Week 7 of the 2026 college football season is here and our VSiN team is attacking it relentlessly. If you haven’t already, make sure you check out the Week 7 CFB Betting Hub for write-ups and picks from all of our talented analysts. However, I’d love for you to keep reading for my college football best bets and predictions for this exciting Week 7 slate. I’ll probably add some picks as lines move and more information comes out later in the week — and on game day. If I do, I’ll put them on the VSiN Pro Picks page. Don’t miss out on those.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for college football best bets from all of our analysts
Ohio State Buckeyes at Indiana Hoosiers – 12:00 pm ET
I thought Indiana was in trouble against Nebraska last week. That was a good Cornhuskers team, the Hoosiers were in a bit of a lookahead spot, and playing in Lincoln isn’t easy. However, despite playing some mediocre football, Indiana was able to get across the finish line. Curt Cignetti’s team now hosts Ohio State in a matchup between the two best squads in the Big Ten.
Can Indiana slow down the Julian Sayin-Jeremiah Smith combo? That feels like it’ll decide this game. The Buckeyes are No. 3 in the country in Offense Success through the air (57.3%), according to Game On Paper. Smith, the Heisman Trophy frontrunner, is the reason for that, as the 6-foot-4 junior has 48 catches for 916 yards and 11 touchdowns through six games. The Hoosiers will surely have some challenges keeping him in check. I do, however, believe in Indiana’s coaching staff to put a decent plan in place.
This year’s Hoosiers team is way better against the run (No. 6 in Defense Success) than it is against the pass (No. 42 in Defense Success). However, when these teams met in last year’s Big Ten Championship Game, the Hoosiers held the Buckeyes to only 10 points. Smith wasn’t completely quiet in that game, catching eight balls for 144 yards. But Indiana was in bend-don’t-break mode, and keeping the superstar from getting behind the defense will be the plan again.
What should help the entire Indiana defense is that the team is solid when it comes to early-down EPA/Play Allowed, and the Hoosiers are also No. 25 in the nation in Success Rate on third/fourth downs.
As long as Indiana doesn’t get torched over the top, the team should have chances to win this game outright. The Hoosiers are a top-five team in the country themselves on offense, with Josh Hoover and Nick Marsh having their own special connection through the air. And I simply don’t see Ohio State shutting the Indiana passing game down with the game being in Bloomington.
On top of all of that, there’s the Cignetti of it all. Indiana hasn’t lost a home game since Cignetti arrived in Bloomington. The Hoosiers are also 9-1 straight-up when facing teams that average at least 250 passing yards per game. And perhaps the most important Cignetti trend: Indiana is 10-2 SU when facing teams with winning percentages of 75% or higher under him. He’s unlike anything we’ve ever seen on the sidelines, and I know he’ll have his team more prepared than Ryan Day will. Will that make up for the talent mismatch? We’ll have to see. But I’m banking on the answer being “yes.”
Bet: Indiana +3.5 (-110 – 1.5 units) & Indiana ML (+150 – 0.5 units)
UNC Tar Heels at Duke Blue Devils – 3:30 pm ET
The Blue Devils have been better than I thought they’d be this season, as they’re off to a 4-1 start and have one of the most explosive running games in the country. However, Duke’s wins haven’t exactly aged well, as Tulane, Illinois, and Stanford have all been disappointing. Also, last week’s loss to Georgia Tech was pretty miserable. Now, it’s not quite clear what to expect from the Blue Devils heading into a rivalry game against the Tar Heels, but the last thing I’m thinking we’ll see is a convincing Duke win.
Nate Sheppard has been absolutely incredible for the Blue Devils this year, but the Tar Heels, coached by Bill Belichick, know that slowing him down means winning the game. So, I’d expect to see a very prepared UNC defensive front in this one. The Heels will be completely fine with Walker Eget attempting to beat them through the air.
I’m also pretty confident that the UNC offense will move the ball in this game. Billy Edwards Jr. has done a good job pushing the buttons for this offense, and his experience should be big as the Heels go into a difficult road environment.
I’ll also note that Belichick is 4-2 against the spread when facing teams with winning records.
Bet: UNC +4.5 (-110)
Washington Huskies at Purdue Boilermakers – 8:00 pm ET
The wheels are starting to fall off for Washington. The Huskies come into this one on a three-game losing streak, and the most recent one was embarrassing. Washington was a small home favorite against Iowa, but the Hawkeyes went in there and earned a 41-24 victory. That game was never close, and the Huskies were unable to slow down a mediocre offensive team. Given everything we’ve seen, it’s just hard to understand how Purdue is only laying 3.5 on Saturday.
The Boilermakers are a very good offensive team this year, as they’re 10th in the country in Net Adjusted EPA/Play (0.19). They should be able to knife through the Huskies defense. Also, on the other side of the ball, Elijah Brown looks to be the starter for Washington. You can say what you want about how Demond Williams has played this season, but he’s one of the most talented quarterbacks in the country. If he’s not able to go — or simply isn’t starting — then Purdue’s defense has a much easier job.
I just don’t have these teams on a level playing field right now, and Purdue is playing at home. So, I’m laying the points and also sprinkling an alternate.
Bet: Purdue -3.5 (-118 – 1.5 units) & Purdue Alt -9.5 (+180 – 0.5 units)
Added Plays
PARLAY: Wake Forest ML vs. California & Northwestern ML vs. Michigan State (-152 – 1.5 units)
Check the Pro Picks page for any additional plays, or come back here right before kick-off to see if I added something on the game you’re interested in.
Week 6
Nebraska +7.5 (-108 – 1.5 units) vs. Indiana
Nebraska ML (+250 – 0.5 units) vs. Indiana
LSU-Kentucky Under 53.5 (-108)
Penn State ML (-118) vs. USC
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2026 Record: 18-17 (-0.18 units)
