Scully's Week 7 NCAAF picks: Arkansas will get back in the win column

We witnessed another wild Saturday in college football last week.

The craziness included Alabama's first loss since 2019 and prized freshman quarterback Caleb Williams' rescue of undefeated Oklahoma, as he led the Sooners back from a three-touchdown halftime deficit.

Week 7 picks include a couple solid teams in the SEC West, and we’ll also take a stand against an overvalued ACC squad.

Auburn vs. Arkansas

After its first loss of the season, at Georgia, Arkansas got its offense back on track at Ole Miss last week and piled up 676 total yards.

Quarterback KJ Jefferson leads a dynamic Arkansas attack. He completed 25 of his 35 passes, for 326 yards and three touchdowns, against Ole Miss and added 85 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. Arkansas’ balance will pose problems for Auburn.

Bo Nix makes plays for Auburn at quarterback, but the Tigers don’t light up the scoreboard.

I love the home angle with Arkansas, which has delivered inspired defensive performances — double-digit home wins over Texas and Texas A&M this season — and Arkansas will snap a two-game losing streak with a resounding victory.

NCAAF pick: Arkansas -3.5

Clemson vs. Syracuse

After it produced a 6-17 record over the previous two seasons, Syracuse has improved significantly in 2021. The Orange play with an edge defensively, rank 17th in total defense and fourth nationally in sacks, and can control the clock with their ground game.

This is too many points to lay with underachieving Clemson, which is 0-4 against the spread against FBS teams this year.

The stats don’t lie. DJ Uiagalelei (three touchdowns and three interceptions in five games) has completed only 54.3% of his passes for the nation’s 112th-best scoring offense, and the Tigers are banged up.

Running back Sean Tucker (791 rushing yards and nine touchdowns) will give Clemson all it can handle. He has led the way for Syracuse’s 11th-ranked rushing offense (242.8 yards per game), and Syracuse is 3-1 ATS in the last four meetings between these two teams.

Give me the points!

NCAAF pick: Syracuse +14

Ole Miss vs. Tennessee

Ole Miss will exploit most defenses.

The Rebels put up 52 points on Arkansas last week, and Tennessee’s young defense will provide little resistance. The Volunteers gave up a combined 79 points to Florida and Pittsburgh earlier this season, and Ole Miss is more explosive than those teams.

Kudos to new coach Josh Heupel for Tennessee’s progress, as the Vols have recorded impressive wins over Missouri and South Carolina the last two weeks, but the possibility for a letdown exists on this significant class hike.

Mississippi can win 10 or 11 regular season games this year. The Rebels average 46.2 points per game, behind outstanding quarterback Matt Corral, and Ole Miss will cover a manageable spread in Week 7.

NCAAF pick: Ole Miss -3

Arizona State vs. Utah

Utah has played better since it lost back-to-back games to BYU and San Diego State, and the Utes recorded a 42-26 win at USC last week, but they will face a buzzsaw in Arizona State.

The Sun Devils had every chance to win at BYU in Week 3, but self-inflicted mistakes cost them dearly. They’ve rallied around the setback, easily defeated UCLA and Stanford the last two weeks, and Arizona State features the top scoring defense in the Pac-12.

Along with a formidable rushing offense, Arizona State has the edge at quarterback with Jayden Daniels, and the Sun Devils will earn their fourth straight cover this season.

NCAAF pick: Arizona St. -1.5