NCAAF Week 7 Preview

By Owen Pannell | KZA Sports

WOOOOOOOOO it’s the best week of the ENTIRE year. The Red River Rivalry. Even if you aren’t an Oklahoma or Texas fan, this is a LOADED college football weekend.

Biggest Games

1. Oklahoma vs Texas (-2.5) - 3:30 pm ET

Some of y’all might think there’s a better game than this, but I promise you there isn’t. Undoubtedly a top 2 rivalry in college football, and it’s not number 2. This is the epitome of college football, and I CANNOT wait (I’ll be in attendance). Texas needs this win badly, but OU has looked very nice. The biggest storyline will be if injured Sooner QB John Mateer plays or not. If he does, I don’t see a world where Texas wins (how are they favored?).

2. Indiana at Oregon (-7.5) - 3:30 pm ET

Gameday will be at this game after the embarrassment that is Texas football lost in the Swamp. Oregon has looked like a top team in the country, but the Penn State win might not be as good as we thought. Meanwhile, IU has been amazing and they have a real shot to win this ball game.

3. Alabama (-2.5) at Missouri - 12:00 pm ET

Undefeated Missouri hosts top 10 Alabama in a massive SEC showdown. The Tigers have been quietly a really good team this year, but ever since week 1, Alabama has been an absolute buzzsaw. It’ll be tough for both teams, but it’ll be a high quality win for whoever wins.

4. South Florida at North Texas (-1.5) - 7:30 pm ET Friday

Quite possibly the biggest G6 game of the year, and it’s going to have a ton of eyes on it on Friday night. South Florida got back into the top 25 this week, but North Texas is 5-0 and has been playing great football. Whoever wins will be right in the thick of the battle for the CFP.

5. Ohio State (-14.5) at Illinois - 12:00 pm ET

Ohio State needs a good win here. The Texas win does not look impressive at all anymore. If Illinois gets this win, that would look absolutely amazing on their resume. They aren’t back in the CFP discussion yet, but they will be with a win.

Upset Alert

1. Pittsburgh at Florida State (-10.5) - 12:00 pm ET

FSU needs a win here to get their season back on track, but Pitt looked pretty dang good last weekend. The Seminoles should be ready to play, but they have to be careful about letting the Panthers into this game.

2. UCF at Cincinnati (-11.5) - 12:00 pm ET

Cincy is coming off of a big win over Iowa State, and UCF isn’t a terrible team. The Bearcats better be ready to play in this one, or their Big 12 title hopes could vanish.

3. Navy (-7.5) at Temple - 4:00 pm ET

Navy is 5-0 and have a real shot at the CFP if they run the table. Temple could be a problem though, they are a very solid team and playing on the road against the Owls is just a weird feeling. 

Biggest Storylines

- Oklahoma QB

All eyes will be on John Mateer’s thumb this week. If he can play, and then leads the Sooners to a victory, that would be absolutely legendary. Mike Hawkins Jr struggled a bit last Saturday, so the Longhorns might have a chance if he is the QB.

- IU

If the Hoosiers win, we have to put them at the top of the Big Ten. Ohio State isn’t the best team in my opinion, and the Hoosiers have looked great, and this win would be insane.

- G6 favorite

Memphis has secured themselves in the CFP conversation for now, but the winner of South Florida-North Texas has a real argument to pass them. Whoever wins will control their own destiny the rest of the way.

Weekday CFB

There’s not only Friday games this week, but also some very solid weekday games. We already talked about UNT-USF, but let’s take a look at the rest of the action before Saturday.

- Wednesday CUSA

This is some real college football sicko stuff, but on Wednesday night we’ve got Missouri State at Middle Tennessee and Liberty at UTEP. Both games have next to no meaning, but I’ll still be tuning in.

- Louisiana Tech (-6.5) at Kennesaw State - 7:00 pm ET Thursday

This CUSA game has a bit more at stake. Both teams are undefeated in conference play, and especially Louisiana Tech has a shot at winning it.

