It’s our week 7 college football preview and 3 huge top-25 matchups with playoff implications highlight Saturday’s slate. Alex and Jake break it all down below.
Alex’s Picks
It’s the 115th all-time meeting between these two current Pac-12 but future Big Ten programs. It’s the first time both teams are ranked in the top 10 of the AP. This game has massive implications for both the Pac-12 Title and the college football playoff. The programs are the only two teams from the conference ever to make the playoff (Oregon in 2014 and Washington in 2016).
The path back toward a national title heads through Seattle this week. The Huskies lead the series (known as Border War or Cascade Clash) all-time 61-48-5. They won last year’s meeting in Eugene, surprisingly they haven’t won at home since 2017. They enter as 3-point favorites and are hosting College Gameday for the first time since 2016.
#8 Oregon
The Ducks come in 5-0 under second-year Head Coach Dan Lanning, and looking for their first Pac-12 title since 2020. Under super senior QB Bo Nix, Oregon has the 2nd ranked offense in points per game and is 2nd in yards per game (Washington is 3rd and 1st respectively).
If there’s one thing we can expect is that this game will be a letdown if it isn’t high-scoring (the over is 67.5). So far this year Oregon has only played and beaten one team that has a record above .500, Colorado. In that game, the Ducks dominated on all facets winning 42-6.
The biggest question lies in whether they can do this against better defenses. For all the love Colorado has gotten this season (deservedly so) their defense isn’t good. So Oregon running wild on them isn’t an insane accomplishment. The fact they held Shedeur and co to only 6 points IS impressive though. Oregon has the 6th best defense in the country by ppg and for ypg.
Once again, outside of Colorado, the teams they have played are bad. Their next best win was over a 3-3 Texas Tech that also lost to Wyoming. Oregon will need to come out firing on all cylinders and play the same kind of stifling defense they did against Colorado to pull off the upset.
#7 Washington
I never thought I’d say this in my life about Michael Penix Jr. but he might be a good QB. Ok better than good, he’s been phenomenal through 5 weeks having just shy of 400 yards passing a game and 16 TDs so far. He is the current Heisman front-runner with +200. If he keeps up the pace he may be a lock to be the first Heisman winner in program history.
As previously mentioned he has helped lead the Huskies to a top 3 offense and shows no signs of slowing down, especially as long as his number one WR Rome Odunze keeps being a dual threat at receiver and returner. Washington’s defense is 25th in the country for ppg and 63rd for ypg. Not nearly as elite of numbers as what Oregon has posted and it’s not that their competition has been better.
4 of their 5 wins are against 3-3 teams and what may have been their hardest game was a win at 2-3 Michigan St. The offense is elite no question but the defense may not last against Bo Nix if he’s on. Through 5 games they’ve had only 6 sacks but 8 Int. To win this one they’ll need to force turnovers and hope the offense stays the best in the country.
Washington wins but doesn’t cover
The only ACC matchup this week where both teams are ranked in the top 25 and it’s a big test for both teams. Can Miami bounce back after a disastrous loss last week to Georgia Tech? Can North Carolina keep rolling towards a second ACC title game berth? All-time UNC has the lead in the series 13-11 and has won the last 4 straight. They are 3.5-point favs at home.
#25 Miami
Things seemed to be breaking Miami’s way this season, the talent HC Mario Cristobal had been able to recruit was settling in, they picked up a big win over Texas A&M, we’re ranked 17th and primed to make a run in the ACC and then they lost to Georgia Tech on a last-second TD.
There’s a reason we have the victory formation, they still have a shot in the ACC but every game counts even more. The Hurricanes have the 13th-ranked offense by ppg, QB Tyler Van Dyke already has more TD passes through 5 games than he had in 9 last season. Also, RB Henry Parish Jr is on pace for the best season he’s had in his 4-year college career.
Their defense is 12th in the country and has an elite CB in Te’Cory Couch who has 3 Int on the year already. UNC QB Drake Maye has had two games with multiple picks already this year, winning the turnover battle may be all Miami needs to pull off the upset.
#12 UNC
I came into this season higher than most on UNC and so far that’s been vindicated. Despite an early season 2 OT game against App St, the Tar Heels have rolled and won their last 3 games by an average of 22. QB Drake Maye hasn’t played like the preseason Heisman favorite he was touted as but he’s been solid and is still displaying elite prospect traits.
A big arm (two 400-yard passing games this year) and incredible accuracy (no game below 70% completions). An already talented offense gets a nice mid-season boost with WR Devontez Walker coming in after originally being told to wait a year by the NCAA due to transferring twice. RB Omarion Hampton is also putting together a solid sophomore campaign with 5.2 yards per carry and 7 TD. UNC ranks 18th for offensive ppg and 29th for defense.
Not as elite numbers as Miami but still good and they have two more Power 5 wins than Miami does. If Drake can keep the offense rolling and play like he did last week (442 passing, 55 rushing, 4 Total TDs) then UNC will move to 6-0 and have a fairly clear shot at the ACC title.
UNC wins and covers
Jake’s Pick
The rivalry began in 1926 and Notre Dame leads the series 48-37-5. USC is undefeated at 6-0, with national title aspirations. Notre Dame, is 5-2 with a 3-point loss to Ohio State and a loss last week at Lousiville, on their record. They are still primed to be an NY6 contender and can enter themselves back into contention with a huge win at home over their rivals. The two teams battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh, one of the coolest rivalry trophies in the game today.
#10 USC
The Caleb Williams show will be live and in primetime.
As Alex mentioned above, Washington and Oregon are battling each other in their rivalry matchup with CFP and Pac-12 implications. This is the first matchup between the 3 teams, as USC will face Washington and Oregon in the coming weeks to truly determine the hierarchy of the conference. Historically, the Pac-12 has cannibalized its own CFP efforts. It seems like they could be on pace for this again, but is USC on the same level as Oregon or Washington?
In the trenches and defensively, it seems like a stretch. Oregon and Washington, from the eye test, look like more complete teams.
Luckily, Caleb Williams is the equalizer. The Heisman winner and future #1 pick has been outstanding again, making breathtaking plays every week. He will need to be great once again to pull off a huge win in South Bend.
#21 Notre Dame
The Irish NEED this win. Yet somehow, they are favored by 2.5 at home. Maybe it’s because they are in desperation mode.
They lost a big game at home to Ohio State and the offense looked anemic at times, even with Sam Hartman playing well for most of this season. Last week against Louisville, the offense struggled again.
They will have to be efficient and control the ball against USC and attempt to keep their high-octane offense off of the field. Easier said than done. The Irish offense lacks explosiveness and big play ability, which could spell doom against the Trojan’s high-flying offense.
Marcus Freeman needs to come up with his best defensive game plan ever. They need to pressure Williams, force him into mistakes, and create turnover opportunities. An elite defensive performance from a very good Irish defense is the best formula for an Irish victory.
USC wins by two touchdowns
One Response
Who will be the LAST PAC-12 champion? I mean unless the PAC-2 is a thing next year?