What To Expect On Saturday: CFB Week 7 Preview

The Waiting Is The Hardest Part

This classic SEC matchup takes center stage Saturday. Fortunately for us, it will be under the lights (unlike this photo).

Joey Goodsir, Editor-in-Chief
October 11, 2019

I used the lyric written by Gainesville native Tom Petty as the subtitle to this week’s preview not just because the Gators are involved in arguably the biggest game on Saturday, but because the lyric itself is pretty indicative of the watching experience that College Football has been in 2019.

Where is all the wackiness right now? It feels like the results have been chalky, and the point spreads have been quite large. That’s watered-down NFL stuff. Where is the exciting randomness we love?

The truth is, it will surely come. When? I can’t tell you. By the nature of it, none of us are supposed to know. But it’ll happen soon and we will all know it when it does.

Will the very solid matchups brought on this week’s slate do it? Again, I can’t say. But nothing is saying it won’t (except my predictions essentially).

So as prepared as you should be for it to start happening (and you should), just know…

(I’m biased due to the guest singing done by my favorite voice in music, but this version is just awesome)

Let’s go back…

About Last Week

I went 5-3, which puts me at 54-18 (75%) overall. It wasn’t my greatest week.

It wasn’t Michael’s greatest week ever, as Michigan beat Iowa despite his pick. Then again, it didn’t feel like a win to me. Sure, the defense was astounding and I tip my cap to them, but the offense…woof. I’d rather not even get into it because I don’t feel like ranting that heavily on The Forest Scout at the moment. Just watch and you’ll see what I mean.

For an Auburn/Florida recap, scroll down. You can thank The Gators’ October schedule gauntlet for that.

Ohio State did what was expected in the night slot. There is not too much to say about it, and we will see what happens in bigger matchups down the line (probably the same thing, I love my life).

And lastly, Washington did not do what was expected in the late slot. I picked them to take care of Stanford, and the exact opposite happened to close out Week 6.

Let’s get into the main stuff…

Noon Game of The Week

Americancheerleader.com
One of my favorite CFB traditions.

#6 Oklahoma vs. #11 Texas

When: 11:00 CT (Duh)

TV: FOX

Rain (Above 40%)? Nope. Should be picture perfect (get it? I’ll see myself out…)

Where: Cotton Bowl (Dallas, TX) (Duh)

Series History: UT leads 62-5-47 (Last Time: UT won 48-45 in the RRS, OU won 39-27 in Big XII Championship Game, 2018)

The Red River Shootout has stood the test of time for a reason: it is perhaps one of the most intriguing and enjoyable traditions in College Football. There is just something timeless about the meeting of two bordering state blueblood programs at two halves of a classic stadium in the midst of the Texas State Fair.

(If you haven’t watched this video, you must)

This year’s matchup is far from an outlier of this history. This is certainly the most important Big XII game of the regular season, with championship and playoff implications openly on the line.

Oklahoma has been an interesting team in action this year, simply because they defy the preseason expectations of many. I would have had quite the reaction if you told me that the running offense would be the thing that made up the majority of the Sooners’ identity, but that is, in fact, the case. You obviously can’t go without mentioning QB Jalen Hurts and a passing offense that is nothing to sleep on, but the thing that has broken through for Oklahoma has been the production on the ground.

As for Texas, they lost their first big game to LSU in Week 2, and have been quietly taking care of business in the build-up to this game. Considering that these victories were a lot less convincing than Oklahoma against similar opponents, it seems clear and reasonable for the Longhorns to be underdogs. However, their history of keeping things surprisingly close in the Cotton Bowl during recent years suggests that the likely win won’t come as emphatically as expected. Oklahoma hasn’t covered a Red River spread in years, despite winning as favorites numerous times.

This game is simple: it’s about Oklahoma’s defense — any key stops and slowing of the Texas offense will be vital in making this go from a tight game to a comfortable Sooners win. Don’t be surprised if it’s a tight game anyway though.