- East Carolina at Tulane (-6.5) - 7:30 pm ET Thursday

Another Thursday night game with conference implications. Both teams are undefeated in the American, and Tulane has CFP hopes. A loss for either team would definitely hurt their goals for this season, and would eliminate Tulane from playoff contention.

- Rutgers at Washington (-9.5) - 9:00 pm ET Friday

Rutgers has been off to a rough start in conference play so far, and Washington is coming off of a very close game vs Maryland. I wouldn’t say this game will have a crazy postseason impact, but a Friday night Big Ten game is always nice.

Predictions

- Louisiana Tech (-6.5) at Kennesaw State: Louisiana Tech

La Tech has a very solid CUSA team who will compete for a championship, and they’ll get a solid road win here.

- East Carolina at Tulane (-6.5): Tulane

At home, the Green Wave will not let their playoff chances be erased.

- South Florida at North Texas (-1.5): North Texas

Denton will be rocking on Friday night, and I’ve got the Mean Green getting a massive win to improve to 6-0.

- Rutgers at Washington (-9.5): Washington

The Huskies just outmatch Rutgers, and they’re at home. They won’t lose.

- Oklahoma vs* Texas (-2.5): Oklahoma

I have no idea how Texas is favored, even if Mateer doesn’t play, the Sooners will take back the Golden Hat.

- Ohio State (-14.5) at Illinois: Ohio State

I don’t see the Buckeyes picking up their first loss here, I think they’ll take care of business.

- Alabama (-2.5) at Missouri: Alabama

Missouri will suffer their first L, Alabama is just too talented for them.

- Pittsburgh at Florida State (-10.5): Florida State

Although they are on upset alert, I think the Seminoles get a bounce back win.

- UCF at Cincinnati (-11.5): Cincinnati

Also on upset alert, it might be close for a while, but the Bearkats will come out with a win.

- Indiana at Oregon (-7.5): Oregon

With Gameday in town, the Ducks will make another statement to why they should be number 1.

- Iowa State (-3.5) at Colorado: Iowa State

I think it’ll be a close one, but Colorado has just not been good this year. Give me the Cyclones.

- Nebraska (-6.5) at Maryland: Nebraska

The Huskers are a better team than Maryland, and even though they are on the road, they’ll get a win.

- TCU at Kansas State (-1.5): TCU

TCU is very decent, and the Wildcats have been poor all year. The Horned Frogs will win on the road.

- Arkansas at Tennessee (-12.5): Tennessee

It might be close for the first quarter, but I think the Vols will pull away.

- Florida at Texas A&M (-7.5): Texas A&M

Riding high after their upset over Texas, Florida will have a letdown game and the Aggies will get a dub.

- Iowa (-3.5) at Wisconsin: Iowa

Wisconsin is straight up bad. Iowa will dominate with their defense.

- Kansas at Texas Tech (-13.5): Texas Tech

I don’t think Kansas will get the upset here, the Red Raiders will continue their impressive streak.

- Georgia (-3.5) at Auburn: Georgia

Georgia’s defense will have an absolute field day vs this Auburn offense. The Bulldogs by double digits.

- Michigan at USC (-2.5): Michigan

I think Bryce Underwood will be great as the Wolverines get a massive win over the Trojans.

- Purdue at Minnesota (-7.5): Purdue

I like the Boilermakers this year, I think they’ll get a nice upset win over the Gophers.

- South Carolina at LSU (-9.5): LSU

LSU has certainly been iffy so far, but they will get a solid win here.

- BYU (-1.5) at Arizona: BYU

The Cougars are a quiet Big 12 contender, and it might be close but they’ll get a good victory on the road.

- Arizona State at Utah (-5.5): Arizona State

This is going to be a good one, I think the Sun Devils are the more talented team, and it’ll show in the 4th.

- NC State at Notre Dame (-21.5): Notre Dame

The Irish have been good recently, and with every game as a must win, they will get it done.

- Navy (-7.5) at Temple: Navy

The Midshipmen will continue their undefeated season in Philly.

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