College Football Top 25: Recapping Week 7, previewing Week 8
By Mitch Kaiser
17. Texas A&M (5-2)
Week 7 result: Defeated Missouri 35-14
A&M followed up their shocking win versus Alabama with another impressive victory on the road at Missouri. They dominated this game from the very beginning.
Zach Calzada came back down to earth and did not quite put up the same numbers that he did against Alabama but the Aggies didn’t need him to as their defense was strong and the running game was virtually unstoppable.
The Aggies had two running backs go for over 120 yards in this one, both averaging over 7.0 yards a carry. Devon Achane scored a PFF grade of 80.1 while Isaiah Spiller posted a 73.6. Jimbo Fisher seems to have his team headed back in the right direction with back-to-back wins after those two tough losses.
Next game: vs. South Carolina
My prediction: Win 42-17
18. North Carolina State (5-1)
Week 7 result: Defeated Boston College 33-7
It seems that I owe NC State an apology. I picked them to lose against Boston College on Saturday. But they absolutely whooped them on the road. It was one of the more impressive wins of the weekend in all honesty. The Wolfpack are showing that they’re legit and belong in the conversation to win the ACC.
Their defense swarmed the Eagles and did not allow anything after the first quarter. They recorded three sacks, forced two turnovers, blocked a punt, and even got a safety.
Wide receiver Thayer Thomas was the star for NC State catching all four of his targets and going for 122 receiving yards including one where he broke out for a 79-yard score.
The Wolfpack now have another tough road test vs Miami next week.
Next game: vs. Miami
My prediction: Win 27-24
19. Auburn (5-2)
Week 7 result: Defeated Arkansas 38-23
This victory by Auburn was pretty unexpected versus Arkansas. But Bo Nix came to play and had an answer for just about everything the Razorbacks threw at them. Arkansas realistically could have won this game if it weren’t for some big stops by Auburn’s defense.
The Tigers held Arkansas to 0-for-3 on fourth down and also ran forced a fumble in the end zone which was a big swing of momentum. Nix actually played really well in this game completing 80 percent of his passes averaging 11 yards per attempt. That sort of efficiency is elite and earned him a PFF grade of 91.0. He threw for two scores and ran in another.
On the other side of the ball, linebacker Zakoby McClain had 16 total tackles in this one which is just absurd. He was all over the field and reached havoc on the Razorbacks’ offense all game.
Next game: BYE