College football Week 7 preview

One of three American Athletic Conference teams undefeated and ranked, South Florida enjoyed its most impressive win against Georgia Tech last month. However, the Bulls had trouble with Illinois and East Carolina. Florida transfer Jordan Cronkrite is averaging 151.5 rushing yards after setting a school record with 302 vs. UMass last weekend.

Prediction: South Florida 31, Tulsa 21

Auburn probably played itself out of the College Football Playoff conversation with last weekend's 23-9 loss at Mississippi State that dropped it to 1-2 in the SEC. However, a bounce back seems likely against a Vols team that's been outscored 85-33 in its two league games vs. Florida and Georgia.

Prediction: Auburn 24, Tennessee 13

Buckeyes quarterback Dwayne Haskins might be in the top three among Heisman candidates. He enters the weekend leading the nation with 25 touchdowns passes. The Golden Gophers, who allowed four touchdown passes from Iowa's Nate Stanley last week, have dropped six straight and 27 of 29 games against ranked opponents on the road.

Prediction: Ohio State 37, Minnesota 14

Back-to-back wins over ranked teams in Mississippi State and LSU have allowed the Gators to already surpass their win total from 2017 . However, Dan Mullen is weary of what's up next. Vanderbilt has dropped 21 of the last 22 games between the teams and is 0-2 in the league, but it gave Notre Dame a game on the road and might have what it takes to make this more than a trap game for Florida.

Prediction: Vanderbilt 24, Florida 23

Rumors around a possible suspension of quarterback Ian Book appear to be false, so he's slated to be under center Saturday. That's obviously great news for the Irish, who are averaging 46.3 points in the last three games with Book as the starter. They averaged 23.3 in the first three with Brandon Wimbush at the helm.

Prediction: Notre Dame 31, Pittsburgh 17

This is the first meeting between the SEC powers since 2013 and the first in Baton Rouge since 2008. The Bulldogs are rolling while allowing 17 or fewer points in all but one game this season. The Tigers, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back from their first loss of 2018. Since the start of the 1997 season, LSU is 5-6 against top-five teams at home.

Prediction: Georgia 24, LSU 14

Winners of 18 in a row, the Golden Knights continue to surge up the national rankings. Though they remain a long, long shot to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff. This also could be UCF's biggest test to date. Memphis has won 12 consecutive regular-season home games and scored at least 52 points in each of its four there so far in 2018.

Prediction: UCF 33, Memphis 31

Oregon already blew one opportunity to knock off a seventh-ranked team at home this season. Now, another one from the Pac-12 comes calling in the surging Huskies. Washington has posted five victories in a row and won 70-21 two years ago to snap a seven-game losing streak at Eugene.

Prediction: Washington 31, Oregon 27

Prior to the season, this matchup looked like one that could have a major impact on the Big Ten East Division race. Instead, both teams are 1-1 in the league — chasing 3-0 Ohio State and Michigan — and looking to rebound from losses in their previous contests. The Nittany Lions have had two weeks to put behind that cruel loss to the Buckeyes, so they should be hungry.

Prediction: Penn State 31, Michigan State 21 

The Aggies are back in the Top 25 after bouncing then-No. 13 Kentucky last weekend. Sure, things are different with Jimbo Fisher in charge, but winning on the road in the SEC is difficult for any team not named Alabama. Texas A&M has lost four of its last six league road contests but won the last two at South Carolina.

Prediction: South Carolina 35, Texas A&M 31  

The Longhorns proved their worth with last weekend's victory over rival Oklahoma in an instant classic at the Cotton Bowl. That leaves Texas 3-0 in the Big 12 and tied for the conference lead with undefeated West Virginia. A sixth straight victory is there for the taking — along with a fourth consecutive win over the improved Bears.

Prediction: Texas 33, Baylor 27

It's starting to get ridiculous now for the Crimson Tide. They average 56 points per game and have an average victory margin of 40 points. That obviously does not bode well for Missouri, which is averaging a hefty 39 points per game but gave up the same amount in its last three contests.

Prediction: Alabama 56, Missouri 21

Big 12 co-leader West Virginia is looking to win its sixth straight road game against unranked league opponents. The Mountaineers also have won three in a row at Iowa State. However, the Cyclones just upset Oklahoma State on the road, so this could end up being a more difficult game than it seems for Will Grier and Co.

