Image – Ohio State Buckeyes
After an exciting week 6 slate that saw excitement, back-and-forth games and upsets, it is time to prepare for what will be a loaded group of week 7 games, slated for Friday, Oct. 16-Saturday, Oct. 17.
Nebraska gave No. 6 Indiana a big scare to lead off Saturday’s action. The Corn Huskers took a 10-3 lead into the locker room at halftime and took a 17-6 lead with 12:01 to go in the game.
Then, Indiana mounted their comeback. The Hoosiers quickly answered to make the game 17-13 with 11:51 to go after a 75-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Josh Hoover to wide receiver Nick Marsh. After a Nebraska punt, Indiana scored again on another Hoover touchdown pass to Marsh, this one from 44 yards out.
The Indiana defense shut down the Nebraska offense two more times and they clinched the win for the 20-17 victory for Hoosiers.
The afternoon slate included Oklahoma’s upset of No. 1 Texas and No. 21 UCLA’s win against No. 13 Oregon. The Sooners defeated the Longhorns in another entertaining Red River Rivalry matchup at the Cotton Bowl. Texas took a 17-7 lead into halftime before the Oklahoma’s ground game set them up with 10 points to tie the game with 14:48 to go.
The Sooners’ defense forced two Arch Manning interceptions including defensive back’s Courtland Guillory’s fourth quarter pick that set up Oklahoma placekicker Tate Sandell’s game-winning field goal from 47 yards out.
Sandell’s kick gave Oklahoma a 27-24 win which helped them stay in the College Football Playoff conversation thanks to avoiding their third loss on Saturday afternoon.
UCLA dispatched Oregon in a low-scoring game at the Rose Bowl Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Bruins took their first lead over the Ducks at 10-6 with 8:08 to go until halftime.
UCLA extended their lead to 17-6 when backup quarterback Ty Dieffenbach completed a nine-yard pass to the end zone for running back Wayne Knight. After backup quarterback Dylan Raiola was replaced by Brock Thomas, Thomas completed a 44-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Evan Stewart to make it 17-13 with 2:16 to go in the game.
The score remained the same after UCLA ran most of the rest of the clock out and the score said 17-13 at the end.
Two SEC matchups headlined the prime time slate. No. 10 LSU fell in overtime to Kentucky while No. 2 Georgia and No. 6 Alabama battled in another entertaining game. The Wildcats won their second consecutive overtime game
Kentucky took their first lead against LSU after quarterback Kenny Minchey’s 1-yard touchdown run made the score 21-17. The Tigers’ Scott Starzyk cut the lead to one with 2:13 to go in the third quarter. The Wildcats responded with a field goal of their own before LSU scored a touchdown to make it 27-24 Tigers with 9:42 to go in the game.
Kentucky’s two missed field goals sandwiched an LSU fumble before a Wildcats’ field goal made it 27-27 and forced over time. Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt scored on a 15-yard touchdown drive to open the period.
Then, Kentucky running back CJ Baxter answered with a 1-yard touchdown run. The Wildcats won the game with a successful two-point try on another run from Kenny Minchey, winning 35-34.
Georgia and Alabama went back-and-forth to close Saturday night’s action at Bryant-Denny Stadium at Saban Field. An EJ Crowell touchdown run from 1-yard out had the Crimson Tide up 14-10 at halftime.
After a low-scoring third quarter, Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton rushed for a 14-yard score while Alabama placekicker Conor Talty’s 39-yard kick was good to equal the score at 17-17.
Georgia placekicker Connor Woodring’s kick from 23 yards out made the score 20-17 and the Bulldogs kept their undefeated season going.
Now, college football fans await a loaded week 7 slate that starts out with three big early games. No. 4 Ohio State battles No. 5 Indiana in a rematch of last season’s Big Ten Championship game, Florida and No. 7 Texas look to bounce back against each other and No. 16 Mississippi State attempts to keep their success going against a struggling No. 22 LSU team.
The afternoon slate includes two top 15 SEC matchups. No. 6 Alabama goes for their first win against No. 14 Tennessee in Knoxville since 2020 while Austin Simmons leads No. 13 Missouri into his old house, where they will play his former team, No. 9 Ole Miss.
The primetime slate includes two matchups with AP Top 25 teams. No. 2 Notre Dame heads to Provo, Utah for a matchup against No. 8 BYU while No. 18 Oklahoma State meets No. 20 Houston in a pivotal Big 12 game.
