The 2025 College Football season rolls on with a full Saturday slate of Week 7 games. Welcome to our CFB Best Bets as we break down CFB picks for this week’s action. Let’s focus on two matchups for our top CFB predictions. Plus, check out more college football bets below.  

Saturday’s Week 7 college football slate lasts all day and all night. That means we have plenty of ways to go for our CFB picks. Note that all bets below are for one unit unless otherwise noted. Without further ado, let’s dive into our CFB Best Bets. 

CFB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets: Week 7 Saturday, 10/11

Let’s kick off Saturday’s Week 7 CFB Best Bets with some Oklahoma vs. Texas predictions in the Red River Rivalry showdown. Plus, Utah hosts Arizona State in an intriguing Big 12 clash on Saturday night. Be sure to check out more CFB picks below for other Week 7 games, including Alabama vs. Missouri and Michigan vs. USC. Good luck!  

 

 

 

Oklahoma vs. Texas Prediction: Saturday, October 11th

The Red River Rivalry is always one of the most anticipated and intense college football games of the season. This year’s matchup between Oklahoma and Texas is set up to be another good one. It also carries even more weight now with the Longhorns’ shaky start and the Sooners’ national title aspirations. 

Texas is the slight favorite with the game being played at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. You can make a convincing argument for either the Longhorns or Sooners emerging victorious. Instead, let’s target the total in a game where both defenses should set the tone and keep things low-scoring early on. 

Both defenses are among the best in the sport. Oklahoma leads the country in total yards allowed per game (193) while giving up only 7.2 PPG (2nd in FBS). The Sooners also rank first nationally in defensive success rate and defensive EPA/Play. Head coach Brent Venables is one of the best defensive minds going, and he boasts an elite unit. 

It could be a long day for the Texas offense. Despite all of the hype and raw talent, Arch Manning has notably struggled against tough competition this year. He threw a pair of interceptions with a 55% completion rate in last week’s loss to Florida, and the offense managed just 14 points until late in the fourth quarter. In Week 1 vs. Ohio State, Manning had only 170 passing yards with a pick and a 57% completion rate as Texas was held to 7 points in the loss. 

Manning’s struggles are well-documented, but he’s also not getting much help from the rest of the offense. The Longhorns’ offensive line has struggled more often than not while allowing a ton of pressure, which has led to bad throws, sacks, and interceptions from Manning. The poor O-line play has also resulted in the run game being nonexistent at times. Plus, Texas’ receivers aren’t getting open early enough for Manning to make plays before the line breaks down. 

All of that being said, Oklahoma’s defense should wreak havoc along the line and limit the overall explosiveness and effectiveness of the Texas offense in this matchup. It’s hard to see the Longhorns scoring much on this elite Sooners’ D, especially considering the struggles against Florida and Ohio State. 

Meanwhile, Texas also brings in a top-tier defense. The Longhorns rank 5th nationally in points allowed per game and 13th in total yards allowed per contest. The defense also comes in at 20th in EPA/Play and 21st in success rate. 

It’s a tough matchup for Oklahoma’s offense, which could be without star quarterback John Mateer. The Heisman candidate got surgery on his broken throwing hand a few weeks ago and is a question mark this week. There are reports that Mateer is trying to return for this game, and he’s listed as probable on the latest injury report. However, OU would be smart to hold him out for another week or two. 

If Mateer does return, the Sooners’ passing game would likely be slow to get going. Again, it was a broken bone in his throwing hand that might not be fully healed. Expect a run-heavy offensive game plan in that case, too. 

Michael Hawkins Jr. would be at QB in Mateer’s absence. The sophomore got the start last week, but it was a cupcake matchup against Kent State. The competition now ramps up for Hawkins, who was up-and-down last season in limited game action. He actually started against Texas a year ago, though the Sooners only scored 3 points in a blowout loss. 

We could go with the full-game under, but the first half is the safer move. That avoids any late scores or potential overtime periods. Plus, one or both offenses could find some rhythm in the second half. Let’s just count on things being low-scoring early. 

 

 

Arizona State vs. Utah Prediction: Saturday, October 11th

Last week in the Big 12, we successfully backed unranked Cincinnati at home against a Top 25 team in Iowa State. Well, we have a similar situation this Saturday night with unranked Utah favored at home against No. 21 Arizona State. The spread has moved in the Utes’ direction over the week, too, which is notable. 

As mentioned last week, the oddsmakers are telling us something here. Having a number next to your name sometimes doesn’t mean as much this early in the season. That’s especially true in the Big 12, with so many solid teams that can all beat each other depending on the week. 

For Arizona State, the 4-1 record is certainly impressive. Yet, the Sun Devils are likely overdue for another loss after winning both of their last two games by 3 points apiece. Against Baylor, they won on a field goal as time expired. Against TCU, they scored 10 points in the final few minutes to somehow pull out the win. 

ASU has been on the right side of these coin-flip games so far, but some negative regression in these close results is likely coming. Plus, a big home matchup against Texas Tech looms next week, which creates some lookahead potential here. 

Meanwhile, Utah is also 4-1 with an average margin of victory of 30.7 PPG in its three FBS wins. The Utes’ only loss was to Texas Tech, which is aging well with how dominant the Red Raiders are looking. They now have a prime opportunity for a signature win this week. Plus, Utah’s home-field advantage in late-night home games cannot go overlooked. 

As for this game itself, Utah’s defense can hold the ASU offense in check. The Utes rank 25th in the country in total yards allowed per game, 10th in defensive EPA/Play, and 13th in defensive success rate. They’ve also given up just 14.6 PPG this season (16th in FBS). 

Arizona State has been dangerous offensively this year. Yet, the Sun Devils have also mostly faced subpar defenses to this point. In their toughest matchup on the road vs. Mississippi State, the offense was slow to get going, and QB Sam Leavitt was just 10-for-22 passing with only 82 yards and 2 interceptions. 

Speaking of Leavitt, he was actually downgraded to doubtful this week, per Arizona State’s latest injury report. That would thrust Jeff Sims into the starting role. Sims has some dual-threat ability, but this would be a notable downgrade to the Sun Devils’ offense.  

On the other side, Utah can ride its top-tier run game in a potentially favorable matchup. The Utes are averaging 242.6 rushing yards per game (9th in FBS) while ranking 4th nationally in rush success rate. They also come in at a solid 31st in the country in offensive EPA/Play overall. 

Arizona State, on paper, is allowing just 78.2 rush yards per game (9th). Looking closer, though, ASU’s defense isn’t as buttoned up against the run. The Sun Devils are 112th nationally in EPA/Rush and 94th in defensive success rate vs. the run. They’ve also yet to face an offense that can run the ball as well as Utah. 

 

 


 

Best CFB Prop Bets & Other Picks: Saturday, 10/11

 

Â