College Football 2011: Predicting the Winner of Every Week 7 Game

This season has been wild, as they always are in the college football universe.

We have seen ranking fluctuations, defensive linemen return blocked punts, the new celebration rule in all its stupidity and the emergence of several teams as the favorites in their respective conferences.

This week will prove to be no less intriguing.

While there are not a plethora of games between highly ranked opponents, there are plenty of solid matchups to pique your interest.

Here is a run-down of every game to be played this week, along with my pick for the winners of each contest.

Hang on, the rest of the season is shaping up to be even better than the first half.

San Diego State at Air Force

This one features two MWC teams with identical 3-2 records. Both have lost to TCU this season and each squad's other loss came to a solid BCS foe.

Running back Ronnie Hillman has been a force for the Aztecs, but that altitude will be too much for them. Tim Jefferson and the Falcons find a way to get it done in a tight one at home.

Winner: Air Force

USC at Cal

Cal hung around against Oregon...for half the game. The Trojans, on the other hand, are 4-1 and have had some close calls.

Matt Barkley has not looked as solid as was expected, and this team barely put away Arizona this week. Jeff Tedford will be ready for the Trojan invasion.

Winner: Cal

Hawaii at San Jose State

San Jose State, while not as bad as they have been in recent years, is still pretty bad. That said, they get to host a Hawaii team that lost to UNLV. This one will catch some people off guard.

Winner: San Jose State

Indiana at Wisconsin: Blowout Special

This is really not a matter of who wins, but by how much. Last season, the Badgers obliterated the Hoosiers 83-20. Things were ugly.

As a matter of fact, Wisconsin's third string quarterback scored a rushing touchdown, and he makes Peyton Manning look like a speed demon.

Winner: Sconnie

Michigan at Michigan State

This one is really hard to get a feel for. The Spartans have been solid on defense when necessary, but their offense is just north of anemic. Conversely, the Wolverines score with ease, but have a tough time slowing down opponents.

They are also very generous, turning the ball over with reckless abandon. I think we have to go with the home squad in this one.

Winner: Sparty

South Carolina at Mississippi State

Mississippi State's season has been a huge disappointment. They have been bad. Things are not going to get better against SC.

Marcus Lattimore will have a field day in this one. If the Gamecocks' coaches are smart they will just give him the rock and let him work.

Winner: SC

Baylor at Texas A&M

Texas A&M just recently got out of the habit of giving away games. Robert Griffin III is a scoring machine. This should be an interesting one.

However, A&M has shown the ability to shut down good teams for about three quarters per game. Now they just need to pull it off for four quarters. Oh yeah, being at Kyle Field will help...

Winner: Aggies

Toledo at Bowling Green

Toledo is 3-3, with all of their losses coming against BCS opponents, one of which was rigged. This is a pretty solid MAC team with a dangerous rushing game and a stout defense.

Bowling Green? Not so much. The Falcons have the same record, but have lost to Wyoming and Western Michigan.

Winner: Rockets

Purdue at Penn State

After falling in a tough one to the No. 2 team in the nation, JoePa's squad quietly just keeps winning. They held a pretty explosive Iowa offense to single digits this week.

Danny Hope's squad looks like a bad episode of the "Three Stooges" every time they take the field. It won't be a fun trip to Happy Valley

Winner: Nittany Lions

Utah at Pitt

Utah is finding out that playing in a BCS conference is tough. They are 0-3 in the Pac-12, but have beaten every non-conference foe they faced. Of course, it was BYU and Montana State.

Pitt is an enigma, at times they look unstoppable only to fall apart. Tino Sunseri is no Dan Marino, but the play of running back Ray Graham has been extremely good thus far.

But they lost to Rutgers. If this one were to be played at Rice-Eccles, the Utes would take it.

As it is, Pitt ekes one out.

Winner: Pitt

Louisville at Cincinnati

Two weeks ago, I made a casual comment about L'ville football not really being worthwhile. They promptly backed me up by losing to Marshall.

They are going to try and make it three losses in a row when Cincinnati and its high powered offense host the Cardinals next week.

Cincy running back Isaiah Pead is averaging over 6.5 yards per carry. The Bearcats are going to be in the conference title mix at season's end. The Cardinals? Not so much.

Winner: Bearcats

Miami at North Carolina

Miami finally got a solid game out of Jacory Harris: he didn't throw any picks and scored three times. Yet, they still found a way to lose on the road. Things don't get much easier next week.

North Carolina lost by one score to Georgia Tech and has won every other game they have played thus far. Another road trip could mean another tough loss for the 'Canes.

