*Note: All rankings and records are updated via the Week 7 AP Top 25 Poll.*

#3 Alabama Crimson Tide (6-0) @ #6 Tennessee Volunteers (5-0)

Year in and year out, Alabama always seems like an unbeatable powerhouse before eventually dropping a tight game to an SEC rival. While the 2022 Crimson Tide have looked a lot different than past teams, they are still undefeated despite facing loads of adversity. With that being said, the Volunteers are heating up and this is their first testament to how strong they are. Quarterback Hendon Hooker will not shy away from the spotlight and his talented arm should lead Tennessee to victory.

Prediction: Alabama 27 Tennessee 35

#10 Penn State Nittany Lions (5-0) @ #5 Michigan Wolverines (6-0)

Always an entertaining battle, Penn State-Michigan may be the most exciting matchup of the week. This will be a very tough and proving matchup for both sides and should be yet another close finish. The Wolverines’ QB J.J. McCarthy should be limited through the air by a sturdy Penn State secondary, meaning running back Blake Corum will need to perform well. Sean Clifford has been very hot-and-cold for the Nittany Lions and if he does not limit the turnovers, this game could get out of hand. Despite that, I expect the Penn State offense to dominate, headlined by another strong performance from breakout freshman running back Nick Singleton. I have the Lions in a close one.

Prediction: Penn State 24 Michigan 20

#8 Oklahoma State Cowboys (5-0) @ #13 Texas Christian (TCU) Horned Frogs (5-0)

Two surprisingly excellent teams to start the season, Big12 fans have a highly anticipated matchup on the horizon. TCU’s electric offense has torched defenses all season while being seemingly untested up until a close victory over Kansas last week. Oklahoma State’s offense has been equally as impressive, but their defense has struggled. It may sound crazy, as the lower seeded Horned Frogs are the favorites (ESPN.com), but I can see the Cowboys of Oklahoma State pulling off a slight “upset” despite a strong effort from TCU’s offense in a high-scoring affair.

Prediction: Oklahoma State 42 TCU 38

#15 North Carolina State Wolfpack (5-1) @ #18 Syracuse Orange (5-0)

Syracuse has been the biggest surprise, besides Kansas, in my eyes this season. They have looked unstoppable at times, especially when running back Sean Tucker is at the top of his game. The Wolfpack of NC State have had some very close games against inferior opponents, yet also gave #4 Clemson a battle. The same can be said about the Orange, barely beating Virginia in September. With both sides looking good in tougher games and average in contests of lesser importance, it is honestly tough to predict this matchup. A good Syracuse defense and the aforementioned Tucker leads me to believe that the Orange will prevail.

Prediction: NC State 21 Syracuse 31

#16 Mississippi State Bulldogs (5-1) @ #22 Kentucky Wildcats (4-2)

To put it lightly, Kentucky has been very poor the past few weeks. Quarterback Will Levis has looked awful while battling through injury, routinely making poor decisions with the football. Mississippi State has been the opposite. They have stepped up to the plate and delivered, blowing out Texas A&M and Arkansas over the past two weeks. With Levis still riddled with injury and questionable to play (SBNation.com), and the Wildcats looking lost without him, I think that Mississippi State will easily topple Kentucky.

Prediction: Mississippi State 30 Kentucky 13