It’ll be nearly impossible for Week 7 to match the chaos of Week 6, but the slate is loaded with exciting matchups.
It features the season’s first matchup of teams ranked in the top three, and the No. 1 team in the country is playing in a famed neutral site rivalry game. The day should be feisty.
Here are the matchups we’ll be monitoring closely on Saturday. Follow all the action live below.
Both teams enter their Cotton Bowl rivalry game off bye weeks. The Longhorns moved to the top spot in the AP Top 25 after Alabama’s loss and Quinn Ewers is back in the starting lineup. Oklahoma will start true freshman Michael Hawkins for the second straight game. If the Sooners are going to pull the upset, Hawkins has to be fantastic and the run game has to get on track.
This game lost some luster after the Trojans fell to Minnesota last week. That dropped them out of the top 25 and crippled their chances of winning the Big Ten. It could still be a dangerous game for Penn State though. The Penn State offense has looked much better in 2024 after an offseason coordinator switch, and the defense has allowed 12 or fewer points in four of its five games.
The marquee game of the weekend should be a doozy. Opposing defenses haven’t yet solved OSU’s two-headed rushing attack and a passing game that features all-world freshman Jeremiah Smith. If the game comes down to quarterback play, Oregon could have the edge. Will Howard has been solid for the Buckeyes, but Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel leads the country in completion percentage and has thrown for 1,449 yards.
This game has all the makings of a shootout. The Rebels enter averaging 44 points per game while LSU is scoring over 35 per game. QB Jaxson Dart has thrown for 2,100 yards already and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier has thrown for 1,652 yards and 15 TDs through five games. The Tigers were off in Week 6 while the Rebels bounced back from their first loss with a resounding win over South Carolina.
Kansas State is a good measuring stick for what appears to be an improved Buffaloes squad. The team has already matched its win total from 2023 and is just two victories away from bowl eligibility. The biggest test for Colorado will be up front on defense. Teams are averaging over 150 rushing yards a game against the Buffaloes and KSU RB DJ Giddens and QB Avery Johnson are each averaging 7.3 yards a carry.
Live63 updates
Penn State touchdown on a trick play!
Tyler Warren makes an unbelievable contested catch for a 32-yard touchdown from Drew Allar, who started the play lined up like a receiver and got the ball on a double pass.
That’s exactly the start Penn State needed to the 2nd half.
USC’s lead cut to 20-13.
Halftime: Texas 21, Oklahoma 3
The Longhorns had a chance to add onto their lead just before the half ended, but kicker Bert Auburn missed a 44-yard field goal.
Another fumble recovered by Texas!
The Sooners just can’t hold onto the ball. On the very first play of the next possession, Oklahoma’s Taylor Tatum fumbled and Texas has it right back with great field position.
There’s 1:30 left in the first half.
Halftime: USC 20, Penn State 6
USC added another field goal from 47 yards out right before the half and the Trojans head into the locker room in complete control. No. 4 Nittany Lions have their work cut out.
Texas scores again!
One play after Texas stripped Oklahoma quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. of the ball on a run, the Longhorns are into the end zone again. This time it’s Quintrevion Wisner running it 43 yards and holding onto the ball for the touchdown.
It’s 21-3 Texas at the Cotton Bowl.
BYU scores on double pass!
The Cougars have taken the lead on Arizona with some trickeration. Jake Retzlaff threw to Parker Kingston, who then threw to LJ Martin for a 33-yard touchdown to give BYU a 14-7 lead.
Touchdown Texas!
Longhorns RB Quintrevion Wisner just broke a 36-yard run deep into Oklahoma territory but was stripped just short of the goal line. Luckily for him, teammate Silas Bolden hopped on the ball in the end zone to score and save him.
It’s 14-3 Texas after the dramatic touchdown.
Penn State kicks FG
The Nittany Lions put a nice drive together, which have been hard to come by for them, but it ends in a 33-yard field goal.
USC still leads 17-6, late 2nd quarter.
USC adds FG
Trojans settle for a 45-yard Michael Lantz field goal after the interception.
It’s a 17-3 USC lead.
USC interception!
The Trojans are all over Penn State so far as Desman Stephens II picks off PSU’s Drew Allar.
USC takes over already deep in PSU territory.
Touchdown Texas!
Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers finds Gunnar Helm on a well-designed screen pass near the goal line and the tight end does the rest of the work from there.
It’s 7-3 Texas.
Arizona leading BYU early
Meanwhile, Arizona is first on the board in Provo. No. 14 BYU is one of four remaining Big 12 teams that are undefeated in conference play coming into this week.
Touchdown USC!
Quinten Joyner gets into the end zone for the 2nd time today, this time on a 9-yard pass from Miller Moss.
That was a quick, efficient 89-yard touchdown drive for the Trojans, who have Penn State on upset watch.
USC is on the move again as the 2nd quarter begins, with the ball in Penn State territory.
Trojans still leading No. 4 Penn State 7-3.
Oklahoma scores first
The Sooners come away with three points after Tyler Keltner makes his second field goal attempt — this time from 42 yards out.
It’s also notable because it’s the first time Texas has trailed so far this season.
There’s still no score in the Red River game, but the Sooners are driving and over midfield now.
Touchdown USC!
Trojans answer Penn State’s FG instantly with Quinten Joyner’s 75-yard TD run.
Tricky play there with a fake reverse. USC takes the lead.
Penn State opens scoring with field goal
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, the Nittany Lions just had a touchdown taken off the board after an offensive pass interference penalty was called on the scoring play.
It was a 14-play drive for PSU that took up more than half of the first quarter, but they’ll be disappointed after having to settle for a field goal.
Oklahoma misses FG
The Sooners were in prime position to put points on the board early in the Red River Rivalry game after Quinn Ewers’ turnover, but their drive stalls out and kicker Tyler Keltner misses a 44-yard field goal.
Interception Oklahoma!
Quinn Ewers has made a big mistake early in his return to action after missing three weeks due to injury. The Texas QB sailed a pass over the middle and it’s picked off by Oklahoma’s Billy Bowman Jr.
