No. 4 Ohio State at No. 5 Indiana starts the day and No. 2 Notre Dame at No. 8 BYU finishes it with plenty more Week 7 intriguing college football games spread out in between those headlining matchups Saturday.
Saturday is one of those perfectly engineered days of college football.
The kind that leads the unencumbered diehards to shamelessly sequester themselves in front of their screen/screens of choice with minimal planned movement from noon to night. The kind that tortures the equally fervent fans with familial responsibilities with the specter of a planned pumpkin patch outing threatening to conflict with seeing the the next scene-stealing Curt Cignetti scowl in real time.
From the opening timeslot Saturday to the finish, Week 7 of college football is stacked with intrigue and steeped in season-shaping stakes.
College Football Week 7 Viewing Guide
Here’s how one without other conflicting responsibilities in life might plot out their viewing experience, for example.
12 p.m. ET
(Wrapping up College GameDay as the pizza delivery arrives …)
Main screen, full sound: No. 4 Ohio State at No. 5 Indiana
Second screen: No. 16 Mississippi State at No. 22 LSU
On the iPad propped up on the coffee table: Florida at No. 7 Texas
3:30 p.m. ET
Main screen: No. 13 Missouri at No. 9 Ole Miss OR No. 6 Alabama at No. 14 Tennessee
Second screen: Vice versa
On the iPad: Auburn at No. 1 Georgia
7 p.m. ET
Main screen: Just enough time to watch Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney put No. 3 Miami up three touchdowns early on Florida State while confirming that homemade chili in the crockpot is ready to go before settling in for the next top 10 matchup.
Second screen: Just enough time to take a peek at Washington State vs. Oregon State to see what all the buzz is about with the Beavers’ Braden Atkinson and Jesse Legree.
7:30 p.m. ET
Main screen: No. 2 Notre Dame at No. 8 BYU
Second screen: Flipping between Wisconsin at No. 12 UCLA to see if the unbeaten Bruins are indeed for real but also wanting to keep tabs on No. 15 Kentucky at Oklahoma to see if the Wildcats are indeed for real.
On the iPad: No. 18 Oklahoma State at No. 20 Houston to see what all the hype is about with this Drew Mestemaker guy.
10:15/10:30 p.m. ET
Going back for the third bowl of chili that will be a certain source of regret later …
Main screen: No. 11 Utah at Colorado because why not?
Second screen: No. 21 Wake Forest at Cal, ditto
Wake up on the couch sometime after midnight delighted to realize it’s the third quarter of a barnburner in Berkeley and that you might as well just finish what you started.
Let’s take a closer look at all of the top 25 matchups and make our predictions …
(All game times ET; all point spreads via DraftKings Sportsbook)
College Football Week 7 Schedule
No. 4 Ohio State (5-1, 3-0 Big Ten) at No. 5 Indiana (6-0, 3-0), 12 p.m. on FOX: It doesn’t get any better than this. Just like Georgia-Alabama in the SEC last week, the biggest game on the Big Ten schedule is a juicy one. In Curt Cignetti’s first season at Indiana in 2024, the Hoosiers took their only regular-season loss against Ohio State. Last year, they beat the Buckeyes 13-10 in the Big Ten championship game on the way to an undefeated national championship. Indiana’s FBS-leading winning streak is up to 22 games, but the Hoosiers have already been pushed for four quarters by Northwestern (a 29-23 win) and Nebraska (20-17 last week) while showing more vulnerability this season. QB Josh Hoover, the veteran TCU transfer, has been good (1,364 yards, 17 TDs and 0 INTs) but he hasn’t yet matched the big game aura of his predecessor Fernando Mendoza. He may need to Saturday if Indiana is going to stay unbeaten, while RBs Turbo Richard (597 yards and 5 TDs on 8.4 YPC) and Lee Beebe Jr. (551 yards and 4 TDs on 5.6 YPC) will play a big role as well. None of those players (nor many other key cogs for Indiana) were part of those past Ohio State matchups, though. But the Buckeyes offensive stars in particular — QB Julian Sayin, Heisman Trophy front-runner Jeremiah Smith and RB Bo Jackson among others — remember the Big Ten championship game loss last year. Ohio State has been predictably dominant outside of its 24-23 Week 2 loss at Texas with Sayin passing for 1,772 yards, 17 TDs and 2 INTs and Smith looking unstoppable so far with 48 catches for 916 yards and 11 TDs. Ohio State is a 3-point favorite on the road. Prediction: Ohio State 27, Indiana 22