Winner: Tar Heels

Buffalo at Temple

Temple is coming off of a loss to Toledo. The Buffalo Bulls are one of the worst teams in the FBS. The game is at Temple. Uh-oh. Bernard Pierce is going to have a field day.

Winner: Temple

Iowa State at Missouri

Don't be fooled by Missouri. Despite a 2-3 record, they are a pretty solid team. Their losses have all come against ranked opponents.

The Cyclones, on the other hand, are walking into a buzz saw. After starting the season 3-0, they have been exposed two weeks in a row by conference opponents.

Winner: Mizzou

Navy at Rutgers

Don't look now, but Rutgers has the only 2-0 conference record in the Big East. Wacky. The Scarlet Knights have only lost one game this season, and it was by two points.

Did anyone see that coming? The Midshipmen, meanwhile, get to host Greg Schiano's crew, and are in the middle of a three-game losing streak.

Winner: Scarlet Knights

UNLV at Wyoming

Even though UNLV has struggled (to say the least) this season, if this game were in Vegas, they might get the nod.

Unfortunately for them, it is being played at Wyoming, where the Cowboys are 2-1 this season. The Rebels are not disciplined enough to win on the road against a decent MWC team.

Hauck has them going the right direction, but this one is not gonna happen.

Winner: 'Pokes

Florida State at Duke

Many of us thought the Seminoles would knock off Oklahoma. Then we thought they would bounce back against Clemson. Last week, we thought, "surely they won't lose to Wake Forest."

There is hope, Duke fans.

Winner: 'Noles (not by much)

Rice at Marshall: Lightweight Bout of the Week

I've said it before and I'll say it again: what is with that script on the uniforms, Rice? Not that it matters that much in the grand scheme of things, but cursive, really?

This one is a battle between two pretty bad teams. As a matter of fact, it's earned the distinction of "lightweight bout of the week."

Marshall appears to be the more balanced of the two teams and has, on occasion, actually prevented a decent opponent from scoring.

Winner: Marshall

Eastern Michigan at Central Michigan: Directional School Melee

Why don't we just pull in Western Michigan as well and have a three-way tournament to decide the Michigan directional school champ all in one day?

While you might be tempted to go with the Eagles in this one, don't be fooled. Two of their three wins have come against FCS opponents, and the third was against Akron.

The Chippewas have beaten a pretty good NIU team already this season and they are hosting this one.

Winner: Chippewas

LSU at Tennessee

Did any of you watch the LSU/Florida game? Do any of you think that the Vols have a snowballs chance in Hades? Thought not.

For those of you who thought they had a chance, sophomore phenom Tyler Bray is out for Tennessee after breaking his thumb.

Winner: Bayou Bengals

Oklahoma State at Texas: Roast of Texas, Part II

The Longhorns took a Texas-sized whooping at the hands of Oklahoma. Now they get to turn around and take another one from Okie Lite.

The Longhorns defense was exposed by a potent passing attack last week. If anything, the Cowboys' passing game is more explosive than the Sooners'.

Can Mack feel his seat heating up?

Winner: Okie State

Georgia Tech at Virginia

Nobody except Georgia Tech fans saw this coming, and not many of them.

The Yellow Jackets are sitting pretty at 6-0, finding themselves ranked at 12 in both the AP and the Coaches' Poll.

The Jackets are ridiculously run-heavy, producing more than 378 yards rushing per game. Virginia, on the other hand, is about to be spanked.

They have squeaked by two sub-standard foes in Indiana and Idaho by a measly 4 points combined. I smell a blowout.

Winner: Ramblin' Wreck

Ohio State at Illinois

Out with the old, in with the new.

While Illinois may not quite be ready to take over as the bully of the Big Ten, they have to be licking their chops at the opportunity to make a statement against a reeling Ohio State team.

The Buckeyes will be 0-3 in the Big Ten if they lose this one, so there is a sense of urgency for them to stop the bleeding.

However, a trip to Champaign to face Nathan Scheelhasse and A.J. Jenkins is not going to be an easy proposition.

Winner: Illini

USF at UConn

USF was one of the favorites to compete for the Big East title before they were ambushed by Pitt. Now they have to try and regain their mojo and a potential shot at the title.

A trip to UConn may be just what the doctor ordered, and I don't mean Dr. Lou.

B.J. Daniels and that athletic Bulls offense is going to torch a UConn defense that gave up 38 points to Western Michigan and 43 to West Virginia.

Winner: Bulls

Ball State at Ohio

Ball State has not exactly been an overwhelmingly good example of football excellence. The Cardinals have been blown out by Oklahoma, South Florida and Temple, and are sitting at 3-3.

Ohio, however, is much worse. They got owned by Rutgers and lost to Buffalo. Not many teams have pulled that off.

