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#18 UCLA (4-1) at #15 Stanford (4-1) (10:30 PM ET, on ESPN, in Stanford, California) THURSDAY NIGHT
My pick: #15 Stanford defeats #18 UCLA 27-20
What to watch for: Stanford's running game. Stanford rushed for 314 yards and 4 touchdowns total in their win vs then #15 Arizona in week 5, and if they can keep that up in this one, they'll be in good hands. But, if they can't run the ball very successfully, they might be in trouble since they aren't a passing team. So, running the ball will be very important in this game, and I think the Cardinal will be able to run the ball effectively enough to get a big PAC-12 victory to improve to 5-1 (4-0).
My thoughts/reasons: UCLA looked like one of the most likely CFP contenders in the PAC-12 before losing to struggling Arizona State at home, but even though they are coming off of a bye week, and they are still talented, and have a very good coach in Jim Mora. I see them falling in this one, I think Stanford has more momentum, plus they're at home.
Photo credit: Marcio Jose Sanchez - AP
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#17 Iowa (6-0) at #20 Northwestern (5-1) (12:00 PM ET, on ABC/ESPN2, in Evanston, Illinois)
My pick: #17 Iowa defeats #20 Northwestern 31-21
What to watch for: Iowa's running game. Iowa, like Stanford, has had the success they've had so far this season in large part because of their ability to run the football. Iowa beat Illinois 29-20 last week, and mainly because of their running attack led by starter Jordan Canzeri who rushed for 256 yards, and 1 touchdown. In this game it'll be very important for him and the Hawkeyes to keep on running the football with that same success, and Northwestern's defense has played well for much of this season, but I think they Iowa will get enough production on the ground to get the victory over Northwestern.
My thoughts/reasons: After Northwestern's blowout loss vs now-#12 Michigan, I don't see them coming out with the same sense of urgency. Their back is up against the wall, but a loss like that is very deflating to a team. Iowa on the other hand, has all the momentum. They're 6-0 on the season, and with a win here, they have a good shot to go unbeaten because this is really their last tough road test, all the rest of their remaining games after this are very winnable. In the end, I see Iowa pulling out the victory on the road in a decently close game.
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#10 Alabama (5-1) at #9 Texas A&M (5-0) (3:30 PM ET, on CBS, in College Station, Texas) UPSET
My pick: #10 Alabama defeats #9 Texas A&M 24-13
What to watch for: Alabama's defense. Bama's defense has been a big part of their success, and I think it'll be in this game as well. Texas A&M's offense is pretty explosive, they have all type of weapons that can, and have given defenses trouble. Although Bama's defensive strength is stopping the run, and Texas A&M's main offensive strength is passing, I think Bama's defense will be able to limit A&M's offensive production, and limit or even stop A&M's big play ability enough in this game to get the Tide a huge victory on the road over yet another ranked opponent.
My thoughts/reasons: This game is one of the biggest of the weekend, and rightfully so. Texas A&M is coming off of a bye week, while Bama is coming off of two straight victories. I see Texas A&M being fresh and motivated to get this win, but I think that since Bama has dropped in the polls two spots after moving up five the week before, and since this is pretty much a do-or-die game for them. I think Alabama will come out in this game with something to prove once again. Yes, this could be a "revenge" game for Texas A&M after losing 49-42 in 2013, and 59-0 in 2014, but I think Bama will come out looking like a team on a mission. So I think that Bama will be able to take care of business on the road vs a very talented team.
My pick: #12 Michigan defeats #7 Michigan State 27-10
What to watch for: Michigan's defense. Michigan's defense has played sensational so far this season, they have only given up 38 points this whole season. They have forced three straight shut outs, and they have only given up 14 points in their last five games. In this game, it'll be important for them to keep that up vs Connor Cook and Michigan State. I think that Michigan State has a lot of talent on offense, but I don't see them having much success facing Michigan's stout defense, especially on the road.
My thoughts/reasons: Michigan has been very, very impressive so far this season, and with the way they've played lately, I don't see them stopping now, especially at home vs a top 10 opponent who happens to be one of their rivals. Michigan State has talent, and they're well coached, but on the road vs a team playing like Michigan, it'll be hard for the Spartans to overcome Michigan on the road. I see Michigan getting the win at home.
What to watch for: Iowa's running game. Iowa, like Stanford, has had the success they've had so far this season in large part because of their ability to run the football. Iowa beat Illinois 29-20 last week, and mainly because of their running attack led by starter Jordan Canzeri who rushed for 256 yards, and 1 touchdown. In this game it'll be very important for him and the Hawkeyes to keep on running the football with that same success, and Northwestern's defense has played well for much of this season, but I think they Iowa will get enough production on the ground to get the victory over Northwestern.
My thoughts/reasons: After Northwestern's blowout loss vs now-#12 Michigan, I don't see them coming out with the same sense of urgency. Their back is up against the wall, but a loss like that is very deflating to a team. Iowa on the other hand, has all the momentum. They're 6-0 on the season, and with a win here, they have a good shot to go unbeaten because this is really their last tough road test, all the rest of their remaining games after this are very winnable. In the end, I see Iowa pulling out the victory on the road in a decently close game.
Photo credit: David Scrivner - Iowa City Press-Citizen
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#10 Alabama (5-1) at #9 Texas A&M (5-0) (3:30 PM ET, on CBS, in College Station, Texas) UPSET
My pick: #10 Alabama defeats #9 Texas A&M 24-13
What to watch for: Alabama's defense. Bama's defense has been a big part of their success, and I think it'll be in this game as well. Texas A&M's offense is pretty explosive, they have all type of weapons that can, and have given defenses trouble. Although Bama's defensive strength is stopping the run, and Texas A&M's main offensive strength is passing, I think Bama's defense will be able to limit A&M's offensive production, and limit or even stop A&M's big play ability enough in this game to get the Tide a huge victory on the road over yet another ranked opponent.
