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    • College football Top games week 7: Mississippi-LSU, Oklahoma-Texas
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    College football Top games week 7: Mississippi-LSU, Oklahoma-Texas

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    As our regular readers know, our goal in this space is to help college football fans find the most compelling games. We can’t provide an in-depth preview of every match on the schedule. That’s why we advise fans looking for plenty of drama and excitement every week to keep a close eye on the scoreboard in case major developments occur in unexpected locations. . We sincerely hope you took that advice to heart a week ago, because there were several matchups we didn’t highlight that ended up making big news.

    We’ll reiterate this standard caveat as we once again break down what we believe are the seven games you need to watch in Week 7. It’s a loaded lineup indeed, with three Top 25 showdowns and major conference showdowns in every television window, but we’ll start in primetime.

    No. 2 Ohio State at No. 3 Oregon

    Time/TV: 7:30 PM ET, NBC.

    Why watch: The headliner of the day is this highly anticipated Big Ten battle between one of the conference’s newcomers and someone from the old guard. Technically it’s not a must-win for either side, as whoever falls short is still in a strong position, but it would be nice to have on the bench for the winner. So far, not much has gone wrong for the Buckeyes on either side of the ball, outscoring their first five opponents 230-34. QB Will Howard has a dazzling array of weapons at his disposal, including flashy WRs Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka and veteran RBs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. The Ducks probably can’t take everyone away, but some heat from DL Jordan Burch would be a starting point. It took a game or two for QB Dillon Gabriel and the Oregon offense to click, but RB Jordan James and WR Tez Johnson are reliable playmakers. Big plays are hard to come by, though, as DBs Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs patrol Ohio State’s secondary.

    Why it might disappoint: It shouldn’t, although we have yet to see Ohio State tested in a late-game situation. It’s possible the Buckeyes are just that much better than everyone else, but the Ducks don’t get blown out often at Autzen Stadium.

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    No. 1 Texas vs. No. 16 Oklahoma

    Time/TV: 3:30 PM ET, ABC.

    Why watch: The conference and start time are different, but the Cotton Bowl atmosphere in Dallas and the intensity will be the same as ever for the Red River showdown. The Longhorns have a pretty important date with Georgia on deck, but there’s no chance they’ll be thinking about that this week when they take on their archrival Sooners. Oklahoma, for its part, will be hoping to avoid a second SEC loss with plenty of tough games ahead in the new league. The Longhorns are expected to have QB Quinn Ewers back from an oblique injury, although Arch Manning has looked after the store well in his absence. Whoever runs the offense will face the most talented defense Texas has yet faced, with hard-hitting Sooners like LB Danny Stutsman and DB Robert Spears-Jennings. Things haven’t gone well for Oklahoma on the offensive side, but freshman Michael Hawkins has given the QB position more flexibility since taking over for Opening Day starter Jackson Arnold. He will want to stay away from LB Anthony Hill Jr., the Longhorns’ main playmaker up front.

    Why it might disappoint: Rivalry games rarely go according to script, but the evidence we have so far suggests the Sooners can least afford to fall behind early given their struggles to score this season. If things are relatively even after the first few series, we’re in for a fun afternoon at the Cotton Bowl.

    No. 8 Mississippi at No. 10 LSU

    Time/TV: 7:30 PM ET, ABC.

    Why watch: Elsewhere in the SEC, these Magnolia Bowl rivals have clawed their way back into the top 10 and will look to stay there. The Rebels dealt with their post-Kentucky hangover last week in South Carolina, while the Tigers took a little longer to rise in the rankings since their opening week setback against Southern California. While it’s fun to see DL JJ Pegues produce big touchdowns in goal-line formations, Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart may have more success with the long ball this week. Primary WR Tre Harris — if healthy Saturday — will look to exploit an LSU secondary that leaks at times, though DL Bradyn Swinson and Sai’vion Jones can help the DBs if they can apply pressure. Tigers QB Garrett Nussmeier is capable of keeping pace in a high-scoring affair, but he’ll have to watch out for versatile Rebels LB Suntarine Perkins.

    Why it might disappoint: At first glance, it depends on which version of Ole Miss shows up. The team that looked listless a few weeks ago could find itself in an early hole. But LSU has struggled to put opponents aside even in wins, so we can probably count on a lot of angst from both fan bases in the fourth quarter due to the game management decisions of their respective coaches.

    No. 5 Penn State in Southern California

    Time/TV: 3:30 PM ET, CBS.

