Experts pick Notre Dame at BYU and top games of Week 7

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There are more than a few matchups during Week 7 of college football that will have College Football Playoff implications, as Notre Dame at BYU being one of them.

The Irish and Cougars play in the only game with no losses between them, and while its not the top ranked matchup of the weekend, it’s still a very important one for both sides. Perception goes a long way, and the winner will have plenty of it.

Midway through the season there are still plenty of questions surrounding teams, but Tim Healey, Sunny Verma, Kevin Smith and Michael Chen try to navigate that and pick the winner of Notre Dame at BYU along with the rest of the top games during Week 7 in college football.

No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes (5-1) at No. 5 Indiana Hoosiers (6-0)

Game data: Sat., Oct. 17 at 11 a.m. CDT on FOX

Healey – This strikes me as a coin-flip game. On one hand, Ohio State is, despite the one loss, as good as they've ever been over the past half-decade or so. On the other hand, Indiana is home and looks to be as legitimately good as last year's title-winning team. I think Indiana wins in a classic squeaker.

Verma – I think it is safe to say this Indiana team is not going to be as dominant as last year's and this Ohio State team needs to avenge the loss to the Hoosiers last year. I think Ohio State wins.

Smith – I can see this game being close until the end. I'll take the Hoosiers to squeeze a win out.

Chen – While both teams are ranked in the top-5, one has much more riding on this contest. The Buckeyes already suffered a loss, to a Texas team that had a bad loss to Oklahoma last weekend. Indiana is hungry to prove it belongs at the top of the college football mountain, but Ohio State is hungrier.

No. 16 Mississippi State Bulldogs (4-1) at No. 22 LSU Tigers (4-2)

Game data: Sat., Oct. 17 at 11 a.m. CDT on ESPN

Healey – LSU sometimes looks good, and sometimes looks to be the kind of mess that makes the haters happy. They don't seem invincible at home this year, either. Mississippi State wins a close one.

Verma – Some weekends LSU looks like they are a National Championship contender and others they look middle of the SEC. I think Mississippi State is more consistent and get the win.

Smith – LSU is reeling from tough losses to Ole Miss and Kentucky the past few weeks. Mississippi State, on the other hand, are in good shape. I've got the Rebels in this one.

Chen – I just can’t look at the Tigers and say they’re a good team, but college football is odd sometimes. The Bulldogs do have the better quarterback, but LSU being at home in a must-win game, pushes them over the edge.

No. 6 Alabama Crimson Tide (5-1) at No. 14 Tennessee Volunteers (5-1)

Game data: Sat., Oct. 17 at 2:30 p.m. CDT on ABC

Healey – Tennessee being home gives me pause, but 'Bama has looked a bit more like itself this season than last. I think the Tide takes it by a touchdown.

Verma – Alabama's got a bad taste in their mouth, but could still be one of the best teams in the country. I think it's a big bounce-back game for the Tide.

Smith – Another game that I think will be close until the clock hits zero. The Tide will also be looking to shake of their loss to Georgia sooner rather than later, so I'll take Alabama.

Chen – Just when we think Alabama is back, they take a loss, keeping the question valid. Tennessee is good, but depth will be an issue. The Tide roll.

No. 13 Missouri Tigers (5-1) at No. 9 Ole Miss Rebels (4-1)

Game data: Sat., Oct. 17 at 2:30 p.m. CDT on SEC Network

Healey – Missouri is good. Ole Miss is better. And home. I think the Rebels get this one — the Tigers' win over Florida was nice but I think Ole Miss will be a tougher nut to crack.

Verma – Another team I can't decide whether is good or not is Ole Miss. That loss to Florida is looking worse and worse. For now, I'll take Ole Miss, but a loss this weekend will teach me to learn my lesson.

Smith – I like Mizzou way too much in this matchup. That Ole Miss loss to Florida a couple weeks ago still rubs me the wrong way. I feel like the Tigers are on a more serious run than the Rebels right now, so I'll take Mizzou.

Chen – Missouri is sneak good once every three years or so, and this could be that year. Ole Miss had theirs last season, and the Tigers get another big victory.

No. 18 Oklahoma State Cowboys (4-1) at No. 20 Houston Cougars (5-1)

Game data: Sat., Oct 17 at 6:30 p.m. CDT on FOX

Healey – I haven't watched either team much, so I am going on vibes here, and the vibes say Cowboys over Cougars in this one.

Verma – Seems like the whole world is on Oklahoma State, I can't quite figure out why, I will go with the home team here.

Smith – Give me the Cowboys in this one. Drew Mestemaker has been absolute stud in his first season at Oklahoma State.

Chen – Kevin is spot on, this one will be won by the Cowboys quarterback making plays all night. Oklahoma State puts up plenty of points and puts an exclamation point on this win.

Tim Healey

Notre Dame is going to be tested for the first time this season. Top-10 team on the road. That won't be easy. Still, I think Notre Dame's talent and depth wins out, ever so slightly. I think Notre Dame hangs on to win 34-31. I don't think it will be a walk-off field goal, nor do I think BYU will miss one at the gun, rather, I simply think that the final score will be …

Notre Dame 34, BYU 31

Sunny Verma

If we're being honest, this will probably be the first game that Notre Dame circled as one that was going to be a tough matchup for Marcus Freeman and his staff. For that reason, I think the Irish are going to have a big-time performance and not just win, but cover the spread handily.

Notre Dame 31, BYU 10

Kevin Smith

I have no question that Notre Dame and BYU will battle on national television this weekend. The Irish's 7-game road losing streak against top-10 teams in the last 14 years is a concern, but I'm confident Notre Dame will snap that skid, especially with Leonard Moore back in the fold. Also, BYU not having LJ Martin in the back field will dash the team's hopes a bit, even though Bear Bachmeier can do it all with his arm and legs.

Notre Dame 38, BYU 30

Michael Chen

There is a lot riding on this one for both teams, a game that could make or break the season. Notre Dame has a lot of momentum, but hasn’t been challenged for a full 60 minutes. BYU is looking for credibility, as they’re not viewed as one of the best teams despite being undefeated. They’ll prove that to be correct, as the Irish look like a national championship contender, and have a defense that travels and will alway keep them in any game. Notre Dame’s offense scores more than enough and cruises to a fairly easy victory.

Notre Dame 35, BYU 17

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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Experts pick Notre Dame at BYU and top games of Week 7

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