College Football Week 7: High-Stakes Matchups and Historical Rivalries

Week 7 of college football is poised to offer fans a series of thrilling matchups, underscored by historical rivalries and significant conference battles. One of the most anticipated games this weekend is the iconic Red River Rivalry, where No. 1 Texas will face off against No. 18 Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. True freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. is set to make history with his second career start for Oklahoma. In previous encounters, Oklahoma has held the upper hand, winning four of the last five games, but it remains to be seen if Hawkins can maintain composure against the top-ranked Longhorns.

The history of big games extends beyond Oklahoma and Texas. This weekend, No. 3 Oregon and No. 2 Ohio State will meet as conference opponents for the first time, a decade after competing in a national championship game. Back then, Ohio State relied on third-string quarterback Cardale Jones following a series of injuries to their starting quarterbacks. Jones rose to the occasion, leading the Buckeyes to a national championship victory over Oregon, 42-20.

Reflecting on those challenges, former Ohio State players Tyvis Powell and Ezekiel Elliott recounted the pivotal moments when the Buckeyes defied the odds. Powell described the devastation felt after J.T. Barrett’s injury, while Elliott praised Jones’s remarkable arm strength. “Cardale really stepped up when we needed him,” Elliott recalled.

The college football spotlight will also turn to Eugene, as actress and Oregon alum Kaitlin Olson is named the guest picker for ESPN‘s “College GameDay,” coinciding with the game between Oregon and Ohio State. The presence of celebrities as guest pickers has become a tradition, adding an element of excitement to the pre-game festivities.

Meanwhile, the matchup between No. 4 Penn State and USC marks another crucial contest. The Trojans are set to face the Nittany Lions at home, aiming to recover from recent setbacks and keep their playoff hopes alive. Lincoln Riley, USC’s head coach, highlighted the challenges of adjusting to the physicality and slower pace of Big Ten games. “It’s a different style of play, but it’s one we need to adapt to,” Riley stated.

In Oklahoma, coach Brent Venables emphasized the significance of focusing on their own game rather than comparisons with rival Texas. “Their success doesn’t impact ours. We’re focused on what we can control,” Venables expressed.

As these teams prepare for their weekend showdowns, the anticipation among players, fans, and analysts is palpable, setting the stage for a memorable week in college football.