Week 7 Games of the Week: How to Watch, Previews, and Predictions
RELATED ARTICLES: G5 TOP 4, CFP TEAMS, GOPHERS UPDATE
GAMES OF THE WEEK
LAST WEEK: 4-0
SEASON RECORD: 18-6
OVERALL RECORD: 96-46
When Justin Thomas exhausted his eligibility at Georgia Tech, I (along with many others) thought that the quarterback play might take a step back. That has not been the case. In steps Taquon Marshall, who looks like he could still be in high school weighing 185 pounds. Marshall didn't take long to quiet any remaining doubters in his first game of the season, rushing for 249 yards and a whopping five touchdowns against Tennessee, the Yellow Jackets only loss of the season. Paul Johnson's offense is running smoothly thanks to his new quarterback, and he has his team competing for an ACC Coastal Division crown. Their opponent this week is one of the competitors they need to beat, but it won't be easy.
Even with injuries hindering the teams depth, Miami appears to be a national contender once again. In his second year at the school, Mark Richt has the Hurricanes playing at a high level, and they just avenged a 2016 loss to Florida State last week. Malik Rosier has taken the reigns from his predecessor, Brad Kaaya, and fans have already seen Richt's effect on his play. Completing 58.2% of his passes, Rosier has thrown 11 touchdowns to just three interceptions. He may be counted on even more this game with the star of their offense out. Mark Walton injured his ankle last week, and will undergo season-ending surgery to end his year early. With Walton out, the offense might take a slight step back, and the defense will need to stop the run.......a lot...on Saturday.
My pick: Miami 28 Georgia Tech 21
Oh my, Oklahoma, what have you done? Beating Ohio State was one of the greatest wins in college football this season, but then last week they lost to Iowa State. At home. While the Cyclones are an improved team, the loss was definitely a head-scratcher. Now they face a rival that is ready to stun the Sooners for a second week in a row. Oklahoma has won five of the last seven Red River Shootout games, but fans might be doubting their team this week.
Texas has been difficult to gauge so far. The opening loss to Maryland ended the unjustified hype surrounding this team, and proved that Tom Herman can't magically fix everything just by showing up (which he knew going into Austin). The loss to USC looked like a good loss, but we're starting to see that it might be that the Trojans weren't as good as they were pegged to be in the preseason. Last week's double overtime win over Kansas State showed that this team has what it takes to grind out a win and deal with adversity. Regardless of how good or bad either team is coming into this game, expect a battle to ensue. With how the season started, it looked like Oklahoma might still be miles ahead of the Longhorns. Now, we're not so sure.
My pick: Oklahoma 31 Texas 28
Who are these two teams you ask? Two teams that will make serious runs at a Conference USA West title, and this is one game that will determine who has the upper hand in the chase. UTSA is thriving under coach Frank Wilson, and his name is beginning to be rumored amongst various potential job openings. It all starts on defense, as the Roadrunners boast the ninth best defense in the country. After having their first poor performance of the year, this defense will need to step their game up against an explosive offense.
North Texas is thriving offensively under Seth Littrell and offensive coordinator Graham Harrell. Mason Fine has started the year hot, throwing for 1,442 yards with 11 touchdowns. His partner in the backfield, Jeffrey Wilson, is one of the best in the conference, and should be excited after seeing what Ito Smith from Southern Mississippi did the the UTSA defense last week. With the offense facing one of the best defenses in the country, the Mean Green might need to rely on their defense to stop UTSA's offense. That might be their downfall.
My pick: UTSA 40 North Texas 38
In the preseason, this game was pegged as a preview for the Mountain West championship game. While that still may be the case, one team is surprisingly struggling so far this season. Boise State hasn't looked like previous Boise State teams, and it all could be attributed to one game. The Broncos had Washington State on the ropes in Pullman. Up 31-10, they were about to pull off yet another upset of a Power 5 team, and it seemed as if everything was normal. Then the wheels fell off, and the Cougars pulled off the comeback in triple overtime. Boise State hasn't seemed the same since then.
San Diego State pulled off two stunners in a row, defeating Arizona State and Stanford in consecutive weeks. That success has come behind a familiar formula: running the ball, and playing elite defense. Behind the 19th best defense in the country, the Aztecs are allowing just 19.3 points per game. Rocky Long's defense doesn't give opponents much to work with, and allows their offense to grind the ball down the field with their star back. Rashaad Penny continues to be the latest (and potentially greatest) running back in San Diego State's rich history at that position. Penny already has 993 yards through six games, and also doubles as a kick returner. Long will find a way to get his star player touches, and Boise State's defense will have to find a way to keep him off the field.
My pick: San Diego State 42 Boise State 24
