What to Watch in Week 7

Thursday Night

Navy @ East Carolina- Postponed to Novemeber 19

The game has been moved to November 19 due to the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew

Friday Night

Duke @ #7 Louisville- 7:00 ESPN

Mississippi State @ BYU- 10:15 ESPN

Lamar Jackson and Louisville play their first game since losing at Clemson. Louisville has the clear talent advantage, and Jackson has been killing inferior teams, such as Duke, with long touchdown runs and throws.  Look for that to continue here.  Mississippi State then heads to BYU for the nightcap.  BYU had been involved in plenty of close games this year before blowing out Michigan State last weekend.  Mississippi State has been struggling all year, and needs to turn things around if they want to make it to a bowl game.

Saturday Day

#20 West Virginia @ Texas Tech- 12:00 FS1

Kansas State @ #18 Oklahoma- 12:00 ESPN

NC State @ #3 Clemson- 12:00 ABC

West Virginia is one of only two undefeated teams left in the Big 12.  They take on a Texas Tech team that likes to pass almost every snap of the game.  It has worked so far as they average over 500 yards per game.  West Virginia, on the other hand, likes to play low scoring games.  This one will be a good contrast in styles.  Elsewhere, on ESPN, Kansas State tries to upset Oklahoma.  Oklahoma is undefeated in the Big 12 so far, and may be the conference’s best team, even though they lost 2 early games.  In the ACC, NC State plays at Clemson.  NC State picked up a big win over Notre Dame last weekend and is looking for the upset.  However, if Clemson, winners of 11 straight ACC games, plays up to their potential, they should win easily. 

Saturday Afternoon

#1 Alabama @ #9 Tennessee- 3:30 CBS

North Carolina @ #16 Miami- 3:30 ABC

#10 Nebraska@ Indiana- 3:30 ESPN2

The Third Saturday in October game is the biggest its been in over a decade as both teams enter in the top ten.  Alabama handily beat Arkansas last weekend, as Tennessee lost in double overtime to Texas A&M.  With a win, Tennessee jumps right back into the playoff picture, but might not even make the conference championship game.  Alabama comes into this game haven beaten everyone but Ole Miss by 19+, and Jalen Hurst is only getting better at quarterback.  In the ACC Coastal, UNC plays at Miami.  Each team needs a win to keep pace with Virginia Tech in the coastal race.  It will be a better of good quarterbacks as Mitch Trubisky takes on Brad Kaaya.  In the Big 10, Nebraska tries to stay undefeated as they head to Indiana.  Indiana has already upset Michigan State this season, while Nebraska has yet to be really tested by anyone. 

Saturday Night

#12 Ole Miss @ #22 Arkansas- 7:00 ESPN

Stanford @ Notre Dame- 7:30 NBC

#2 Ohio State @ #8 Wisconsin- 8:00 ABC

Ole Miss heads to Arkansas as they try to keep their outside shot at making the SEC Championship alive.  Chad Kelly has been excellent all year, and should be able to throw all over Arkansas.  After a big win over TCU, the Razorbacks season has slowed, losing to both Alabama and Texas A&M.  They can get back on track with a win, but their defense needs to play better than it has the last few weeks.  In a non-conference matchup, Stanford takes on Notre Dame, as both teams try to stop losing streaks.  With a loss, Notre Dame may not become bowl eligible, and will receive help as it looks like Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey may be limited with an injury.  The ABC game of the week is a top ten matchup between Ohio State and Wisconsin.  Wisconsin suffered their first lost last game against Michigan, a tight defensive battle, and their two best wins (LSU and Michigan State)do not look as good as when they played.  However, they should be a good test for Ohio State, who has rolled over everyone so far this year.  Wisconsin’s defense will be the best J.T. Barrett has faced all season, as he will finally need to play up to his potential.  If this is a slow scoring slugfest, Wisconsin has a good shot, however, if it becomes a high scoring affair, look for Ohio State to win easily.

Saturday Late Night

Colorado State @ #15 Boise State- 10:15 ESPN2

UCLA @ Washington State- 10:30 ESPN

Colorado State heads to Boise to take on the fifteenth ranked Broncos.  With the loss by Houston last week, Boise is in an excellent position to scope up a Cotton Bowl berth.  If they are as good as their ranking, they should have no problem with Colorado State.  In the nigh cap, UCLA heads to Washington State.  Washington State blew out Stanford last weekend, while UCLA lost a close one to Arizona State.  UCLA is the better team when they play up to their potential, but they have yet to do so this year.