Florida (4-2, 2-2 SEC) at No. 7 Texas (4-1, 1-1), 12 p.m. on ABC: It’s been a straight freefall for Florida since it rolled over Ole Miss in Week 4 and shot up to No. 8 in the AP poll. That’s been followed by humbling losses to Missouri (45-17 on the road) and South Carolina (38-19 at home), and the Gators are now expected to be without starting QB Aaron Philo on Saturday due to injury. Tramell Jones Jr., who has 443 passing yards, 4 TDs and 2 INTs off the bench the last two seasons, would make the start while Florida will lean heavily on RB Jadan Baugh (672 yards and 12 TDs on 6.1 YPC). Texas, meanwhile, is coming off a deflating 27-24 loss to Oklahoma while surrendering its former No. 1 ranking as fresh questions emerged about QB Arch Manning’s progress in his second season as a starter (1,122 passing yards, 10 TDs and 5 INTs). Texas is an 11.5-point favorite. Prediction: Texas 37, Florida 28
No. 16 Mississippi State (4-1, 2-1 SEC) at No. 22 LSU (4-2, 1-2), 12 p.m. on ESPN: Mississippi State is playing very short-handed Saturday without star QB Kamario Taylor (foot/turf toe) or leading rusher Fluff Bothwell (foot/ankle). Sophomore Billy Puckett, a former walk-on, is expected to start at QB for the Bulldogs. He’s attempted just 14 passes in his college career. That’s a big break for LSU, which has little margin for error the rest of the way after losses to Ole Miss and last week in overtime to Kentucky. The Tigers will continue to try to get high-profile transfer QB Sam Leavitt to settle in after he’s thrown for 10 TDs and 8 INTs (plus 7 rushing TDs) so far. LSU is a 17.5-point favorite. Prediction: LSU 36, Mississippi State 18
Virginia (4-2, 2-1 ACC) at No. 24 SMU (4-1, 2-1), 12 p.m. on CW: SMU has a pretty thin resume despite the 4-1 start with its best win coming over Florida State 27-24 in the opener. Since then, the Mustangs have beaten the likes of UC Davis, Missouri State and Boston College while losing by 10 points to Louisville. Veteran QB Kevin Jennings has struggled with turnovers while passing for 1,588 yards, 14 TDs and 5 INTs. Virginia, meanwhile, hasn’t had quite the same magic it did last year while already losing by double figures to both West Virginia (38-27) and Florida State (38-7) without a truly notable win on its ledge. Well-traveled veteran QB Beau Pribula has been solid enough, throwing for 1,074 yards, 13 TDs and 1 INT while the defense has been the bigger issues for the Cavaliers. SMU is a 9.5-point favorite. Prediction: SMU 31, Virginia 24
No. 25 Northwestern (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) at Michigan State (2-4, 0-3), 12 p.m. on Peacock: New Michigan State coach Pat Fitzgerald goes against his former school for the first time. Fitzgerald was 110-101 in 17 seasons for the Wildcats. His replacement David Braun is off to the best start of his tenure with the Wildcats at 4-1 and their lone loss coming in a competitive 29-23 result at undefeated Indiana. The backfield tandem of Caleb Komolafe (334 yards and 3 TDs on 5.6 YPC) and Joseph Himon II (319 yards and 3 TDs on 13.9 YPC — not a misprint) are hard to stop when they get rolling for offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. Michigan State has lost four in a row with its only wins over Toledo and Eastern Michigan. Northwestern is a 7-point road favorite. Prediction: Northwestern 34, Michigan State 17
