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 lost to Indiana last season in the Big Ten Championship Game, as the Hoosiers went on to an undefeated season. Now, the Buckeyes travel to Bloomington for revenge. Ohio State is 5-1 on the season, having lost by one to Texas on the road and having a nice win over Iowa under their belts. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has cemented himself as the best player in the sport with 916 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns on an offense that scores 42.7 points per game. The defense gives up just 13.2 points per game.
Indiana is undefeated, but has had some close calls against Northwestern and Nebraska. The offense is scoring 40.2 points per game, but it hasn’t been as consistent as that number would indicate. The defense has battled tough, as they allow just 11.8 points per game. Can the Hoosiers step their game up with Ohio State coming to town?
Notre Dame and BYU were the first teams left out of the CFP last season. Now, they are playing in Week 7. The Fighting Irish are undefeated and look like they are on a path to the CFP this season, even if they haven’t had the toughest schedule yet. They are scoring 44 and allowing 11 points per game, ranking fourth in the country in both categories. Quarterback CJ Carr is progressing quickly and gives them a real shot to do some damage during the regular season and beyond.
BYU also hasn’t lost a game this season. They too haven’t played the toughest schedule, but they are 3-0 in the Big 12 this season. The Cougars won’t have star running back LJ Martin for this game, as he is out for about a month with an injury. That could hurt the offense a lot against a good Notre Dame defense, as they are scoring 34.6 points per game, but have scored much less than that in the last two weeks. The defense gives up 13.4 points per game and will be tasked with keeping it a low-scoring game. A win likely means more to Notre Dame, as the Cougars can still win the Big 12 and make the CFP, but they will also want to leave no doubt if they can.
The Third Saturday in October rivalry game is on the docket this week. Alabama is coming off a close loss to Georgia and now has to rebound and travel to Tennessee. The offense has been one of the best in the country, as they score 44.2 points per game. Keelon Russell has been a star for them at quarterback, as he has passed for 1,599 yards and 12 touchdowns so far this season. He can also do some damage with his legs. The defense isn’t vintage Alabama, but they have played decently, giving up 20.7 points per game.
Tennessee has lost one game this season, which was to Texas. The Volunteers have changed quarterbacks from Faizon Brandon to George MacIntyre, as Brandon deals with an injury. The offense hasn’t been great, as they average 34.7 points per game, but it is nice to be able to lean on a running back like DeSean Bishop, who has 678 rushing yards this season. Defensively, they allow just 15.5 points per game. They will need to play a great game to pull off the upset, but they have done it before.
Missouri is 5-1 this season with wins over Florida and Texas A&M. Star running back Ahmad Hardy has been out after suffering a gunshot wound this offseason. Former Ole Miss quarterback Austin Simmons may want revenge and has played well with 1,434 passing yards and 14 touchdowns this season. He has led the team to an average of 35.8 points per game. Defensively, they give up 17.7 points per game. The defense will need to limit Ole Miss’s star-led offense to give them a chance.
Ole Miss has a loss to Florida, but has won their other games this season. The offense has been awesome, as they average 38.8 points per game behind Trinidad Chambliss’s efforts. Running back Kewan Lacy has dealt with injury this season, but he is still playing solidly when healthy. The defense has been an issue, as they allow 28 points per game, tying them for 108th in the country. The Rebels should be able to win at home, but they need the defense to step up.
LSU now has two losses on the season after they dropped a game on the road to Kentucky. The Tigers have notable wins over Clemson and Texas A&M, but now with the losses to Kentucky and Ole Miss, they are in desperation mode to make the CFP. They score 42 points per game and allow just 18.5, but just have not come up with key plays in close situations. The Tigers will need to get things corrected quickly, as they play Mississippi State at home this week.
Mississippi State is coming off of a bye following their 4-1 start to the season. Kamario Taylor has been great for the Bulldogs, as he has passed for 1,450 yards and 17 touchdowns. They are scoring 39 points per game while allowing 28 points per game. The Tigers will be favored, but will not want to lose and really set themselves behind. No 9-3 team has made the CFP and while it is plausible to happen in the near future, the Tigers have a brutal schedule down the stretch, so a loss would not be something they could likely manage. LSU still has: at Auburn, vs. Alabama, vs. Texas, at Tennessee and at Arkansas still left on the schedule.
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