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No. 2 Notre Dame vs. No. 8 BYU spotlights the college football Week 7 night slate, but there are other games with betting value also on the schedule.
Our staff is diving into the night window and giving out their slew of best bets.
So, read below for four college football predictions and picks for the night games on Saturday, October 17.
Be sure to download the Action Network app for more expert picks and analysis!
College Football Predictions for Week 7 Night Slate
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 10:15 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NCAAF Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
TCU vs. Baylor
By Evan Abrams
Baylor has some serious momentum right now, winning four straight games since a season-opening loss to Auburn while putting up 39.5 points per game. DJ Lagway has been superb, and even though they're not in the top-25, they're well on their way if they keep winning.
Meanwhile, TCU has serious issues on offense.
But the main reason we're targeting the Bears is that I have a Bet Labs Sports Insights system that favors Baylor against the spread.
This system — "CFB Sharp Money" — has a 3% all-time return on investment (ROI) and a 5% ROI this season alone.
Here's more information on the system:
This is a Fade System — CFB Sharp Money Fade in NCAAF Spread tells the story of a regular season college football matchup where the betting market appears to signal confidence from larger wagers but that signal has become less reliable in recent years.
When the difference between money share and ticket share grows large it traditionally implied that influential bettors were backing one side while the public leaned the other way.
In the modern college football market however information moves quickly and public participation has grown, creating situations where perceived sharp indicators can actually represent late crowd momentum rather than true professional conviction.
When the number of bets sits in a moderate range the market has enough activity to shape perception but not enough depth to fully stabilize the price.
In this environment fading the side attracting the disproportionate money support becomes a contrarian stance that assumes the market has overreacted to what looks like smart action, allowing the opposite team to quietly outperform expectations once the game unfolds on the field.
Go Bears!
Pick: Baylor -5.5
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Wisconsin vs. UCLA
UCLA QB Nico Iamaleava is done for the season, and the Badgers are essentially flying across the country for this affair.
The Bruins also thrive through defense and their rushing attack.
So, why would we target the total in this matchup?
Well, our Action PRO projections have this number at 47, nearly five points higher than what's currently out on the market.
With that solid 4.7% edge (B- overall grade), we feel comfortable targeting this play.
Expect points in this one, despite the storylines and headlines saying no.
Pick: Over 42.5
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Oklahoma State vs. Houston
By Alex Hinton
Ranging between 62 and 63.5, this total is one of the highest on the board on Saturday and for good reason.
Oklahoma State's last three games against Power 4 opponents have had at least 65 points, and two have reached exactly 70. The Cowboys are 3-0 to the over in that span.
While Houston's last two games have finished under, it is 3-2 to the over this season. The Cougars have done their part, having scored 35 points in three of their first five games.
Both of these offenses can score quickly and can beat you through the air or on the ground. Both offenses will have the advantage against these defenses, and this game should see at least 63 points.
Pick: Over 62.5
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Utah vs. Colorado
By Kyle Hunter
The Utah Utes travel to Boulder to take on the Colorado Buffaloes in a late-night Big 12 contest on Saturday.
Quarterback Isaac Wilson gets the start for Colorado against his old team. Wilson hasn’t looked good at all in the couple of games he has been under center for Colorado with one big-time throw and six turnover-worthy plays, per PFF.
He has a very low PFF rating of just 59.4. He’ll now take on the best secondary he has seen so far this season.
Utah has been running the football a bunch on offense, ranking 27th in Rushing Success Rate on offense. Colorado’s defense, meanwhile, sits 112th in Rushing Success Rate allowed.
The Utes are likely to methodically move the ball down the field against Colorado and control the time of possession in this game.
Colorado has been awful in the red zone on offense. The Buffaloes rank 134th out of 138 teams in the country in Points Per Opportunity. They have routinely gotten into field-goal range and then turned the ball over or committed penalties to back themselves out of scoring position.
On the other side, Utah boasts a top-10 red-zone defense nationally. The Utes haven't been giving opponents free first downs with penalties. This defense is disciplined, and it should make things very tough on Colorado.
Pick: Colorado Team Total Under 16.5
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