College football is back in full swing. There are always things to watch every week of the season. Here are 5 things to watch in college football week 7.
Ohio State at Oregon has been one of the most anticipated matchups of the year and it is now here. The Buckeyes have started the season off undefeated, but haven’t been tested by top-tier competition yet. They are averaging 46.0 points (ranking fourth in the country) and allowing just 6.8 points per game (ranked first). They have talent all over the field with future draft picks at virtually every position. Freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has been particularly impressive.
Oregon is also undefeated, but have struggled to find great consistency this season. They are averaging 35 points per game and allowing 17. With Tez Johnson, Traeshon Holden and Evan Stewart, they have playmakers on the outside who will need to have big games to help move the ball against Ohio State’s great defense. Ohio State is favored by less than a field goal, so this game could live up to the hype.
Regardless of records, the Red River Shootout regularly delivers a good game. Texas enters the game undefeated. They are averaging 45 points per game and allowing just seven. Quinn Ewers has missed two games with an injury, but should be back to help operate the offense at quarterback. He’ll be looking to connect with speedster Isaiah Bond to create big plays.
Oklahoma is 4-1, but have had some struggles this season. They lost to Tennessee and made a quarterback change in that game from Jaxson Arnold to Michael Hawkins. The offense has been average at best, putting up 28.6 points per game. Their defense has been solid, allowing just 16 points per game. They’ll need to force some turnovers to compete and possibly win the game, but unexpected things sometimes happen in this rivalry.
Ole Miss recovered from losing to Kentucky in week 5, by defeating South Carolina by 24 on the road in week 6. They still just have one loss and a lot to play for this season. They are averaging 44 points per game and are allowing 7.5 points per game. Jaxson Dart has played solidly at quarterback and has been helped by star receiver Tre Harris, who has 885 receiving yards this season. Ole Miss will hope he is healthy after getting banged up in the South Carolina game.
LSU lost in the season-opener to USC, but have been able to win all their games since. Their defense still has some weaknesses, as they allow 21.6 points per game. They have a new star quarterback in Garrett Nussmeier, who has the offense scoring 35.2 points per game. While they have struggled to move the ball on the ground, they have had success through the air. This game presents the chance for the winner to put their names back in the CFP race.
Colorado is off to a 4-1 start this season with their only loss being to Nebraska on the road. They have been fueled on offense by quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way-player Travis Hunter. Colorado is scoring 31 points per game on 326 passing yards. They have struggled finding success running the ball as they average 80.6 yards on the ground per contest. The defense is allowing 23 points per game.
The Buffaloes will be playing Kansas State, who has just one loss on the season themselves, which came at the hands of Arizona. Avery Johnson has had his ups and downs at quarterback this season, but the offense is averaging 31.4 points per game. Defensively, they allow 19.6 points per game. They can run the ball well and could challenge Colorado in the trenches. This game could really impact a wide-open Big 12 race.
Penn State is undefeated so far this season, but haven’t been tested by great competition yet. New offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki has the offense putting up 34.4 points per game. Defensively, they allow just 11.4 points per game. Their two-headed backfield of Nicholas Singleton and Kayton Allen have combined for over 770 rushing yards this season and that is with Singleton missing the last game against UCLA.
USC lost to Michigan and then to Minnesota, putting them at 3-2 on the season. Another loss could really send things spiraling. The offense is scoring 30.8 points per game, which is well below the output of normal Lincoln Riley offenses. Their defense has improved, as they allow just 18.4 points per game this season. They’ll need to offensive output to increase to have a chance to beat the Nittany Lions in a matchup that brings back memories of past Rose Bowls.
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