Gridiron Guru: College Football Picks – Week 7

Gridiron Guru is the ultimate college football picks showdown, where Clemson Sports Media’s writers battle it out by picking five games from across the country. It’s like watching your buddies debate football at a tailgate party but with experts. Check out their picks below each week for a dose of football excitement – it’s all about the pure joy of college football! Don’t miss out!
Clifton Canady22-9
Griffin Barfield18-13
Angelo Feliberty17-9
Casey Cregan22-9
Garrett Mitchell16-10
Lacey Steele20-11
Standings through 6 weeks

Clifton Canady – Staff Writer

10 Clemson @ Wake Forest Noon

Clemson has been on a roll lately, showcasing a balanced offense and a strong defense. Cade Klubnik’s performance has been noteworthy, with his name entering Heisman discussions. Through five games, Clemson has dominated the first quarter with a 90-0 scoreline and boasts a +7 turnover margin, indicating their ability to capitalize on opponents’ mistakes. Historically, Clemson has had the upper hand against Wake Forest, seeking their 16th consecutive victory over the Demon Deacons. Given these factors, I predict Clemson will continue their winning streak with a score of 31-17 against Wake Forest.

10 Clemson 52, Wake Forest 20

Cal @ 22 Pitt 3:30 pm

I believe Pitt will maintain their undefeated streak. Historically, Pitt holds a slight edge in their series against Cal, leading 2-1. Although Cal won their last encounter back in 1966 30-15, Pitt’s current form and home advantage should play a significant role in their favor. With the game being an ACC home opener for Pitt, they will be motivated to perform well in front of their fans.

Cal 20, 22 Pitt 28

1 /Texas vs. 18 Oklahoma 3:30 pm

The Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma is always a thrilling matchup, and this year is no exception. Texas ranked No. 1, is heavily favored against No. 18 Oklahoma, with the Longhorns being more than two-touchdown favorites. The game will feature standout quarterbacks Quinn Ewers for Texas and Michael Hawkins Jr. for Oklahoma. Despite Oklahoma’s victory over Texas last year with a close score of 34-30, Texas’s current form and ranking suggest they have the upper hand this time. Given these factors, I predict Texas will win with a score of 35-24 against Oklahoma.

1 Texas 38, 18 Oklahoma 24

9 Ole Miss @ 13 LSU 7:30 pm

Ole Miss recently showcased their offensive prowess in a thrilling 55-49 victory over LSU, with Jaxson Dart throwing for four touchdowns, including a game-winner in the final seconds. This high-scoring affair highlighted Ole Miss’s ability to perform under pressure and capitalize on crucial moments. Given their recent success against LSU and their current momentum, I predict Ole Miss will secure another victory.

9 Ole Miss38, 13 LSU 34

2 Ohio State @ 3 Oregon 7:30 pm

Both teams come into this game undefeated, with Ohio State at 5-0 and Oregon also at 5-0. Ohio State has been performing strongly this season, and their high-powered offense will be a key factor in this game. However, playing at Autzen Stadium presents a challenging environment for any visiting team. Despite the tough venue, I believe Ohio State’s overall talent and depth will give them the edge. I predict Ohio State will win a close contest with a score of 31-27 against Oregon.

2 Ohio State 40, 3 Oregon 27

Angelo Feliberty – Staff Writer

10 Clemson @ Wake Forest – Noon

After losing three straight games, the Demon Deacons prevailed over NC State 34-30, so that should give you an idea of how well they will do against a top-10 college football team. The Tigers will be firing on all cylinders in Winston-Salem, especially after keeping it too close last weekend with a now 1-5 Florida State team. Therefore, I don’t see this game unfolding similarly to Wake Forest vs. Clemson in 2023.

Clemson 43, Wake Forest 6

Cal @ 22 Pitt – 3:30 PM

After a tight loss to Miami, Cal was likely one point away from being ranked in the AP Polls, so this is Pittsburgh’s first meaningful test to see if they are worthy of their ranking. Both of the ACC teams’ defenses are mediocre, consequently I view this game as a shootout between them. Eli Holstein, Pitt’s dual-threat quarterback, has shown promise this College Football season, and I believe he will continue to do so against Cal. I just don’t think the Golden Bears have enough offensive strength, although they shocked me against Miami, so…

Pitt 30, Cal 17

1 Texas vs. 18 Oklahoma – 3:30 PM

The Red River rivalry is back in full effect this weekend in Dallas, Texas. Oklahoma has ran this rivalry over the past five years, winning 4 out of their past 5 matchups. However, I think this year is a lot different. Texas QB Quinn Ewers is back from injury heading into this game, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they fit Arch Manning into the game-plan after his recent performances honestly. I bring this up because Oklahoma’s aerial assault has truly suffered all season long, while Texas’ is among the best in the nation. They can fool a strong Oklahoma defense with their offensive deception. The Sooners’ best hope is to keep this game as low-scoring as possible. Horns Up!

