SPORT NEWS: College Football 2024 Betting Locks with Adam Kramer: Essential Picks and Strategies for Success in Week 7 .giang

In a stretch of a few hours, we were reminded why college football is the greatest sport on the planet.

If you’re an Alabama fan, you probably don’t share that sentiment this week, days removed from one of the more unforgettable upsets in recent memory. If you’re a Vanderbilt fan, fresh off winning a game despite closing as more than a three-touchdown underdog, the vibes are immaculate.

Oh, and there were others. Plenty of others. As we arrive at the meat of the season, expect more to come. As for the current status through a gambling lens, well, chaos makes for fascinating lines and wild week-to-week swings.

As for us, Week 6 was more of the same. Same good, some bad. We’ll get to both, although our overall record remains largely the same. Our feature picks were 4-1; the rest were ugly. For the year, we’re 24-32.

It’s time to get hot—for real this time. Here’s what went right and wrong from the week that was.

The Good: Texas A&M (-2) vs. Missouri: I liked the Aggies a lot ahead of their 41-10 win, although this performance—and the sheer magnitude of the blowout—was still shocking. This one felt in hand by halftime.

The Bad: Louisville (-7) vs. SMU: This felt like a perfect spot for Louisville to assert itself as a threat to win the ACC. Then the game started. SMU was simply better, and the Cardinals defense didn’t have an answer in the 34-27 loss.

Time to cook. Here’s how we see a loaded Week 7.

For the latest spreads on futures and games, head to DraftKings.

One team beat the defending national champions in thrilling fashion last weekend. The other mustered up very little offense on the road, losing comfortably against a team it’s frankly supposed to lose comfortably against.

A week later, and Iowa, the team that ultimately caved in at Ohio State in Week 6, is a small favorite. Yes, the offense isn’t completely fixed or perhaps fixed at all. No, a road game at Ohio State isn’t the proper barometer to see just how broken it is.

Regardless, the Huskies are coming to town. Despite Washington’s impressive win over the Wolverines at home, they’ll be an underdog Saturday. And after a long road trip a few short weeks ago, one can’t help but wonder how this team will respond after a chaotic stretch.

In many ways, this is where the team’s Big Ten existence truly begins. And a massive win followed by a long road trip against a team with a strong run game and an excellent defense should present issues.

Iowa 20, Washington 14.

Although we’re backing one Iowa team, we’re fading another. And we’re doing so despite loving what Iowa State has accomplished this season. In fact, thanks to this team for making us money last weekend.

The Cyclones are very much a contender in a complicated Big 12, having ascended all the way up to No. 11 in the latest AP poll. They have done it with defense and enough offense, and the rise to this point is by no means a fluke.

But for only the second time this year, Iowa State will hit the road. Not only will they play away, but they will do so in an absolutely superb football environment.

West Virginia has somewhat quietly won three of its last four games, and the Mountaineers just dominated Oklahoma State on the road. This team is largely successful due to its running game, which ranks No. 13 nationally.

Winning on the road is hard, even for good teams. West Virginia pulls a small upset.

Two months ago, the notion that this point spread would be what it is would have seemed preposterous. But now, thanks to the surprising play of Arizona State coupled with the saga surrounding Utah QB Cam Rising’s status amid his recovery from a finger injury, it’s where we are.

Will Rising play? Good luck figuring this out. It’s been a saga that has largely stretched across two seasons and multiple injuries, and that’s unfortunate. When healthy, he’s a true difference-maker. Unfortunately, that has not been the case much of late.

The spread has moved in Utah’s direction, which means it might happen. Then again, we’ve seen this before. Trying to handicap his status has become a workout for oddsmakers, although let’s make one thing clear: Arizona State is the play regardless.

We’re assuming that after a bye, Rising will play. Despite how good he has been, Arizona State should be a force at home. The offense, led by QB Sam Leavitt and running back Cam Skattebo, can play with anyone.

One of the surprise teams of the season, the Sun Devils are positioned to beat a good, ranked team regardless of who is under center.

You know that feeling after a long, late, wonderful night out?

That next morning, at least sometimes, can be the opposite of the night before. In these instances, life and reality can come fast.

That is a perfect place to begin with our next game, which features the team that dominated Week 6 headlines going up against an opponent that knows plenty about disrupting elite competition.

Vanderbilt’s victory over Alabama was indeed stunning, and the offense can produce points. But a week removed from this win—playing in an odd road environment that stifles opposing offenses—could be an issue.

Kentucky could have (and perhaps should have) beaten Georgia. The Wildcats beat Ole Miss outright a few weeks later. The nation’s No. 11-ranked scoring defense has been exceptional, especially when you consider the teams they have played.

While we will celebrate Vandy’s stunning win for years to come, this outcome won’t be sustainable. Kentucky rolls in one of largest football hangover situations in recent memory.

The Buffaloes, despite all the noise, are 4-1 and playing perhaps the best they have since Deion Sanders arrived as head coach ahead of last season. Now, Colorado will have an opportunity to validate its standing at home—taking on a ranked team with an electric young QB.

All of the ingredients of this game point toward one direction.

Points. Lots and lots of points.

Both Shedeur Sanders and Avery Johnson are positioned to put on a show at QB, going up against defenses that won’t be able to slow them down for long. Although K-State feels like the more polished team, the point spread says this will be a tight matchup.

The total tells us that this tight game will also be a shootout, which we would completely sign up for. Taking Colorado was tempting given the current spread, although we’re investing in other areas.

If you’re looking for a “most fun football game of the week” candidate, look no further.

Kansas State 31, Colorado 30.

Cal (+3) at Pittsburgh

Can Cal get over that horrible loss and win a game against an unbeaten opponent many miles from home? The oddsmakers certainly seem to think so with this line. This has the chance to be a wild football game.

Army (-25.5) vs. UAB

The nation’s No. 1 rushing offense is going up against the nation’s No. 127 rushing defense. Oh, and UAB is likely to be looking for a head coach in the not-too-distant future. The vibes between these two couldn’t be more different.

Colorado State (+1) vs. San Jose State

Although Colorado State has only two wins, the three losses have come against Colorado, Oregon State and Texas. Against San Jose State, as a small home underdog, the Rams find a way to get right.

Memphis (-7.5) vs. South Florida

It’s been a grueling stretch for South Florida, which has taken on Alabama, Miami and Tulane in three of its last four games. The timing of a solid Memphis team is less than ideal, and the results should show.