College Football 2024: Week 7 Predictions for Every Game

The stage is set for upsets, we wondered aloud before the opening week of October. How many will happen?

Well, a-whole-freaking-lot.

In the aftermath of that chaotic slate, Week 7 is loaded with nationally impactful games. The headliner, as you can imagine, is between second-ranked Ohio State and No. 3 Oregon. Two more contests feature a pair of Top 25 teams, and plenty of others are on the road.

Sure, it might seem like I mention that last sentence every week. But after watching all of Alabama, Tennessee, Missouri, Michigan and USC lose as the visitor, you believe me, right?

Along with a preview of each ranked team, we've predicted every game involving a Football Bowl Subdivision school.

No. 25 SMU (5-1), Idle

No. 24 Michigan (4-2), Idle

Purdue (1-4) at No. 23 Illinois (4-1), 3:30 p.m. ET

Since blanking lower-division Indiana State in the opener, Purdue has surpassed 10 points once in four games. That's not likely to improve much on the road opposite an Illinois defense ceding 14.2 per outing.

Prediction: Illinois 34, Purdue 13

Cal (3-2) at No. 22 Pitt (5-0), 3:30 p.m. ET

In an earlier cross-country trip, Cal mustered nine points in a loss to then-winless Florida State. That's concerning enough, but especially so after such an emotion-filled collapse against Miami. Pitt can lock up bowl eligibility with a victory at home.

Prediction: Pitt 37, Cal 30

No. 21 Missouri (4-1) at Massachusetts (1-5), Noon ET

After an embarrassing loss at Texas A&M, Mizzou has an ideal chance to right the proverbial ship against a reeling UMass team. An aside: What a lovely, bizarre road trip for an SEC team.

Prediction: Missouri 45, UMass 14

T-No. 18 Indiana (6-0), Idle

T-No. 18 Oklahoma (4-1) vs. No. 1 Texas (5-0) (in Dallas), 3:30 p.m. ET

For prediction, see No. 1 Texas.

T-No. 18 Kansas State (4-1) at Colorado (4-1), 10:15 p.m. ET

Have the Wildcats learned their lesson? Three weekends ago, they traveled to BYU for a late-night kickoff and lost 38-9. Kansas State is a better team than Colorado. Period. That doesn't always translate to a win, however, and the Buffs have the best player on the field in Travis Hunter. I'll stick with K-State, but CU absolutely can steal this one.

Prediction: Kansas State 31, Colorado 27

No. 17 Boise State (4-1) at Hawaii (2-3), 11 p.m. ET

Through five games, Hawaii has done an admirable job stopping the run. Even excluding sacks, Sam Houston is the lone opponent to surpass 125 yards or two touchdowns on the ground. I'll believe a defense can contain Boise State back Ashton Jeanty when I see it, though.

Prediction: Boise State 42, Hawaii 28

No. 16 Utah (4-1) at Arizona State (4-1), Friday, 10:30 p.m. ET

I'll just assume Cam Rising isn't going to play, because hoping for the opposite hasn't turned out well. Utah's defense has plenty of quality and could propel the team, but Arizona State has steadily improved this season. As usual, flip my prediction if Rising actually starts.

Prediction: Arizona State 23, Utah 16

No. 15 Texas A&M (5-1), Idle

Arizona (3-2) at No. 14 BYU (5-0), 4 p.m. ET

The roller coaster is unrelenting. Arizona has already played good, great, bad and awful games—and it's only Week 7! Those week-to-week deviations push me toward BYU's high-floor, low-ceiling performances.

Prediction: BYU 27, Arizona 24

No. 9 Ole Miss (5-1) at No. 13 LSU (4-1), 7:30 p.m. ET

For prediction, see No. 9 Ole Miss.

Stanford (2-3) at T-No. 11 Notre Dame (4-1), 3:30 p.m. ET

Notre Dame's offense hasn't been explosive enough to strike fear into opponents. The helpful part, though, is the defense can do exactly that, surrendering just 4.4 yards per play and 12.6 points per game. Bad matchup for Stanford, the ACC's worst offense, save for Florida State.