Texas 40, Oklahoma 17

9 Ole Miss @ 13 LSU – 7:30 PM

This SEC matchup should be a goooood one. I think it’ll be a close game with both dynamic offenses finding holes in the others defense. But, LSU’s secondary has been abysmal all season long yet again and I think the Rebels find a way to abuse that. Ole Miss ranks as the No. 1 rushing defense in the country as well, allowing just 382 yards on 214 carries (1.79 yards per carry) and one touchdown so the Tigers’ rushing offense will most likely be shut down. The only hope for LSU this weekend is Garrett Nussmeier and their passing offense, but I don’t think they have enough experience in that area to pull off this big of a win yet.

Ole Miss 36, LSU 23

2 Ohio State @ 3 Oregon – 7:30 PM

This top-three matchup is poised to be one of the best games of the year and I fully agree. Ohio State is averaging over 500 yards of offense per game and 46 PPG while leading the nation in scoring defense, allowing under one touchdown per game. On the other hand, Oregon is averaging 458 yards of offense per game and 35 PPG while holding opponents to 17 points per game. While OSU has the better stats on paper, they’ve also had a much easier schedule than Oregon, facing zero ranked opponents this season so far. Not to mention, Dan Lanning is a far better head coach than Ryan Day. GO DUCKS!!

Oregon 33, Ohio State 26

Lacey Steele – Staff Editor

10 Clemson @ Wake Forest Noon

Clemson dominates this game from start to finish. 

Clemson 31 Wake Forest 10

Cal @ 22 Pitt 3:30 pm

This will be a back-and-forth affair but I think the home team will prevail. 

Cal 21 Pitt 24

1 Texas vs. 18 Oklahoma 3:30 pm

Texas will run away in this early and never look back. 

Texas 36 Oklahoma 17

9 Ole Miss @ 13 LSU – 7:30 PM

Ole Miss has too much offensive power in this one and it never really gets close. 

Ole Miss 42 LSU 24

2 Ohio State @ 3 Oregon 7:30 pm

This one will be close from start to finish but Ohio State has enough explosive plays to pull out the win. 

Ohio State 37 Oregon 31

Casey Cregan – Staff Writer

10 Clemson @ Wake Forest Noon

Clemson started slow against Stanford and followed that up with an offense that could not finish strong drives. Wake will look to slow the game down with that slow mesh garbage offense. I think Cade and company have a big day, as Wake’s defense may be the worst Clemson has seen this year thusfar.

Clemson 42, Wake Forest 13

Cal @ 22 Pitt 3:30 pm

Cal Twitter has been on fire through the first part of the year. If their defense showed half the fire last weekend, they could have held onto the 25 point fourth quarter lead against Miami. Now the Bears travel across the country again to face a good Pitt squad. This should be a good game, but I’m giving Pitt the edge here.

Pitt 24, Cal 23

1 Texas vs. 18 Oklahoma 3:30 pm

The Red River Rivalry (try saying that five times fast) has been a crazy game in the past. That old cliche about throwing the record books away when these two teams play is actually mostly true. Will Quinn Ewers play? Or will we see Arch Manning again? I think Texas is just too good this year offensively, and Oklahoma has all sorts of QB issues.

Texas 38, Oklahoma 28

9 Ole Miss @ 13 LSU – 7:30 PM

Ole Miss, fresh off the butt-kicking of the chickens in the midlands, now travel to the lesser Death Valley in Baton Rouge to play LSU at night. Nothing good happens when you give those rowdy fans all day to tailgate. The stadium will be rocking, and I think that’s where Jaxson Dart may fall apart. Has Juice Wells caught a meaningful ball all year? The game will be won on defense. Which defense shows up? I think Ole Miss has the better defense.

