After six weeks of football, just about all the teams and coaches know what they are working with. I like to think of the first half of the season as exposition for the second half. We heard that story,
so we can watch this one. Every league has at least one matchup that will shake up its conference. We’re getting an early start with a Wednesday evening game, too. It’s serious this week, y’all.
If that weren’t enough, it’s Hate Auburn Week! It feels too early, too warm, too hopeful to be playing them this early in the calendar, but looking at the SEC’s new opponent schedule has me grateful we kept the game at all! Auburn delenda est and Go Dawgs!
Here’s your Week 7 TV Preview
WEDNESDAY
Missouri State at Middle Tennessee ESPN 2 7:30 pm EST (6:30 CT)
We get an early start this week as Missouri State travels to Murfreesboro to face the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. Both teams return from a bye week and will be looking to start the second half of the season with a first Conference USA victory. Middle Tennessee was largely handled by Kennesaw State while the Bears hung around for a respectable loss to CUSA leader, Western Kentucky. Missouri State will likely try to start aggressively and create some separation from lower half of the field.
THURSDAY
Louisiana Tech at Kennesaw State ESPNU 7:00 EST (6:00 CT)
In a spiritual sequel of Wednesday night, LA Tech storms into Kennesaw to face the Owls and shape the top of CUSA. Like Wednesday, both teams are returning from a bye week; like Wednesday, both teams last played significantly different games. Kennesaw didn’t break a sweat with Middle Tennessee and has had an extra week to dial up something unexpected for the conference runner-up Bulldogs. LA Tech got caught up in a sloppy evening in El Paso, as they combined for 9 total turnovers with the Miners, but ultimately outplayed them. Kennesaw is not El Paso (as far as I understand), and a week is a mighty short time to plug in so many leaks.
SATURDAY
1 Ohio State at 17 Illinois FOX Noon EST (11:00 CT)
The Buckeyes are obnoxiously good this year. After Texas returned to wherever they came back from and James Franklin got a head start on his annual late-season collapse, Ohio State remains the only of the preseason top 3 teams to still be ranked at all. The Buckeyes will bring their balanced attack to the Fighting Illini to kick off Saturday’s games. Based on what we’ve seen, Ohio State should have another fine day at the office, but Illinois has shown some flashes this season. After being caught flat-footed against Indiana, the Fighting Illini have improved to 5-1 as they face an undefeated and seemingly invincible Buckeyes team.
7 Indiana at 3 Oregon CBS 3:30 pm EST (2:30 CT)
In the highest-ranked showdown of the weekend, the Hoosiers head to Eugene to face the Ducks. Indiana made their first playoff appearance in school history last year and has managed to keep up a strong team into 2025. Dan Lanning’s intensity created a defense that won us a National Championship, and arguably, the Philadelphia Eagles a Super Bowl. He’s got the Ducks right on the cusp of a real title run, and this will be a huge test; its winner will be a huge step closer to Indianapolis in December.
6 Oklahoma vs Texas ABC 3:30 pm EST (2:30 CT)
The Texas State Fair is on. Every food imaginable is being deep-fried, and it’s time for the Red River Rivalry. Last year, Texas has proudly worn the golden hat since last year, but it looks like they may have trouble keeping it. Oklahoma recovered from a disappointing 2024 season, capped by a loss to Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl, and is unbeaten in 2025. The Sooners have much to play for, as things seem to be clicking into place for the Venables squad. Texas, on the other hand, has wandered off again. We’ll see if they can get back.
10 Georgia at Auburn ABC 7:30 pm EST (6:30 CT)
I grew up in Columbus, GA, which the geographically gifted will know is right on the Georgia/Alabama border and a pleasant half-hour-ish drive from Opelika. Go a little further and, basically, you’re standing at the entrance to Jordan-Hare Stadium. This is all to say: I was surrounded by Auburn fans growing up. That is all to say: Auburn occupies two slots on my top five most hated orange teams, and the Squid Billies, T-Pain Mashup plays extra loud in my head. I love beating Auburn. But I really love beating Auburn in their own house.
Utah State at Hawai’i Spectrum Sports 11:59pm EST (10:59 CT)
Here’s your get out of church free game! If you don’t count the two SEC games (A&M and Vandy), Utah State is undefeated. They’ll look to improve upon their record agains the Rainbow Warriors way past all our bedtimes. I’ll probably be watching though.
September is fully behind us and with spooky season the games start to have harsher and more immediate consequences. Things are getting serious on Saturdays and I’m excited to see what’s next. Check in in the comments if I’m missing anything huge!
Go Dawgs!
