Notre Dame, UCLA on upset alert in college football bold predictions for Week 7
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When the final whistle blows on Saturday, we will officially be at the halfway mark of the college football season. What the College Football Playoff picture will look like is anybody's guess.
We have two huge matchups in the top 10 coming in Week 7. No. 5 Ohio State travels to No. 4 Indiana in a rematch of last year's Big Ten championship game won by the Hoosiers. The Buckeyes and the defending national champions are two of the four remaining unbeatens in conference play, giving the winner a huge edge in the title race.
The other major matchup sees No. 2 Notre Dame visit No. 8 Brigham Young in a rare matchup of the current independent and a former independent now a member of the Big 12. The Fighting Irish want ot avoid a loss that could put their playoff hopes in peril with a home game against Miami coming next month.
Are these two games where we will see surprises? Or are there others on tap Saturday that will see teams rise and fall in the rankings.? Our experts weigh in on those questions in our bold predictions.
College football bold predictions Week 7
Ohio State ends Indiana's winning streak
This is it. This is the weekend, not the first-month meltdown at Texas. This is the weekend that Ohio State thwarts Indiana's winning streak, reasserts itself in the Big Ten — and keeps alive hopes for the No. 1 or 2 overall seed in the College Football Playoff. As good as Jeremiah Smith is, the Buckeyes win this game on the backs of Matt Patricia's defense — forcing Josh Hoover into a game-deciding turnover. — John Brice
Oklahoma avoids hangover against Kentucky
I get it, Kentucky is hot after consecutive overtime wins and ranked in the top 20. And the Oklahoma offense is shaky at best even after its late flurry won the game against Texas. But there's something about the Sooners playing at home at night, and still playing elite defense, that makes me think the Sooners will find a way to win despite a potential emotional letdown following the Red River victory. — Matt Hayes
Michigan’s disappointing season hits new low
The last time Michigan started 0-3 in the Big Ten was in 1967, before Bo Schembechler and Lloyd Carr ever led the Wolverines. To avoid that fate, the Wolverines will have to beat an equally disappointing Penn State trying to avoid another 0-4 conference start. This game won’t be pretty, but there’s more faith in the Nittany Lions being able to move the ball and score. Bryce Underwood suffers another rough outing and Michigan is handed its worst conference start in nearly 50 years as Kyle Whittingham hits rock bottom. — Jordan Mendoza
Momentum stays with Wisconsin against injured UCLA
Wisconsin picks up the biggest win of the Luke Fickell era and moves into next week's Top 25 by knocking off Nico Iamaleava-less UCLA. The Bruins are set to start Cal Poly transfer Ty Dieffenbach against a pass defense that ranks ninth nationally in yards allowed per game, second in yards allowed per attempt and fifth in efficiency rating. Combined with a ground game that has taken a big step forward thanks to quarterback transfer Colton Joseph, the Badgers' ability to defend the pass gives them a good chance at the upset. — Paul Myerberg
Notre Dame barely survives trip to BYU
It's difficult to assess how good No. 8 Brigham Young is after five victories to open the season and none of them coming in convincing fashion. But that's not concerning given their biggest game of the season is Saturday. Expect the Cougars to look sharper and play with more urgency. Bear Bachmeier will make plays with his feet and arm. BYU will give Notre Dame all it wants in one of the tougher road environments in the sport. Anything but a consistent effort from the Fighting Irish will be difficult to overcome. Look for this one to go four quarters and Notre Dame survives, barely. — Erick Smith
Duke keeps Victory Bell in close game with North Carolina
When North Carolina and Duke square off on the basketball court, it’s nearly always appointment viewing. Their upcoming clash on the gridiron is not even remotely close to being the marquee contest on a busy Saturday, but it might be worth monitoring anyway.
A week ago, Duke was the program with all the positive momentum. But the Blue Devils took a bad loss to a sub-.500 Georgia Tech squad. The Tar Heels, meanwhile, were still stuck in neutral with a lackluster showing against Notre Dame but found a way to win at previously unbeaten Pitt. Yes, the Panthers were shorthanded with their starting quarterback injured, but UNC also managed to hit a few big plays in their own passing game which had been sorely lacking. So how will this one go down in Durham? We’ll go with the Blue Devils defending their home turf to claim the Victory Bell, but don’t be shocked if it isn’t decided until the final whistle.— Eddie Timanus
Oklahoma stays alive in CFP race
Oklahoma did its best work last season with its back pressed against the wall. The Sooners used an undefeated November to make the playoff with two losses. Well, the two losses came even earlier for Oklahoma this season, requiring the Sooners to have an undefeated October and November to have any realistic shot at a playoff bid. Oklahoma started its rally by stunning Texas in Red River, and now red-hot Kentucky comes to town. Oklahoma will use its relentless defense to bring the Wildcats to heel and harpoon the idea of Kentucky being a playoff sleeper. After Oklahoma humbles the Wildcats, both teams will exit the weekend with two losses, and we can pretend they’re both playoff contenders. Each will remain mathematically alive, but by late November, they’ll be left wishing the 24-team playoff that’s around the corner could get here in time for this season. — Blake Toppmeyer
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Notre Dame, UCLA on upset alert in college football bold predictions for Week 7
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