After an upset-filled Week 6, where third-ranked Oklahoma and seventh-ranked Michigan fell to Iowa State and Michigan State respectively, we look ahead to Week 7 of college football. Here are the previews for some of the juiciest matchups this weekend.
(10) Auburn Tigers @ LSU Tigers
Favourite: Auburn -7.5
Coming off a convincing victory over the Ole Miss Rebels in Week 6, the 5-1 Auburn Tigers will travel to LSU as 7.5-point favourites in an SEC West rivalry matchup. Gus Malzahn will be anxious to snap Auburn’s eight game losing streak in Death Valley and earn their first win at LSU since the 1999 season.
Auburn will be relying on their outstanding defense, which gives up the sixth-fewest points per game in FBS, and their star running back Kerryon Johnson, who averages an impressive 126 rushing yards per game. This formula has allowed Auburn to dominate all of their opponents this season with the exception of a 14-6 loss in Week 2 to a very talented Clemson squad.
LSU, on the other hand, has struggled mightily, drawing criticism from fans and experts alike. Ed Orgeron has been under pressure as his 4-2 squad has underperformed, with humiliating losses to Mississippi State (37-7) and Troy (24-21). The good news is that preseason Heisman contender running back Derrius Guice, who hasn’t been 100% since Week 3 when he suffered a leg injury, is probable to take the field against Auburn on Saturday. Look for a low-scoring defensive struggle in Baton Rouge; the total for the contest is set at just 44 points.
(12) Oklahoma Sooners @ Texas Longhorns
Favourite: Oklahoma -8
Oklahoma will be looking to rebound after a shocking loss to Iowa State last week at home. The Sooners will take on the Texas Longhorns as 8-point favourites in the Red River Showdown, which is played every year on a neutral field at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas.
Oklahoma was cruising through the season until Iowa State came into town and spoiled their party, but all hope isn’t lost in Norman. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has been playing spectacular football this season, having thrown for 15 touchdowns without any interceptions. Mayfield is the second favourite to win the Heisman trophy at +325 as we go to press.
Even though Oklahoma is a big favourite in this rivalry game, Texas has played the Sooners very well over the last four years and has a good chance to compete this year as well. The teams have split the last four showdowns and the Longhorns have actually outscored their more successful opponent of late by 126-113 during the span.
Purdue Boilermakers @ (7) Wisconsin Badgers
Favourite: Wisconsin -17
The feisty Boilermakers of Purdue have been proving oddsmakers wrong all season long and will look to do it again this week as 17-point underdogs. Purdue is 4-1 against the spread and fields a very solid defense, giving up only 20.8 points per game. They will look to challenge a beat up Badger offensive line and contain running back Jonathan Taylor, who is rushing for 153.4 yards per game (fourth-best in FBS). This could be a close Big 10 battle if Purdue can hang with its higher ranked opponent until the end.
*Odds as of October 13, 2017