College Football Predictions Week 7: 25 Hunches for This Week's Games
We had a spectacular weekend in college football this past weekend and Week 7 is shaping up that way as well, even before we get there.
There are showdowns in different conferences, players ready to show fans that the past week wasn't a fluke and coaches that will be feeling the heat coming from the hot seat.
TCU might have their first solid challenge of the season outside of Oregon State, Boise State faces a monster of a team in San Jose State (yes I'm being sarcastic).
We've got a lot to cover in this week's preview and yes we'll have another guest this week and hopefully he'll get the guest pickers back on track after a 1-4 week from Gregg Henson of 105.3 FM The Fan in Dallas.
Ready? Good. Let's get it.
No. 25: Battle Of The Quarterbacks On The Island
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How about this battle.
Hawaii's Bryant Moniz, the nation's leading passer, against Nevada's Colin Kaepernick, is arguably the most underrated quarterback in college football.
No. 24: Can Cincinnati String Together Back-to-Back Wins?
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After losing three of their first four games, the Cincinnati Bearcats are looking for their second straight win after knocking off Miami(OH) 45-3.
On Friday night, it's a road trip to Louisville.
No. 23: Jerrod Johnson Stops His Turnover Parade
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Nine.
That's the number of interceptions Texas A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson has thrown in his last three games including four each against Florida International and Oklahoma State.
That will come to an end this weekend against Missouri.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
No. 22: Keep Your Eye On SMU Quarterback Kyle Padron
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This might be a young quarterback to watch through his career at SMU. He's having an impressive season so far, already having thrown 16 touchdowns to just five interceptions.
With Navy coming up this weekend, watch Padron put up big numbers.
No. 21: Kansas Jayhawks Ready For Their Weekly Beating
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After a 55-7 beat down at the hands of Baylor, they'll get handed another one, this time by Kansas State.
Not shaping up to be a fun season.
No. 20: Delonte Carter Leads Syracuse To Their Fifth Win
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When was the last time you remember Syracuse being on top of the Big East and not during basketball season?
Well, you can put this season on the list as one to remember.
One of the biggest reasons for their success so far is running back Delone Carter who put up big numbers against Colgate, finishing the night with 172 yards on just 14 carries and four trips to the end zone.
He followed that up with 105 yards on 25 carries against South Florida.
That ride will continue this weekend, pushing Syracuse to their fifth win of the season.
No. 19: Dan Hawkins' Hot Seat Gets a Little Hotter
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Getting shut out by 24th ranked Missouri, 26-0, got the hot seat a little more than lukewarm for Colorado head coach Dan Hawkins.
After they lose to Baylor this weekend, that hot seat might be getting too hot to sit on.
No. 18: The "Wake Me When It's Over" Game Of The Week
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How about 0-6 Eastern Michigan and 2-4 Ball State.
Nap time.
No. 17: From One Explosive Offense To Another
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How would you like to come from a 68-27 pounding at the hands of Utah and then have to travel to Norman, Oklahoma to take on the Sooners.
This might get ugly.
No. 16: LSU Gets a Week Off
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Not only does LSU have a proverbial week off by playing McNeese State, but Les Miles may actually get a week off from the "bad game management" complaints.
Maybe not.
No. 15: Look For a Big Day From Christian Ponder
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After a lopsided win over rival Miami, the Seminoles will host the 2-3 Golden Eagles of Boston College.
Seminoles quarterback Christian Ponder will have a big game in this one and they will roll.
No. 14: Showdown In The Mountain West
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Next to Utah and TCU, this was supposed to be one of the biggest games on the Mountain West Conference schedule.
Unfortunately, BYU hasn't exactly ripped it up this season, one season before they move to independence.
However, this is still a big game for TCU because they need to stay unbeaten.
No. 13: Cal Hands USC Their Third Straight Loss
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After back-to-back losses to Washington and Stanford, the USC Trojans will be looking for a little redemption and will try to do so at the hands of Shane Vereen and the Cal Bears.
What USC doesn't realize is, the Bears are finally starting to figure things out and will prove that this weekend. It won't be a blowout, but Cal will get the win.
No. 12: Brandon Weeden Leads Oklahoma State Past Texas Tech
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You might look at Oklahoma State's schedule and wonder who they've played so far.
While that might be a valid argument, the Cowboys' offense has proved that they can put up points and they'll show it again in Lubbock against Texas Tech on Saturday.
Keep your eyes on Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden. He's already averaging 322 yards per game and has tossed 18 touchdown passes so far this season.
The bad news for the Cowboys, they could be without wide receivers Michael Harrison, Hubert Anyiam, and Josh Cooper. Cooper is the team's second leading receiver behind Justin Blackmon.
No. 11: Can Denard Robinson Keep Michigan From Dropping Two Straight?
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Michigan and head coach Rich Rodriguez cannot afford to drop their second straight game when Iowa comes to town.
The Wolverines dropped a 34-17 decision to in-state rival Michigan State, they'll face another nationally ranked opponent with an even better defense.
It might be tough for Michigan to sneak out of this one.
