Ricky Dimon
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What will be in store for college football as the month of October continues? The Week 7 schedule includes a 3:30 pm ET CBS showdown between SEC rivals Alabama and Tennessee, while a Big Ten battle earlier in the day pits Penn State against Michigan. Those are 2 of a whopping 6 all-top 25 games on Saturday, so this is by far the most intriguing slate of 2022 to date.
That ‘Bama-UT showdown is included in my favorite player props. Let’s take a look at them below, and be sure to check out all of our coverage on the college football page.
Aidan O’Connell, QB, Purdue Under 2.5 passing touchdowns (-110)
Purdue has won its last 2 games, but O’Connell’s numbers have cooled off. After throwing 8 touchdown passes through the first 3 weeks, O’Connell has tossed just 2 in the last 2 contests. Both Minnesota and Maryland held him under this number; Nebraska should be able to do the same. The Cornhuskers have woken up a bit following the departure of former head coach Scott Frost, with consecutive victories over Indiana and Rutgers while allowing a total of only 34 points to those 2 opponents. In those 2 games the Hoosiers and Scarlet Knights combined for just 1 passing TD. The trends for both Purdue and Nebraska suggest that O’Connell will be kept in check this weekend.
Check out our full Nebraska vs Purdue preview
Oronde Gadsden II, WR, Syracuse Over 58.5 receiving yards (-115)
Gadsden is doing his father proud – especially over the past 3 games. The sophomore receiver has exceeded this number on 3 consecutive occasions, including twice with plenty of room to spare. OG2 caught 6 balls for 112 yards and 2 touchdowns during a 32-29 win over Purdue and then went for 107 yards on 7 receptions when the Orange scraped past Virginia 22-20. Last week he had 4 catches for 66 yards in a 59-0 rout of Wagner. NC State (5-1, ranked #15) boasts a stout defense, but this could be Syracuse’s toughest test to date and for once it may be playing from behind. If that’s the case, the Orange will be airing it out more often than in previous outings. Whatever happens, Gadsden has been red hot of late and I expect him to keep it going.
Check out our full NC State vs Syracuse preview
Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama Over 81.5 rushing yards (-115)
Something will have to give when Gibbs goes up against Tennessee. Gibbs is one of the best running backs in the land, while the Volunteers boast one of the best run defenses. With this number set at 81.5, the market seems to think that the home team will have the upper hand in that particular matchup. However, in my opinion the market is wrong – perhaps very wrong. Gibbs has exploded over the past 2 weeks, racking up 206 yards and 2 touchdowns against Arkansas before torching Texas A&M’s defense for 154 yards on 21 carries. Tennessee has faced 1 particularly impressive rushing attack this season and – despite winning in overtime – it did not go well. Pittsburgh’s Israel Abanakanda carried 25 times for 154 yards and a score. Look for Gibbs to enjoy similar success on Saturday.
Don’t miss our college football Week 7 best bets
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