Oklahoma survives and advances. I can’t say the same thing will happen in the Big XII Championship later this year though, so be prepared for that likely rematch.

Oklahoma Wins, 38-31

Who's Your Pick for Noon Game of the Week: Week 7?

#6 Oklahoma (67%, 2 Votes)
#11 Texas (33%, 1 Votes)

Total Voters: 3

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Other Noon Games of Note

South Carolina @ #3 Georgia (ESPN)

#23 Memphis @ Temple (ESPN2)

Afternoon Game of The Week

#1 Alabama @ #24 Texas A&M

When: 2:30 CT

TV: CBS

Rain (Above 40%)? Nope. Texas again.

Where: Kyle Field (College Station, TX)

Series History: Bama leads 6-2 (Last Time: Bama won 45-23 in 2018)

Obviously, the only notable history this matchup has is in the era of Johnny Manziel’s big upsets over the Crimson Tide. Otherwise, it’s been another day at the office and regression to the mean of Alabama’s dominance. Will this year be any different? Let’s examine this year’s versions of these two teams.

Ok, so Alabama. What is there to say about Alabama? They are currently Alabama? There isn’t much else to say. They have taken care of business in five dominant wins, with head coach Nick Saban gearing up his empire for future games. Sound boring? That’s because it is.

Other than general dominance, there isn’t much to say about the Tide specific to this year — we have to wait until a big game performance to judge, and this is the first of them. I, like all fans, expect nothing less than perfection and stability.

You can’t rely on the same kind of stability with Texas A&M. Despite the general positivity from Aggie fans, there is a hint of urgency to make bigger things happen. The team hasn’t won any big games yet despite two very large ones so far, and this is their next shot. It doesn’t come with the best time feelings-wise either, as their win at Arkansas last week was quite ugly.

This is the kind of game where mistakes will be extremely costly for the underdog. If A&M wants the upset, they will have to match and perhaps beat Alabama’s stability. Any mishandling of the football on the Aggies’ side of things, and you can turn this game off right away. Additionally, Texas A&M will need very efficient offensive production. Alabama’s current minor flaw is in the sphere of pressure, and the Aggies will have to take advantage of this to pull it off.

This is the kind of game where Texas A&M makes some noise early, and the environment at College Station very loudly reflects that. Everyone will be excited for the future of the game, but Alabama will show their experience in tough environments and slowly take things back over. If the game shifts into Texas A&M having to stop Bama, as opposed to A&M having to be explosive on their own – it’s over.

I predict that shift happens in the first few minutes of the second half.

Alabama Wins, 41-21

Who's Your Pick for Afternoon Game of the Week: Week 7?

#1 Alabama (50%, 1 Votes)
#24 Texas A&M (50%, 1 Votes)

Total Voters: 2

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Other Afternoon Games of Note

Florida State @ #2 Clemson (ABC)

Michigan State @ #8 Wisconsin (BTN)

Washington State @ #18 Arizona State (PAC12)

Night Game of The Week

I can assure you that Death Valley will be Death Valley on Saturday.

#7 Florida @ #5 LSU

When: 7:00 CT

TV: ESPN

Rain (Above 40%)?

Where: Tiger Stadium (Baton Rouge, LA)

Series History: UF leads 33-3-29 (Last Time: UF won 27-19)

Either way you look at it, this one is huge. An LSU win cements their status as longterm members of the playoff conversation. A Florida win points the Gators in a playoff direction with a lot more legitimacy. Expect an exciting one, as two teams will be going all out to keep the big goals in front of them.

It’s no secret that this is another offensive shootout. Dan Mullen-led Florida just came off of a very crucial win against a solid Auburn team…

(Those white helmets are cleeeean)

This momentum will need to continue against a similar offensive superpower led by offensive coordinator Joe Brady.

As you guys know with the way I think in these kinds of games, the defensive performance will be the deciding factor. I can more easily forsee an LSU Tiger defense taking care of business under the lights against the Gators than the other way around, so that is the direction my pick is going.