Week 7 • 2026
QUOTE OF THE WEEK “People count us out. I took a picture of College GameDay this morning and everybody picked LSU. Keep doing that. I appreciate it. Gives us a lot of fuel and a lot of fire because everybody doubts us.” - Kentucky Head Coach Will Stein after the team’s 35-34 overtime win over then-No. 10 LSU
TEAM TO WATCH
TEAM OF THE WEEK
UCLA’s defense forced an FBS-high seven turnovers, including five fumbles and two interceptions, in its 17-15 road win at No. 12 Oregon. Bob Chesney became the first head coach in UCLA history to start his tenure 5-0.
The Red River Rivalry delivered another instant classic as Oklahoma kicker Tate Sandell drilled a 47-yard field goal as time expired to give the Sooners a stunning 27-24 victory over top-ranked Texas. The win marked the first time in the rivalry’s 120-plus year history that the unranked team upset the No. 1-ranked team.
UCLA
The Bruins’ defense held the Ducks to 1-for-12 on third downs and limited their rushing attack to just 73 yards. Running back Wayne Knight powered the offense rushing for 103 yards and one touchdown. With 5:16 remaining, Oregon forced a threeand-out and scored a 44-yard touchdown to cut UCLA’s lead to 17-15. On the ensuing twopoint attempt, three UCLA defenders swarmed Oregon’s Jordon Davison at the one-yard line to preserve the lead and ultimately secure the victory. UCLA looks to remain unbeaten when it faces Wisconsin on Saturday, October 17, at 4:30 p.m. PHX on NBC.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDER // 2026
OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma captured its first lead in the fourth quarter after defensive back Peyton Bowen intercepted a pass and returned it 42 yards for a 24-17 advantage. The Longhorns responded immediately when quarterback Arch Manning connected with wide receiver Jermaine Bishop Jr. for a 15-yard touchdown. With less than a minute remaining, defensive back Courtland Guillory picked off Manning to give the Sooners one final possession. Quarterback John Mateer delivered a perfect back-shoulder pass to wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III that set up Sandell’s game winner. The Sooners host No. 15 Kentucky on Saturday, October 17, at 4:30 p.m. PHX on SEC Network.
Week 7
GAMES TO WATCH #16 MISSISSIPPI STATE AT #22 LSU 10.17 // 9:00 A.M. // ESPN
#6 ALABAMA AT #14 TENNESSEE
AP WEEK 7 RANKINGS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Georgia (+1) Notre Dame (+1) Miami (+1) Ohio State (+1) Indiana (+2)
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Alabama Texas (-6) BYU Ole Miss Texas Tech
For a full AP Top 25 Rankings, click here.
10.17 // 12:30 P.M. // ABC
#13 MISSOURI AT #9 OLE MISS
10.17 // 12:30 P.M. // SEC NETWORK
#2 NOTRE DAME AT #8 BYU
GAME OF THE WEEK #4 OHIO STATE AT #5 INDIANA
In a rematch of last season’s Big Ten Championship game, a 13-10 Indiana win, No. 4 Ohio State travels to face reigning
10.17 // 4:30 P.M. // ABC
national champion No. 5 Indiana in the second top five
#18 OKLAHOMA STATE AT #20 HOUSTON
Ohio State had 30-straight wins in the series and an
10.17 // 4:30 P.M. // FOX
For a full schedule of Week 7 games, click here. (All times in PHX)
matchup of the year.
81-13-5 all-time record. The Hoosiers haven’t won consecutive meetings against the Buckeyes since 1987-88. Heisman hopeful wide receiver Jeremiah Smith ranks second nationally in receiving yards (916) and touchdowns (11). Smith has recorded four 100-yard receiving performances in 2026. Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover has been equally impressive, completing 68% of his passes for 1,364 yards and 17 touchdowns without an interception. The Hoosiers also boast a balanced offense, with four players recording at least 500 scrimmage yards and four scores.
2026 BOWL PREDICTIONS CFP QUARTERFINAL at Vrbo FIESTA BOWL
Kickoff at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington is set for Saturday, October 17, at 9:00 a.m. PHX on FOX.
