Three previews for the Week 7 NCAAF games and our picks based on spreads for 10 games on the slate.
(11) Kentucky vs (1) Georgia
Both teams come into the game with identical 6-0 records. Georgia is 1st in the AP poll, while Kentucky comes into the game as the eleventh-ranked team. Kentucky quarterback Will Levis leads the offense and has completed 87 of 135 passes for 1134 yards and 11 touchdowns (against six interceptions).
RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. leads the team in rushing, with 120 carries for 767 yards and eight total touchdowns. Fellow RB Kavoisey Smoke has added 45 carries for 253 yards and a touchdown. Smoke will likely be more involved on Saturday, as UK may look to shorten the game by running the ball.
Top Devy prospect, Wandale Robinson, has 37 catches for 527 yards and four touchdowns. Fellow WR Josh Ali is the second leading receiver, with 17 catches for 248 yards and one touchdown.
For Georgia, quarterback Stetson Bennett has started the last two games in place of highly regarded Devy prospect JT Daniels (QB9 in preseason rankings). Bennett has completed 43 of 62 passes on the season, for 746 yards and eight touchdowns.
Georgia is exceedingly deep within their skill positions. No one has more than 367 yards from scrimmage on the season, but eight players have more than 200. Three running backs have carried the ball more than 41 times, each amassing at least 210 rushing yards.
These three include:
- Zamir White (71 rushes for 354 yards and six touchdowns)
- James Cook (41 rushes for 245 yards and two TD’s)
- Kendall Milton( 45 rushes for 210 yards).
NCAAF Devy Players to Watch
- Wan’Dale Robinson – WR – Kentucky: before transferring to Kentucky, Robinson amassed 1494 total yards and seven touchdowns in two years at Nebraska. Robinson was the WR16 entering the season.
- Zamir White – RB – Georgia: in his Junior season, White has registered 293 career rushes for 1541 yards and 20 touchdowns. Look for White (RB14) to get his workload, so that he can help open the play-action pass for Bennett.
- Jermaine Burton – WR – Georgia: just like the rest of the Bulldog receiving group, it is hard for the explosive Burton to get his targets. He now has 13 catches for 224 yards (17.2 ypc) and two TD’s on the season. Burton was the WR10 in preseason rankings.
Georgia -22.5
- Brandon @hayeb3: Kentucky +22.5
- Brian @vandygrad92: Georgia -22.5
- Joe @TheHQNerd: Georgia -22.5
TCU vs (4) Oklahoma
Oklahoma is coming off an exhilarating comeback win against rival Texas, so there is always a question about a potential letdown game. TCU is battling injuries; Max Duggan, Zach Evans, and Quentin Johnston is all questionable for the game. These injuries should help Oklahoma, but they still need to keep the momentum from last week.
All signs point to Caleb Williams being the starter after leading the comeback last week. Spencer Rattler continued to make mistakes and turn the ball over. With Williams at the helm, the offense looked more explosive and was more consistent. It will be exciting to see if Williams can continue to allow the talented Oklahoma WRs to make plays down the field. The Sooners have not played a complete game all year. This would be a perfect time to show that they are a contender for the NCAAF National Championship against a very poor defense in TCU.
After two straight close losses, TCU had a blowout win against Texas Tech to bring their record to 3-2. As stated earlier, the team is banged up. If their stars do not play, it will be a tough night. TCU only passes the ball 38% of the time and averages 251 rush yards per game.
Zach Evans is the main rusher, but Sophomore Kendre Miller also has 300 yards and 6 TDs this season. The leading receiver only has 14 catches on the year and Sophomore Quentin Johnston has been underwhelming in two of his three games played. TCU’s defense is struggling to allow over 34 points a game and over 500 yards a game.
NCAAF Devy Players to Watch
- Caleb Williams – QB – Oklahoma: Williams was impressive in coming in relief of Spencer Rattler against Texas. He was in command of the offense and passed the ball better than most expected. He used his athleticism to get out of pressure and throw tough passes to WRs down the field. It looks as if he is the QB moving forward and his stock will only rise as he gets more playing time.
- Marvin Mims – WR – Oklahoma: Mims, with the change in QB, had a huge game against Texas with 136 yards and two TDs. It will be interesting to see if the offense runs more smoothly with the change of QB. If so, Mims stock could raise.
- Zach Evans – RB – TCU: Zach Evans is questionable for the game against Oklahoma but has been on a tear. In the past four games, Evans has over 100 yards per game and a total of four TDs. If he can keep his head on straight, he should continue to move up boards and could contend for a top-3 RB position in the 2023 Draft Class.
Oklahoma -13.5
- Brandon @hayeb3: Oklahoma -13.5
- Brian @vandygrad92: Oklahoma -13.5
- Joe @TheHQNerd: Oklahoma -13.5
(12) Oklahoma State vs (25) Texas
Texas had a collapse against Oklahoma last week in a big NCAAF rivalry game, so it will be interesting to see how they bounce back against another top-15 opponent. Oklahoma State is still undefeated after back-to-back top-25 wins over Kansas State and Baylor. The Cowboys had a bye week, so they should be rested and could take advantage of a physically and mentally exhausted Texas team.
Oklahoma State runs the ball 48% of the time and is top-40 in rushing yards per game. Jaylen Warren leads the rushing attack with over 500 yards and 6 TDs, but also has 122 receiving yards. Spencer Sanders is the starting QB but has not produced much through the air. Instead, he is the 2nd leading rusher on the team. The team’s defense is top-20 in scoring, but this will be the toughest offense they will have faced.
Texas looks like they found their QB for the rest of the year in Casey Thompson. He has been great in getting the ball to the right player and has 14 TDs to only three INTs. Texas passes the ball around 38% of the time, but that is for good reason when having a stud RB like Bijan Robinson. This may change a little with the emergence of Xavier Worthy, but a more balanced offense would help Robinson get more open space. Texas has struggled on defense, allowing 441 yards per game. It will be apparent early if the Longhorns have a hangover from the close loss to Oklahoma last week.
NCAAF Devy Players to Watch
- Xavier Worthy– WR – Texas: Worthy adds another dynamic to the Texas offense, and had a huge game in losing effort to Oklahoma. With 9 catches for 261 yards, and 2 TDS Worthy has launched himself into being the early WR1 for the 2024 class.
- Bijan Robinson – RB- Texas: What more can be said about Bijan Robinson? He continued his great season with 137 yards and a TD but on a jaw-dropping run was a yard away from another TD. On this run, he showed vision, speed, change of direction, determination, and an amazing stiff arm. Right now he is the clear-cut #1 Devy player by a good margin.
Texas -4.5
- Brandon @hayeb3: Texas -4.5
- Brian @vandygrad92: Texas -4.5
- Joe @TheHQNerd: Oklahoma St +4.5
Other NCAAF Game Picks Based on the Spread
Brandon Haye
Brandon grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and works as a health insurance data analyst. He has no children, but two fur babies - Squirt and Brownie. He and his wife, Katie, spend their time playing poker and enjoying time with their pups. Brandon is a huge Michigan Wolverine and Jacksonville Jaguars fan. He at one time was in 77 fantasy leagues and loves the game of football. Brandon started writing for The Leauge Winners in 2021.