AP Top 5
No. 1 Georgia 6-0 (4-0) SEC This Week: Auburn (3-2) (Saturday, 2:30 p.m., ESPN)
No. 2 Notre Dame 6-0 Independents This Week: at No. 8 BYU (5-0) (Saturday, 6:30 p.m., ABC)
No. 3 Miami 5-0 (3-0) ACC This Week: Florida State (3-3) (Saturday, 6 p.m., ESPN)
No. 4 Ohio State 5-1 (3-0) Big Ten This Week: at No. 5 Indiana (6-0) (Saturday, 11 a.m., FOX)
No. 5 Indiana 6-0 (3-0) Big Ten Week: No. 4 Ohio State (5-1) (Saturday, 11 a.m., FOX)
Biggest risers and fallers in the AP Top 25 this week:
Risers
No. 12 UCLA 5-0 (3-0) Big Ten Week 6: No. 21 (Defeated No. 15 Oregon 17-15)
No. 17 Iowa 5-1 (2-1) Big Ten Week 6: No. 20 (Defeated Washington 41-24)
Fallers
No. 7 Texas 4-1 (1-1) SEC Week 6: No. 1 (Lost to Oklahoma 27-24)
No. 22 LSU 4-2 (1-2) SEC Week 6: No. 10 (Lost to Kentucky 35-34)
Dropped Out
Oregon 3-2 (1-1) Big Ten Week 6: No. 15 (Lost to No. 21 UCLA 17-15)
Florida 4-2 (2-2) SEC Week 6: No. 16 (Lost to South Carolina 38-19)
Pittsburgh 5-1 (2-1) ACC Week 6: No. 25 (Lost to North Carolina 21-17)
New
No. 15 Kentucky 5-1 (3-1) SEC Week 6: NR (Defeated No. 10 LSU 35-34)
No. 21 Wake Forest 5-1 (3-1) ACC Week 6: NR (Defeated NC State 38-14)
No. 25 Northwestern 4-1 (1-1) Big Ten Week 6: NR (Defeated Ball State 45-14)
The Week 7 Slate (Rankings based on the AP Top 25.)
*All times CDT.*
Saturday, Oct. 17
Image – Mississippi State
No. 16 Mississippi State (4-1) at No. 22 LSU (4-2)
11 a.m., ESPN
Mississippi State will be in Baton Rouge for a huge SEC matchup against LSU. The Bulldogs and Tigers face off with Roy Philpott (play-by-play), Brock Osweiler (analyst), Stormy Buonantony (sideline reporter) and (sideline reporter) on the call at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Mississippi State lost to Alabama 56-23 on Oct. 3 before taking their open week last weekend. Quarterback Kamario Taylor completed 19 of 34 passes for 258 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in the loss. Running back Fluff Bothwell suffered an injury against the Crimson Tide while wide receiver Anthony Evans III caught 12 passes for 166 yards.
The Mississippi State defense gave up a lot of points against Alabama the last time they were on the field so it will be up to defensive leaders Tyler Lockhart and Will Whitson to step up and lead the way. The linebacker Lockhart leads the Bulldogs with 31 tackles while defensive lineman Whitson has added 13 tackles and a team-high two sacks through five contests this season.
LSU fell to Kentucky 35-34 in overtime on Oct. 10 in their last game on the field. Quarterback Sam Leavitt completed 25 of 34 passes for 275 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception. Wide receiver Winston Watkins Jr. caught six passes for 62 yards and running back Dilin Jones carried the ball 16 times for 56 yards in the loss to the Wildcats.
Despite giving up 35 points in a defeat last Saturday, the LSU defense is still one of the strongest in the country. Linebacker TJ Dottery has recorded 4o tackles and two forced fumbles and defensive end Princewill Umanmielen has totaled 26 tackles and eight sacks through six games so far during the 2026 campaign.
Mississippi State must hope Kamario Taylor protects the football better than he did in the loss to Alabama and gets tailback Fluff Bothwell back to support the offense so he can get the ball to receivers Anthony Evans III, Sanfrisco Magee and Marquis Johnson.