Prediction: Notre Dame 38, Stanford 17

T-No. 11 Iowa State (5-0) at West Virginia (3-2), 8 p.m. ET

Pride says Iowa State, a growing CFP threat with an excellent defense. Head says West Virginia, which is home for this Big 12 matchup—and we just watched a weekend full of road problems for ranked teams. WVU's offense has turned red-zone opportunities into touchdowns at a high rate lately, and that must continue to spring an upset.

Prediction: West Virginia 28, Iowa State 23

No. 10 Clemson (4-1) at Wake Forest (2-3), Noon ET

Wake Forest stopped a three-game slide with a win at North Carolina State last weekend. The reward is taking on a defense-driven Clemson squad that has found its stride offensively, notching at least 6.6 yards per play in four straight games.

Prediction: Clemson 38, Wake Forest 17

No. 9 Ole Miss (5-1) at No. 13 LSU (4-1), 7:30 p.m. ET

Given that LSU has yielded 7.2 yards per pass attempt in four matchups with FBS opponents, Ole Miss should be able to throw effectively. Plus, the Rebels are third nationally at 3.8 yards allowed per snap. The numbers favor Ole Miss, even as LSU's home-field advantage is reason for pause.

Prediction: Ole Miss 29, LSU 26

Florida (3-2) at No. 8 Tennessee (4-1), 7 p.m. ET

The noise around Billy Napier's job security has quieted thanks to wins over Mississippi State and UCF. That simmering unrest is bound to reappear if the Gators find themselves on a skid, though, and this rivalry clash with Tennessee begins the gauntlet many have feared for UF in 2024. Tennessee needs a resurgent game on offense but is the clear favorite.

Prediction: Tennessee 34, Florida 20

South Carolina (3-2) at No. 7 Alabama (4-1), Noon ET

Losing to Vanderbilt seemed unconscionable. Following that up with a home setback to South Carolina? Right after Ole Miss went to Columbia and beat the Gamecocks by 24 points? Whew. Crazy thought. Anyway, not going to happen. Right?!

Prediction: Alabama 42, South Carolina 17

No. 6 Miami (6-0), Idle

Mississippi State (1-4) at No. 5 Georgia (4-1), 4:15 p.m. ET

Against its four FBS opponents, Mississippi State has allowed at least 30 points. There's no logical reason to suggest the Bulldogs will break that trend and hang 30-something on Georgia's defense. So far, Alabama is the only one to crack 13 points on UGA.

Prediction: Georgia 45, Mississippi State 10

No. 4 Penn State (5-0) at USC (3-2), 3:30 p.m. ET

Similar to taking WVU over Iowa State, I'm not confident. But if the Trojans cut down on turnovers—eight in the last three outings—they can hand Penn State its first loss. We're still learning how much travel will affect Big Ten teams, but this is an ideal situation for a home underdog. USC can attest to that after losing at Michigan and Minnesota.

Prediction: USC 24, Penn State 20

No. 2 Ohio State (5-0) at No. 3 Oregon (5-0), 7:30 p.m. ET

Billed as the Big Ten's best regular-season game, the showdown has matched the hype on paper. As expected, Ohio State has overwhelmed its competition to this point. Oregon, meanwhile, has been a bit unsatisfying yet still a quality group. I would be totally fine if you threw a dart to decide your pick; there's a reasonable case for both teams. I'll look for a breakout game from the hosts.

Prediction: Oregon 31, Ohio State 27

T-No. 18 Oklahoma (4-1) vs. Texas (5-0) (in Dallas), 3:30 p.m. ET

Arch Manning did a nice job filling in, but Quinn Ewers is expected to return for Texas. As much as that storyline is the dominant one, however, the real story may be the other offense. Texas has limited all five opponents to 13 points or fewer, and OU is counting on freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. to handle that stingy unit. Tough ask.

