3 College Football Games to Bet Before Lines Move for Week 7

Starting on Sunday afternoon through Saturday, wagering on college football runs wild across sportsbooks.

For some, getting in on bets early in the week is a big boost as they watch their bets mature well and are better than the number available to the masses on Saturday morning ahead of kick off. On Tuesdays we have The Early Reed LIVE on YouTube, which helps hit on some spots that should get you what is known as closing line value.

If you are into that sort of thing, this is the article for you as you can get ahead of significant line moves and make insightful wagers. Week 7 has a ton of marquee matchups, but also a lot of quarterback injuries, which makes it difficult to decipher the market early in the week in some games.

Here are a few key spots that seem ripe to move in our direction, for the full episode check out The Early Reed on YouTube below and subscribe to the podcast!

Iowa State vs. Texas Prediction and Pick

This is a great time to sell high on the Longhorns, who come off one of their biggest wins in recent memory against a rival in impressive fashion. While Texas figures to be a Big 12 contender, Iowa State has crushed in this exact spot under Matt Campbell. As noted above, the Cyclones head coach is 22-13 against the number as a head coach.

The Cyclones 3-3-5 defense is built to keep the opposition in front of them and limit explosive plays (12th in explosive rush defense and fifth in explosive pass D). The team is allowing just 1.38 points per drive (13th in the nation) and are playing at a tempo outside the top 100 in plays per minute.

The Texas offense is humming, but the team is in a brutal sandwich spot against Iowa State in Week 7 with Oklahoma State on deck in Stillwater. This number came off a key number of 17, which gives me some pause to back the Cyclones who are 81st in success rate in 2022 and have limited big play threats.

However, I'm looking at the under about the key number of 48. The Cyclones inability to stretch the field on offense but their talent at limiting chunk plays on defense should keep this game low scoring. Texas has little incentive to run this score up and Iowa State will keep this game within range into the fourth quarter.

If this game climbs back to +17 I'll back the 'Clones on the spread as well.

North Carolina State vs. Syracuse Prediction and Pick

This is one of the many games on the Week 7 card that has quarterback uncertainty but it does seem like Leary is going to miss this one as he was spotted in a sling during the second half of the win against Florida State.

We'll see if Leary goes, but I'm skeptical. Meanwhile, the backup quarterback Jack Chambers didn't complete a pass in the second half. The Wolfpack needed two interceptions to cap off a win and I think that there are even more struggles on Saturday on the road.

This is a Syracuse offense that has been dynamic under first year coordinator Robert Anae, top 30 in yards per play and success rate and should be able to do enough to out score a NC State offense that will be listless without Leary. Not to mention, NC State has had a tough stretch of games, playing at Clemson, Florida State and now on the road against a well rested Syracuse group.

This line hit -3 on Tuesday afternoon, a buy spot even if we aren't sure Leary is out just yet. I'll take a chance in this case, and would play the Orange back to -4.

Purdue has played six straight games and has a big game at Wisconsin next week, I think this game stays close.

Nebraska vs. Purdue Prediction and Pick

This is an incredible spot to back the Cornhuskers given Purdue's recent schedule. At +13.5 or better I see a good entry point on Nebraska, in a game that I make closer to 11.

The Boilermakers have won two straight games as underdogs on the road, beating Minnesota and Maryland, and now they head home to face Nebraska, who has quietly reentered the Big Ten West race at 2-1 in conference play.

This is a switch in expectations for the Boilermakers, who are a pass-first offense that will struggle to close the door on Nebraska, who is top 30 in explosive pass defense. Nebraska's offense is more than capable to stay within ear shot with a unit that is 31st in success rate.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.