My thoughts/reasons: This game is one of the biggest of the weekend, and rightfully so. Texas A&M is coming off of a bye week, while Bama is coming off of two straight victories. I see Texas A&M being fresh and motivated to get this win, but I think that since Bama has dropped in the polls two spots after moving up five the week before, and since this is pretty much a do-or-die game for them. I think Alabama will come out in this game with something to prove once again. Yes, this could be a "revenge" game for Texas A&M after losing 49-42 in 2013, and 59-0 in 2014, but I think Bama will come out looking like a team on a mission. So I think that Bama will be able to take care of business on the road vs a very talented team.
Photo credit: Marvin Gentry - USA Today Sports
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#7 Michigan State (6-0) at #12 Michigan (5-1) (3:30 PM ET, on ESPN, in Ann Arbor, Michigan) UPSETMy pick: #12 Michigan defeats #7 Michigan State 27-10
What to watch for: Michigan's defense. Michigan's defense has played sensational so far this season, they have only given up 38 points this whole season. They have forced three straight shut outs, and they have only given up 14 points in their last five games. In this game, it'll be important for them to keep that up vs Connor Cook and Michigan State. I think that Michigan State has a lot of talent on offense, but I don't see them having much success facing Michigan's stout defense, especially on the road.
My thoughts/reasons: Michigan has been very, very impressive so far this season, and with the way they've played lately, I don't see them stopping now, especially at home vs a top 10 opponent who happens to be one of their rivals. Michigan State has talent, and they're well coached, but on the road vs a team playing like Michigan, it'll be hard for the Spartans to overcome Michigan on the road. I see Michigan getting the win at home.
Photo credit: Gregory Shamus - Getty Images
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#8 Florida (6-0) at #6 LSU (5-0) (7:00 PM ET, on ESPN, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
My pick: #6 LSU defeats #8 Florida 24-17
What to watch for: LSU's running game. LSU, as everyone who follows college football knows, has one of the best running backs, if not the best running back in college football. That running back is Leonard Fournette, and he's had a terrific start to the season that has helped LSU get off to their 5-0 (3-0) start. In this one, he'll need to keep playing the way he's played, if not better vs #8 Florida. LSU is a run first offense, and they haven't had to rely on Brandon Harris much this season at all, but if Leonard Fournette can't get things going they'll be in big trouble. So, LSU will definitely need Fournette to play well, or at least have some decent amount of success in this one if they want to get the win vs a very talented opponent. I think that LSU's running game, led by Leonard Fournette, will have enough success to come away with a win in this game.
My thoughts/reasons: Florida starting QB Will Grier got suspended for an automatic full year after using a banned substance, so that could effect the Gators in this game. But, I think that Florida will be able to keep themselves in this game on the road vs #6 LSU, but I think that the Gators will fall short on the road in this one vs a top 10 opponent.
Photo credit: Derick E. Hingle - USA Today Sports
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Penn State (5-1) at #1 Ohio State (6-0) (8:00 PM ET, on ABC, in Columbus, Ohio) UPSET
My pick: Penn State defeats #1 Ohio State 31-28
What to watch for: Penn State's passing game. Penn State hasn't lived up to their ability to pass the ball this season, they've struggled for the most part. But in this one, I see Penn State passing the ball to their full potential, and being productive at it. Ohio State has a very talented defense, but I think that Penn State will open up the running game, that allows them to pass the ball effectively. The passing game is very important for the Nittany Lions in this one, not that their running game won't be important, but they'll likely need to be able to make big plays in the pass game if they want to pull off the upset, and I see them passing the ball effectively enough to pull off the shocking upset over #1 Ohio State.
My thoughts/reasons: I know Ohio State is one of the most talented teams in college football, but they haven't played like it lately. Maybe that will motivate them, but I think that Penn State (even though they have played poorly in some of their games this season) is one of their strongest opponents, if not their strongest opponent so far this season. I see Penn State playing one of their most fundamentally sound, and best games of the season, while Ohio State continues their under-whelming play.
Photo credit: Matthew O'Haren - USA Today Sports
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My Sneaky Good Game Of The Week
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Boston College (3-3) at #5 Clemson (5-0) (7:00 PM ET, on ESPNU, in Clemson, South Carolina) UPSET
My pick: Boston College defeats #5 Clemson 17-13
What to watch for: Boston College's defense. Boston College has played great on defense so far this season, and in all three of their losses combined they only gave up 26 points. I think that their defense will be very, very important once again. I don't think Boston College can win this game in a shootout, or it'd at least be a lot harder to. So they'll need their defense to play big and make Clemson's talented offense uncomfortable in this game. I think that in the end, Boston College's defense will come up big in this game to help pull off a big upset on the road.
My thoughts/reasons: This game, especially since there are so many good games this week, isn't getting very much spotlight, and you can say rightfully so when you look at it. But, it could definitely be one of those sneaky games that become big afterwards. In terms of the actual game, Clemson is one of the best teams, if not the best team in the ACC. But after five straight wins, I think this game will turn out to be a trap game for them vs Boston College who has managed to pull out only one victory in their last four games. But I think that Boston College will be able to play a sound game of football, and avoid making to many mistakes in this game, and that will be big for them in a game I see them pulling out on the road over a top 5 opponent.
Photo credit: Winslow Townson - USA Today Sports
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These are only some of many games this weekend of college football. Enjoy week 7 of the college football season!
You can follow me on twitter: @Footballfile
Penn St over Ohio ST???
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