No. 6 Alabama (5-1, 3-1 SEC) at No. 14 Tennessee (5-1, 2-1), 3:30 p.m. on ABC: Kalen DeBoer hasn’t been as fired up at any point in his Alabama tenure than he was during the waning moments of the Crimson Tide’s 20-17 loss to Georgia last week, livid at both the officials for a missed pass interference call and one of his own players for a costly and senseless penalty. It feels like a safe bet he’s going to have the Tide — and star redshirt-freshman QB Keelon Russell (1,599 passing yards, 12 TDs and 2 INTs;225 rushing yards and 4 TDs) — fully motivated to make a statement on the road at Tennessee. But Alabama will be without top receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams and starting center Racin Delgatty due to injury. For Tennessee, freshman QB Faizon Brandon has been formally removed from the injury report while dealing with a shoulder injury and he is available Saturday, but the Vols are expected to start George MacIntyre (who threw for 247 yards, 1 TD and 2 INTs in a 24-17 win at Arkansas last week). They’ll lean heavily on RB DeSean Bishop (678 yards and 8 TDs on 6.3 YPC). Alabama is a 7.5-point road favorite. Prediction: Alabama 34, Tennessee 21
No. 13 Missouri (5-1, 2-1 SEC) at No. 9 Ole Miss (4-1, 2-1), 3:30 p.m. on SEC Network: There aren’t many hotter teams in college football than Missouri, coming off a 45-17 win over Florida followed by a 27-6 domination of Texas A&M. And they’re aren’t many hotter players in the country than Tigers RB Jamal Roberts (828 rushing yards and 8 TDs on 5.6 YPC), who had 433 rushing yards and 5 TDs over those last two games. Meanwhile, this week gives QB Austin Simmons (1,434 yards, 14 TDs and 1 INT) a chance to go against his former team. Simmons opened last season as Ole Miss’ starting QB before an early injury opened the door for Trinidad Chambliss to seize the job and never look back. This season, Chambliss has passed for 1,435 yards, 11 TDs and 4 INTs and rushed for 5 TDs. RB Kewan Lacy returned from injury last week but had only 39 rushing yards and a TD on 7 carries in a blowout win over Vanderbilt. He’ll need to be a bigger part of the gameplan this week. Ole Miss is a 5.5-point favorite. Prediction: Ole Miss 31, Missouri 28
Auburn (3-2, 1-2 SEC) at No. 1 Georgia (6-0, 4-0), 3:30 p.m. on ESPN: Georgia is coming off that momentous 20-17 road win at Alabama last week and just needs to keep its focus against a rebuilding Auburn program that hasn’t shown much in coach Alex Golesh’s first season. Expect Gunner Stockton (1,298 passing yards, 14 TDs and 2 INTs) and the Bulldogs to roll, especially with RB Nate Frazier (211 yards and 5 TDs on 8.1 YPC) expected to return to a full role this week after missing most of the last three games with injured ribs. Georgia is a 19.5-point favorite. Prediction: Georgia 38, Auburn 20
Arizona State (3-2, 1-1 Big 12) at No. 10 Texas Tech (5-0, 2-0), 3:30 p.m. on FOX: Texas Tech is missing part of its backfield stable with Cameron Dickey sidelined by an ankle injury, but J’Koby Williams (373 yards and 3 TDs on 5.9 YPC) and Quinten Joyner (151 yards and 2 TDs on 4.3 YPC in limited opportunity) should be able to handle the workload just fine. The Red Raiders are 15.5-point favorites against an Arizona State team that has already been blown out by Texas A&M (48-20) and Baylor (55-19) while lacking a notable win. Prediction: Texas Tech 46, Arizona State 30
Florida State (3-3, 1-2 ACC) at No. 3 Miami (5-0, 3-0) on ESPN: Miami is a 20.5-point favorite for good reason. The Hurricanes haven’t been tested yet in winning their first five games by an average of 39.8 points and probably won’t be Saturday. Florida State gave up 397 rushing yards last week to Louisville, which closed the game on a 44-6 run over the final three quarters. Expect Heisman Trophy candidates Darian Mensah (1,438 yards, 15 TDs, 0 INTs) and Malachi Toney (39-604-6) and RB Mark Fletcher Jr. (307 yards and 5 TDs on 5.9 YPC) to all feast in this matchup. Prediction: Miami 49, Florida State 24
