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Mike's Week 7 college football betting picks against the spread for Wednesday, October 8, Thursday, October 9, and Friday, October 10, 2025. Free CFB betting predictions, odds analysis, and ATS picks from RotoBaller.
Week 6 was even crazier than Week 5. Week 7 will kick off on Wednesday with the debut of Weekday Conference USA games. Hey, it worked for MACtion. And you know me, I'm all for more games on more nights.
Week 7 also marks the first week in which we do not have an FBS vs. FCS game taking place. We have nine games taking place between Wednesday and Friday this week, before the huge 47-game Saturday slate.
These nine games contain some big ones and provide places to win some money before another big Saturday of college football betting. We'll get those picks made, then take a look back at Week 6. I think I had a decent week aside from having a dumbass attack and picking Texas.
CFB Betting Picks for Week 7
I will pick every college football game every week. Not a top five. Not a top 10. All of them. Big deal, right? Lots of people make picks. Well, I do them all against the spread. I take the odds of each game and average them out at all the Vegas casinos and round to the nearest half. There will be no ties here. Ties are for the other (European) football.
I think you should know who you're listening to. I've been doing this since 2014, and I have most of my record available for viewing here. This can help you determine which teams I usually pick correctly or incorrectly, as the case may be.
Missouri State (-2.5) at Middle Tennessee State
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
Even if Jacob Clark can't play, I have to believe that Deuce Bailey and Shomari Lawrence can get this cover.
Pick: Missouri State -2.5
Liberty (-1.5) at UTEP
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
Really? I know that Malachi Nelson has been benched, but it's not like Skyler Locklear is much better. The Liberty run game should take this.
Pick: Liberty -1.5
Louisiana Tech (-6.5) at Kennesaw State
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
I've been saying since Tech hung with LSU that they might be the best team in Conference USA. They should take this by a touchdown.
Pick: Louisiana Tech -6.5
East Carolina at Tulane (-6.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
I like the Pirates, but Tulane took down both Duke and Northwestern on this field.
Pick: Tulane -6.5
Jacksonville State (-7.5) at Sam Houston
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
Well, you can't say this isn't warranted. I don't trust the half, though.
Pick: Jacksonville State -7.5
Southern Mississippi (-3.5) at Georgia Southern
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
Southern Miss hasn't been as good on the road, but the Panthers haven't been good anywhere.
Pick: Southern Mississippi -3.5
(24) South Florida (-1.5) at North Texas
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1
This is going to be a great game. Byrum Brown might be the best Group of 5 player. Drew Mestemaker went from getting a tryout as a favor to winning the starting job as a redshirt freshman. We're in for a treat in Denton, but there's no way I'm betting on this.
Pick: South Florida -1.5
Rutgers at Washington (-10.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
This is a tough one, but I believe Washington is better than Iowa. Rutgers lost in Iowa City by 10.
Pick: Washington -10.5
Fresno State (-6.5) at Colorado State
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
I don't believe in E.J. Warner and the passing game, but the run game for the Bulldogs is legit.
Pick: Fresno State -6.5
CFB Betting Picks - Last Week's Results
I promised transparency, and you will get it, warts and all. I don't like to be wrong, but I will admit when I am. Why listen to someone if they won't admit the good or the bad? I know this week was better than last week, but I also know that I was burned by a lot of halves just in the games I've watched so far. I'm just trying to break even at this point.
You can track my wins and losses on this sheet. I have everything updated from 2014-18 and 2023-present. I'm still looking for missing articles from 2019 and 2020 to get a running total of all of my picks. Winners against the spread will be in bold. My result will follow.
Sam Houston (-2.5) at New Mexico State: HIT!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
I should have bet more on this. I will if Sam Houston is favored again this year. They're cover bait.
Western Kentucky at Delaware (-2.5): HIT!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
This was a great showing by Delaware, but the Blue Hens came up just short.
Charlotte at South Florida (-27.5): HIT!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
Just barely! I'm glad I got it when I did. I think it closed at 28.5. Byrum Brown handled the Swamp better than Arch Manning. He lit up Charlotte in the AAC opener.
Scott's Empirical Elites
South Florida (54) - Charlotte (26)
Passing:
Byrum Brown (South Florida): 19/34, 211 yds, 4 TD
Zach Wilcke (Charlotte): 14/18, 150 yds, 2 TDRushing:
Byrum Brown (South Florida): 17 rushes, 162 yds, 1 TDInts:
Jarvis Lee Jr. (South Florida): 1 INT…— Scott Stalter (@stalterSS) October 4, 2025
New Mexico at San Jose State (-2.5): MISS!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1
I knew better. The San Jose State defense clinched this with a third interception of Jack Layne.
