2018 Week 7 Preview

Week 6 gave us an instant classic. The “Red River Shootout” lived up to its name as Texas edged out Oklahoma 48-45 on a FG with 9 seconds left. So I guess Texas is kind of back. LSU was beat by Florida and Auburn only scored 3 FGs in their loss to Mississippi State. There were a couple other upsets last week, but those are the big ones. Week 7 gives us 3 ranked vs ranked games and a few other interesting games. So let’s just dive right in!

How I Fared: 1-5 last week, 20-16 overall

Notable Games
Texas Tech at TCU (Thursday)
There should be a ton of points scored in this game. Both of these teams are coming off a bye week. With Texas beating OU last week, the Big 12 race just got a lot more interesting. Both of these teams still have a chance to make it to the Big 12 Championship game and a win here would be great. Defense hasn’t been Texas Tech’s strength, but they have been improved this season. I think TCU is the better team, but they need to have a much better day on offense than their last outing. I think they will get a much needed win.
I am picking TCU

2Georgia at 13LSU
Georgia should win this game, but games in Death Valley can be hard. They are expecting a huge crowd for this game and the atmosphere should be great. LSU was handed their first loss of the season by Florida last weekend and Georgia got by Vanderbilt without any issues. I think the Bulldogs are the better team, but LSU is scrappy and could make it a close one. This is definitely the game of the weekend.
I am picking Georgia

7Washington at 17Oregon
This is a huge game in the Pac 12. Washington has the best chance to make the playoff and will need to run the table to even be considered. Oregon is coming off a week of rest and has looked really good this season. I think this game will come down to QB play and Oregon’s Justin Herbert has been the more consistent player. There could be a ton of points in this game and it should be very exciting. I’m giving the edge to Oregon and their home field advantage.
I am picking Oregon

15Wisconsin at 12Michigan
If I’m being honest, I’m not really sure how this game will go. Michigan is much improved from their loss to Notre Dame and Wisconsin is a typical Wisconsin team. This game depends on which Michigan team shows up. If the team that played Northwestern shows up, they will not win. I expect a rather high scoring Big 10 game. Defense should play a huge role in this game. This might actually be a fun game. Could come down to the team who gets the ball last.
I am picking Michigan

22Texas A&M at South Carolina
Another very difficult game to pick. Texas A&M got a big win over Kentucky last week and South Carolina outlasted Missouri in the rain. Both teams have been very up and down. I saw Texas A&M in person and was not impressed, but they have been able to win. South Carolina is very similar and that’s what makes picking this game so hard. My gut tells me to go with the Aggies.
I am picking Texas A&M

Hawaii at BYU
BYU lost to Utah State last weekend. And it wasn’t close. After beating Wisconsin earlier in the year, BYU has struggled. Hawaii already has 6 wins and has been really strong this season. The Rainbow Warrior’s only win came at Army, approximately a million miles away from Hawaii. Provo is still a long way from HI, but I think they have a great chance to win this game and secure bowl eligibility. This should be a good one.
I am picking Hawaii

Ole Miss at Arkansas (Little Rock)
This game is going to be sloppy. There will be minimal defense. Honestly, I’d take the over if I was a betting gal. The Hogs looked pretty decent against Alabama. While they did give up 65 points, a lot of them came off one play drives. There was even a point in the second quarter where the Hogs could’ve been down just 7 with all the momentum. A couple key fumbles really hurt the Razorbacks. Arkansas did score more points than anyone else has on the Tide and had more yards. This, of course, made Nick Saban very mad. This team is improving before our eyes and that is great to see. I am hoping to see a stronger defense this weekend, but the winner will probably need to score at least 40 points, probably more.

Top 25
Missouri at 1Alabama
2Georgia at 13LSU
Minnesota at 3Ohio State
4Clemson BYE
Pittsburgh at 5Notre Dame
6West Virginia at Iowa State
7Washington at 17Oregon
Michigan State at 8Penn State
Baylor at 9Texas
10UCF at Memphis
11Oklahoma BYE
15Wisconsin at 12Michigan
14Florida at Vanderbilt
16Miami at Virginia
18Kentucky BYE
19Colorado at USC
20NC State BYE
Tennessee at 21Auburn
22Texas A&M at South Carolina
23South Florida at Tulsa (Friday)
24Mississippi State BYE
25Cincinnati BYE

Other Games
Virginia Tech at North Carolina
Wyoming at Fresno State
Boise State at Nevada