Exciting College Football Showdowns Headline Week 7 Slate
This Saturday’s college football lineup promises a slew of pivotal games that will shape conference championship races, influence the College Football Playoff landscape, and possibly distinguish Heisman Trophy contenders from the rest. As mid-October arrives, Week 7 is brimming with high-stakes matchups, with one top-10 showdown stealing the spotlight in a season dominated by excitement.
The Pacific Northwest becomes the stage for the most significant game of the day, pitting No. 7 Washington against No. 8 Oregon. This battle is poised to propel the victor into the top four of the CFP projections. Quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr of the Huskies and Bo Nix of the Ducks are two of the sport’s brightest stars. The national spotlight will elevate their visibility as they compete for an edge in the Heisman race.
Saturday night sets the scene for an out-of-conference rivalry with more than just bragging rights on the line. No. 10 USC faces off against No. 21 Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. The Trojans aim to maintain their undefeated season, while the Fighting Irish’s chances of securing a New Year’s Six bowl may hinge on the outcome.
To help you navigate through the excitement of Week 7 in the 2023 college football season, we’ve prepared a viewer’s guide:
The Must-Watch Games
- No. 1 Georgia at Vanderbilt: Kickoff at noon on CBS, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free). Fresh from a dominant 51-13 win over Kentucky, the Bulldogs take their show on the road to face the Commodores. First-year starting quarterback Carson Beck has a chance to bolster his Heisman contender status.
- No. 8 Oregon at No. 7 Washington: Scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on ABC, available on fuboTV (try for free). The Pac-12 has become one of the nation’s premier conferences, and this game will shape the season’s landscape. The victor retains their championship and playoff aspirations, while the loser faces an uphill battle in the Pac-12 Championship Game race.
- Texas A&M at No. 19 Tennessee: Set for 3:30 p.m. on CBS, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free). Both the Aggies and the Volunteers are in a similar position, needing to dethrone top teams in their respective SEC divisions. The matchup spotlights Vols quarterback Joe Milton III facing pressure from the Aggies’ formidable front seven.
- No. 10 USC at No. 21 Notre Dame: Kickoff at 7:30 p.m. on NBC, accessible via fuboTV (try for free). The Trojans, despite an undefeated record, grapple with a defense that has raised concerns. They face the Fighting Irish, led by star quarterback Sam Hartman. It’s a clash where something’s got to give.
- No. 25 Miami at No. 12 North Carolina: Commencing at 7:30 p.m. on ABC, watch on fuboTV (try for free). A battle that once promised two undefeated ACC contenders now carries a different narrative, thanks to a coaching blunder by Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal. North Carolina’s quarterback, Drake Maye, can make a substantial Heisman statement while potentially ending Miami’s ACC Championship Game aspirations.
- No. 18 UCLA at No. 15 Oregon State: Kicking off at 8 p.m. on Fox, available on fuboTV (try for free). This Pac-12 showdown, overshadowed by Oregon’s clash with Washington, shouldn’t be underestimated. Both teams have suffered one conference loss, and the loser here will likely be out of the race for the Pac-12 Championship Game.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Dive Digest journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.