Arkansas vs. Vanderbilt Prediction, CFB Week 7 Odds & Best Bets (10/17)

Fact checked at 6:49 AM ET, Oct 17, 2026

Odds as of Oct 17, 6:43 AM ET

Somebody gets off the SEC schneid in Nashville. Arkansas and Vanderbilt are both 0-3 in league play, Arkansas at 2-4 after a 24-17 home loss to Tennessee and Vanderbilt at 3-3 after three straight losses. The last one was ugly: Ole Miss led 42-3 at halftime and won 52-17. Freshman Jared Curtis is expected to start at quarterback again for the Commodores, since backup Blaze Berlowitz is out with a broken collarbone.

Vanderbilt is a 6-point favorite with a total of 49.5 for the 7:00 PM ET kickoff at FirstBank Stadium on ESPN2. The matchup we care about is the Arkansas defense against Vanderbilt's top receiver. The Razorbacks have allowed at least 24 points and more than 400 yards in four of their last five games, and Utah threw for 301 on them in a 43-10 rout.

Arkansas vs. Vanderbilt Predictions

• Pick #1: Junior Sherrill 80+ Receiving Yards (-108)

PICK #1: Junior Sherrill 80+ Receiving Yards (-108)

Vanderbilt's passing game is mostly Junior Sherrill. He has 529 receiving yards through six games, 88 a game and close to 40% of the team's passing yards. Over the last five he went for 94 against Delaware, 108 against NC State, 95 at Auburn, 107 at Georgia and 55 against Ole Miss. That's four games of 94 or more, and he caught between five and seven passes every time.

The quarterback shuffle hasn't changed his role. Curtis led the team in passing in four of those games (210, 277, 199 and 222 yards), and Sherrill cleared 90 in three of them. The 107 at Georgia came with Berlowitz throwing.

At -108 the price implies about a 51.9% chance, and he has cleared 80 in four of his last five. A repeat of Ole Miss would sink it. That night Vanderbilt fell behind by 39 before halftime, Curtis threw two interceptions and Sherrill stalled at 55. Arkansas has also kept the top receiver of four of its last five opponents to 87 yards or fewer. Sherrill isn't on the SEC availability report, and this one depends on Curtis making the start.

21+ (18+ where permitted). Odds subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.