West Virginia at (23) BYU (-18.5): MISS!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
Bear Bachmeier committed his first collegiate turnover in this one. The West Virginia QB carousel continues with no one really wanting the job. Scotty Fox Jr. appears to have the upper hand for this week.
Colorado State at San Diego State (-5.5): HIT!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 4
This wasn't a great showing from the SDSU defense, but the offense scored 45 points against an FBS opponent for the first time since the 2019 New Mexico Bowl against Central Michigan.
Kentucky at (12) Georgia (-20.5): HIT!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
Cutter Boley is the answer for Kentucky at quarterback. Now they need an answer somewhere on defense. The Georgia ground game chewed up the Wildcats.
(14) Iowa State at Cincinnati (-1.5): MISS!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 5
The Iowa State pass defense was shredded in the first half without the two starting corners. I know that Iowa State likely wouldn't have won anyway, but what in the hell was with Benjamin Brahmer stepping out of bounds on the last play? The clock had expired for at least five seconds!
Wisconsin at (20) Michigan (-17.5): MISS!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 4
Once again, Michigan wins by 14, but it felt like 24. Wisconsin was dominated for most of this game. Justice Haynes extended his streak of at least 100 rushing yards and a touchdown to five games. You couldn't find a better fit for this Michigan offense.
Justice Haynes has been balling through his first 5 games at Michigan:
165 Rushing Yards 3 TDs
120 Rushing Yards 1 TD
120 Rushing Yards 1 TD
161 Rushing Yards 1 TD
117 Rushing Yards 2 TDsHaynes Draft Stock 📈 pic.twitter.com/hwoRBitR8A
— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) October 6, 2025
(22) Illinois (-9.5) at Purdue: HIT!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
At what point do we start getting concerned about the Illinois defense? The Illini were thought to have one of the better defenses in the Big Ten. They have allowed 122 points in three Big Ten games.
Boston College at Pittsburgh (-6.5): MISS!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
If I had known that the human turnover Eli Holstein wasn't starting this game, I would have gone with Pitt. Mason Heintschel was special in his first career start. This is his team now.
#Pitt QB Mason Heintschel made plenty of great throws Saturday, but this one with the velocity was something. A missile over the middle for a TD to Zion Fowler-El! #H2P pic.twitter.com/xv74TwLX0z
— JJ Kitchen (@JJ_Kitchen40) October 6, 2025
The last Pitt QB that made a throw like that was Tyler Palko. Kenny Pickett couldn't make that throw.
Clemson (-14.5) at North Carolina: HIT!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 4
Cade Klubnik had more touchdowns (4) than incompletions (2). This was easy money. The Tar Heels had no chance, and I feel like Clemson could have scored 70 if they kept on the gas.
Kansas State at Baylor (-6.5): HIT!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
Baylor stole this game on an ill-timed interception by Avery Johnson. Michael Trigg is the best TE in the country. There are a few good TEs in this year's draft, but it won't match the class of 2024.
Air Force at Navy (-12.5): HIT!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1
Sure, I hype up option football and Blake Horvath throws 26 times for 339 yards.
Army (-6.5) at UAB: HIT!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
I should have bet more on this one. My disastrous four-point picks from last week affected my betting this week, even though I tried not to let it get to me.
Ohio (-14.5) at Ball State: MISS!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
Here I was worried about that half, and suddenly Ball State stops the run and wins outright. MACtion has started early this year. Usually, it's the mid-week games that involve such chicanery.
Wake Forest at Virginia Tech (-6.5): MISS!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
This was Wake's first win in Charlottesville since 1983. Huge Freeze ruined Auburn. Remember how good Robby Ashford was for the Tigers before Freeze got there and benched him? The Tigers could have had Ashford for four more years!
UTSA (-6.5) at Temple: MISS!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 4
The short-lived dream is over. Fortunately, relegation doesn't exist in college football. UTSA would be demoted for losing outright to Temple...
Western Michigan (-13.5) at Massachusetts: HIT!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
We want to thank UMass for hosting the Broc Lowry coming-out party.
Oklahoma State at Arizona (-20.5): MISS!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
This was pure domination from Arizona.
