2017 Week 7 Preview

There were some big upsets last week! Oklahoma lost to Iowa State, Michigan lost to Michigan State and Louisville lost to NC State. Florida also lost to LSU, which is weird, but not totally unexpected. This week there are no ranked vs. ranked games. That means the potential for upsets is higher. It’s not the greatest slate of games, but there are a few that could be big. So many, in fact, I’m previewing and picking SEVEN games this week instead of the usual six. Exciting, I know. Let’s get to it.

How I Fared: 3-3 last week, 25-11 overall

Notable Games
Georgia Tech at 11Miami
This game was originally scheduled for Thursday, but because of Irma and the ACC rule that teams must have a bye before playing on Thursday, this game is now being played on Saturday. This one is interesting. Miami finally beat Florida State last week, and they could be overlooking this game. Georgia Tech is coming off a bye last week and before that a 33-7 win over North Carolina. The Tech offense can be tricky to go against. I think Miami is the better team, but they need to be careful. This one might be close.
I am picking Miami

12Oklahoma vs Texas (Dallas)
So. I bet you didn’t think Oklahoma would be the one coming into this game after a loss. But they are. The Sooners lost 31-38 to Iowa State at home last week. And Iowa State was using their 3rd string QB. Texas beat Kansas State in 2OTs last week. This game is usually a good one. Rivalry games are the best. That being said, Baker might come in this game a little mad and looking to prove that he is still a top Heisman contender. Texas probably feels pretty good right now, but I think this will be a close game early but OU will pull away and probably win by a comfortable margin. Or Texas might take another good team to OT and stun college football again.
I am picking Oklahoma

Utah at 13USC
USC needs a big win. Sam Darnold has kinda fallen out of the spotlight and this game would be a great chance for him to get back on our radar. The Trojans didn’t have much trouble with Oregon State last week. Utah was “upset” by Stanford last week 20-23. The Utes have a good defense that should be the reason this game stays close. I do think USC will win this game, but it might be a nail biter.
I am picking USC

24Texas Tech at West Virginia
This will be a good test for Texas Tech. West Virginia is a good team and lost a close one to TCU last week. This game should be a fun one. Both teams like to score and both teams have decent defenses. Texas Tech held Kansas to just 19 points while scoring 65 points. I am a little surprised to see Texas Tech being ranked, but they could prove me wrong with a win this weekend. This should be a really good game.
I am picking West Virginia

25Navy at Memphis
Both of these teams can score a ton of points. Both have also been in shootouts this season. Last week, Navy got by Air Force 48-45 and Memphis stomped UConn 70-31. Neither of these teams plays consistently good defense, so this could be a Big 12 level shootout. Navy is 5-0, but they haven’t looked very good this season. They have been in a lot of close games with some not so good teams. This game could come down to whoever has the ball last. Should be fun.
I am picking Navy

South Carolina at Tennessee
Oh, Tennessee. The most recent trouble in Knoxville surrounds the quarterback position. They will be starting Jarrett Guarantano instead of Quinten Dormady. Dormady has said he is contemplating his future with the program. So that’s not great. South Carolina is coming off a big win over Arkansas where their defense scored 3TDs. If SCAR comes out and plays the way they did against Arkansas, I think they will win this game. I don’t think Tennessee is in a great place right now and South Carolina has all the momentum. I think it will be a close one, but SCAR looked pretty good to me last weekend.
I am picking South Carolina

Texas A&M at Florida
So, Texas A&M actually gave Alabama a fight and Florida lost to LSU. LSU beating Florida isn’t the biggest deal, but I was pretty sure that Bama would beat up Texas A&M. I kinda want Florida to lose this game solely because of the horrible uniforms they are going to wear. I do not like them. Florida’s offense continues to be not great and Texas A&M seems to being picking up some momentum. It will be interesting to see how Texas A&M does against the Florida defense.
I am picking Texas A&M

Arkansas at 1Alabama
Um, I don’t really want to acknowledge that this game is going to happen. I’m kinda worried about the safety of Austin Allen (more than usual). Bama is really good, especially on defense. Arkansas is… a football team? At least a little? Ok, that was a little harsh. I haven’t lost hope in this team, but they need to start showing up on offense. Cole Kelley looked pretty good when he came in late against South Carolina. Alabama didn’t walk all over Texas A&M, so maybe there’s a chance. I’m hoping we score and I’m hoping everyone (Austin) survives.

Top 25
Arkansas at 1Alabama
2Clemson at Syracuse (Friday)
3Penn State BYE
Missouri at 4Georigia
5Washington at Arizona State
6TCU at Kansas State
Purdue at 7Wisconsin
8Washington State at California (Friday)
9Ohio State at Nebraska
10Auburn at LSU
Georgia Tech at 11Miami
12Oklahoma vs Texas (Dallas)
Utah at 13USC
Baylor at 14Oklahoma State
15Virginia Tech BYE
16Notre Dame BYE
17Michigan at Indiana
Cincinnati at 18South Florida
Boise State at 19San Diego State
20NC State at Pittsburgh
21Michigan State at Minnesota
East Carolina at 22UCF
Oregon at 23Stanford
24Texas Tech at West Virginia
25Navy at Memphis

Other Games
UNLV at Air Force
Florida State at Duke
BYU at Mississippi State
South Carolina at Tennessee
Virginia at North Carolina
Vanderbilt at Ole Miss
Wyoming at Utah State
Texas A&M at Florida