Forecaster Frank's NCAA Six Pack for Week 7
LSU 24 Georgia 23
Coming off their heartbreaking loss to Alabama in the National Championship, Georgia has reemerged as one of the best teams in the Nation, winning their first six games with ease. However, they have yet to play a top tier program, that all changes now as the Bulldogs head down the Bayou to face LSU. The Tigers coming off a loss in Swamp have been strong defensively all year and will provide trouble all day for quarterback Jake Fromm. Games like this are always close, and the LSU finds a way to win them when they are that close. Just call it the Cajun luck of Ed Orgeron.
Texas 34 Baylor 24
The eyes of Texas are upon the Longhorns once again, as they jumped ten spots in the polls after beating Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout. The hero of the game Cameron Dicker became a certified legend with his clutch 40-yard field goal. With all this momentum and fans in Austin dreaming of a shot at National Championship, Texas must be on guard for a letdown. Baylor has been solid at 4-2 as it tries to rebuild its program under Matt Rhule. Don’t be shocked if the Bears have a chance to win late. Texas has too many answers led by quarterback Sam Ehlinger and will find a way to survive this scare in the end.
Washington 31 Oregon 27
This game will go a long way in deciding who wins the Pac-12’s Northern Division. Oregon at 4-1 already has suffered a backbreaking conference loss at home, blowing a fourth-quarter lead to Stanford. The Huskies meanwhile, have won five in a row since losing to Auburn in Week 1, but have been shaky at times, as they struggled against a winless UCLA team in Pasadena last week. If the Ducks are to win this battle of the Pacific Northwest they will need a big game out of quarterback Justin Herbert. Washington has the defense, while Jake Browning at quarterback has that extra weapon Oregon lacks with Myles Gaskin running the ball.
Virginia 23 Miami 17
Last season, Virginia had Miami on the ropes for three quarters, before fading in the fourth quarter. The Cavaliers have had their inconsistencies all season, but coming off a bye week, they should be able to deliver their best effort of the season. The Hurricanes defense is strong and able to create turnovers, but their offense has been lacking at times. Last week at home the Hurricanes, nearly lost last week to Florida State, as N’Kosi had a big fourth quarter to save the day. This time against a hostile crowd Perry will make the big mistake as Virginia takes the game and steals Miami’s turnover chain.
Michigan 34 Wisconsin 17
After their season-opening loss to Notre Dame in South Bend, Michigan has responded winning their last five games, especially all four games in Ann Arbor. Quarterback Shea Patterson has been particularly impressive at home, as the Wolverines have broken 40 in each game. Wisconsin at 4-1 has had trouble all season against the pass, as they have dealt with injuries all season. The Badgers even allowed over 400 yards to Nebraska in a win last Saturday add a first-half suspension to Scott Nelson and you have every chance for Patterson to shine as Michigan makes its case to get back in the Top 10.
USC 34 Colorado 20
Before their bye week, it looked like USC was finding its stride as they won a tight battle with Washington State at home, and beat Arizona on the road. Freshman JT Daniels, an 18-year-old who is among the youngest starting quarterbacks in FBS has been impressive in the Trojans last two games as he gets used to the speed of the college game. Colorado comes in with a record of 5-0, benefiting from an easy schedule. None of the Buffaloes opponents has the skill and ability of Daniels and USC. Add that USC is 12-0 lifetime against Colorado and we see a come to earth moment as the Trojans take a step toward winning the Pac-12 South Division.