Prediction: Texas 29, Oklahoma 17

Coastal Carolina (4-1) at James Madison (4-1), Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: JMU 34, Coastal Carolina 27

Middle Tennessee (1-4) at Louisiana Tech (1-3), Thursday, 8 p.m. ET
Prediction: Louisiana Tech 26, MTSU 17

UTEP (0-5) at Western Kentucky (3-2), Thursday, 8 p.m. ET
Prediction: WKU 38, UTEP 16

Northwestern (2-3) at Maryland (3-2), Friday, 8 p.m. ET
Prediction: Maryland 27, Northwestern 13

UNLV (4-1) at Utah State (1-4), Friday, 9 p.m. ET
Prediction: UNLV 36, Utah State 24

Georgia Tech (4-2) at North Carolina (3-3), Noon ET
Prediction: Georgia Tech 31, North Carolina 23

Washington (4-2) at Iowa (3-2), Noon ET
Prediction: Iowa 24, Washington 20

Wisconsin (3-2) at Rutgers (4-1), Noon ET
Prediction: Rutgers 23, Wisconsin 21

UAB (1-4) at Army (5-0), Noon ET
Prediction: Army 38, UAB 14

Toledo (4-1) at Buffalo (3-2), Noon ET
Prediction: Toledo 27, Buffalo 20

Ball State (1-4) at Kent State (0-5), Noon ET
Prediction: Ball State 34, Kent State 21

Miami (Ohio) (1-4) at Eastern Michigan (4-1), 2 p.m. ET
Prediction: EMU 28, Miami 23

Louisville (3-2) at Virginia (4-1), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Louisville 36, Virginia 30

Cincinnati (3-2) at UCF (3-2), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: UCF 32, Cincinnati 27

Memphis (4-1) at South Florida (2-3), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Memphis 37, USF 31

Northern Illinois (3-2) at Bowling Green (2-3), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Bowling Green 24, NIU 20

Akron (1-5) at Western Michigan (2-3), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: WMU 34, Akron 21

San Diego State (2-3) at Wyoming (1-4), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: SDSU 23, Wyoming 10

Old Dominion (1-4) at Georgia State (2-2), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Georgia State 33, ODU 28

San Jose State (4-1) at Colorado State (2-3), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: SJSU 31, Colorado State 27

Ohio (3-2) at Central Michigan (3-2), 4 p.m. ET
Prediction: Ohio 28, CMU 24

Southern Miss (1-4) at Louisiana-Monroe (4-1), 5 p.m. ET
Prediction: ULM 28, Southern Miss 17

Washington State (4-1) at Fresno State (3-2), 7 p.m. ET
Prediction: Fresno State 39, Washington State 34

North Texas (4-1) at Florida Atlantic (2-3), 7 p.m. ET
Prediction: North Texas 34, FAU 26

UTSA (2-3) at Rice (1-4), 7 p.m. ET
Prediction: UTSA 27, Rice 23

Air Force (1-4) at New Mexico (1-4), 7 p.m. ET
Prediction: New Mexico 28, Air Force 21

Arkansas State (3-2) at Texas State (3-2), 7 p.m. ET
Prediction: Texas State 38, Arkansas State 30

Oregon State (4-1) at Nevada (2-4), 7:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Oregon State 31, Nevada 20

Appalachian State (2-3) at Louisiana (4-1), 7:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Louisiana 33, App State 24

Vanderbilt (3-2) at Kentucky (3-2), 7:45 p.m. ET
Prediction: Kentucky 27, Vanderbilt 17

Syracuse (4-1) at North Carolina State (3-3), 8 p.m. ET
Prediction: Syracuse 34, NC State 23

Marshall (3-2) at Georgia Southern (3-2), 8 p.m. ET
Prediction: Georgia Southern 30, Marshall 26

Minnesota (3-3) at UCLA (1-4), 9 p.m. ET
Prediction: Minnesota 23, UCLA 16