Week 7’s upsets — Indiana over Oregon and Texas over Oklahoma — increase upset risk and futures volatility. Punters should consider backing underdogs in rivalry games, avoid QB props tied to injured quarterbacks like Penn State’s Drew Allar, and look for value on emerging pass-rushers and defensive prospects as futures or player props in the weeks ahead.
Week 7 Recap: Chaos Reshapes the College Football Landscape
Week 7 reinforced the season’s unpredictability. Indiana snapped a 46-game skid versus AP top-five teams with a 30–20 win at Oregon, while unranked Texas dominated No. 6 Oklahoma, 23–6, in the Red River Rivalry. Upsets also included road losses for No. 15 Michigan and shorthanded No. 21 Arizona State. Top quarterback performances were scarce, though Alabama’s Ty Simpson added a strong road win at Missouri to his résumé.
Risers: Defensive Playmakers and Big-Play Receivers
CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
Allen anchored Georgia’s second-half defensive shutout in a 20–10 comeback at Auburn. The 6'1", 235-pound linebacker led the game with 10 tackles, added a sack and two tackles for loss, and has pushed from fringe first-round chatter into serious consideration with consistent physicality and efficient blitz work.
Damon Wilson, Edge, Missouri
Wilson posted two sacks and multiple pressures against Alabama, continuing to climb draft boards. At 6'4", 250 pounds, he blends length and burst, ranking among the nation’s leaders in pressures and regularly disrupting quarterbacks—traits that have him moving into Day 2 projections.
Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
Sarratt was instrumental in Indiana’s upset at Oregon, catching eight passes for 121 yards and a go-ahead touchdown on a contested back-shoulder route. The 6'1", 213-pound receiver is a precise route runner and dependable contested-catch target; testing will determine his exact draft ceiling, but his tape this year is compelling.
Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
Igbinosun emerged as one of the nation’s top cover corners, breaking up four passes and allowing only one catch on seven targets in a single game. After earlier concerns about penalties, he’s found balance, showing instincts, ball skills and the temperament to be a Day 2 starter at the next level.
Xavier Chaplin, OT, Auburn
Chaplin dominated Georgia’s front on Saturday, not allowing a single pressure. The 6'7", 348-pound tackle’s run-game nastiness and displacement power resurfaced after an uneven stretch, and he looked like a potential top-50 prospect when at his best.
Fallers and Red Flags: Injuries and Slumping Pass Protectors
Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
Allar suffered a season-ending left-leg injury, halting a campaign that already cooled his first-round momentum. His slide will hinge on medical evaluations and his ability to throw in front of evaluators; teams will be cautious until his recovery and post-injury testing are clear.
Austin Barber, OT, Florida
Barber struggled against an elite Texas A&M front, allowing two sacks and multiple pressures. Once a top-20 preseason board prospect, his recent run-block prowess remains, but pass-protection concerns have become a notable draft-day question that scouts will weigh heavily.
John Mateer, QB, Oklahoma
Making his Red River debut less than three weeks after surgery on his throwing hand, Mateer completed 20 of 38 for 202 yards, threw three interceptions and took five sacks. The performance raises durability and decision-making questions; he has time to rebound but must prove this outing was a temporary setback.
Key Takeaways for Drafts and Betting Markets
Upsets and injuries are shifting both draft narratives and betting markets. Expect futures to become more volatile—teams emerging as upset threats can see late line movement—while injured quarterbacks and inconsistent pass protectors should deter bettors from aggressive QB props and blind futures plays. Conversely, defensive standouts and edge rushers hitting streaks may offer underpriced futures or player-prop opportunities as bettors chase emerging pass-rusher value.
Looking Ahead
As the season progresses, keep an eye on medical reports, consistency from breakout defenders, and how teams adjust after high-profile upsets. Those trends will matter for both draft positioning and where smart money lands in the weeks of conference play.
There were a few hits to the quarterback class and several standout efforts from potential top 100 picks in the Big Ten and SEC.
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