Winner: Cards

Colorado at Washington

The Huskies are rolling behind the solid rushing game produced by Chris Polk, and the surprising numbers put up by quarterback Keith Price.

Price has already tossed 17 touchdowns and UW gets to host a struggling Colorado unit. The Buffs have no off week this season, making it seem longer.

They are currently sitting at 1-5, can't run the ball, score or prevent their opponents from scoring. Other than that, they are great.

Winner: UW

Miami (OH) at Kent State

There is nothing Kent State does well. They are 117th in passing yards per game, 111th in rushing yards, 92nd in points allowed and 119th in points scored.

The Redhawks will roll in this one. At least they have a win against an FBS team this season.

Winner: Miami(OH)

Western Michigan at Northern Illinois

Thus far, NIU's season has not gone exactly as expected. Chandler Harnish has struggled without running back Chad Spann and their defense could be favorably compared to a sieve.

This is their opportunity to turn it around against a Western Michigan squad that looks like they might run away with the conference.

Realistically, not gonna happen.

Winner: Broncs

UCF at SMU: C-USA Championship Preview?

Is there a better glare in football than June Jones'? If so please leave suggestions and links in comments. The 'Stangs are a pretty solid unit and they actually have a legitimate football team again, legally.

If they can pull out a win against Houston, they will likely be able to earn themselves a trip to the C-USA championship game to face these guys again.

The Knights took a nosedive after starting 2-0. They lost two consecutive games then managed to squeak by Marshall.

Winner: 'Stangs

UTEP at Tulane

These teams are eerily similar statistically except for one area. Tulane is 86th in rushing yards per game, while UTEP is 87th.

UTEP averages 26 points per game, while Tulane is at 26.4. The difference is in the passing game. Tulane averages 211 yards per, while the Miners are hitting 255. While not a huge difference, that level of balance could be the difference in this one.

Winner: Miners

BYU at Oregon State

And the award for worst team in the Pac-12 goes to...

It's a toss-up between the Beavers and Arizona, but I'm leaning toward OSU.

Oregon State just got their first win of the season. Even though the team they beat (Arizona) also only has one win, at least they have not lost to an FCS team.

BYU is rolling along with three wins in a row after back to back heartbreakers. The game is in Corvallis, but Riley Nelson and company should be able to score on this Beaver defense.

Winner: BYU

Western Kentucky at Florida Atlantic: Lightweight Fight of the Week II

If you are looking for bad football, this is your game. These two are a combined 1-9 in '11.

Western Kentucky is the better team by a slight margin, but FAU's home-field helps even things up that advantage.

However, the Hilltoppers and their ridiculous mascot are simply the better team and it will show on Saturday.

Winner: WKU (anyone who misses this game)

New Mexico at Nevada

Nevada is not the same without Colin Kaepernick at quarterback. But all three of their losses on the season have come at the hands of BCS opponents. The same cannot be said for New Mexico.

Besides the firing of head coach Mike Locksley to deal with, the Lobos also suffered an embarrassing   loss to (gulp) Sam Houston State and have yet to win a game this season.

They won't start this week.

Winner: Wolf Pack

North Texas at ULL

The Ragin' Cajuns have charged their way to the top of the Sun Belt conference heap with a 5-1 record. Their only loss was to Oklahoma State, and things are looking good.

Quarterback Blaine Gautier has them rolling with eight total touchdowns and only one interception on the season.

UNT has not been overly impressive, losing 41-16 to an FIU team to open the season that ULL beat last week.

Winner: Ragin' Cajuns

Alabama at Ole Miss: Defensive Showcase

The Tide are going to be a BCS title contender by virtue of incredibly sound defensive performances. Alabama's defense may well be the best in the nation, though there are a few teams that might argue.

Ole Miss is in the middle of another miserable season in which they are trying every way possible to get Houston Nutt fired.

Even thought this one is a home game for the Rebs, Alabama will make themselves comfortable with a 40 point beating.

Winner: Tide

Boise State at Colorado State

Colorado State hosts this one. And that is about the only good thing that they will get out of it. The Broncos dominated Fresno State last week and will do much the same to the Rams.

Moore gets another chance to pad his stats against a weak opponent en route to a potential run at the Heisman.

Winner: Kellen Moore and his Broncos

Virginia Tech at Wake Forest: Road Ambush Game

Virginia Tech is in trouble. After getting smacked by Clemson, they stumbled past Miami the following week.

While Wake Forest has yet to beat anyone of any significance in the college football universe, they are rolling right now.

They put up a ton of points and amass 314 yards through the air per game. Uh-oh. Tech has been exposed in the passing game the past two weeks.