LSU can protect their home field and defeat the Bulldogs again if Lane Kiffin’s running backs can set up Sam Leavitt’s passing attack for another great offensive performance. The Tigers defense is good enough to stop the Mississippi State offense but without linebacker Whit Weeks due to injury, Taylor and his offense can definitely take advantage of that to win the game on Saturday afternoon.
Lane Kiffin and LSU cannot lose to Mississippi State after another loss to Kentucky for one of his programs last Saturday. Jeff Lebby’s offense is definitely capable of scoring with Sam Leavitt and the Tigers offense but it won’t be enough in Baton Rouge. Kiffin does not let the loss from last weekend turn into another one and they avoid dropping out of College Football Playoff contention.
Projected Score: LSU 34, Mississippi State 24
Image – Florida Gators
Florida (4-2) at No. 7 Texas (4-1)
11 a.m., ABC
Florida will be in Austin to meet Texas in a game where both teams want to get back on the right track. The Gators attempt to defeat the Longhorns for the second season in a row with Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Jesse Palmer (analyst) and Kris Budden (sideline reporter) on the call at Darrell K. Royal Stadium in Austin, Texas.
Florida was blown out by South Carolina 38-19 on Saturday, Oct. 10 and fell from their No. 16 ranking to outside of the AP Poll. Quarterback Aaron Philo completed 21 of 28 passes for 227 yards, a touchdown and an interception while wide receiver Dallas Wilson posted eight catches for 74 yards and running back Jadan Baugh was limited to 59 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries against the Gamecocks.
The Florida defense has struggled so far overall but linebacker Myles Graham is a big reason why they can turn the corner and get better. Graham has recorded 42 tackles and two and a half sacks through six games during the 2026 season. Graham’s fellow linebacker Jayden Woods has 24 tackles, four and a half sacks and a forced fumble so far this season as well.
Texas was stunned by rival Oklahoma by a score of 27-24 in Dallas at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 10. Quarterback Arch Manning completed 19 of 31 passes for 260 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in the loss. Wide receiver Cam Coleman caught five passes for 110 yards and a touchdown while tailback Hollywood Smothers rushed 12 times for 39 yards in the defeat against the Sooners.
The Texas defense can get their team back on the right foot with a strong showing against a Florida offense with a great rush attack. Linebacker Rasheem Biles leads the Longhorns in tackles (41) in addition to his two interceptions, a sack and a forced fumble. Edge defender Colin Simmons continues to prove he can be a top ten pick in the first round of the 2027 NFL Draft after posting 17 tackles, nine and a half sacks and two forced fumbles through five contests this season.
With questions on if signal-caller Aaron Philo can play against Texas due to injury, Tramell Jones Jr. will step in for him and the rushing attack will become that much more important for Florida to end their two-game losing streak. The Gators will have to rely on running backs Jadan Baugh and Duke Clark to return to the form they had just weeks ago, helping them reach their 4-0 start.
Texas can win by getting back to success on offense against a weaker Florida defense. If quarterback Arch Manning can’t have success against the Gators defense with receivers Cam Coleman, Ryan Wingo and Emmett Moseley V to throw to down the field, the Longhorns don’t deserve a College Football Playoff spot. If Will Muschamp’s defense does their job, Texas should get back to their winning ways.
With the home crowd behind them, Texas will defeat Florida and avoid losing back-to-back games. The Longhorns’ offense will return to form and their defense will stand up strong against Jadan Baugh and Duke Clark’s ground attack with questions at quarterback in Gainesville with Aaron Philo’s injury concerns.
Projected Score: Texas 31, Florida 21
Image – The Daily Hoosier
No. 4 Ohio State (5-1) at No. 5 Indiana (6-0)
11 a.m., FOX
Ohio State and Indiana face off in a huge AP top 5 matchup on Saturday afternoon. Big Noon FOX for the matchup between the Buckeyes and Hoosiers with Gus Johnson (play-by-play), Joel Klatt (analyst) and Jenny Taft (sideline reporter) on the call at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana.
Ohio State dominated Maryland 45-16 in their last time on the field on Saturday, Oct. 10. The connection between quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has paced the Buckeyes offense this season. Sayin completed 13 of 21 passes for 242 yards, 4 touchdowns and an interception and Smith caught four passes for 93 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Running back Bo Jackson carried the ball 23 times for 107 yards and two touchdowns against Maryland as well.
