College Football

College Football Week 7: NFL Mocks Staff Predictions:

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:04 p.m. ET

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Sep 10, 2016; Bristol, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jalen Hurd (1) runs for a short gain during the first half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Week Seven has arrived and with it brings the halfway point of the college football season. Last week featured another handful of intriguing storylines. Tennessee played its heart out and came back from a sizable deficit to force a double overtime thriller against Texas A&M. Florida State continued its recent dominance over Miami with a slim 20-19 win. The Washington Huskies continued their impressive run by blowing out the Oregon Ducks in Eugene 70-21.

This week features several intriguing matchups in several of the Power Five conferences. Alabama takes on Tennessee in a game that will determine each team’s fate in the College Football Playoff. Ole Miss and Arkansas battle in a game of pride, and Ohio State visit Wisconsin in what could be preview of the Big Ten Championship.

The NFL Mocks Staff take a look at this week’s key games, and predicts who will come out victorious.

Sep 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Elijah Hood (34) runs against Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Natrez Patrick (6) during the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game at Georgia Dome. Georgia won 33-24. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

North Carolina at #16 Miami

The Miami Hurricanes could not end their recent losing streak against Florida State and suffered their first loss under head coach Mark Richt. Despite the loss, the Hurricanes are a new team under Richt. Gone are the days of an underperforming group, and instead the team plays with a swagger not seen since the days of the “U”. Quarterback Brad Kaaya has looked far more comfortable in the offense with a plethora of weapons to utilize. First year defensive coordinator Manny Diaz has led a revival on the defensive side of the ball, and they continue to make progress week in and week out.

The North Carolina Tar Heels suffered their worst loss under head coach Larry Fedora. They failed to score a touchdown for the first time since he took over the program. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky didn’t play particularly well against Virginia Tech. He threw his first two interceptions of the season and only managed 131 passing yards. Running back Elijah Hood missed last week’s game against Virginia Tech, but is on track to play against Miami.

Staff Picks

Next: #1 Alabama at #9 Tennessee

Oct 1, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Calvin Ridley (3) catches a pass against Kentucky Wildcats at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide defeated Kentucky 34-6. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

#1 Alabama at #9 Tennessee

Alabama continued its winning ways in a 49-30 win over Arkansas. True freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts continued to impress, throwing for 253 yards and two touchdowns in an efficient game against the Razorbacks. With Calvin Ridley and Damien Harris continuing to make plays, the Alabama offense seems to be hitting its stride. The defense is still one of the best in college football led by Minkah Fitzpatrick and Reuben Foster. The Crimson Tide have won the last nine meetings against Tennessee and look to continue their winning ways in Knoxville.

The Tennessee Volunteers have had a magical run this season. They have had several late victories over Appalachian State, Florida and Georgia. Unfortunately for the Volunteers their luck ran out last week in a double overtime loss to Texas A&M. The Volunteers will have starting running back Jalen Hurd back this week which should provide a stabilizing force for the offense. The defense will have to shore up its run defense against a stout Alabama rushing attack.

Staff Picks

Next: #12 Ole Miss at #22 Arkansas

Sep 24, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) drops back to pass under pressure from Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Roquan Smith (3) during the first quarter of the game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

#12 Ole Miss at #22 Arkansas

The Ole Miss Rebels are coming off a bye week and look to improve on their 3-2 start to the season. Quarterback Chad Kelly has had a fantastic start to the season. He is currently third in the SEC with 1,596 passing yards and 13 touchdowns. Despite a three interception performance against FSU, Kelly has routinely carved up opposing defenses including over 400 yards against Alabama.

Arkansas is coming off a tough loss to Alabama that saw quarterback Austin Allen throw for 400 yards and three interceptions. The run game for the Razorbacks was non-existent as they only mustered a hair over 70 yards. If they hope to have a shot against the Rebels then they must get their running game going behind one of the top offensive lines in college football. The Rebels have one of the weaker run defenses in the nation so they have a good opportunity to get back on track.

Staff Picks

Next: #2 Ohio State at #8 Wisconsin

Oct 1, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Curtis Samuel (4) fakes his way around Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Kiy Hester (2) at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 58-0. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

#2 Ohio State at #8 Wisconsin

Ohio State have picked up right where they left off last year. They have started the season 5-0 and their slimmest margin of victory is an impressive 21 points. Despite losing a lot of talent in last year’s NFL draft, Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes continue to produce talent year in and year out. Quarterback J.T. Barrett and running back Curtis Samuel are legitimate Heisman contenders and the Buckeye defense is one of the toughest in college football. This week’s matchup against Wisconsin will be their toughest matchup of the season so far and should provide them with a good idea of just how good of a team they are.

Before the season began the Wisconsin Badgers had one of the toughest schedules in all of college football. They opened against LSU and hav since gone on to face Michigan State and Michigan. While they handled the Spartans, the Badgers fell to the Wolverines 14-7 in a defensive battle. Quarterback Alex Hornibrook will have to limit the turnovers and the Wisconsin defense will have to be on their “A” game if they hope to slow down the Buckeye offense.

Staff Picks

Next: Upset of the Week

Sep 10, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Patrick Mahomes II (5) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Upsets of the Week

Shawn: Texas Tech over West Virginia

Sam: Indiana over Nebraska

Brady: Indiana over Nebraska

Eric: Indiana over Nebraska

Sep 17, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; Western Michigan Broncos wide receiver Corey Davis (84) evades Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Jaylen Dunlap (1)during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. Western Michigan beat Illinois 34 to 10. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports

Breakout Performer

Shawn: Western Michigan WR Corey Davis. Davis is the best senior WR prospect in all of college football, but hasn’t received a lot of attention since he doesn’t play in a power five conference. With the Broncos now ranked for the first time in school history, Davis is about to generate more buzz as he’ll have another big game against Akron.

Sam: Southern Miss QB Nick Mullens keeps it closer than expected against LSU, underrated QB who has had some success against SEC teams in the past

Brady: Jeremy Sprinkle, TE, Arkansas – Sprinkle garnered little attention when the season started, but had slowly become more involved in the offense. This could be the game we see him have a large role in an upset victory for the Hogs.

Eric: Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes – The country gets an opportunity to see a talented QB as Mahomes picks apart a WVU defense that allows over 400 yards a game.