NCAAF · 3 hours ago

Ranking the Top 10 Potential Surprises for College Football This Saturday, Week 7

Grant White

Host · Writer

10. UNLV Rebels vs. Air Force Falcons
UNLV Rebels vs. Air Force Falcons
- Date: October 17 | Time: 3:30 PM ET | TV: CBSSN
- AP Rank: UNLV NR | Air Force NR
- Records: UNLV 4-2 | Air Force 4-1
- Stadium: Falcon Stadium | Location: U.S. Air Force Academy, CO
UNLV tarnished its reputation with a lackluster start to the season. While the Rebels have found their rhythm of late, we predict they will be outmatched against the Air Force Falcons. As always, the Falcons' offense is built on an elite ground game. So far this season, Air Force ranks second in the country in rushing yards per game, averaging 325.6. Unfortunately, UNLV lacks the defensive ability to limit that damage. Moreover, the Rebels totaled just 255 yards of offense last time out, underscoring concerns on both sides of the ball. The Falcons fly high with an unexpected win at home.
1. Michigan Wolverines vs Penn State Nittany Lions
Michigan Wolverines vs. Penn State Nittany Lions
- Date: October 17 | Time: 3:30 PM ET | TV: CBS
- AP Rank: Michigan NR | Penn State NR
- Records: Michigan 3-2 | Penn State: 3-3
- Stadium: Michigan Stadium | Location: Ann Arbor, MI
It's been a disastrous season for both the Michigan Wolverines and the Penn State Nittany Lions. Both teams remain winless in Big Ten play, and neither has lived up to its potential. Thankfully, one of these teams will get off the schneid with a big Week 7 win, and we predict it will be the Nittany Lions. Michigan's offense has been utterly abysmal in 2026, and the Wolverines will have to find a way to pick up yards against an underrated Penn State defense. First to 20 wins, and Michigan has yet to get there in a Big Ten matchup.
2. UCLA Bruins vs. Wisconsin Badgers
UCLA Bruins vs. Wisconsin Badgers
- Date: October 17 | Time: 7:30 PM ET | TV: NBC
- AP Rank: UCLA 12 | Wisconsin NR
- Records: UCLA 5-0 | Wisconsin 4-1
- Stadium: Rose Bowl | Location: Pasadena, CA
The UCLA Bruins face a classic letdown in Week 7. The undefeated Bruins vanquished the 15th-ranked Oregon Ducks last week, turning in a reliable defensive performance while producing little on offense. Unfortunately, we don't expect much offensive growth versus the Wisconsin Badgers without their starting QB. Wisconsin's strength is its defense, and it has stopped the run well all season. The Badgers held Notre Dame to 111 rushing yards in the season opener, allowing just 3.5 yards per carry. Wisconsin will find it easy to defend UCLA's one-dimensional offense. The Badgers muster enough offense to beat the Bruins at home.
3. California Golden Bears vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
California Golden Bears vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
- Date: October 17 | Time: 10:30 pm ET | TV: ESPN 2
- AP Rank: California NR | Wake Forest 21
- Records: California 3-3 | Wake Forest 5-1
- Stadium: California Memorial Stadium | Location: Berkeley, CA
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons run a three-game winning streak into SoCal for a Week 7 ACC clash versus the California Golden Bears. Sadly, this is where the Demon Deacons' ascent up the rankings comes to a crashing halt. This is a troublesome spot for Wake Forest, playing on the West Coast with a 10:30 pm ET kickoff. While they demolished NC State last time out, the Demon Deacons' first two road wins came by a combined five points. Cal loves to air it out, which is Wake's most notable defensive flaw. The Demon Deacons will have a lot to think about on their long flight home.
4. Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Oregon Ducks
Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Oregon Ducks
- Date: October 17 | Time: 11:00 PM ET | TV: FOX
- AP Rank: Nebraska NR | Oregon NR
- Records: Nebraska 5-1 | Oregon 3-2
- Stadium: Autzen Stadium | Location: Eugene, OR
This is a virtual must-win for both the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Oregon Ducks. Both teams have already suffered a conference loss, and another one would all but eliminate them from the Big Ten Championship Game. The deck appears to be stacked in Oregon's favor, but we're not looking past the Cornhuskers in this one. Nebraska gave Indiana all that it could handle in Week 6. That effort suggests a team operating efficiently on both sides of the ball. Conversely, Oregon's offense looked pedestrian against UCLA and has major quarterback issues. Nebraska will dictate tempo with its run game, and Oregon will fall flat at home for the second straight week.
5. Cincinnati Bearcats vs. West Virginia Mountaineers
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. West Virginia Mountaineers
- Date: October 17 | Time: 12:00 PM ET | TV: TNT
- AP Rank: Cincinnati NR | West Virginia NR
- Records: Cincinnati 4-1 | West Virginia 3-3
- Stadium: Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium | Location: Morgantown, WV
West Virginia's season got off to a promising start, but it hasn't gone according to plan during the Big 12 portion of its schedule. The Mountaineers have dropped three straight, all to conference opponents. We think the Cincinnati Bearcats make it four straight. Both teams rely on the run game to move the ball, but the Bearcats' defense is much better equipped to limit West Virginia's potential. Aside from a Week 5 loss to Arizona, Cincinnati has outgained every opponent on the ground, a trend that should continue in Morgantown. The Bearcats can stack the box against West Virginia, negating the host's scoring potential from start to finish.
