Highlights Trio Of Week 7 College Football SU Expert Picks

The Clemson Tigers will likely have their hands full against the streaking North Carolina State Wolfpack when they square off in their ACC conference clash on Saturday while the Maryland Terrapins and  Virginia Cavaliers look to hold down the fort at home in their respective matchups.

Let’s find out which teams are offering the best online betting value as an SU pick in all three teams’ Week 7 contests.

Analyzing The Highlights Trio Of Week 7 College Football SU Expert Picks

 

Minnesota at Maryland

When: Saturday, October 15, 2016 at 12:00 PM ET
NCAAF Odds: Maryland -4

Analysis:
The Minnesota Gophers have lost two straight including their heartbreaking 14-7 Week 6 loss against Iowa, but the Maryland Terrapins got completely outplayed in their humbling 38-14 loss against Penn State the last time out. Still, the Terps are the easy pick for me to win and cash in against the Gophers simply because they’re the better team in all three phases. Maryland averages exactly seven points per game more than Minnesota while allowing 4.2 fewer points per game defensively.

Making matters worse for Minnesota is the fact that they’re just 1-3-1 ATS in their last five games and have lost four straight road games. For me, the Maryland Terrapins are the easy pick to win by at least a touchdown at home.

Pick: Maryland -4 Points

Pittsburg at Virginia

When: Saturday, October 15, 2016 at 12:30 PM ET
NCAAF Odds: Pittsburgh -3

Analysis:
The Pittsburgh Panthers and Virginia Cavaliers have both won two straight games coming into this contest, but for me, Pittsburgh is the easy pick to win this Week 7 ACC clash outright. First and foremost, the Panthers average almost six points per game more than they allow defensively while Virginia gives up exactly two points per game more than they average (27.0 ppg). Not only that, but Virginia’s last two wins have come over mediocre opponents in Central Michigan and Duke so I’m not outing much stock in Virginia’s wins.

These rivals have split the last six meetings with the home team winning every time. Still, Pittsburgh will have the best player on the field in running back James Conner and the coaching edge on the sideline and that will be enough for the Panthers to win outright and narrowly cover the college football betting line.

Pick: Pittsburgh -3 Points

NC State at Clemson

When: Saturday, October 15, 2016 at 12:00 PM ET
NCAAF Odds: NC State +17.5

Analysis:
The Clemson Tigers aren’t beating the NC State Wolfpack by 18 points to cover the college football betting line in their Week 7 ACC showdown. Yes, the Tigers were one of my preseason picks to reach the four-team CFB Playoff after losing in the national championship game a year ago and I believe they’ll still get there, but I don’t see them beating a streaking NC State squad by anywhere near the 18 points it would take for them to cover.

While Deshaun Watson and the Tigers average a healthy 38.6 points per game this season and limits the opposition to just 15.0 points per game defensively, North Carolina State is virtually matching the Tigers on both fronts by putting up 34.0 points per game and limiting the opposition to just 19.6 points per game defensively.

I know Clemson has won four straight in this series against their longtime ACC rivals, but this isn’t the past and now, NC State has a very competent defense. The Wolfpack are 4-1 ATS in their last five road dates against the Tigers and a bankroll-boosting 8-4 ATS in their last dozen road games overall. Clemson has won 20 of their last 21 home games and I expect them to win again this coming weekend, just not by 18 points. NC State covers the spread at the very least.

Pick: NC State +17.5 Points