Arizona is now the only program in the nation yet to allow a passing touchdown. pic.twitter.com/IAn8KwZQAm
— Jason Barr KGUN (@JasonBarrTV) October 4, 2025
(7) Penn State (-24.5) at UCLA: HIT!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
This guy has been in charge of the offense for like 2 days and he hung 42 points on the highest-paid DC in the country. Impressive. pic.twitter.com/Kqoffj2PkN
— The 1796 (@The1796) October 5, 2025
Teams to enter 0-4 (or worse) and defeat an AP Top 10 opponent since 1955:
UCLA vs. No. 7 Penn State - Today
UTEP vs. No. 7 BYU - 10/26/1985
Tulane vs. No. 6 Navy - 10/18/1958That’s it. pic.twitter.com/JaiHiUzvv5
— Greg Harvey (@BetweenTheNums) October 4, 2025
I never expected an outright upset. UCLA had never led in a game this season. Not once. They took control early and held off the Penn State flurry in the second half.
I know that UCLA's brass and boosters want a big-name hire. Maybe they should think about keeping Tim Skipper and this current staff around? Big names aren't always better...
UCLA interim HC Tim Skipper is now tied with James Franklin with 1 career top-10 win against a Big Ten opponent.
— Chris Mueller (@ChrisMuellerPGH) October 5, 2025
(9) Texas (-5.5) at Florida: MISS!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
I was really close to picking Florida, but I talked myself out of it. The Florida defense is legit. The offense looked better than it had all season against a solid Texas defense. Billy Napier's job is safe yet again...
Steve Sarkisian is 2-8 vs top 10 teams at Texas. He’s 5-18 vs top 10 teams all-time.
Last season, he played 1 SEC team who finished the season ranked & lost to that team (twice).
Now, the L to Florida.
When do we start talking about Sark the way we talk about James Franklin? pic.twitter.com/5iXZui9D0T
— Jon Tweets Sports (@jontweetssports) October 6, 2025
(16) Vanderbilt at (10) Alabama (-10.5): MISS!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
That stupid touchdown with 20 seconds left blew the spread. Not like I deserved this win. Alabama dominated this game. I commend Vanderbilt for hanging around, but everything that worked last year didn't this year. Alabama made the necessary adjustments.
Boise State at (21) Notre Dame (-20.5): MISS!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
Burned by the half, but I can't be too upset. Notre Dame controlled this game. If only Notre Dame had missed the two-point conversion in the second quarter...
(24) Virginia at Louisville (-6.5): MISS!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
Chandler Morris does it again! Another double-overtime win and the Wahoos start 5-1 for consecutive seasons for the first time since 1995-96.
Washington (-6.5) at Maryland: HIT!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
The Terrapins led 20-0 at some point, but the magic that is Demond Williams Jr. took over in the fourth quarter. Washington scored 21 points in the final stanza to take the road win, but not the cover.
Louisiana-Monroe at Northwestern (-11.5): MISS!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
Who are you and what have you done with the Northwestern offense? This was a show by the Wildcats in the second-to-last game at the greatest, albeit temporary, stadium spot in the sport.
Oregon State at Appalachian State (-1.5): HIT!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1
The good news is that Maalik Murphy can throw the ball around with anyone. The bad news is the interceptions. He has thrown seven in six games.
Syracuse at SMU (-17.5): HIT!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1
The SMU defense will prevent a repeat of last season's magic. Rickie Collins was picked off three times by the defense, but still couldn't cover.
Florida International at Connecticut (-7.5): HIT!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
It might be time to discuss just how good Joe Fagnano is in this offense. He still hasn't thrown an interception this year.
James Madison (-20.5) at Georgia State: MISS!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
James Madison didn't even score 21 points...
Central Michigan (-7.5) at Akron: MISS!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
The Chippewas rode the revolving quarterbacks to a loss against Akron. Well done, guys! Just ask James Madison. This approach does not work!
Eastern Michigan at Buffalo (-9.5): MISS!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
Oh my goodness, Eastern Michigan went for 2 and the win in 1OT, and then this happened. 😅
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) October 5, 2025
Buffalo wasn't covering anyway, so I was all for chaos at this point. I got it.
Miami (OH) (-4.5) at Northern Illinois: HIT!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
Dequan Finn is right at home back in the MAC.
Kent State at (5) Oklahoma (-45.5): MISS!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
I should have known that Oklahoma would win 44-0 to honor The Boz on the celebration of the 1985 Championship team. As for Michael Hawkins Jr., there was some good and some bad. I just hope Keontez Lewis is okay...
