along the line, where they should be athletic enough to keep Jalen Milroe in the pocket and make throws to him to force. I actually expect this to be a fairly low-scoring game, and while South Carolina is capable of covering a huge spread, Alabama should still pull out a comfortable enough win. Pick: South Carolina +21.5 via FanDuel – Will Backus

No. 4 Penn State at USC

3:30 p.m. | CBS, Paramount+ with ShowtimeCBSSports.com, CBS Sports App – The biggest question heading into the season was how USC’s defense would perform. At halftime, there are more questions about Riley’s offense than about a group that has turned heads under first-year defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn. Penn State and USC have been two of the best pass defenses in the country, so this game may come down to who can control the trenches and run the football better. Penn State has a dynamic one-two punch in the backfield with Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, so the advantage in that regard should go to the away team. Pick: Penn State -5.5 via DraftKings –Cameron Salerno

No. 1 Texas vs. No. 18 Oklahoma (Dallas)

3:30 p.m. | ABC, fubo (Try for free) — The Red River Rivalry is one of those matches where you have to throw out records. Admittedly, this is one of the more difficult tasks since Texas has a far higher quality team than Oklahoma, but strange things happen in the Cotton Bowl. A win for Oklahoma would be huge for Brent Venables after a disappointing start to his third year. Taking care of business would help solidify Texas as a serious national title contender. The Longhorns escape with a win, but two touchdowns is overkill in a heated rivalry game. Pick: Oklahoma +14.5 via BetMGM – Shehan Jeyarajah

SportsLine’s proven computer model projects 10 upsets in Week 7 of college football. Visit SportsLine now to see them all, plus get spread picks for every game from the model that simulates every game 10,000 times.