Safety Earl Little Jr. has emerged as the top dog on an Ohio State defense that lost a lot of talent to the NFL last spring. Little Jr. has totaled 30 tackles through six contests so far this season. Defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. is the top pass rusher for the Buckeyes, recording 15 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble as well.
Indiana edged Nebraska 20-17 on Saturday, Oct. 10. In the close victory, quarterback Josh Hoover completed 12 of 22 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns. Hoover’s favorite wide receiver is Charlie Becker, who caught three passes for 52 yards while tailback Turbo Richard rushed eight times for only 10 yards in the victory against the Corn Huskers.
Indiana linebacker Isaiah Jones leads the team with 46 tackles and an interception. Defensive lineman Tobi Osunsanmi leads his front with 22 tackles, five sacks and a forced fumble so far through the 2026 season.
Ohio State can avenge their Big Ten Championship loss to Indiana from last December by relying on the connection between Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith. If Bo Jackson can get down field like he did in the victory against Maryland, Arthur Smith’s offense will be able to open up the passing attack from Sayin to Smith, Devin McCuin, Nate Roberts and Chris Henry Jr.
Indiana’s ball control will get them a second consecutive victory against Ohio State. Josh Hoover must protect the football in the passing game and avoid fumbling the ball with a better Turbo Richard performance on the ground. If Richard can get things going on the ground, pressure will be on Hoover to get the ball to Charlie Becker, Nick Marsh and Shazz Preston and the defense to stop the tremendous Buckeyes offense consistently.
In what could be one of the best games of the season, Ryan Day’s Ohio State team will prove why they are the best team in the Big Ten again against Indiana. The Buckeyes may struggle to move the ball against Bryant Haines’ defense through the first few drives but at some point Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith will get it going and they will continue their undefeated season.
Projected Score: Ohio State 27, Indiana 20
Image – Sports Illustrated
No. 13 Missouri (5-1) at No. 9 Ole Miss (4-1)
2:30 p.m., SEC Network
Missouri meets up with Ole Miss in a big SEC battle on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers and Rebels will battle with Matt Schumacker (play-by-play), Aaron Murray (analyst) and Taylor Davis (sideline reporter) on the call at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi.
Missouri won their first game in three matchups against Texas A&M, 27-6, on Saturday, Oct. 10. Quarterback Austin Simmons and wide receiver Cayden Lee return to their former school, Ole Miss, as the leaders of the Tigers offense. Simmons completed 14 of 28 passes for 147 yards, a touchdown and an interception while Lee caught seven passes for 94 yards and a touchdown against the Aggies. Tailback Jamal Roberts turned in an incredible performance, recording 34 carries for 222 yards and two touchdowns in the win as well.
Missouri linebacker Nicholas Rodriguez leads the team with an incredible 63 tackles and one and a half sacks through six games so far this season. Edge defender Daeden Hopkins has added 17 tackles, seven sacks and two forced fumbles to back Rodriguez on the defense.
Ole Miss blew out Vanderbilt 52-10 on Saturday, Oct. 10 following their open week. Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss completed 20 of 30 passes for 213 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in the win. After returning from an injury, tailback Kewan Lacy carried the ball seven times for 39 yards and a touchdown ahead of playing against his former team, Missouri. Wide receiver Deuce Alexander continued his productive season with five catches for 74 yards for a touchdown against the Commodores.
After struggling through the first few weeks of the season, the Ole Miss defense held the Vanderbilt offense to just three points. Linebacker Luke Ferrelli leads the Rebels with 34 tackles and a sack through the first five games of the 2026 campaign. Also, defensive end Blake Purchase has totaled 21 tackles, three and a half sacks and a forced fumble this season.
Missouri can defeat Ole Miss with another strong performance from their ground game, led by Jamal Roberts against a Rebels defense that has not had much success this season. If Roberts can have success, it will help setup the passing game from Austin Simmons to Cayden Lee and Donovan Olugbode down the field. Offensive success will help the Tigers’ defense, led by Nicholas Rodriguez and Daeden Hopkins against Trinidad Chambliss and the opposing offense.
Chambliss and the Ole Miss offense will have to have a strong performance against the Missouri defense if they want to win this game. Chambliss will need to get the ball to Deuce Alexander, Traylon Ray and Caleb Odom while relying on Kewan Lacy to set them up with second and third and shorts. The Rebels defense must come out strong against Chip Lindsey’s strong offense.