    Why watch: Speaking of USC, Big Ten membership hasn’t been all that fun for the Trojans so far. That could all change if they can protect their home court, the Coliseum, from the Nittany Lions, who make their first trip to the league’s new west coast enclave. Penn State has made it to 5-0, largely without drama in the fourth quarter, thanks to the efficiency of QB Drew Allar and the abundant ground support of RBs Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton. It’s up to LB Easton Mascarenas-Arnold and the USC runstoppers to keep things under control. Trojans QB Miller Moss was prone to mistakes in road losses and must hope the friendlier environment will help him make better use of WRs Ja’Kobi Lane and Zachariah Branch. His protectors should keep Penn State DL Abdul Carter and Zane Durant out of his backfield.

    Why it might disappoint: Penn State is the most likely candidate to make it a one-sided affair based on the data so far, although as mentioned, the Nittany Lions haven’t ventured that far yet. The Trojans should have enough offensive firepower and defensive competence to make it a game.

    South Carolina at No. 7 Alabama

    Time/TV: noon ET, ABC.

    Why watch: What a difference a week makes in Tuscaloosa, where the Crimson Tide went from claiming their first signature win of the Kalen DeBoer era to the program’s most embarrassing loss in recent memory. Now they host the Gamecocks, who find themselves in the awkward position of facing a talented team in need of redemption for the second straight week. The game will hinge on whether South Carolina can replicate Vanderbilt’s ball-handling approach that kept QB Jalen Milroe and the high-powered Crimson Tide offense off the field. QB LaNorris Sellers may have the mobility, but he got little ground support against Ole Miss last week, and Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell and Co. should be ready for him after what was undoubtedly a tough week of exercises. DB Nick Emmanwori and the Gamecocks’ sophomores have done well to limit big winners, but containing Tide standout freshman WR Ryan Williams could prove more difficult.

    Why it might disappoint: An angry response from the Crimson Tide could quickly put this situation on hold, especially if the defense rises to the challenge of better protecting leads. The Gamecocks need to make something happen early to keep the home crowd on edge.

    No. 19 Kansas State in Colorado

    Time/TV: 10:15 PM ET, ESPN.

    Why watch: These former Big Eight programs are renewing acquaintances for what has suddenly become a key clash in the wide-open Big 12. Both teams had last week off to earn decisive victories, though K-State edged past Oklahoma State at home and the Buffaloes’ victory over own field raged. Central Florida dropped a bit in value and both opponents subsequently lost again. The Wildcats’ last trip west at Brigham Young didn’t go well for them, and Colorado’s home crowd has been more involved since coach Deion Sanders arrived. Watching both QBs in action can be an adventure for both fans at times, as they have been known to compromise the ball on occasion. K-State’s Avery Johnson is at his best when RB DJ Giddens also has room to operate. Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders is as tough as they come and isn’t afraid to trust his receivers, though at times he’s too reliant on two-way standout Travis Hunter. Takeaway threats include the aforementioned Hunter and DB Preston Hodge for the Buffs and Wildcats DBs Keenan Garber and Jacob Parrish.

    Why it might disappoint: While the Colorado games are usually viewed by appointment, the notable exception was the trip to Nebraska. K-State will try to replicate the Cornhuskers’ formula and establish dominance at the line of scrimmage from the start, but that usually doesn’t work in the dark.

    California at number 24 Pittsburgh

    Time/TV: 3:30 PM ET, ESPN.

    Why watch: After dropping a potentially huge win against Miami, the Golden Bears are once again trying for that elusive first ACC win. The Panthers needed some fourth-quarter magic several times to make it 5-0, but now that they’re here, they’re hoping to maintain their presence as league title contenders after a down year. The architect of Pitt’s late rallies was QB Eli Holstein, who now has 15 scoring throws in five games with just three picks. His top five targets all have over 200 receiving yards, but the leader of the group, WR Konata Mumpfield, will likely draw the attention of California DB Nohl Williams. Despite the questionable non-penalties, the Golden Bears’ inability to put the game away in Miami on the ground was their ultimate downfall. QB Fernando Mendoza would like to get RBs Jaydn Ott and Jaivian Thomas up early this time, but Pittsburgh DB Donovan McMillon and LB Kyle Louis will do their best to prevent that.

    Why it might disappoint: It’s conceivable that after some disappointing results and a lot of frequent flyer miles, the Bears don’t have much left in the tank. But given both teams’ penchant for nail-biters, defeat doesn’t seem likely.

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