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Jackson's Week 7 college football predictions for all ranked games and top-25 matchups. His picks for Alabama vs. Vanderbilt, Miami vs. Florida State, and more.
Week 7 College Football Predictions
Many viewed the Week 6 college football slate as one of the least intriguing on paper, yet that’s always when the biggest surprises come. We saw shocking upsets by UCLA and Florida over Penn State and Texas, respectively, and it was a good reminder that no one is completely safe on any given Saturday.
Ten ranked teams are playing away from home in Week 7, so we could see a lot more college football carnage on Friday and Saturday. Let’s dive into and pick every game featuring a ranked team.
No. 25 Florida State vs. Pittsburgh
The thrilling Week 1 victory over Alabama had many believing Florida State was ready to compete for the ACC crown and a College Football Playoff spot, but the Noles have now suffered two consecutive losses at the hands of Virginia and Miami. Now, Mike Norvell’s squad will likely need to run the table for the chance to play for a national title at year’s end.
The Panthers have been up and down this year, but at their best, they can hang with Florida State. I expect this one to be tight, but the Noles should rebound with their season on the line.
Prediction: Florida State 31, Pittsburgh 26
No. 24 South Florida at North Texas
Along with Memphis and Navy, North Texas and South Florida are top contenders in the American Conference, and we could look back on this game as a College Football Playoff play-in game. The Bulls’ only loss of the season came at Miami, arguably the best team in the country.
North Texas is out to a 5-0 start, led by quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who has 13 total touchdowns and zero interceptions on the year. Let’s hope this Friday night game lives up to the hype. We’re taking the home team here in one of the toughest games to call in Week 7.
Prediction: North Texas 41, South Florida 38
No. 22 Iowa State at Colorado
Iowa State didn’t look all that impressive heading into last week’s road test against Cincinnati, and the Cyclones suffered their first loss of the season. Quarterback Rocco Becht was excellent once again, but Iowa State’s loss of two starting defensive backs for the season was evident last weekend.
Unfortunately, Iowa State might be headed downhill as the bulk of its Big 12 schedule ramps up. As long as Colorado can take care of the football, there’s major upset potential here. We’re betting on Deion Sanders after a tough week of health scares.
Prediction: Colorado 34, Iowa State 30
No. 21 Arizona State at Utah
Despite Arizona State walking into this matchup as the ranked team, the books favored Utah by around a touchdown, even when Sam Leavitt was expected to play. The Utes were dominated by Texas Tech at home a few weeks ago, but we have now learned the Red Raiders might just be that good. This is one of the most competitive conferences in the country, and no team is safe.
That said, Leavitt being downgraded spells bad news for the Sun Devils. A backup quarterback making a start in Salt Lake City is not a recipe for victory.
Prediction: Utah 27, Arizona State 17
No. 18 BYU at Arizona
Ready for yet another potential thriller in the Big 12? BYU is undefeated heading into Tucson, but the Wildcats are much better than many expected in the preseason, and quarterback Noah Fifita is back to playing good football despite the loss of all-world wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
These two teams are more evenly matched than many might assume, but we heavily favor Kalani Sitake over Brent Brennan, all else equal.
Prediction: BYU 30, Arizona 17
No. 16 Notre Dame vs. NC State
After scoring at least 40 points in three consecutive games, the Notre Dame offense came back down to earth in a 28-7 win over Boise State in Week 6. However, the running back duo of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price remained explosive and productive, and CJ Carr threw for two more scores.
CJ Bailey and the Wolfpack have scored at least 33 points in four of their last five contests, so offense could be plentiful in this showdown in South Bend. There’s also a chance Notre Dame’s defense has turned a corner. We’ll find out on Saturday.
Prediction: Notre Dame 41, NC State 28
No. 15 Michigan at USC
Here’s yet another ranked team set to hit the road against an unranked opponent, as Michigan and freshman phenom Bryce Underwood travel 2,200 miles to take on Jayden Miava and USC. This is one of the top Big Ten quarterback duels we’ll see this season, but Michigan’s run game vs. USC’s run defense could be the deciding factor.
If the Trojans can limit Justice Haynes to a mediocre day, that heavily favors USC. But we’re betting on Michigan to continue having its way with defensive fronts and limiting Miava’s offensive possessions.
Prediction: Michigan 24, USC 20
No. 13 Georgia Tech vs. Virginia Tech
The Hokies are 2-1 since firing Brent Pry, including an ACC win over NC State. That was an unexpected upset, and Virginia Tech is hoping it can ruin another Saturday for an ACC foe. But the Yellow Jackets are coming off a bye after a way-too-close-for-comfort comeback win over Wake Forest.
Brent Key is establishing himself as one of the best up-and-comers in the coaching ranks, so it would be a letdown if his team were not prepared here. Georgia Tech wins big.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 38, Virginia Tech 14
No. 12 Tennessee vs. Arkansas
Tennessee and Arkansas are both off a bye, and Bobby Petrino is now the acting head coach of the Razorbacks after Sam Pittman was fired. Petrino’s offense has been productive for most of this season, and it will be interesting to see if Arkansas can create some magic after the week off.
