Week 7 College Football Picks.
I will be picking all 12 games on the pick sheet I posted, and one other game that has my attention. It should be noted that I lack confidence in these picks, and there is not one that I like as much as I did the Va Tech or Kentucky pick two weeks ago. When I find gold again, I’ll share it.
Before I unveil these picks that are sure to lose, this moment is too perfect not to mention.
As I sit underneath an Aspen grove at almost 9800ft, listening to the breeze tickle the yellow, orange, and peach leaves surrounding me, I’m reminded to stop, and recognize the perfection that this day has been. There is a Bull moose and his Bride nestled deep into the Conifer Forest about a mile down the trail. I observed the couple lounging in an open grassy meadow for a few moments, before I continued up trail. About an hour later, the two concluded their sunbathing and trudged into the nearby dense Alpine Forest and out of my sight from the ledge above them. Now, seated on a boulder, with the constant clicking of the dying foliage and the shadows dancing underneath the canopy, I recognize that this is a perfect moment.
Perfect moments do not come along often, and they can take many different forms. Listening to nature’s orchestra melodically carry its tune and gazing at a setting such as this in utter Solitude provides such moments for me. But perhaps, another would not enjoy the grueling Stairmaster through thin air that it takes to get here. Such a struggle would cause their lungs to feel as if they are on the verge of collapse, their heart to beat like a bass drum in their ears, and their legs to shake so badly they can barely stand. Such elements can hinder another from noticing the perfection that is this moment. I think perfect moments are always going to be subjective to one’s own perspective. I’m not immune to these struggles on such hikes—just so you don’t picture a perfect example of fitness typing these words to you. I just choose to ignore the pain and walk harder. Dogged.
Week 7 is going be fun to watch. It’s a perfect day to find a buddy, crack open something cold, put a nickel or two on your least favorite team, and watch the next chapter of this 2024 College Football Story unfold. I say least favorite because that is a strategy I have taken a few times to ease the pain of watching a nemesis team beating one I love. Another story, another day. Basil didn’t hike the trail with me.
Onto this week.
I’ve studied these games and looked for angles to find an edge in them, if they are there to be had. I’ll be honest, I don’t see many. Nevertheless, it’s time to fire away. 31-19 on the season. My Market downturn is bound to happen any second. Throwing darts at a board is fun sometimes.
Keep your knees tucked. Don’t want you to lose a limb on this roller coaster ride.
Week 7 Games
- +21.5 South Carolina @ Alabama Noon ABC
BAMA -21.5
- +2.5 Washington @ Iowa Noon FOX
WASH +2.5
- -14.5 Texas (neutral) Oklahoma 3:30 ABC
TEXAS -14.5 33-18 final.
- +3.5 California @ Pittsburgh 3:30 ESPN
CAL +3.5
- -5.5 Penn St @ Southern Cal 3:30 CBS
PSU -5.5
- +4.5 Arizona @ Brigham Young 4:00 FOX
BYU -4.5
- +15.5 Florida @ Tennessee 7:00 ESPN
VOLS -15.5
- -3.5 Ohio St @ Oregon 7:30 NBC
OSU -3.5
- -2.5 Mississippi @ Bayou Bengals 7:30 ABC
MISS -2.5
- -3.5 Iowa St @ West Virginia 8:00 FOX
ISU -3.5
- -4.5 Kansas St @ Colorado 10:15 ESPN
KSU -4.5
- -21.5 Boise St @ Hawaii 11:00 PM CBSSN
Hawaii +21.5
All times Eastern.
Did I really just pick 9 favorites out of 12? There is not a chance this goes well for me. No matter.