Prediction: Iowa State 34, West Virginia 31

Miami needed a serious rally in the second half to beat rival Florida State for its fifth consecutive victory. While quarterback N'Kosi Perry (eight touchdown passes in the last three games) is feeling more comfortable under center, the Hurricanes hope they learned their lesson against the Seminoles. Virginia's home loss to Miami in 2016 ended a three-game series winning streak in Charlottesville.

Prediction: Virginia 27, Miami 23

The Badgers went into Iowa and topped the Hawkeyes in their first road contest of the season. Now, they head to the Big House where they have lost six of their last seven trips. Michigan has won five in a row and truly feels invincible at this point. However, it's never wise to count out a Wisconsin team.

Prediction: Wisconsin 23, Michigan 17 

Colorado is aiming to win its first six games for the first time since 1994 and remains the lone undefeated team in the Pac-12. However, the Buffaloes have lost all 12 meetings with USC. The Trojans are favored in this one but must be ready for Laviska Shenault Jr., who ranks among the national leaders with 51 receptions and 708 yards and six touchdowns.

Prediction: USC 33, Colorado 27

Iowa bounced back from that frustrating loss to Wisconsin by handling Minnesota in the Twin Cities. The Hawkeyes stay on the road at Indiana, where they've won three of the last four trips. The Hoosiers didn't wilt at Ohio State last weekend but have dropped four of their last five at home in the Big Ten.

Prediction: Iowa 28, Indiana 16

After going 0-2 against the state of Washington, the Utes stunned then-No. 14 Stanford 40-21 on The Farm last weekend. Utah rushed for 222 yards in that game and now hosts an Arizona squad that's yielding 197.3 rushing yards per contest.

Prediction: Utah 26, Arizona 14

The good news for Nebraska is that Bethune-Cookman looms on the schedule Oct. 27. The bad news is that Northwestern is coming off a much-needed victory at Michigan State to snap a three-game losing streak. This seems as good as ever time for the Wildcats to next halt a three-game home skid against the Cornhuskers.

Prediction: Northwestern 27, Nebraska 17

The Blue Devils have had two weeks to regroup from their home loss to Virginia Tech and have won three of four vs. the Yellow Jackets following a 10-game slide in the series. Georgia Tech is back to .500 after totaling 129 points and 1,086 yards on the ground in consecutive victories over Bowling Green and Louisville.

Prediction: Georgia Tech 24, Duke 21

Losers of three in a row, Louisville might have hit a new low following a 66-31 drubbing at the hands of Georgia Tech last weekend. The Cardinals had no answer for Tech's ground game, but cutting loose coach Bobby Petrino might not be easy. BC has dropped two of three and allowed an average of 31.8 points over the last four games but remains the better of these two teams.

Prediction: Boston College 28, Louisville 20 

This could be a preview of the Mid-American Conference championship game. Northern Illinois, the preseason favorite in the MAC West, leads that division at 3-0. Ohio, the top pick in the MAC East, is playing just its second league game. Outside the conference, the two schools have combined for losses to Cincinnati, Virginia, Iowa, Florida State and Utah.

Prediction: Ohio 20, Northern Illinois 17 

Off to its worst start since 1943, UCLA could very well go without a win this season — which considering its storied history, would seem unthinkable. The Bruins played Washington tough last week and have won four of five vs. Cal. None of that should matter this time, as the Golden Bears will be hungry following back-to-back defeats.

Prediction: Cal 21, UCLA 17

The top two teams in the Conference USA East Division meet in prime time. Middle Tennessee sits 2-0 in the league and will try for a third straight victory overall. The Blue Raiders also have won three in a row and nine of the last 13 meetings with FIU, which won its lone conference game to date.

Prediction: Middle Tennessee 27, FIU 21

Leaders of the West Division in the Mountain West at 3-0, Hawaii is expected to have quarterback Cole McDonald ready for this contest. The sophomore ranks second in the nation in passing yards (2,100), completions (156) and touchdowns (24). BYU, meanwhile, appears ready to shake things up to avoid a third consecutive defeat.

Prediction: BYU 28, Hawaii 27