This is widely expected to be a shootout in Neyland Stadium, and the Vols could be on upset alert. I expect this to be tighter than the books do, but Tennessee needs this win to give itself a margin for error down the stretch. Hopefully, they aren’t overlooking the Hogs ahead of the Third Saturday in October matchup next week.
Prediction: Tennessee 51, Arkansas 43
No. 11 LSU vs. South Carolina
The Tigers and Gamecocks both had a week off heading into this matchup. Last year’s game in Colombia included LaNorris Sellers exiting early and some controversial officiating. Hopefully, neither of those things happens here. Brian Kelly can’t afford a loss to an unranked conference foe, or his seat will be hotter than ever before.
The week off might have given Garrett Nussmeier a chance to get healthy, and the Tigers need that to be the case to get the offense rolling.
Prediction: LSU 20, South Carolina 10
No. 10 Georgia at Auburn
It’s been a while since Georgia has looked like an unbeatable, dominant force, and a night game at Jordan-Hare Stadium isn’t an easy place to play as a visitor. However, Auburn’s offense has been inept for most of Hugh Freeze’s tenure, and that remains the case in 2025 with Jackson Arnold running the show.
While the Bulldogs aren’t one of the better pass-rushing teams in the SEC, Auburn’s offensive line cannot be trusted against a team with as much talent as Georgia has. The books think this will be a close contest, but I do not.
Prediction: Georgia 31, Auburn 14
No. 9 Texas Tech vs. Kansas
Texas Tech leads the country in average scoring margin (+31.8), which demonstrates how dominant the Red Raiders have been in the early part of the season. This squad is loaded with talent from the transfer portal, and it hasn’t taken much time for the team to gel.
Kansas is not a pushover in the Big 12, but it doesn’t have the horses to take down Texas Tech at home in this spot.
Prediction: Texas Tech 40, Kansas 20
No. 8 Alabama at No. 14 Missouri
Alabama has played fantastic football over the last two weeks, taking down ranked SEC opponents Georgia and Vanderbilt. Ryan Grubb’s offense is firing on all cylinders with Ty Simpson running the show, and Alabama’s wide receivers are playing like the top group in the country.
Missouri has plenty of offensive production this season, too, and Eli Drinkwitz remains one of the most underrated coaches in the nation. But Alabama is hot, and if Simpson’s mistake-free distributor playstyle continues in Columbia, we lean toward the Tide picking up another win.
Prediction: Alabama 27, Missouri 21
No. 6 Oklahoma vs. Texas (in Dallas)
It’s still unclear whether John Mateer (thumb) will suit up for this game, but the belief is that he will be ready to go for the Red River Shootout. Will he be an effective passer, though? Will it matter against a struggling Texas offense and quarterback Arch Manning?
Texas needs this victory to stay alive in the College Football Playoff picture, and if Mateer is out, Texas could win easily. If he does play, it’s tough to think he’ll be 100%. Longhorns win.
Prediction: Texas 20, Oklahoma 17
No. 5 Texas A&M vs. Florida
Fresh off a home win over Texas, Florida takes on the Aggies at Kyle Field in Week 7. Billy Napier’s Gators teams have looked great when they’re on and abysmal when they’re not. Which version will we get here? Ultimately, if this game were played in the Swamp, it would be a tougher call.
But based on Texas A&M’s resume and ability to win multiple ways, we trust the Aggies to take care of business.
Prediction: Texas A&M 27, Florida 20
No. 4 Ole Miss vs. Washington State
Ole Miss is fresh off a bye and heads into the matchup against Washington State as 31.5-point favorites. The Cougars have surrendered 59 points in both of their losses this season (North Texas, Washington), and Lane Kiffin is not shy about running up the score.
Lane Kiffin said this is a matchup between the No. 1 team in the SEC and the No. 1 team in the PAC-12. He’s technically not wrong, but this one is going to get ugly.
Prediction: Ole Miss 63, Washington State 14
No. 3 Oregon vs. No. 7 Indiana
Here comes yet another big matchup with two teams coming off a bye. The last time we saw Oregon, the Ducks got out to a big lead over Penn State before ultimately finishing the Nittany Lions in overtime. Now, they get to play in another Top-10 Big Ten matchup, but this time at home.
We have learned in the last year and a half that the Hoosiers cannot be counted out, but the 2,300-mile trip and talent gap are going to prove to be too much to handle. Either way, both of these teams can afford a loss and still make the College Football Playoff.
Prediction: Oregon 34, Indiana 23
No. 1 Ohio State at Illinois
Ohio State arguably boasts the best defense in the country, and the Buckeyes have been boringly dominant through the first five games of the 2025 campaign. Many questioned whether Ryan Day could put back-to-back title-contending teams together, and it looks like he can so far.
Although Illinois is the home team, it’s hard to forget the 53-point loss suffered at the hands of Indiana. Ohio State will cruise to another victory.
Prediction: Ohio State 37, Illinois 10