CACTUS BOWL
ESPN Bonagura – No. 5 Texas vs. No. 4 Indiana
ESPN Schlabach – Michigan vs. Cincinnati
Sports Illustrated – No. 4 Miami vs. No. 5 Alabama
Sports Illustrated – Wisconsin vs. Kansas State
CBS Sports – No. 5 Notre Dame vs. No. 4 Alabama
CBS Sports – Wisconsin vs. Cincinnati
Pro Football Network – Indiana vs. Notre Dame
Pro Football Network – Northwestern vs. Cincinnati
USA Today – No. 4 Miami vs. No. 5 Alabama
USA Today – Wisconsin vs. Baylor
Athlon Sports – No. 4 Miami vs. No. 5 Texas
Athlon Sports – Penn State vs. Kansas State
Week 7
COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDER // 2026
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
JAYLEN WARREN Over the last three weeks, running back Jaylen Warren has established himself as Pittsburgh’s top offensive playmaker. Warren carried the Steelers to their 34-22 win over the Colts, rushing for 101 yards and a touchdown, adding six receptions for 87 yards and a score. He has recorded at least 100 total scrimmage yards in the last three games, ranks third in yards per carry (5.9) and is tied for sixth in rush yards (410). Warren caught a checkdown pass at the line of scrimmage and ran 80 yards for a touchdown to give the Steelers an early 7-3 lead and later added a 50-yard TD run. In the 2021-22 Fiesta Bowl, Warren helped No. 9 Oklahoma State defeat No. 5 Notre Dame, 37-35, recording 19 carries for 82 yards and adding six catches for 34 yards. Since signing with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2022, Warren has accounted for 4,499 total yards and 16 touchdowns. Warren and the Steelers travel to face Tampa Bay on Sunday, October 18, at 10:00 a.m. PHX on CBS.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
BEAR BACHMEIER BYU
ISAAC BROWN LOUISVILLE
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier showcased his elite dual-threat ability in the Cougars’ 24-10 win over Iowa State, completing 22-of-39 passes for 329 yards and two touchdowns, while leading the team in rushing with 109 yards on nine carries. Bachmeier became just one of four Big 12 quarterbacks to record at least 325 passing yards and 100 rushing yards without being sacked, joining Jalen Hurts, Kyler Murray and Sam Elingher. His performance earned him Big 12 Offensive Player and Manning Award Stars of the Week honors and was a Davey O’Brien Great 8 selection.
Running back Isaac Brown posted a career performance in Louisville’s 44-20 victory over Florida State, rushing for 235 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. Brown broke free for a 97-yard touchdown run, bursting through a gap untouched and outrunning the defense to tie the game. In the fourth quarter, Brown followed blocks from two pulling guards for a 68-yard touchdown that helped seal the victory and improve Louisville’s record to 3-3. Brown’s 235 rushing yards were the most by any FBS player in 2026, and his 97-yard score was tied for the longest run in the FBS this season.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDER // 2026
Week 7
BIG NEWS The Cactus Bowl enters an exciting new era with a fresh rebranding rooted in its Arizona heritage. The game will once again feature Bowl Season’s only Big Ten vs. Big 12 matchup and is set for 5:30 p.m. MST on Saturday, December 26, in its grand return to Mountain America Stadium. As we eagerly await kickoff in Tempe, we’re bringing you weekly game highlights, player reports and other updates from the two conferences. Here’s the BIG news heading into Week 7:
BIG TEN •
Northwestern ranks No. 25 in this week’s AP poll after its 45-14 win over Ball State. The Wildcats (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) suffered their only loss to then-No. 5 Indiana, falling 29-23, on September 25 in Bloomington. Quarterback Aidan Chiles has dissected defenses through the first half of the season, completing 71.4% of his passes for 1,172 yards, accounting for 15 touchdowns and zero turnovers
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Then-No. 7 Indiana survived a late scare in its trip to Lincoln, defeating Nebraska 20-17 after trailing midway through the fourth quarter. Quarterback Josh Hoover found wide receiver Nick Marsh for a 44-yard touchdown on fourth-and-one for the go-ahead score with 7:13 left in the game. Despite the loss, Nebraska (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) received 65 votes in this week’s AP poll. The Cornhuskers face Oregon this Saturday, potentially setting up a matchup against former starting quarterback Dylan Raiola
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Ohio State ranks among the top 10 nationally in total offense and total defense through the first six weeks. The Buckeyes rank fifth in total defense (246.8 ypg) and are eighth passing defense (150.7 ypg) and scoring (13.2 ppg). Led by quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, the offense ranks eighth in total offense (503.5 ypg), including fourth in passing offense (337.8 ypg) and seventh in scoring (42.7 ppg)
