GEORGIA FACES SEC
ROAD TEST AGAINST LSU
GAMES TO WATCH IN WEEK 7:
NO. 2 GEORGIA AT
NO. 12 LSU
Oct. 13, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS
Line: Georgia by 7
LSU’s first loss of the season at Florida last week was
significant on several levels within the Southeastern Conference. It was a
setback for the Tigers, who have plenty of challenges left in their quest to
conquer the hyper-competitive West Division. But it was also a signal that
Georgia’s remaining trek through the East might not be a cakewalk, either. The
Bulldogs (6-0, 4-0 SEC) still have that slight margin for error, but they’d
rather not take a loss if they can avoid it.
Up until the final moments against the Gators, LSU QB Joe
Burrow had made all the necessary plays to win. He still isn’t always accurate,
however, and that could be problematic against the Bulldogs. The other bad news
for LSU (5-1, 2-1) coming out of the Swamp was the success Florida had in the
second half powering the ball on the ground. Georgia, which is averaging 6
yards per rushing attempt with RB Elijah Holyfield leading a deep rotation,
will look to take charge of the line of scrimmage.
Prediction: It will be a tight affair for four
quarters, but the Bulldogs will seal it with a couple of late scoring drives. Georgia,
30-20
NO. 7 WASHINGTON
AT NO. 17 OREGON
Oct. 13, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ ESPN2
Line: Washington by 3 1 / 2
The Huskies (5-1, 3-0 Pac-12) entered the campaign as the
favorite to claim the Pac-12 North. They still might, but the resurgent Ducks
have emerged as formidable challengers. One needed piece has already
fallen into place for Oregon (4-1, 1-1) in Stanford’s loss to Utah. A
Ducks win against Washington on their home field would further enhance their
position. With the exception of the BYU game, the Huskies have struggled to put
opponents away. The veteran duo of QB Jake Browning and RB Myles Gaskins have
been steady if unspectacular. Oregon QB Justin Herbert has been brilliant at
times as his completion percentage has climbed; though there are a few plays in
the Stanford game he’d like to have back.
Prediction: The Ducks have had a win at
California and a bye week to recover from the collapse against the Cardinal.
This time they won’t let a highly ranked visitor escape Autzen Stadium. Oregon,
35-27
MICHIGAN STATE AT
NO. 8 PENN STATE
Oct. 13, 3:30 p.m. ET, BTN
Line: Penn State by 13 1 ⁄ 2
This one lost a bit of its luster as Michigan State (3-2,
1-1 Big Ten) all but excused itself from the Big Ten East race with last week’s
loss to Northwestern. But the Spartans have been known to play spoiler, and the
Nittany Lions (4-1, 1-1) will be taking the field for the first time since the
Ohio State game got away from them two weeks ago. The Spartans have been unable
to establish any consistency on the ground, making it difficult for QB Brian
Lewerke to finish drives with points despite respectable passing stats. The MSU
ground defense is solid, but Nittany Lions QB Trace McSorley will be
difficult to contain for 60 minutes.
Prediction: After letting the Buckeyes get away,
the Nittany Lions will be in no mood to let the Spartans hang around. Penn
State, 38-17
NO. 10 WISCONSIN
AT NO. 13 MICHIGAN
Oct. 13, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Line: Michigan by 7 1 / 2
This cross-divisional Big Ten clash isn’t an eliminator in
the conference race. It might be, however, as far as the quest for the College
Football Playoff is concerned since it will be a second loss for somebody. The
Badgers’ non-league setback to BYU hasn’t aged as well as the Wolverines’
opening-day loss at Notre Dame, but neither team wants to put such
comparisons in the hands of the committee.
The Wolverines (5-1, 3-0) have performed much better at home
in 2018. That has been especially true of QB Shea Patterson, who has thrown all
10 of his TD passes this year in friendly surroundings. The Badgers (4-1, 2-0)
will do their best to keep the ball out of his hands, which will likely mean a
heavy workload for standout RB Jonathan Taylor.
Prediction: Wisconsin is good when it takes care
of the ball. But the Badgers will have a couple of inopportune turnovers that
will help the Wolverines build an insurmountable lead. Michigan, 31-23
NO. 18 COLORADO AT
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Oct. 13, 10:30 p.m. ET, FS1
Line: Southern Cal by 7
Colorado (5-0, 2-0 Pac-12) remains something of a mystery
team. The Buffs answered some questions by outlasting Arizona State at home to
keep their record clean and they’ll look to answer some more in their first
Pac-12 road test. It’s equally hard to know what to make of the Trojans. They had
last week off and enter this date with CU on a two-game winning streak. Both
those wins were squeakers, but they followed a loss to Texas that might not
have been as bad as it appeared. SC freshman QB JT Daniels continues to have
ups and downs, though his most recent home outing in which he rallied the
Trojans to victory against Washington State was a huge boost. Colorado’s combo
of QB Steven Montez and WR Laviska Shenault, however, is capable of providing
an answering score at any time.
Prediction: Even if the Trojans are out of the
Playoff picture, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a hard place to win for
visitors. If the Buffs can pull it off, the Pac-12 South might just be theirs. Colorado,
34-31
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