Hang with Trojans, stick it to Miami
Top wagering picks for college football Week 7 based on lines from BetMGM Sportsbook:
Navy (2-3) at Charlotte (1-4)
The run-happy Midshipmen head for the Queen City trying to improve to 2-2 inside the American Athletic Conference (AAC). Navy ranks No. 4 in the nation with 248.2 rushing yards per game, led by RB Alex Tecza with 428 yards and 7.6 yards per attempt. The 49ers are 0-4 against FBS teams this season, and Charlotte ranks just No. 91 against the run, allowing 158.6 yards per game. Conversely, the 49ers struggle mightily on offense, going for just 18.4 points per game and a dismal 311.2 total yards per contest. It’s not a good recipe for 49ers success.
Pick: Navy (-3.5)
No. 15 Louisville (6-0) at Pittsburgh (1-4)
The Cardinals are coming off a giant home win against Notre Dame and head to the Steel City looking to move to 4-0 in the ACC. Louisville has posted a 2-0-1 against the spread (ATS) mark across the past three games, and the defense has been remarkable and underrated. The Cards have allowed just 14.4 points per game across the past five outings, which doesn’t bode well for a Panthers side struggling to move the chains. Pitt has dropped all four games against FBS opponents, and it is also 0-4 ATS during the span. Look for Louisville to add to Pittsburgh’s pain, as QB Jack Plummer, RB Jawhar Jordan and company run amok at Acrisure Stadium.
Pick: Louisville (-8)
No. 9 USC (6-0) at No. 21 Notre Dame (5-2)
The Trojans narrowly escaped an embarrassing loss at home against a mediocre Arizona team. Perhaps QB Caleb Williams and Southern Cal were simply looking ahead to a trip to South Bend, Indiana. USC had crucial late-game errors in clock management, poor discipline and special-teams miscues, all of which needs to be cleaned up in a hurry. However, USC is still the play on the road against a Notre Dame offense that has managed 18.3 points per game in its past three contests. QB Sam Hartman has looked human lately, as the intensity of the opponents has ratcheted up. USC’s defense might be his biggest test yet, and the Trojans should keep their national title hopes alive with a big rivalry win.
Pick: USC (+2.5)
Miami (4-1) at No. 12 North Carolina (5-0)
The Hurricanes really blew it. Strike that. Head coach Mario Cristobal really blew it. His insistence on running plays until zeroes on the clock, with a reluctance to take a knee, doomed him again last weekend against Georgia Tech. The coach cost Miami a win. Poor coaching and mistakes simply won’t do in a road trip to Chapel Hill to take on the highflying Tar Heels. UNC has posted 31 or more points in all five games, covering the spread in each of the past three outings. Miami’s offense struggled against a mediocre Georgia Tech side, and the defense allowed the second-most points of the season. Look for QB Drake Maye and the Heels offense to attain bowl eligibility while staying unbeaten.
Pick: North Carolina (-3.5)