2019 College Football Week 7 Predictions – Breaking Down the Top 25 Matchups: While there have already been some big games during the 2019 College Football season, business really starts to pick up this weekend. The Week 7 slate includes four matchups between teams ranked in the Top 25, including huge matchups in the Big 12 and SEC between teams ranked 11th or better. Needless to say, the push for the College Football Playoff is officially in full swing.
2019 College Football Week 7 Predictions: Breaking Down the Top 25 Matchups
No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners (-10.5) vs. No. 11 Texas Longhorns
The two best teams in the Big 12 will meet in the next chapter in the Red River Rivalry, and their will be a lot on the line in this one. Yes, there is a good chance that these two teams will meet again in the Big 12 title game regardless of how this matchup plays out, but if the Longhorns lose, they can kiss their College Football Playoff hopes goodbye. For that matter, there is no guarantee that the Sooners could rally from a loss to return to the playoffs either. You also have Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts and Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger battling on a big stage with a golden opportunity to win over Heisman voters.
The Texas offense has been stout this year, averaging 41.8 points and 483.6 yards per game despite a bunch of injuries at the running back spot. The problem is that those numbers don’t come close to matching the Oklahoma offense. Led by the dual-threat ability of Hurts, the Sooners are putting up 53.4 points and a whopping 643.8 yards per game. That type of firepower is bad news for the Longhorns, who have surrendered at least 30 points to LSU, Oklahoma State and West Virginia already this season. Ehlinger is an absolute gamer, but guts and heart can only overcome so much. The Longhorns are just outmanned in this one.
Prediction: Oklahoma Sooners (-10.5) Cover the Spread
No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (N/A) at No. 24 Texas A&M Aggies
This game looked like a potentially juicy matchup before the start of the season, but while the Aggies haven’t been bad, losses to Clemson and Auburn are a clear indicator that Jimbo Fisher’s group just isn’t quite ready to take the next step. Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond can look brilliant in spurts, but he has yet to show he can be a transcendent talent that can carry his team to victories over elite competition. Meanwhile, Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and his arsenal of big-play receivers have been next to unstoppable. The Crimson Tide are averaging 51.8 points and more than 550 yards of offense per game. Yes, Alabama has a bunch of injuries on the defensive side of the ball, but their group is still going to be the best Texas A&M has faced, and the Aggies offense already looks like an average unit. I don’t see Mond and company being able to keep pace for four quarters.
Prediction: Alabama Crimson Tide (N/A) Win the Game
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No. 10 Penn State Nittany Lions (-4.5) at No. 17 Iowa Hawkeyes
Two of the most physical defenses in the country will square off in a Big Ten battle when the 10th-ranked Nittany Lions go on the road the face the 17th-ranked Hawkeyes. Penn State is allowing just 7.4 points per game, and at 5-0, the Nittany Lions are still very much in the mix for a spot in the College Football Playoff. Last week’s loss to Michigan will likely eliminated Iowa from playoff contention, but the Hawkeyes are giving up just 8.8 points per game and can still take home the conference crown.
Despite the similar defensive numbers, there is no comparing these two teams on the offensive side of the ball. Led by first-year starter Sean Clifford, Penn State is putting up 47.0 points per game, nearly 20 points more than Iowa. Yes, Kinnick Stadium is a tough place to play, but the gap in offensive talent between these two teams is drastic. Heck, the Hawkeyes managed just three points in their loss to the Wolverines last weekend. Iowa’s defense will make life tough on Clifford, but the Nittany Lions will make enough plays to pull out the win.
Prediction: Penn State Nittany Lions (-4.5) Cover the Spread
No. 7 Florida Gators at No. 5 LSU Tigers (-13.5)
A pair of undefeated, top-10 teams will meet in a huge SEC showdown when Florida travels to Death Valley to face LSU. Since both teams are in opposite divisions, the loser could still win out and reach the SEC title game. However, the winner is going to take a big step towards the ultimate prize, a spot in the College Football Playoff and a shot at a national title.
The Gators have survived multiple injuries to the quarterback position thanks to a nasty defense that is allowing just 9.5 points per game. Meanwhile, the new-look LSU offense led by quarterback Joe Burrow has been torching defenses to the tune of 54.6 points and 571.0 yards per game.
As stout as the Florida defense has been, it is hard to imagine the Gators completely containing Burrow and company. Meanwhile, the Gators just don’t have the firepower on offense to put a bunch of points on the board, especially on the road against an LSU defense that is strong enough up front to slow down Florida’s ground game. I think the Tigers make too many big plays on offense and pull away for a comfortable win.
Prediction: LSU Tigers (-13.5) Cover the Spread
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