Showdowns start at Red River, Bayou
What to watch in Week 7 of the college football season:
No. 5 Oklahoma vs. No. 11 Texas in Dallas
Saturday, noon ET, Fox Danny Sheridan’s line: Oklahoma by 9
The Red River showdown could turn out again to be the first of two encounters between the Sooners (5-0, 2-0) and the Longhorns (4-1, 2-0) should they finish atop the Big 12 standings as expected. It will also serve as a showcase for a couple of Heisman Trophy contenders.
Sooners QB Jalen Hurts remains in the driver’s seat for the sport’s most prestigious individual honor, despite throwing a rare interception at Kansas last week. He’s still gaining 8.75 yards per carry when he takes off as well, providing another headache for the Longhorns’ depleted secondary. But Texas QB Sam Ehlinger has 17 scoring tosses himself and also isn’t afraid to tuck and run.
Prediction: The strides the Sooners have made on defense this season will make the difference as they get just enough stops to prevail.
Oklahoma, 38-31
No. 1 Alabama at No. 21 Texas A&M
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS Danny Sheridan’s line: Alabama by 18
With a 2 in the loss column, the Aggies (3-2, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) are for all practical purposes relegated to a spoiler role as far as the College Football Playoff race is concerned. But a major bowl invitation remains in play, and an upset of this magnitude would help that cause. The Crimson Tide (5-0, 2-0), whose most difficult games remain ahead, will try to extinguish those upset aspirations as quickly as possible.
Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa has done nothing to take himself out of the Heisman conversation, amassing 23 TD throws without an interception. But he has yet to face a defense equipped to put him under duress, which the Aggies must attempt to do. A&M QB Kellen Mond has faced a couple of elite defenses and struggled against them, primarily due to protection issues.
Prediction: The Aggies might keep it close for a bit but Tua and company will be too much.
Alabama, 41-20
Florida State at No. 2 Clemson
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC Danny Sheridan’s line: Clemson by 26
The Tigers (5-0, 3-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) were last seen two weeks ago needing to stave off a two-point conversion attempt to escape unranked North Carolina. FSU has looked more like FSU of late, so this trip to Clemson could serve as a turning point or a reality check.
Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence has made some flashy throws but has lacked the consistency he demonstrated over the latter half of the 2018 campaign. He already has five interceptions with just eight scoring throws. The Seminoles’ defense struggled early but is coming off its best overall performance of the season two weeks ago against North Carolina State. Whether FSU starting QB James Blackman is able to return or Alex Hornibrook keeps the reins, the ’Noles’ porous offensive line must do better keeping would-be pass rushers at bay.
Prediction: Unfortunately for Florida State (3-2, 2-1), the Tigers’ strength along the defensive front poses a major mismatch. The ’Noles will make a few plays, but not nearly enough as the Tigers move a step closer to gaining their postseason form.
Clemson, 42-17
No. 9 Penn State at No. 18 Iowa
Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Danny Sheridan’s
Penn State by 3
The Nittany Lions (5-0, 2-0) look like the only bunch standing in the way of Ohio State in the Big Ten East. First, they must take care of business in Iowa. The Hawkeyes (4-1, 1-1) will be happy to be back home after last week’s dismal offensive performance at Michigan.
The Big House proved to be a big nightmare for Iowa QB Nate Stanley as he was sacked eight times and threw his first three interceptions of 2019. That might not bode well against the Nittany Lions, who are averaging five sacks a game themselves. The Hawkeyes’ defense might have its hands full with PSU’s dual-threat QB Sean Clifford.
Prediction: The Nittany Lions will get out with a tough road victory.
Penn State, 20-13
Southern California at No. 10 Notre Dame
line: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC
Danny Sheridan’s line: Notre Dame by 111⁄2
The Fighting Irish (4-1) look to keep their hopes for a return to the Playoff alive, while the Trojans (3-2) are just trying to battle through injuries and a ruthless schedule to remain nationally relevant.
USC is coming off a needed week off, though the Fighting Irish didn’t break much of a sweat themselves last week in a whitewashing of Bowling Green. The time off could allow Trojans QB Kedon Slovis (concussion) to return to the field.
Notre Dame QB Ian Book has a solid 65.5% completion rate with 13 TD tosses, but he’ll need help from RB Tony Jones Jr. to finish drives against the Southern California defense that has done a decent job of making red-zone stands.
Prediction: A road triumph against an archrival would go a long way toward quieting the calls for a coaching change among Trojans’ faithful. But the Fighting Irish simply have more weapons.
Notre Dame, 31-17
No. 7 Florida at No. 6 LSU
Saturday. 8 p.m. ET, ESPN Danny Sheridan’s line: LSU by 131⁄2
While Florida (6-0, 3-0 SEC) made its share of mistakes last week against Auburn, the Gators’ cause was helped by forcing a few more from a freshman quarterback. They won’t have that luxury against LSU QB Joe Burrow, whose hot start has been a major reason for the Tigers’ ascendancy to front and center in the Playoff hunt. Gators QB Kyle Trask, who played on a bad knee in the second half last week, must hope his pocket holds up and that he continues to get ground support from RB Lamical Perine.
Prediction: These Tigers (5-0, 1-0) will do their best to make the game a track meet. They’ll make more big plays than the Gators and send the revved-up Death Valley crowd home happy.
LSU, 35-24