No. 2 Notre Dame (6-0) at No. 8 BYU (5-0), 7:30 p.m. on ABC: Notre Dame has been dominant in its revenge tour after getting snubbed from the College Football Playoff last year, winning its first six games by an average of 33 points. But, the Fighting Irish haven’t played a single notable opponent yet with its best wins coming over Wisconsin, Purdue and North Carolina. That changes Saturday night when the Irish have a chance to validate their strong start against a fellow national contender in BYU. QB CJ Carr has been excellent so far for Notre Dame, passing for 1,378 yards, 16 TDs and 1 INT, and the rushing attack has had a different leader from week to week with freshman Jonaz Walton (team-high 409 rushing yards on 7.9 YPC) emerging of late with 301 yards and 2 TDs over the last two games. That will all get tested by a BYU defense under coach Kalani Sitake that is giving up the seventh-fewest yards (254.4 YPG) and tied for the eighth-fewest points (13.4 PPG) in the country. The Cougars also haven’t played a team like Notre Dame yet. Star running back LJ Martin remains sidelined by an ankle injury, putting more pressure on sophomore QB Bear Bachmeier (1,033 passing yards, 8 TDs, 1 INT; 239 rushing yards, 4 TDs), who led the team in rushing last week with 109 yards on 9 attempts. Similarly, the Cougars are up against a stiff challenge with a Notre Dame defense that ranks first nationally in giving up just 214.2 YPG and fourth in scoring defense (11.0 PPG). Notre Dame is a 10.5-point road favorite, which seems excessive. Prediction: Notre Dame 24, BYU 20
Wisconsin (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten) at No. 12 UCLA (5-0, 3-0), 7:30 p.m. on NBC: UCLA first-year coach Bob Chesney might be the frontrunner for national coach of the year honors if the voting happened now. He took over a Bruins program that finished 3-9 last year with no real identity and has turned them into one of the best rushing attacks in college football (ranking sixth nationally at 253.2 YPG on the ground). UCLA is led by Wayne Knight, who followed Chesney from James Madison and has 548 rushing yards and 10 TDs on a career-high 7.7 YPC. The Bruins scored a signature 17-15 road win at then-No. 15 Oregon last week and have a realistic path to going undefeated in the regular season if they continue to play like they have. They’ll have to do it without starting QB Nico Iamaleava, who sustained a season-ending knee injury last week. Ty Dieffenbach, who started at FCS-level Cal Poly last season after two seasons on the bench at Pittsburgh, takes over. Wisconsin has been better this season, but its best wins are over bad Penn State and Michigan State teams while it got blown out 41-13 in the Week 1 by Notre Dame. The Badgers lean heavily on dual-threat QB Colton Joseph, a transfer from Old Dominion who has thrown for 1,132 yards, 10 TDs and 5 INTs while rushing for a team-high 262 yards and 3 scores, and a defense that ranks 15th nationally (267.2 YPG) in part because of the schedule the team has played. UCLA is a 2.5-point favorite. Prediction: UCLA 27, Wisconsin 20
No. 15 Kentucky (5-1, 3-1 SEC) at Oklahoma (3-2, 1-1), 7:30 p.m. on SEC Network: First-year Kentucky coach Will Stein is another top candidate for national coach of the year after taking a sagging Wildcats program and immediately making them a factor in the SEC. Kentucky’s lone loss came to Alabama and since then the Wildcats upset then-No. 9 Texas A&M on the road, rallied from a big deficit to upend South Carolina and then won a dramatic 35-34 overtime game with then-No. 10 LSU last week. Can they keep it going, led by QB Kenny Minchey (1,394 yards, 11 TDs and 1 INT) and RB CJ Baxter (484 yards and 8 TDs on 5.6 YPC)? Oklahoma, of course, is coming off the high of upsetting then-No. 1 Texas last week, 27-24, but the Sooners have looked very uninspiring otherwise as QB John Mateer (1,038 passing yards, 8 TDs and 4 INTs with only 70 rushing yards) has mostly struggled. The Sooners rely more heavily on their defense than arguably any team in the country, and the unit ranks 14th nationally (266.8 YPG allowed). Oklahoma is a 6.5-point favorite. Prediction: Kentucky 27, Oklahoma 22
