College Football Week 7: Breaking Down The Top 25, Predictions And Insight.

Week six came as a shocker to most as the almighty Tide dropped to to number eight in the polls after being brought back to earth by the "other USC". So far this season has been nothing short of chaotic with surprises and thrillers that viewers have come to expect from college football, and now with week seven in sight, teams with BCS hopes must show their swagger or get left behind as the college football bandwagon marches into the depths of October. ESPN will be invading "The Madhouse" in Madison with this weeks edition of "College Game-Day" as the Badgers try to end Ohio State's hopes of traveling to Glendale on January 10th. That being said, the schedule for the Top 25 this week is as follows...

South Florida at #25 West Virginia (Thursday, October 14th at 7:30pm ET on ESPN). West Virginia is a good team, not just good, dangerous, so don't let them lull you into a false sense of security. Especially since their one loss was a close one to #9 LSU. True, they have been majorly inconsistent at times but they have the potential to be an extremely explosive team. Especially when quarterback Geno Smith (97-146, 1,139 yards and 12 touchdowns) plays well and the offense avoids shooting themselves in the feet with penalties. This Thursday its South Florida coming to town, but with all sorts of offensive setbacks (103rd in passing yards) the stout Mountaineer defense should be able to stop a one-dimensional attack.

Projection: South Florida-10  #25 West Virginia-28

Illinois at #13 Michigan State (Saturday, October 16th at 12:00pm ET on Big Ten Network). Coming off two sound wins against Wisconsin and Michigan look for the Spartans to have their hands full against the pesky Illini for a third straight week. The Fighting Illini, led my running back Mikel Leshoure (104 carries, 597 yards and 3 touchdowns) are also coming off of a big win in Happy Valley against Penn State. Michigan State is very balanced on both sides of the ball, they can do just about anything with relative ease, yet to play the cream of the crop in the Big Ten, they are still rising with Iowa and Ohio State as Big Ten title contenders. The running back duo of Le'Veon Bell (71 carries, 549 yards and 8 touchdowns) and Edwin Baker (97 carries, 683 yards and 6 touchdowns) need to keep running the ball like they are, and if State's defense can stop the Illinois running game then they should win.

Projection: Illinois-17  #13 Michigan State-24

Boston College at #16 Florida State (Saturday, October 16th at 12:00pm ET on ESPN). After a humiliating loss to Oklahoma in week two, the Seminoles have torn through their ACC schedule, including a routing of in-state rival Miami. Head coach Jimbo Fisher looks to have his team in early control of the ACC and is not looking behind him. Meanwhile, quarterback Christian Ponder (90-150, 1,017 yards and 10 touchdowns) should be able to lead his team against a Boston College team yet to win in the ACC.

Projection: Boston College- 14  #16 Florida State- 31

#21 Missouri at Texas AM (Saturday, October 16th at 12:00pm ET). The next three weeks are going to be the hardest of the year for the Tigers, they travel to Texas this week, followed by a home game against undefeated Oklahoma as well as another road trip to undefeated Nebraska. The most likely scenario is that of these three games they will probably only win one. Quarterback Blaine Gabbert (120-180, 1,230 yards and 10 touchdowns) shouldn't find it too difficult this week to pass as Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallet passed for over 310 yards last game against the Aggies. Missouri survives this week but plays an undefeated Oklahoma team in week eight.

Projection: #21 Missouri- 27  Texas AM-21

Texas at #5 Nebraska (Saturday, October 16th at 3:30 ET on ESPN). Lightning fast Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez (68 carries, 737 yards and 10 touchdowns) ran circles around what was thought to be a solid Kansas State team last Thursday. Martinez however, will need to show critics a solid passing attack if he wants to raise himself up in the Heisman discussion, but at the end of the day if the Huskers keep winning they will make room for him no matter what. Nebraska's 4th ranked defense, allowing under thirteen points per game shouldn't have many problems against a Longhorn team led by sophomore quarterback Garrett Gilbert (114-180, 1,151 yards and 4 touchdowns) and Mack Brown. Texas does the unthinkable and drop their third straight game.

Projection: Texas- 14  #5 Nebraska-35

#12 Arkansas at #7 Auburn (Saturday, October 16th at 3:30pm ET on CBS). One of the weeks top games features a big SEC showdown. Despite being unable to close out Alabama earlier in the season, Arkansas was still impressive, they simply didn't finish. Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallet (122-176, 1,748 yards and 13 touchdowns) and his 3rd ranked passing attack travel to Jordan-Hare Stadium to face rival Heisman contender, Auburn quarterback Cam Newton (70-108, 1,138 yards and 12 touchdowns) (104 carries, 672 yards and 9 touchdowns) and his undefeated Tigers. Last week Auburn had trouble with Kentucky and you can bet that the Razorbacks are dissecting that tape. Arkansas closes this one out and pulls the minor upset.