🚨 Emergency on the Field 🚨
Oklahoma WR Keontez Lewis was taken off on a stretcher after crashing headfirst into a brick wall behind the end zone while chasing a deep ball from Michael Hawkins Jr. 😔
He lay motionless for nearly 10 minutes before being stabilized and carted… pic.twitter.com/MEAsfcUGAU
— Gerald Wayne (@MrGeraldWayne) October 4, 2025
Reportedly, Lewis walked into the facility the next day. He is very fortunate that this horrible overthrow on the part of Hawkins didn't end his career.
Michigan State at Nebraska (-11.5): HIT!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
Nebraska fans have to be excited about the defense and special teams play in this one. It was a hard-fought victory, and the Matt Rhule in Year 3 rule may still be in effect. Nebraska doesn't have to play Indiana, Oregon, or Ohio State this year. Don't you just love mega-conferences?
Texas State (-13.5) at Arkansas State: MISS!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
Iowa State coach Matt Campbell called Jaylen Raynor the best quarterback the Cyclones had faced so far after the game in Week 4. Raynor responded by beating Fun Belt dark horse Texas State outright.
Coastal Carolina at Old Dominion (-20.5): HIT!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
Who wants to play Colton Joseph and the Monarchs right now? They only lost to Indiana by 13, beat Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, and have terrorized the Sun Belt so far.
(11) Texas Tech (-11.5) at Houston: HIT!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 4
It's time to talk to your kids about how freaking good this Texas Tech team is. They are monsters in the trenches on both sides, have a future NFL quarterback in Behren Morton, have a stable of receivers, and have two running backs that are as good as any in the country. It's almost not fair.
UNLV (-3.5) at Wyoming: HIT!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
Dare I say that the UNLV defense was good in this one? They almost were. Laramie ran the gamut of weather on Saturday. First, with a giant hail storm. Then came the rain, and later, sleet and snow. Maybe. You could barely see the field from the hail. We just knew it was wet and cold.
Wyoming with white pants and white helmets. UNLV with white tops. The field with white hail.
This is going to be one good-looking football game. pic.twitter.com/4XnIGb9AqK
— Alex Taylor (@alex_m_taylor22) October 4, 2025
After the weather cleared, UNLV was 5-0 for the first time since 1974.
South Alabama at Troy (-1.5): HIT!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1
Much like last week's Louisiana and Marshall line that had a ton of play in it, this game went to overtime. Tucker Kilcrease may be the answer for Troy after all.
Florida Atlantic at Rice (-4.5): MISS!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 4
Rice ran for 213 yards, just like we all expected. The bad news is that they couldn't stop the FAU air raid.
Minnesota at (1) Ohio State (-23.5): HIT!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
The Gophers took the opening drive down for a field goal. That's the end of the good news for Minnesota. It was all Ohio State after that.
(3) Miami (FL) (-4.5) at (18) Florida State: HIT!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
This wasn't as close as the score indicated. The Seminoles needed a furious fourth quarter to get it close. Miami dominated for the first 45 minutes.
Mississippi State at (6) Texas A&M (-15.5): MISS!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
The Aggies might not go into the tank this year. This felt like a statement win. The Bulldogs might be broken after the last two weeks.
Colorado at TCU (-13.5): MISS!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
The Colorado defense fell apart in the fourth quarter to blow it by that half.
Kansas (-4.5) at Central Florida: HIT!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 5
Kansas pitched a shutout in the second half to pull away a little bit.
Tulsa at Memphis (-20.5): HIT!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
The American Conference is going to be a better race than the ACC this year.
Duke (-2.5) at California: HIT!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
I know that Darian Mensah lost to his former team, but he is having a great season this year. Duke has an outside shot at the ACC Championship game since both losses are out of conference.
Nevada at Fresno State (-13.5): HIT!
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1
Carter Jones is going to make Nevada an interesting team to watch down the stretch. The Chubba Purdy era is mercifully over in Reno.
College Football Betting Season Results
I needed to dig myself out of the Week 4 hole. This week helped accomplish that. I went 28-22 on the week to put me at 144-152 on the season. I should have made some points back as well. Let's check!
The weekly totals follow the bet. Season totals are in parentheses.
1. 5-1 (19-15) = 4
2. 9-10 (47-62) = -30
3. 10-7 (51-42) = 27
4. 3-3 (19-25) = -24
5. 1-1 (8-8) = 0
I'm living large on the three-point bets again to keep me above water. I made 11 points this week, but I'm still down 23 points total on the season.
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