College football reaches the halfway mark of the season this weekend, according to a report published October 16. USA TODAY experts have released bold predictions for Week 7, highlighting major matchups involving top-ranked programs.
In a high-stakes matchup, No. 2 Notre Dame is scheduled to visit No. 8 Brigham Young on Saturday. Experts suggest the Cougars may show increased urgency in this difficult road environment, potentially resulting in a narrow victory for the Fighting Irish.
Another major contest features No. 5 Ohio State traveling to No. 4 Indiana in a rematch of last year's Big Ten championship game. Predictions suggest the Buckeyes may thwart Indiana's winning streak to maintain hopes for a top two overall seed in the College Football Playoff.
Other notable predictions for the weekend include:
Oklahoma is expected to avoid a hangover against Kentucky, utilizing an elite defense to secure a home victory despite recent momentum from the Wildcats.
Wisconsin is projected to pick up a significant win against an injured UCLA team, potentially moving into the Top 25 by defeating the Bruins.
Michigan faces a difficult matchup against Penn State. Predictions suggest the Wolverines could suffer their worst conference start in nearly 50 years if they fail to overcome the Nittany Lions.
The upcoming Week 7 games occur as the season approaches its midpoint. For teams like Oklahoma, maintaining an undefeated October and November remains a requirement for a realistic chance at a College Football Playoff bid.