Ole Miss 27, LSU 24

2 Ohio State @ 3 Oregon 7:30 pm

For starters, I cannot pick Ohio State. They infiltrate Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach, they love our great state. Wearing their crocs and jean shorts. Their football team is pretty darn good though. Amazing what spending money can do for a roster. I just can’t pick them. So, SCO DUCKS!

Oregon 31, Ohio State 30

Garrett Mitchell- Staff Writer

10 Clemson @ Wake Forest Noon

Clemson defeated Florida State last week 29-13. But that game was nowhere near as close as the final score made it look. On Saturday, the score, and the stats, will reflect the Tigers’ dominance. This one might get ugly.

Clemson 45, Wake Forest 13

Cal @ 22 Pitt 3:30 pm

Cal should have beaten Miami last week. Legitimately, they did beat Miami. Unfortunately, the officials decided to ignore the targeting rule in the game’s most crucial moment which opened the door for the Hurricanes’ heroics. The Bears will have a chip on their shoulder and speaking of targeting, Pitt is in their sights.

Cal 38, Pitt 24

1 Texas vs. 18 Oklahoma 3:30 pm

Texas is ranked #1 in the AP poll for the first time in, well, how many people remember Vince Young? I digress. Oklahoma is a serviceable team, but Brent Venables’ squad isn’t quit on par with the Longhorns. It will be close for a half then Bevo and company will gore the Sooners.

Texas 31, Oklahoma 21

9 Ole Miss @ 13 LSU 7:30 pm

Ole Miss rebounded in a big way last week, brutalizing the Tigers’ little brothers down in Columbia. The other Tigers of LSU have played well in recent weeks and this one should be one of the best games of the week. It will be a barn burner but give me Ole Miss to make a big play or two late.

Ole Miss 34, LSU 27

2 Ohio State @ 3 Oregon 7:30 pm

Speaking of great games, this one is THE big match-up of the week. I always view Ohio State with a degree of skepticism and am usually right. I am certainly not convinced the Buckeyes are worthy of the #2 ranking this year until I see it. I do not, however, believe I will see it Saturday. The Ducks will “quack” Ohio State’s resolve in the second half.

Oregon 38, Ohio State 21

Griffin Barfield – Staff Writer

10 Clemson @ Wake Forest Noon

Clemson coming off a great win, but Wake Forest proved so many people wrong with a win last weekend against NC State. Yes, the mesh is confusing, but I think the Clemson defense will be able to figure it out. The offense will perform like the offense has over the last four games, and the Tigers leave Winston-Salem with a huge win before coming back home,

Clemson 49, Wake Forest 24

Cal @ 22 Pitt 3:30 pm

Pitt is legit this year. Eli Holstein looks great for a young quarterback, and Cal is coming off of a brutal loss to the Miami Hurricanes at home in a game that they had the whole time. The Golden Bears could be undefeated currently, and I think that traveling three time zones to face the Panthers will not work in their favor. Holstein has a big day, and Pitt wins once again. The Panthers need to be looked out for.

Pitt 27, Cal 23

1 Texas vs. 18 Oklahoma 3:30 pm

One of the greatest rivalries in all of college football takes place this Saturday. Quinn Ewers is a-go for the Longhorns, and that helps incredibly compared to if Arch Manning was playing. The Venables defense will be evident, but I think that Texas’s firepower is too much. Everybody is tripping up in the SEC after last weekend, and Sark won’t let his team slow down now. Horns roll in Dallas.

Texas 41, Oklahoma 31

9 Ole Miss @ 13 LSU 7:30 pm

Has nobody realized that the SEC this season is absolutely nuts? This game will most likely take away one team’s College Football Playoff berth. I want to go with LSU here because of the home-field advantage, especially if anybody was coaching this close of a game besides Brian Kelly. Ole Miss slipped up two weeks ago and had a great win against South Carolina last weekend. The Rebels get a huge away win in the other “Death Valley”.

Ole Miss 34, LSU 27

2 Ohio State @ 3 Oregon 7:30 pm

This is Oregon’s chance. They have its biggest home game since I don’t know when. It’s the Big Ten, and a win almost guarantees a berth in the College Football Playoff for either side. Ryan Day is on the other side, and Dan Lanning can put him right back on the coaching hot seat with a win. Also, you could put any doubt about your program away with a statement win over the Ohio State Buckeyes. Do they do it? Yes.

Oregon 38, Ohio State 34

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