In what should be the game of the week in the SEC, Missouri will go on the road looking for their second win against an AP top 10 team this season, after they defeated Florida at home in Columbia, Missouri on Oct. 3. It will be tough to do against an Ole Miss team that has not lost against an SEC team at home since 2024, but it is doable if they come out strong.
With former Ole Miss quarterback Austin Simmons and receiver Cayden Lee going against their former team in their old house, they will know what they have to do to get a win. But Trinidad Chambliss and the Rebels will protect their home field and edge the Tigers out for a win.
Projected Score: Ole Miss 34, Missouri 31.
Image – AP News
No. 6 Alabama (5-1) at No. 14 Tennessee (5-1)
2:30 p.m., ABC
Alabama will attempt to bounce back after last week’s loss to Georgia when they renew their rivalry against Tennessee on Saturday afternoon. The Crimson Tide and Volunteers face off with (play-by-play), (analyst), (sideline reporter) and (sideline reporter) on the call at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Alabama fell to Georgia, 20-17, in a game of the SEC’s top two teams up to this point in the season on Saturday, Oct. 10. Quarterback Keelon Russell completed 16 of 30 passes for 185 yards, a touchdown and rushed nine times for 41 yards against the Bulldogs. Trae’shaw Brown carried the ball nine times for 90 yards. The Crimson Tide will likely be without wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams, it will be up to Lotzeir Brooks, who caught two passes for 37 yards against the Bulldogs.
Alabama linebackers Luke Metz and Caleb Woodson lead their defense. Metz has totaled 45 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery while Woodson has recorded 42 tackles, two sacks, two passes defended and an interception through six games this season.
Tennessee edged SEC bottom-dweller Arkansas 24-17 on Saturday, Oct. 10. Backup signal-caller George MacIntyre completed 18 of 29 passes for 247 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions against the Razorbacks. Tailback DeSean Bishop rushed 19 times for 138 yards and a touchdown and wide receiver Mike Matthews caught four passes for 78 yards in the victory.
Tennessee linebacker Amare Campbell and defensive lineman Xavier Gilliam are the two players that lead a much better unit in Jim Knowles’ first season as the coordinator. Campbell has recorded 39 tackles and two sacks and Gilliam has recorded 21 tackles, five sacks and two forced fumbles so far during the 2026 campaign.
Alabama needs to forget their loss to Georgia and get back to playing the complimentary football they know they can against Tennessee. The Crimson Tide’s Keelon Russell will be without Ryan Coleman-Williams but there are others that can step up for him on the perimeter to make plays. Without Coleman-Williams, Trae’shaw Brown’s volume will likely go up in the backfield and their defense will be trusted upon to defend against George MacIntyre, who makes just his second start of his career on Saturday afternoon.
Amare Campbell, Xavier Gilliam and the Tennessee defense will have to be the story if they want to protect their home field against an Alabama team that has shown to be Kalen DeBoer’s best through his three season tenure. If the defense can get Russell and the Crimson Tide offense to struggle or turn the ball over, DeSean Bishop will have to turn in the best game of his season running the ball to come out with the win.
Alabama will go into Knoxville and get their first win against Tennessee in their last three opportunities on Saturday afternoon. Keelon Russel will use the Alabama running game to set up their passing attack without Coleman-Williams and they will score enough against the talented Tennessee defense and move to 6-1 ahead of their showdown against Texas A&M on Saturday, Oct. 24.
Projected Score: Alabama 27, Tennessee 17
Image – University of Houston Athletics
No. 18 Oklahoma State (4-1) at No. 20 Houston (5-1)
6:30 p.m., FOX
Oklahoma State squares off with Houston in a huge Big 12 battle on Saturday. The Cowboys and Cougars meet with Jack Kizer (play-by-play) and Mark Helfrich (analyst) on the call at John O’Quinn Field at TDECU Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Oklahoma State won their fourth consecutive game after defeating UCF 42-28 on Saturday, Oct. 10 the last time they were on the field. The Cowboys quarterback Drew Mestemaker completed 19 of 28 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns against the Knights. Tailback Caleb Hawkins carried the ball 23 times for 83 yards and wide receiver Wyatt Young caught five passes for 52 yards and a touchdown in the victory.
Oklahoma State linebacker Ethan Wesloski leads the defense with 53 tackles and a sack through five games so far this season. In addition, defensive end Jaleel Johnson has totaled 11 tackles and a sack and a half through five games as well.