Projection: #12 Arkansas- 31  #7 Auburn-27

#15 Iowa at Michigan (Saturday, October 16th at 3:30pm ET on ABC). The Hawkeyes travel to "The Big House" to face Denard Robinson (84-125, 1,223 yards and 8 touchdowns) (119 carries, 991 yards and 9 touchdowns) and the 5-1 Wolverines. Last week the Michigan State defense showed everyone that Robinson was indeed human, forcing him to throw three interceptions in the Wolverine's loss and in turn making the Heisman race that much tighter. While Michigan's offense has been spectacular this season, that is how dismal the defense has been; ranking 119th in passing defense. Look for Hawkeye quarterback Ricky Stanzi (82-121, 1,226 yards and 10 touchdowns) to exploit this as the 1st ranked Iowa defense make a statement and shut down Robinson while Iowa improves to 2-0 in the Big Ten.

Projection: #15 Iowa- 27  Michigan-14

#20 Oklahoma State at Texas Tech (Saturday, October 16th at 3:30pm ET). This game will be a complete air show, with both teams passing offenses in the top four it should be a high scoring duel. With two great quarterbacks in Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden (131-190, 1,610 and 18 touchdowns) and Texas Tech's own Taylor Potts (161-243, 1,649 yards and 16 touchdowns) this game could really go either way. Oklahoma State running back Kendall Hunter (110 carries, 700 yards and 9 touchdowns) gives them an advantage on the ground and will be the deciding factor in this game as the Cowboys improve to 6-0.

Projection: #20 Oklahoma State-37  Texas Tech-27

BYU at #4 TCU (Saturday, October 16th at 4:00pm ET on Versus). A few years ago this would have been the game of the week, but with the struggles of BYU in the first few weeks of the season as well as being humiliated by Utah State, TCU has a big advantage this year. BYU won't have an answer for running back Ed Wesley (87 carries, 612 yards and 7 touchdowns) and TCU's 7th ranked rushing attack. TCU should win big in this game.

Projection: BYU-7  #4 TCU-42

#10 South Carolina at Kentucky (Saturday, October 16th at 6:00pm ET on ESPN2). After a huge upset victory of Alabama, South Carolina had better be careful traveling to Kentucky, a team that took Auburn down to the wire. South Carolina needs to put that victory behind them and avoid coming out flat against a very good Kentucky offense. South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia (73-101, 944 yards and 8 touchdowns) looks to make it eleven straight victories against Kentucky. They will get it done to become the front runners in the SEC east.

Projection: #10 South Carolina-27  Kentucky-17

#11 Utah at Wyoming (Saturday, October 16th at 6:00pm ET). Utah shouldn't be challenged much by Wyoming, they lost 51-6 to Boise State so as long as a very balanced Utah team plays their game, they shouldn't be stopped by a Wyoming team who ranks dead last in rushing yards and points. Utah wins by a landslide.

Projection: #11 Utah-48  Wyoming-7

#1 Ohio State at #18 Wisconsin (Saturday, October 16th at 7:00pm on ESPN). Wisconsin will have the daunting task of stopping Heisman hopeful, quarterback Terrelle Pryor (104-153, 1,349 yards and 15 touchdowns) as well as his arsenal of wide receivers. Ohio State has won the last three meetings with the Badgers but since 2004 Wisconsin has the best home record of any Big Ten team with 40-4. Wisconsin running back John Clay (115 carries, 692 yards and 9 touchdowns) will need to take the pressure of the rest of the offense by having a big game to open up the passing attack for quarterback Scott Tolzien (92-132, 1,201 yards and 7 touchdowns). Wisconsin will need to play a flawless game, even with their great home advantage against an Ohio State team that excels on the road. In the end, Pryor and the Buckeyes will get the best of the Badgers again this year, a close one though.

Projection: #1 Ohio State- 24  #18 Wisconsin-17

Iowa State at #6 Oklahoma (Saturday, October 16th at 7:00pm ET). Oklahoma has yet to put up the numbers characteristic of a sixth ranked team, not ranked inside the top 15 in any category is a disturbing reality for Oklahoma fans, but they always find a way to win. Quarterback Landry Jones (133-208, 1,457 yards and 11 touchdowns) leads a solid passing attack against an Iowa State team that showed sparks of talent but not enough to keep up with the big boys in the Big 12 again this year. This should be another solid win for the Sooners.