No. 10: Nebraska Puts an Exclamation Point On The Longhorns
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Nebraska, next to Oklahoma, might be the best team in the Big 12 and they're about to show Texas just how good they can be.
The fifth ranked Cornhuskers will welcome in the Longhorns this weekend who are looking at their worst season in quite some time.
The only way Nebraska loses this game is if they look completely past it.
No. 9: Michigan State Continues Their Run
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Don't think for a second that Michigan State didn't enjoy ever bit of their 34-17 win over in-state rival Michigan this past weekend, especially after beating Wisconsin at home a week earlier.
The Spartans will be amped up and ready to go as they will be back home to host 3-2 Illinois.
No. 8: Auburn Slips Away From Arkansas Late
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The unbeaten, and seventh ranked, Auburn Tigers will play host to the 12th ranked Arkansas Razorbacks.
A loss to the Razorbacks on Saturday and their BCS hopes are all but gone.
This game will be close, but as Auburn has done the last week, they'll find a way to win.
No. 7: Can The Buckeyes Stay Unbeaten In Madison?
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The same statement I made about Oklahoma State, you can also make about Ohio State. The only team that could be considered somewhat "strong" was Miami who was 12th ranked at the time.
This weekend, they'll have another challenge on their hands as they travel to Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin to take on the 18th ranked Wisconsin Badgers.
Playing on the road is never easy. Playing on the road at Camp Randall Stadium is as tough as it gets, even for the No. 1 team in the nation.
No. 6: Guest Picker of The Week
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I'm honored to have a former Buckeye in the house and how appropriate seeing as Ohio State is the No. 1 team in the nation going into Week 7 of the college football season.
My guest this week is Rob Harley, former Ohio State player turned college football analyst.
What most of you, who aren't Buckeye fans, may not know is Rob's great-great uncle was Chic Harley, Ohio State's first three-time All American and who apparently Ohio Stadium is nicknamed after, "The House That Harley Built."
During his days at Ohio State, Rob was a member of the 2002 National Championship team, was a three-time letter winner at strong safety and won two Big Ten Championships.
No. 5: Arkansas at Auburn
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Rob Harley: Although Auburn has the dynamic QB under center it's Auburn's pass defense that will ultimately kill the Tigers. Ryan Mallett and company should have a big day against an Auburn defense that's giving up 239yds/game through the air. Auburn has the better run game, but can they score quick enough to keep up with the Razorbacks? I don't think so, that's why I've got to take the Hogs in a close one.
Todd: I'll take Auburn in this one. There's too much riding on this game for them to lose now.
No. 4: Iowa at Michigan
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Rob Harley: Bottom line is defense, defense, defense and Iowa has it. The Hawkeyes have yet to give up a rushing TD this season, and are second in the nation in points allowed with 10pts/game. Denard Robinson should finally change that no rushing TDs stat, but I expect Iowa's stingy defense to go man on the outside and nullify Robinson's legs much like Sparty did last week.
Todd: It's hard for me to argue with Rob on this one, especially with Iowa's defense. They could cause Denard Robinson a lot of problems but let's not forget, this is the same Hawkeyes team that lost to Arizona. But I'll still take Iowa to win.
No. 3: Texas at Nebraska
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Rob Harley: Two words...Run game. Nebraska's lethal running attack spear headed by QB Martinez, and the Longhorn run game that's basically non-existent. Texas only putting up 130 rush yds/game compared to the Big Red's 337 yds/game, then throw into the mix that Texas has to travel to Lincoln? This one should be a long day for Mack Brown and the boys, the Black Shirts should stifle an already lackluster Longhorn offense and Martinez will run wild.
Todd: Texas was not close to the seventh ranked team at the beginning of the season which became quite clear when they got pounded by UCLA. Taylor Martinez wants the Heisman but even more than that, he wants a win over Texas.
No. 2: BYU at TCU
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Rob Harley: I personally think TCU is one of the most underrated PROGRAMS in the country. The Frogs have had solid teams for the last decade and have been proving it on the field too. Good luck Cougar offense! BYU is only putting up 16pts/game, not even close to enough to stay with TCU's 41pts/game. But it's the Horned Frog's defense that's the secret weapon, they're as aggressive as they come and they won't let the Cougs up for one breath on Saturday.
Todd: TCU has played solid all season long as has their defense and that's what is going to be the key here. If they can shut down BYU early and let Andy Dalton put some distance between them, this game could be over quickly.
No. 1: Ohio State at Wisconsin
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Rob Harley: Like all Big Ten football games, this one will come down to the rushing battle and DEFENSE. Ohio State's Silver Bullets hold the edge in this one with a unit that's only giving up 78yds on the ground per game. However it's the Badger's weak secondary play that will ultimately doom the Wisconsin; I expect Terrelle Pryor to have a big day through the air on his way to his second victory in Mad Town.
Todd: It's tough for me to argue against Ohio State but when Wisconsin plays at home, it's tough for any visitor to get a win. However, when you're the No. 1 team in the nation and in the drivers' seat for the BCS title game if you win out, that's reason enough to come up with a win.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