Houston went to Kansas State and defeated the Wildcats 35-16 on Saturday, Oct. 10. Cougars quarterback Connor Weigman completed 19 of 30 passes for 242 yards and four touchdowns against Kansas State. Tailback Re’Shaun Sanford II rushed 20 times for 90 yards while tight end Patrick Overmyer added eight catches for 83 yards and four touchdowns in the win.
The secondary is the strength for the Houston defense so far this season. The Cougars’ defensive backs Kentrell Webb, who has 38 tackles, and Javion White, who has 24 tackles, two and a half sacks and a forced fumble through six games so far during the 2026 season.
Oklahoma State will hope Drew Mestemaker excels against the talented Houston secondary and gets the ball to his playmakers on the perimeter, the Cowboys can go on the road to Houston and get Eric Morris another big win. The defense will need to be consistent against Connor Weigman and the Cougars offense to get the win s well.
If Houston can have as much success from the Weigman to Patrick Overmeyer in the red zone against the Oklahoma State defense, they will put their defense in a great position. The Cougars can rely on their strong secondary with Kentrell Webb and Javion White to shut down the Cowboys’ talented receivers, but Mestemaker is an offensive weapon they do not want to overlook.
Oklahoma State and Houston should trade scores back-and-forth and the team that gets the ball last should win this game. The dual between Drew Mestemaker and Connor Weigman will come down to the wire and the home team will come out on top. Willie Fritz’s Cougars will move to 6-1 ahead of their showdown at No. 11 Utah on Saturday, Oct. 24.
Projected Score: Houston 31, Oklahoma State 28
Image – Whole Hog Sports
No. 2 Notre Dame (6-0) at No. 8 BYU (5-0)
6:30 p.m., ABC
Notre Dame and BYU face off in the second AP top 10 matchup of the day. With ESPN’s College GameDay in town, the Fighting Irish and Cougars meet up with Chris Fowler (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst), Holly. Rowe (sideline reporter) and Laura Rutledge (sideline reporter) on the call at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah.
Notre Dame blasted longtime foe Stanford 58-7 on Saturday, Oct. 10. Quarterback CJ Carr completed 14 of 20 passes for 181 yards and three touchdowns in the victory. Running back Jonaz Walton carried the ball 13 times for 181 yards and two touchdowns and wide receiver Jordan Faison caught three passes for 16 yards in the win.
Notre Dame linebacker Drayk Bowen has totaled 30 tackles to lead the team entering their huge week 7 showdown. Defensive lineman Boubacar Traore’s 17 tackles, three and a half sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception have also been huge for the Fighting Irish up front.
BYU defeated Iowa State 24-10 on Friday, Oct. 9, the last time they hit the field. Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier completed 22 of 30 passes for 329 yards and two touchdowns while rushing nine times for 109 yards against the Cyclones. Wide receiver Legend Glasker caught five passes for 99 yards and a touchdown while LJ Martin has been sidelined with a lower-body injury. Martin’s replacement Journee Tonga rushed eight times for 19 yards and a touchdown in the win.
BYU linebacker Cade Uluave and defensive end Tausili Akana are the top two players on their defense. Uluave’s 26 tackles, interception and half sack and Akana’s 11 tackles and three and a half sacks will be vital against the strong Notre Dame offense.
Notre Dame can defeat BYU if they rely on CJ Carr to do what he does best and that his taking care of the ball and scoring touchdowns for his offense with the help of Jonaz Walton and Jordan Faison. The Fighting Irish defense should be able to shut Bear Bachmeier and his unit down if Carr is able to have success because they will be off the field and well-rested.
BYU will hope that their defensive playmakers can get in the backfield and cause problems against the talented Notre Dame offense to set their offense up with quality field position. From there Bachmeier will be able to get it to Legend Glasker, Kyler Kasper and Walker Lyons down the field, especially without the help of talented tailback LJ Martin.
If the BYU does not have success on early downs, they will struggle to win this game against Notre Dame. The Cougars defense must take advantage of their home crowd and force the Fighting Irish to make a mistake early in the game to set their offense up for success. However, Notre Dame will make it too difficult for BYU to do that and the Fighting Irish will continue their undefeated season.
Projected Score: Notre Dame 31, BYU 21
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