Projection: Iowa State-14  #6 Oklahoma- 32

McNeese State at #9 LSU (Saturday, October 16th at 7:00pm ET on ESPN3.com). Head coach Les Miles confirmed that quarterback Jordan Jefferson (53-101, 549 yards and 2 touchdowns) will get the start this week with Jarrett Lee (27-36, 231 yards and 2 touchdowns) coming off the bench in situational aspects during the game. LSU beat Florida last week in an absolute circus of a football game to improve to 6-0. As long as the Tigers can control the clock and avoid penalties then they will be able to handle McNeese State with relative ease.

Projection: McNeese State-7  #9 LSU-27

Mississippi State at #22 Florida (Saturday, October 16th at 7:00pm ET on ESPNU). Again, after that circus at "The Swamp" last week Florida looks to gain a little confidence by hosting the Bulldogs. Florida is a mystery this season, they have been very inconsistent, losing a landslide to Alabama but fighting LSU down to the wire. If they can get some consistency out of their play-makers like quarterback John Brantley (105-169, 1,056 yards and 6 touchdowns) and running back Jeff Demps (64 carries, 414 yards and 2 touchdowns) then they have the potential to a player in the SEC, if not, they will roll over to South Carolina. They will get it done this Saturday at home though.

Projection: Mississippi State-17  #22 Florida-28

#17 Arizona at Washington State (Saturday, October 16th at 7:30pm ET on Versus). Last week Arizona lost a big game to Pac-10 rival Oregon State, the setback may certainly have cost them the Pac-10 title. With Oregon and Stanford on the schedule still, its unlikely that Arizona can beat them both. Quarterback Nic Foles (137-183, 1,529 yards and 9 touchdowns) leads Arizona's 5th ranked passing offense into Washington State and will come out with a victory.

Projection: #17 Arizona-34  Washington State-12

#3 Boise State at San Jose State (Saturday, October 16th at 8:00pm ET on ESPN3.com). Quarterback Kellen Moore (91-134, 1,336 yards and 14 touchdowns) leads the third ranked Broncos into San Jose in hopes of becoming the number one team in the BCS rankings projected to come out this weekend. This should be just another stepping stone in Boise State's journey to get to the National Championship. It still needs to put up big numbers in order to get there.

Projection: #3 Boise State-56  San Jose State-7

#23 Air Force at San Diego State (Saturday, October 16th at 8:00pm ET). Air Force takes their top ranked rushing offense into San Diego to gain momentum in the Mountain West. If San Diego can stop the run then Air Force has real question marks in its passing game, ranking 115th. They have TCU and Utah after this game so it is crucial that Air Force keeps its train rolling before traveling to take on the Horned Frogs.

Projection: #23 Air Force-31  San Diego State-13

Ole Miss at #8 Alabama (Saturday, October 16th at 8:00pm ET on ESPN2). Don't panic just yet Tide fans, if a few more teams go down then Alabama still has a shot at the National Championship. So, just like everyone else, cheer against Boise and TCU. This week Ole Miss travels to Tuscaloosa to face an angry Crimson Tide team, Ole Miss should be scared, especially knowing they lost to Vanderbilt. Now knowing they have to play an ex-number one team with something to prove shouldn't bode too well for Houston Nutt and his sub-par team. Alabama rolls yet again to get back in the thick of things.

Projection: Ole Miss-7  #8 Alabama-27

#24 Oregon State at Washington (Saturday, October 16th at 10:15pm ET on ESPN). After beating their first ranked team this season, Oregon State has made the impression in the Pac-10 that they can be just as pesky as years past. Quarterback Ryan Katz (85-148, 1,114 yards and 9 touchdowns) is starting to become a steady player in the system and the Rodgers brothers are just as explosive as ever. On the Washington side, Jake Locker (93-168, 1,145 yards and 8 touchdowns) is trying to prove that he is as good as the preseason hype said that he was, with a win over USC not all is lost for the Huskies. But Oregon State looks like they have the momentum coming into this game.

Projection: #24 Oregon State-24  Washington-14

#19 Nevada at Hawaii (Saturday, October 16th at 10:30pm on ESPN3.com). Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick can do it all, pass (106-150, 1,321 yards and 8 touchdowns), run (86 carries, 639 yards and 11 touchdowns) and lead his team. The Wolfpack are undefeated this season and are hoping to give Boise State a run for the money this year when they host them on November 26th. They go to Hawaii this week and should be able to take care of business.

Projection: #19 Nevada-32  Hawaii-13