Joel Klatt picks Red River Rivalry, other key Week 7 college football games

Week 7 is finally here, one of the biggest and most highly anticipated weekends in college football with a schedule that’s had fans excited for months. A slate of games that features some of the best ranked teams and biggest brand names in the country.

Saturday’s games alone pack a punch and are sure to bring plenty of excitement. But fans who also decide to wager and place bets on this weekend’s action will have the chance to win big as well.

College football analyst Joel Klatt made his picks for Week 7 following an impressive 5-0 week against the spread in Week 6. Check out who he favors this weekend along with his exact score predictions below.

Arizona at BYU (-4)

Klatt did not make a pick for Arizona’s matchup with No. 14 ranked BYU because he’ll be on the call for the game. But he does believe that if the underdogs want to pull out the win in this one, that the duo of Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan will have to have a big game and take advantage of McMillans’ size mismatch on the Cougars’ cornerbacks.

“If Arizona’s gonna be successful, it’s going to be on the back of the passing game. Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan have to have a big day against what is right now the Big 12’s best defense as far as yards per play allowed,” Klatt said. “It should be an interesting one.”

Ohio State at Oregon (+3.5)

Two of the top three teams in the nation square off when Ohio State meets Oregon in a marquee matchup on Saturday. A game where Klatt believes the Buckeyes’ uber-talented roster can overcome the road crowd in Autzen Stadium and the Ducks in a big win.

“I think Ohio State goes on the road and gets the win. Ohio State is favored by 3.5, I actually think they cover that 3.5. I like Ohio State something like 28-22,” Klatt said. “22 is an odd number, I know that, but remember Oregon will always go for two at some point. So they always kind of have those odd numbers in terms of their offense.”

Texas vs. Oklahoma (+14.5)

Oklahoma may be a double-digit underdog in this year’s 120th edition of the Red River Rivalry, but this is the kind of game where records are often thrown out the window. But Klatt still likes the top-ranked Longhorns to take care of business and do some serious damage in this one.

“My pick for this game, Red River Shootout this year, Texas after last year losing this game, extra motivation, OU’s terrible on offense. I’ve got Texas winning this game 34-14, covering the 14.5,” Klatt said. “Give me the Longhorns.”

Penn State at USC (+4.5)

No. 4 Penn State makes the trip across the country to Los Angeles to take on Big Ten newcomer USC fresh off of a disappointing loss to Minnesota. But Klatt forecasts two straight losses for the Trojans, but them covering the spread in a close, low scoring battle.

“I fear that Miller Moss is going to be under pressure, that leads to turnovers. And so I’ve got Penn State in this one in a tight one, I do think it’s going to be a really good game … Penn State’s favored by 4.5, I think it’s closer than that, Penn State wins this one 20-17. USC covers at home,” Klatt said.

Ole Miss at LSU (+3.5)

Last year’s matchup between these two teams was one of the best shootouts of the year in a 55-49 Ole Miss win at home. But in this year in The Bayou, Klatt sees things going the Tigers’ way in another high scoring affair.

“Ole Miss is favored by 3.5, don’t like that at all,” Klatt said. “Ole Miss on the road, at night, in Death Valley, LSU coming off a bye, injury concerns for Ole Miss. This is an LSU win for me all day long … I’ve got LSU in this ball game, fairly high scoring, 35-31.

Kansas State at Colorado (+4.5)

Rounding out Saturday’s slate is another Big 12 matchup with high stakes, as Colorado comes off of a bye week still undefeated in conference play. But despite the Buffs being Klatt’s alma mater, he chose the Wildcats to win in a close one.

“I’ve got Kansas State winning on the road 21-20. They get the win, Colorado covers. I live Avery Johnson, I like Kansas State, I think they’re the best team in the Big 12 right now,” Klatt said.