BIG 12 •
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita ranks fifth in the country with 1,756 passing yards following a 341-yard, three touchdown performance in a 52-31 win over West Virginia. It marked his third game this season with at least three passing touchdowns. Through the first half of the season, the senior has accounted for 20 touchdowns, including 16 passing and four rushing, with four interceptions
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Arizona State linebacker Owen Long was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week after tallying his third consecutive double-digit tackle game in a 30-12 victory over Hawai’i. Long has recorded 49 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and fumble recovery, one interception and two pass deflections this season. His 245 career tackles ranks top 15 among all active FBS players
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No. 8 BYU, hosts No. 2 Notre Dame in a battle of undefeated AP top 10 teams. The contest marks the first ever meeting between top 10 teams at LaVell Edwards Stadium. The Big 12’s highest ranked team, BYU ranks third in winning percentage (.875) since 2024 and boasts a 41-4 record in its last 45 games at night, including 15 straight wins. With significant College Football Playoff implications, a win over Notre Dame would strengthen the Cougars’ case for its first-ever playoff berth
HOT TAKES “It’s time to talk to your kids about Iowa potentially making the College Football Playoff. Look at the Hawkeyes’ remaining schedule. There are zero teams that are currently ranked. It’s time to open your hearts and minds to this possibility.” – Nicole Auerbach, NBC Sports. “Outside of Trinidad Chambliss, one college football game. It’s all you got to win. Gunner Stockton’s the guy you’re taking.” – Todd McShay, The McShay Show CLICK HERE to submit your hot takes for a chance to be featured in next week’s edition!
Week 7
COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDER // 2026
NEWS IN THE FOUNDATION CHARITY SPOTLIGHT FIESTA SPORTS FOUNDATION AND ARIZONA MILK PRODUCERS TEAM UP FOR “MOO & BOO” DAIRY DRIVE BENEFITING UNITED FOOD BANK
FIESTA BOWL COPPER STATE INVITATIONAL RETURNS FOR SECOND YEAR, BRINGING TOGETHER ARIZONA’S TOP HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL TEAMS AND TALENT After a highly successful inaugural event, Fiesta Sports Foundation is bringing back the Fiesta Bowl Copper State Invitational for its second year, assembling eight of Arizona’s top high school girls flag football programs for this first-of-its-kind midseason tournament featuring unique inter-conference matchups that are not otherwise played in the regular season. Building on the success of the first-ever tournament in 2025, this year’s field includes reigning state champions from the 5A, 4A and 3A classifications alongside 6A semifinalists and at-large qualifiers. Held on Thursday, October 15, and Saturday, October 17, at Arizona State University’s Fields at Dorsey, the tournament kicks off at 2:00 p.m. on October 15 with all eight teams playing three pool-play games to determine seeding. The top four teams will advance to a single-elimination playoff, beginning with semifinals at 2:30 p.m. on October 17 followed by a 4:30 p.m. championship game.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDER // 2026
Fiesta Sports Foundation and Arizona Milk Producers are teaming up to help put milk on the tables of Arizona families facing food insecurity. The organizations are coming together to collect online donations through the “Moo & Boo” Dairy Drive, a Halloween-themed campaign benefiting United Food Bank that runs from October 1-30. During the monthlong Dairy Drive, community members are encouraged to give online at give.unitedfoodbank.org/dairy. Donations help United Food Bank provide milk and other highly requested dairy products to the 140,000+ individuals it serves every month. The drive concludes with a volunteer event on Friday, October 30, from 8:30-11:00 a.m. at the United Food Bank Volunteer Center (358 E. Javelina Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210). Volunteers will pack emergency food boxes and stock the center’s refrigerators with gallons of milk, which will be distributed along with the boxes and other donated dairy products.
Week 7
CFP QUARTERFINAL AT THE Vrbo FIESTA BOWL DECEMBER 30, 2026
CACTUS BOWL
DECEMBER 26, 2026
F I E S TA S P O R T S F O U N D AT I O N . O R G /FIESTABOWL
Week 7
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COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDER // 2026