6. Virginia Cavaliers vs. SMU Mustangs
Virginia Cavaliers vs. SMU Mustangs
- Date: October 17 | Time: 12:00 PM ET | TV: CW
- AP Rank: Virginia NR | SMU 24
- Records: Virginia 4-2 | SMU 4-1
- Stadium: Gerald J. Ford Stadium | Location: Dallas, TX
The SMU Mustangs continue to get way too much credit. They have yet to claim victory over an FBS team with a winning record, and their last two victories came by a combined 19 points against inferior opponents. Even with the Mickey Mouse schedule, SMU has failed to generate meaningful production from its ground game and has posted middle-of-the-pack defense. Virginia will lean into Jekail Middlebrook to eat up the clock and keep the Mustangs' offense off the field. In doing so, the Cavaliers should be able to march themselves to victory.
7. Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. Rice Owls
Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. Rice Owls
- Date: October 17 | Time: 4:00 PM ET | TV: ESPN+
- AP Rank: Tulsa NR | Rice NR
- Records: Tulsa 3-3 | Rice 1-5
- Stadium: First Community Stadium | Location: Houston, TX
An AAC game on nobody's radar could be one of the more opportune matches in Week 7. The Rice Owls host the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes as they seek their second win of the season. Granted, Rice's early-season outcomes have been a little underwhelming. However, the Owls have shown some gritty play lately. They held 5-1 UTSA to 314 yards of offense in Week 5 and beat Fresno State the week before. On the other side of the sideline, Tulsa has dropped three straight, giving up at least 34 points in each contest. Playing their third road game in four weeks, including back-to-back road games, we're betting the Golden Hurricane are lifeless at First Community Stadium.
8. Florida Gators vs. Texas Longhorns
Florida Gators vs. Texas Longhorns
- Date: October 17 | Time: 12:00 PM ET | TV: ABC
- AP Rank: Florida NR | Texas (7)
- Records: Florida 4-2 | Texas 4-1
- Stadium: DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium | Location: Austin, TX
Two of the country's most overrated teams go toe-to-toe in a Week 7 SEC showdown. The seventh-ranked Texas Longhorns host the floundering Florida Gators at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. The Longhorns' offense isn't the championship-caliber unit everyone thinks it is. They have been held to 322.0 yards per game against SEC opponents and have consistently lost the possession battle. Even against the Gators' absent-minded defense, Texas will struggle to move the ball. Florida's offense is due for a bounce-back effort after last week's dismal showing versus South Carolina. The Gators have plenty of weapons to turn to, most notably Jaden Baugh out of the backfield. This will be a hard-fought battle from start to finish, and we're not discounting the Gators' chances.
9. UMass Minutemen vs. Buffalo Bulls
UMass Minutemen vs. Buffalo Bulls
- Date: October 17 | Time: 1:00 PM ET | TV: ESPN+
- AP Rank: UMass NR | Buffalo NR
- Records: UMass 4-2 | Buffalo 3-3
- Stadium: Broadview Stadium | Location: Buffalo, NY
No college football weekend is complete without a little MAC-Tion! In Week 7, the Buffalo Bulls host the upstart UMass Minutemen, in what could be a one-sided affair. UMass hasn't solved all of its issues, but the Minutemen's defense looks substantially better than previous iterations. In a game with two unremarkable offenses, the winner will be decided by which team stands up on defense. In that regard, we give the edge to the visiting Minutemen. UMass pulls off a stunner at Broadview Stadium.
10. UNLV Rebels vs. Air Force Falcons
UNLV Rebels vs. Air Force Falcons
- Date: October 17 | Time: 3:30 PM ET | TV: CBSSN
- AP Rank: UNLV NR | Air Force NR
- Records: UNLV 4-2 | Air Force 4-1
- Stadium: Falcon Stadium | Location: U.S. Air Force Academy, CO
UNLV tarnished its reputation with a lackluster start to the season. While the Rebels have found their rhythm of late, we predict they will be outmatched against the Air Force Falcons. As always, the Falcons' offense is built on an elite ground game. So far this season, Air Force ranks second in the country in rushing yards per game, averaging 325.6. Unfortunately, UNLV lacks the defensive ability to limit that damage. Moreover, the Rebels totaled just 255 yards of offense last time out, underscoring concerns on both sides of the ball. The Falcons fly high with an unexpected win at home.
1. Michigan Wolverines vs Penn State Nittany Lions
Michigan Wolverines vs. Penn State Nittany Lions
- Date: October 17 | Time: 3:30 PM ET | TV: CBS
- AP Rank: Michigan NR | Penn State NR
- Records: Michigan 3-2 | Penn State: 3-3
- Stadium: Michigan Stadium | Location: Ann Arbor, MI
It's been a disastrous season for both the Michigan Wolverines and the Penn State Nittany Lions. Both teams remain winless in Big Ten play, and neither has lived up to its potential. Thankfully, one of these teams will get off the schneid with a big Week 7 win, and we predict it will be the Nittany Lions. Michigan's offense has been utterly abysmal in 2026, and the Wolverines will have to find a way to pick up yards against an underrated Penn State defense. First to 20 wins, and Michigan has yet to get there in a Big Ten matchup.