Week 6 was a losing week for us. We went 3-4-1 in best bets.
Week 7 features a number of huge games including a top 10 showdown between Oregon and Washington.
For this edition of Brendan’s Best Bets, we are taking a look at the Week 7 slate. Odds are provided by FanDuel Sportsbook.
FIU -2.5 (-104)
I missed on FIU last week, but I am going back to the Panthers this week. FIU is 2.5-point favorites at home against UTEP. The Panthers are coming home after losing at New Mexico State last week. UTEP is one of the worst teams in FBS and Dana Dimel is under a lot of pressure. FIU should have success running the football against UTEP’s subpar rushing defense.
This line has been rising ever since it opened earlier this week. Hop on it before it gets to three points.
Cal +10.5 (-112)
Cal travels to Rice-Eccles Stadium to take on Utah. The Utes are coming off a bye week which is beneficial for quarterback Cam Rising’s health. However, it does seem unlikely that he will play on Saturday. Utah is not a team that’s going to put up a ton of offensive points whereas Cal can score. The Golden Bears put up 40 points against a solid Oregon State defense.
Utah simply doesn’t lose at Rice-Eccles Stadium but Cal can upset the Utes especially if they can force a few turnovers. Take Cal and the points here.
USF -2.5 (-114)
South Florida struggled to stop UAB last week and lost 56-35. It was the second straight road game for the Bulls and this week, they are coming back home to host Florida Atlantic. The Owls only have one win against an FBS opponent this season, a three-point victory over Tulsa. FAU does not possess a prolific offense.
Take USF minus the points before it goes up to three points. The Bulls have a solid offense and should have a nice bounce back game after last week’s loss.
Virginia Tech -1.5 (-108)
After losing by 22 to Florida State last week, Virginia Tech returns home to take on Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons are coming off of a close, five point loss at Clemson and this is the second leg of a back-to-back away trip for Wake Forest. This is a favorable spot for Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech seems to have figured out its quarterback position. The Hokies started the year with Grant Wells but have since moved to starting Kyron Drones, who has better passing statistics than Wells and is also a running threat.
Also, this is not a bad matchup for the Hokies. Virginia Tech’s weakness defensively is defending the run. Wake Forest only averages 3.7 yards per rush. The Demon Deacons are a team that wants to sling it around the yard through the air, but have declined in that department since last year.
Auburn +11.5 (-110)
Auburn and LSU is one of the most underrated rivalries in the SEC. The LSU defense has struggled at times this season. The Tigers are 121st in FBS in passing yards allowed per game this season and 93rd in FBS in rushing yards per game allowed. Can Auburn exploit that weaker than normal LSU defense? Well, the Tigers have a great offensive mind in Hugh Freeze, an extra week of rest and some motivation after they came up just short in their last game against Georgia. I think Freeze and that offensive staff will come up with a good game plan to attack LSU.
LSU has an elite offense with Jayden Daniels at quarterback, but Auburn’s defense has played well this season, 54th in FBS in rushing yards allowed per game and 30th in FBS in passing yards allowed per game, and Auburn had the bye week to prepare. LSU will likely win this game, especially since it’s at home and at night, but Auburn should keep this game close.
Kentucky -2.5 (-118)
Another team I expect to have a bounce back performance is Kentucky. The Wildcats are coming home in a primetime game against one-loss Missouri. The Tigers got off to a fast start against LSU but struggled defensively in the second half. Hitting the road now, it’s not going to be easy for the Tigers to play at their best.
I expect Ray Davis to have a big game after not getting going against Georgia. Take Kentucky minus the points at home in the Saturday night bounce back spot.
Notre Dame -2.5 (-130)
This is a nice bounce back spot for Notre Dame. Last week, the Fighting Irish looked absolutely gassed as they lost at Louisville 33-20. It was Notre Dame’s third straight game against a top 25 opponent (Ohio State, Duke, Louisville) and second straight road night game. Now, Notre Dame returns to South Bend to host USC. The Trojans are coming off of a come from behind triple overtime victory against Arizona. After three straight blowout victories to open the season, USC beat Arizona State by 14, Colorado by seven and Arizona by two after trailing 17-0. USC has not had dominating performances against some of the bottom feeder teams in the Pac-12. Caleb Williams has played tremendously this season but the defense has been suspect. USC ranks 112th in FBS in passing yards allowed per game and 90th in FBS in rushing yards allowed per game.
I expect Notre Dame to get right in this game. Sam Hartman, Audric Estime and the rest of the Notre Dame offense should be able to have success against this USC defense. The Trojans have been playing with fire in their past few games and they will get burned in South Bend on Saturday night.
UCLA +3.5 (-110)
UCLA hits the road after its big win against Washington State. It might be time to crown the Bruins as the best defense in the Pac-12 after they held the Cougars to just 17 points. If Dante Moore can perform average and take care of the football, UCLA has a great chance of winning this game outright.
Oregon State struggled defensively at Cal so UCLA might be able to move the ball on offense. The Bruins should be able to force a few turnovers against DJ Uiagalelei and the Beavers offense and keep this game close.
To recap, here are the bets we are making:
FIU -2.5 (-104)
Cal +10.5 (-112)
USF -2.5 (-114)
Virginia Tech -1.5 (-108)
Auburn +11.5 (-110)
Kentucky -2.5 (-118)
Notre Dame -2.5 (-130)
UCLA +3.5 (-110)
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