Can No. 4 Ohio State avenge its Big Ten championship game loss to No. 5 Indiana on “Big Noon Kickoff”? Will No. 6 Alabama bounce back against No. 14 Tennessee after a loss to No. 1 Georgia
Elsewhere, a College Football Playoff spot could be on the line when No. 2 Notre Dame visits No. 8 BYU. Austin Simmons leads No. 13 Missouri against his former team, No. 9 Ole Miss.Â
With six matchups between Associated Press Top 25 opponents, Week 7 of the college football season might feature the most exciting slate of the season. Were breaking down our straight-up picks and the matchups to watch closely throughout the weekend. Â Â
When: Saturday, noon ET (FOX)
Where: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Indiana
Line: Ohio State -3.5
RJ Young: Ohio State
The best player in the sport is Jeremiah Smith, and Ohio State coach Ryan Day should not be shy about reminding Indiana about that.
Laken Litman: Ohio State
This is my answer for nearly every Ohio State game: The Buckeyes have Jeremiah Smith and Indiana doesn’t.
Ben Portnoy: Indiana
OK, fine, this is probably a bit of a homer pick. I took the Hoosiers to win the Big Ten at the start of the season and I can’t stray from that, right? Right. Give me Curt Cignetti’s squad in the biggest home game in the history of Indiana football.
When: Saturday, noon ET (ESPN)
Where: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Line: LSU -14.5
Young: LSU
Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor won’t be 100% healthy even if he plays on Saturday. Advantage, LSU.
Litman: LSU
The Tigers will rebound at home after an upset loss to Kentucky in overtime last week. Plus, Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor’s status is still uncertain.
Portnoy: LSU
Kamario Taylor is still on the mend and while the spread feels pretty big for a matchup of two top-25 teams, I have a hard time seeing the Bulldogs pull this one out. I’ll take LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt to get right against what’s been just a mediocre Mississippi State defense.
When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Where: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee
Line: Alabama -7.5
Young: Alabama
The Crimson Tide have the better quarterback and wide receiver room. Tennessee must run the ball well to win.
Litman: Alabama
Even after last week’s loss to Georgia, Alabama looks like a team that could win it all. The Crimson Tide are not going to lose two in a row, especially not against a Tennessee team led by backup quarterback George MacIntyre.
Portnoy: Alabama
Nothing complicated about this one. Tennessee has real problems at quarterback and absolutely nothing the Vols put on tape last week against Arkansas makes me think they’re up for this challenge. Bama rolls big.
When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
Where: Galaxy Stadium, Lubbock, Texas
Line: Texas Tech -14.5
Young: Texas Tech
Texas Tech has flirted with disaster enough to make me feel nervous, but I think the Red Raiders have an answer for ASU running back Cardae Mack.
Litman: Texas Tech
In a heated Big 12 race, Texas Tech stays unbeaten with a decisive win over an inconsistent ASU team.
Portnoy: Texas Tech
Arizona State and quarterback Cutter Boley have had their moments and I still think Texas Tech is hardly a shoo-in for the Big 12 title, but the Red Raiders are just the more talented team in this one.Â
When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (SEC Network)
Where: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, Mississippi
Line: Ole