I’m watching these games, including the first half of the Bosie St game. That’s the only reason it’s on the sheet. I guess I should’ve made a first half prediction in that one instead of a full game. Oh well. The Boise St game is MUST watch for me this week. I keep missing the chance to see Ashton Jeanty showcase his talent. He is on every reputable Doak Walker Award list and is inching his way towards a Heisman ballot from what I’ve read. His numbers against Oregon Week 2 went to the tune of 190+ yards and 3 Td’s, so he can do it at a high level. I want to see him run all over Hawaii. I picked the home team to cover because the Rainbow Warriors have bailed me out more than once on a losing weekend. Notably, they have also failed me, but I don’t remember those. Doubling down on Hawaii at 11Pm to try to recoup the days losses can be one of the most thrilling or depressing things you will ever experience in sports betting. Don’t do it!
A few notes:
- Brigham Young is 5-0 ATS and I’m 3-1 betting on their games, so I’m going to the well one more time
- I trust Heupel. One more time. I’ve been a fan of this guy and I want to believe in him. This is a game that he should crush the Gators. This Florida team has improved as the season has progressed, but they still can not tackle in the secondary. If Heupel calls the correct plays and Nico makes the throws, this should be no question. 48-21
- Similar to the team from Provo, Iowa St just seems like that somehow, someway squad this year. I’m going against my better judgement and taking the Cyclones…on the road…in Morgantown…at night. Unwise.
- Regarding Kansas St and Colorado, I am 2-2 when betting on games in which these two teams are involved, so there is not a lick of confidence here. Should be a fun game. WR/DB Travis Hunter is incredible to watch play football. I hope he continues to develop his DB skills because Infinite Potential lies within this dude. Kansas St. Somehow, someway.
There is one other game I like. Old Dominion +1.5. Wager for fun, not to retire.
I hope it is a fun Weekend for you and that both peace and joy are staples in your life. A certain peace and joy are filling me as I am breathing in this fresh alpine air and listening to the constant rustling and rattling of the beauty around me.
Oh yeah, one final tip—avoid wagering on the Utes. Hopes are not Rising within this fan base I live amongst. In fact, one more thing. *sips coffee
I have a neighbor. Let’s call him Bruce. Bruce is an avid Ute fan and has been as long as he has been alive. I don’t know his exact age, but he has been around a while. He told me before the season began that he feared Cam Rising would not play the entire season or be committed to the team. He had his reasons which he grumbled to me, but they sounded like the typical old man grumpy nonsense at the time. Following the beatdown on Southern Utah on opening night, I saw Bruce again, and excitingly brought up the home team’s dominate win. He said, “we’ll see how long it lasts.” Again, this just sounded like a grumpy old fan that feared his favorite team would hurt him again. We all know what that is like. Then, the very next week, Cam went down in the 2nd quarter against Baylor with a “hand injury.” While the majority of the fan base was hopeful that he would be ok and expectant of a prompt return to play, Bruce “knew” otherwise. I saw him the very next day after Utah’s home win over Baylor, and I asked him if he had heard anything about the injury. The coverage had been vague to that point. After “heeing and hawing” about something unrelated to sports, he responded, “He’s done.” “Like, for the year?” I asked perplexed. “Probably.” He the shared an uplifting opinion regarding Freshman QB Isaac Wilson, but also concern that this team would likely fail if the offense can’t score. He didn’t trust the defense. Fast forward to the Eve of the Ute’s Week 7 matchup with Arizona St and still no Cam Rising. In fact, there is still not any clarity into the situation at all. I’m not here to report on “Bruce,” so I will not tell you how he gets his information nor his real name, but I will tell you that his info has checked out up to this point. The question I’m left to pose is Has Cam Rising quit on Utah? Bruce was convinced before the season began.
I’ll tell you selfishly that I hope he is back. Utah needs him, the Big12 needs him, and College Football would be better with him competing at 100pct. I’m here to watch the best compete, and he is one of the best. I also want Cam to prove Bruce wrong. Again, selfishly, for more than one reason, I would love Cam to prove Bruce wrong. The nervous murmurs by the Ute fanbase will turn to groans if Cam doesn’t play and Utah loses Friday night.
As always, we will just have to see how it unfolds. I’m just here enjoying the entertainment.
If you stuck around, well, thank you. I appreciate you stopping by for a Dose of Sports.
Find the Humor and keep on Movin’
Whit W