No. 18 Oklahoma State (4-1, 2-0 Big 12) at No. 20 Houston (5-1, 2-1), 7:30 p.m. on FOX: This is a pivotal Big 12 matchup with Houston likely needing the win to stay alive in the conference race while upstart Oklahoma State continues its dramatic transformation in coach Eric Morris’ first season. The Cowboys were 1-11 overall and winless in the Big 12 last year, but the program changed immediately as Morris arrived from North Texas followed by his top offensive stars from last season in QB Drew Mestemaker (1,575 passing yards, 13 TDs and 5 INTs), WR Wyatt Young (27-462-4) and RB Caleb Hawkins (524 rushing yards and 2 TDs). Oklahoma State has won four straight since losing its opener to Tulsa, including winning its first two Big 12 games 41-24 at West Virginia and 42-28 over UCF. Houston has been every bit as good, though, while taking its lone loss in a tight 28-26 showdown with fellow Big 12 power Texas Tech. The Cougars are led by poised veteran QB Conner Weigman (1,428 passing yards, 15 TDs and 1 INT) and strong depth at the offensive skill positions. This is a coin flip game. Houston is a 4.5-point favorite. Prediction: Oklahoma State 34, Houston 31
No. 11 Utah (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) at Colorado (2-3, 0-2), 10:15 p.m. on ESPN: While former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham struggles to find his footing at Michigan, his successor and longtime defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley has kept things rolling for the Utes. Utah has a top 10 offense nationally — led by dual-threat QB Devon Dampier (1,134 passing yards, 12 TDs and 2 INTs; 206 rushing yards and 3 TDs) and Wayshawn Parker (499 rushing yards on 7.6 YPC, 190 receiving yards and 11 total TDs) — and a top 20 defense. Utah has won every game by at least 14 points and shouldn’t get slowed down by a Colorado team that has lost its last three games by an average margin of 22 points and has just one win over a Power 4 opponent (14-13 vs. Georgia Tech in Week 1). Isaac Wilson, who transferred in from Utah, will make his second start at QB for the Buffs after throwing 3 interceptions in a 29-7 loss to Texas Tech last week. Utah is a 14.5-point road favorite. Prediction: Utah 44, Colorado 17
No. 21 Wake Forest (5-1, 3-1 ACC) at Cal (3-3, 2-1), 10:30 p.m. on ESPN2: Nobody thought much of it when Jake Dickert took over at Washington State, replacing the ousted Nick Rolovich midway through the 2021 season. Nobody thought much either when Dickert left the Cougars for Wake Forest in 2025. But now, his stock is soaring ahead of a coaching carousel cycle where he’ll no doubt be linked to bigger Power 4 jobs after starting his Demon Deacons tenure with a 9-4 finish last year and a 5-1 start this fall. Similarly, it didn’t much move the needle when QB Gio Lopez transferred in this year after a rough season at North Carolina, but Lopez (1,680 passing yards, 13 TDs and 1 INT) has become one of the great success stories of this 2026 season and while forming a potent passing tandem with Carlos Hernandez (49-720-4). Wake Forest has won three straight since taking its lone loss to Miami in a competitive 33-20 result while blowing out Stanford (57-3) and NC State (38-14) the last two weeks. Cal is expected to get QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele back from a concussion this week. The Golden Bears have struggled in their first season under head coach Tosh Lupoi, the former Oregon defensive coordinator, but a 25-20 win over Virginia Tech last week could be a turning point for the squad. Wake Forest is a 10-point road favorite. Prediction: Wake Forest 38, Cal 34