Winner: Deacons

Clemson at Maryland

I'm sorry, I still can't get over it. The man's name is Dabo!

Anyway, Swinney has done a great job this season and the emergence of Tajh Boyd has catapulted Clemson into the BCS discussion.

The Terps have struggled much more than expected in Randy Edsall's first season at the helm and hope to catch the Tigers by surprise.

Not gonna happen.

Winner: Clemson

Florida at Auburn

Florida has had a rough couple of weeks. This is an opportunity to bounce back against a young, mistake prone Auburn squad.

If Will Muschamp is smart, he will instruct Charlie Weis to get the ball in the hands of Chris Rainey as early and often as possible.

The Tigers will find it difficult to move the ball on Florida's defense, which, in spite of last week's awful showing, is actually pretty decent.

Winner: Gators

Kansas State at Texas Tech: Upset Special

Kansas State is a perfect 5-0 heading into this one. Tech is 4-1.

The Wildcats heave yet to face a legit team on the road and in their only road game against an unranked BCS opponent, they beat Miami by four.

The 'Cats defense has been stellar this season, but it won't be enough to knock off Seth Doege and the Raiders.

Winner: Red Raiders

East Carolina at Memphis

This is going to be ugly. Any team playing Memphis is basically getting an off week. The Tigers are abysmally bad.

While East Carolina is only 1-4, Dominique Davis and company have faced some tough competition. Expect Davis to have a big day against a terrible Tigers' defense.

Winner: Pirates

Georgia at Vanderbilt: Under the Radar Alert

Georgia is cruising right now. Sure, they lost their first two games, but they may not lose again this season. Vandy is 3-2 but has beaten nobody of note.

Even though the game is a road trip for the Dawgs, Aaron Murray and Isaiah Crowell will find a way to rack up Georgia's fourth SEC win.

Winner: Dawgs

Northwestern at Iowa

Iowa was shut down by the Nittany Lions last week. Northwestern frittered away a big lead to the fighting Denards.

Expect the home team to rebound. The Hawkeyes have a balanced offense and will take advantage of a porous Wildcats' defense.

Winner: Hawkeyes

ULM at Troy

ULM has one win this season, against Grambling State. Troy, while no SEC squad, is one of the better teams in the Sun Belt. 'Nuff said.

Winner: Trojans

Stanford at Washington State

The Cardinal have not been overwhelmingly impressive, while State has made some strides.

While I can't see the Cougs just flat out running over Stanford, it's not difficult to see them making a run at Andrew Luck and company.

Marquess Wilson is one of the most explosive receivers in the game. The emergence of quarterback Marshall Lobbestael has this team in a position to get to a bowl game.

Stanford has been susceptible to the deep ball at times and if State can keep it close going into the second half, watch out.

Winner: The Fighting Lucks (closer than we expected)

Idaho at New Mexico State: Futility Bowl

These teams are a combined 3-8, and one of those wins was against an FCS opponent. The Vandals are going to lose this one, as they are just abominable this season.

I know the pants have gone by the wayside, but it never gets old pointing out the fashion foibles of these teams. I mean, really, who puts a letter in large font directly in the middle of their butt?

Winner: New Mexico State

UAB at Tulsa

To say the Blazers are struggling might be a bit too kind of me. They are winless this season and dead last in the FBS in points scored per game.

Tulsa has lost three times this season, but every one of them was to a top 10 team. Fughedaboutit...

Winner: Tulsa

Oklahoma at Kansas: Biggest Waste of Time

I would like to tell you that this will be a hard fought game between two worthy opponents. Let's not kid ourselves.

The Jayhawks are 119th in the country in passing defense, allowing 16 touchdowns through the air this season.  They've only intercepted one pass and generously giving up 333 yards through the air per contest.

It could get ugly.

Winner: Sooners (Big)

Utah State at Fresno State

Pat Hill's squad is allowing 171 yards per game on the ground. Utah State averages over 300 per.

While the Bulldogs have had a few good years here and there, this is not one of them. Derek Carr is not his brother, David.

The other Aggies take this one.

Winner: Aggies

Arizona State at Oregon: Game of the Week

We are going to see this matchup again in the conference title game.

Brock Osweiler, also known as the "Galloping Giraffe," has led the Sun Devils' offense to some very solid numbers. But it is the defense that really keeps these guys rolling.

Vontaze Burfict is said to chew up a pound of nails every night before bed, then spit them at opponents. However, a trip to Autzen to face the Ducks' frenetic pace will cause them all kind of trouble.

Oregon is rolling and a victory here would put them a big step closer to the Rose Bowl.

Winner: Quack Attack