College Football Week Seven – Red River Rivalry Day
Week Seven is upon us and this week’s games are dominated by meaningful clashes in the SEC, Big 10 & Big 12 – which feature the historied “Red River Rivalry” between Texas & Oklahoma.
The SEC has two all ranked matchups – the pick of which is Florida @ LSU a game which will have repercussions throughout the Conference. In the Big 10 two periphery sides battle it out with still unbeaten Penn State looking to keep their hopes alive via a tough road trip to Iowa, whose own playoff holes evaporated last week in that rather drab loss at Michigan. However, the Rose Bowl is technically still a possibility.
Anyway here is how we see the games panning out:
No 20 Virginia @ Miami (Fla.)
Could be a minor upset on the cards here – Virginia is not great on the road and Miami looked to be on their way back last week after neatly rallying back to beat VT.
Miami by 3 points +
Colorado @ No 13 Oregon
Should be a comfortable win for the Ducks
Oregon by 14 points +
N0 23 Memphis @ Temple
Another possible upset or maybe not as Temple are 2.5 point favourites. We think this will be a one-score game and Temple will edge it.
Temple by 3 points+
No 16 Michigan @ Illinois
The Wolverines dug out an important win over Iowa last week and should have no major problems in this one.
Michigan by 7 points +
No 6 Oklahoma @ No 11 Texas
The Big 12 game of the season and another thriller like last years will do us. Probably another one-score game and we think the Sooners will get revenge for last years loss.
Oklahoma by 7 points +
South Carolina @ Georgia No 3
Georgia should win this one but it might not be as easy as the spread suggests (+21 points).
Georgia by 14 points
Michigan St. @ No 8 Wisconsin
The Badgers look awesome defensively this year, while the Spartans struggle to score against good defenses. That should be enough to show where we are leaning.
Wisconsin by 14 points +
Washington St. @ No 18 Arizona St.
Washington State are coming off of two defeats, but the UCLA one was just one of those days while losing at Utah is no disgrace. We are not convinced by ASU and think the Cougars might just edge this one.
Washington State by 7 points +
Florida St. @ Clemson No 2
Clemson disappointed last time up edging past North Carolina by a point, however, the Tar Heels have won since and Clemson has had a week off to sort thigs out. They should be far too strong at home for the Seminoles.
Clemson by 14 points +
No 25 Cincinnati @ Houston
Cincinnati had a nice win over UCF last week but that was at home and although Houston doesn’t look the same team without Ed Oliver on their D-Line they might just edge this one.
Houston by 3 points +
No 1 Alabama @ No 24 Texas A&M
We are not sure what A&M are doing in the rankings while unbeaten teams such as Minnesota and Appalachian State are not. still that should change this weekend as unless AP are in love with the SEC hey can’t leave a three-loss team in at this stage.
Alabama by 14 points +
Texas Tech @ No 22 Baylor
Another nice Big 12 clash with TTU coming off a big win last week, while Baylor remains unbeaten. A win for Baylor could put them into pole position for the Big 12 Championship game.
Baylor by 6 points+
Louisville @ No 19 Wake Forest
Nice to see Wake Forest finally ranked and deservedly so at 5-0. We expect them to move on to 6-0 and continue to make their case for an NY6 Bowl berth.
Wake Forest by 12 points +
No 10 Penn St. @ No 17 Iowa
The Big 10 clash of the night. This will answer any remaining questions about Penn State, coming here and winning this one on the would edge them inside the top 10 and keep them firmly in the playoff talks. Big ask though.
Penn stare by 3 points +
USC @ Notre Dame
Notre Dame are still in the playoff hunt but their margin for error is Zero. They need to win this one by a few points.
Notre Dame by 14 points +
No 7 Florida @ N0 5 LSU
The game of the night with Florida’s quality defense going up against LSU QB Joe Burrow who has had 300 yards passing in four straight games. Both unbeaten and so something has to give. We think t will be LSU’s night but not by much.
LSU by 5 points +
No 15 Utah @ Oregon St.
Utah had a nice bounce-back win over WSU last week and at 4-1 look on course to challenge for the PAC 12’s Rose Bowl place. They should add a nice road win to their resume.
Utah by 14 points +
Hawaii @ No 14 Boise St.
Boise at 5-0 have the inside track on the Group of Five at large bid to the Cotton Bowl but with several other unbeaten sides in this group, they will need to win this one. Hawaii are 4-1 themselves so no pushovers, however winning this one on the road will be tough. They should hold the Broncos to within the spread though.
Boise by 10 points or less