NCAAF · 2 days ago

5 Bold Predictions for College Football Ahead of Week 7

Grant White

Host · Writer

Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns Are Exposed As Frauds
For weeks, we've been talking about how overvalued the Texas Longhorns are. Another flat performance against the Florida Gators should be sufficient to expose them as frauds.

The Longhorns' offense is one of the worst we've seen in years. They sit in the bottom half of the country in virtually every offensive category, despite opening their season against a slew of lesser-than opponents. Even against a gutless Florida defense, we don't have high expectations for Arch Manning and the Longhorns.

This is the beginning of the end for Texas. Already with a loss under its belt and four straight ranked matchups after Week 7, Texas is at an inflection point of its season. We don't think they pass the test this week and quickly fall out of playoff contention.
Only 5 Undefeated Teams Will Remain After Week 7
It's been a hectic start to the college football season. Week after week, powerhouses falter, leaving only nine undefeated teams at the outset of Week 7. We're predicting that number will be cut almost in half by the end of this weekend.

Let's get the low-hanging fruit out of the way. Notre Dame takes on BYU in a battle of undefeated teams. Surely, the Fighting Irish will emerge from that battle. Georgia should have no problem dispatching Auburn. Likewise, Miami and James Madison will claim victory in their respective matchups. Finally, Texas Tech has a clear advantage over Arizona State, and we expect the Red Raiders to impose themselves on the Sun Devils.

As inferred, that means we're anticipating losses for Indiana, UCLA, Utah, and the aforementioned BYU Cougars.

While every team will remain in its conference races, a clear line will be drawn between the best teams in the country and the rest of the pretenders.
Ohio State Will Return to the Top 2
After a Week 2 loss to Texas, it seemed improbable that the Ohio State Buckeyes would reclaim their spot as the top-ranked team in the country. They may not be able to usurp every team ahead of them, but we predict the Buckeyes will make their triumphant return to the top two in the country.

Ohio State defeated itself against the Longhorns. Since then, they've rattled off convincing wins over every team and have the defending champs locked into their crosshairs. Indiana has looked unspectacular this season, and it's unlikely they'll reverse that trend against the Buckeyes.

With a series of unexpected results shaking out across the country, this is Ohio State's chance to re-enter the conversation as a premier contender. We expect everyone to take notice.
Nate Sheppard Will Finally Get the Heisman Respect He Deserves
The Heisman Trophy race continues to get whittled down. However, not every contender is getting the respect they deserve. Enter Nate Sheppard. The Duke Blue Devils' running back has been sensational this season. A bountiful Week 7 performance should vault him into the upper tier.

Through five games, Sheppard sits fifth in the country in carries (118), fourth in rushing yards (743), and tied for seventh in touchdowns (eight). The sophomore has crossed the century mark in all but one of those outings, recording at least 99 rushing yards in every game this season. Still, he's constantly neglected in the Heisman Trophy conversation.

Duke hosts North Carolina in a rivalry showdown at Wallace Wade Stadium. The Tar Heels' defense isn't as good as their recent box scores imply, and Sheppard will be the beneficiary on Saturday. We're anticipating 200 or more yards and a multi-touchdown effort that will force the voting committee to take notice.
3 SEC Teams Will Be Removed From the AP Top 25
Perennially, SEC teams are prioritized in the AP Poll, and deservingly so. At the outset of Week 7, nine teams are ranked. Unfortunately, we anticipate an untimely demise for at least three of those programs.

LSU is the team most at risk of falling out of favor, but a vastly improved effort against Mississippi State should help them move up the rankings. Conversely, this should be the end of the line for the Bulldogs.

Likewise, Tennessee will have its hands full against Alabama. The Vols are ill-equipped to handle what the Crimson Tide can throw their way, and a one-sided defeat should cast them from the Top 25.

Lastly, Kentucky has vaulted into the rankings, only to leave as quickly as they arrived. The Wildcats' last two wins came by a combined two points. They are one upset victory away from being discarded by the AP. Sadly, we think a loss to Oklahoma would be sufficient to see the Wildcats removed.
Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns Are Exposed As Frauds
For weeks, we've been talking about how overvalued the Texas Longhorns are. Another flat performance against the Florida Gators should be sufficient to expose them as frauds.

The Longhorns' offense is one of the worst we've seen in years. They sit in the bottom half of the country in virtually every offensive category, despite opening their season against a slew of lesser-than opponents. Even against a gutless Florida defense, we don't have high expectations for Arch Manning and the Longhorns.

This is the beginning of the end for Texas. Already with a loss under its belt and four straight ranked matchups after Week 7, Texas is at an inflection point of its season. We don't think they pass the test this week and quickly fall out of playoff contention.
Only 5 Undefeated Teams Will Remain After Week 7
It's been a hectic start to the college football season. Week after week, powerhouses falter, leaving only nine undefeated teams at the outset of Week 7. We're predicting that number will be cut almost in half by the end of this weekend.

Let's get the low-hanging fruit out of the way. Notre Dame takes on BYU in a battle of undefeated teams. Surely, the Fighting Irish will emerge from that battle. Georgia should have no problem dispatching Auburn. Likewise, Miami and James Madison will claim victory in their respective matchups. Finally, Texas Tech has a clear advantage over Arizona State, and we expect the Red Raiders to impose themselves on the Sun Devils.

As inferred, that means we're anticipating losses for Indiana, UCLA, Utah, and the aforementioned BYU Cougars.

While every team will remain in its conference races, a clear line will be drawn between the best teams in the country and the rest of the pretenders.

5 Bold Predictions for College Football Ahead of Week 7

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