Phil’s Friday Forecast – Week 7

For the last season and a half, I’ve posted my picks on X for who will win some of the big college football games of any given week. I’ve called it “Phil’s Friday Forecast,” and then post a follow-up called “Phil’s Friday Follow-Up.” This week, I thought I’d do it differently and give a brief explanation of why I think a specific team will win a game. So, here goes nothing.

#14 North Texas over South Florida

I like North Texas because of their true freshman quarterback, Drew Mestemaker. Mestemaker has 1,247 passing yards, 11 touchdown passes, and zero interceptions. He’s playing at such a high level that North Texas is a playoff dark horse, and Mestemaker may be lured away from North Texas after 2025 and into a Power Conference.

#23 Washington over Rutgers

Washington is tough at home, and these coastal trips in the Big Ten have been murder this season. Washington has shown grit in how they competed with Ohio State, and how they made a huge comeback to beat undefeated Maryland. Washington goes to 5-1.

Utah over #21 Arizona State

This is a tough game to pick. Both teams have elite quarterbacks. I think Arizona State has a few more offensive weapons for their quarterback, but Utah has a little bit better defense. I like the Utes at home, though.

Utah State over Hawaii

I like quarterback Bryson Barnes, running back Miles Davis, and the USU offense. I like how much better Hawaii has looked from top to bottom this year. While Hawaii is at home and much improved, I like the Aggies offense to get them the win.

#18 Alabama over #12 Missouri

This game features two players that can very well be in New York in December as Heisman trophy finalists. Ty Simpson and Ahmad Hardy have been fantastic, and this game could come down to which one of these guys can create a Heisman moment. My pick in that case is Simpson. He’s been great for Bama all year, and in some tough games.

#2 Oregon over #5 Indiana

Same as the Bama vs. Mizzou game, this could be a matchup of Heisman finalists with Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore. Again, those coastal trips in the Big Ten this season have been very tough. The travel for Indiana and the homefield advantage for Oregon is why I’m taking the Ducks.

#10 Oklahoma over Texas

This game is still super important nationally, despite Texas’ stumble in Florida. If Oklahoma can keep winning until John Mateer returns (I’m doubting he will on Saturday, despite the rumors), they’ll stay at the top of the SEC. Texas is still a good team, that is wounded. Wounded teams are dangerous. I still give the nod to OU, but I wouldn’t be surprised at all by a Texas win.

#24 Nebraska over Maryland

Maryland and Nebraska find themselves in similar situations of being competitive, winning teams in the Big Ten, but trying to turn that corner to compete for the Big Ten title. After Maryland let the win over Washington slip away, Nebraska looks like they’re closer to that mutual goal right now.   

#9 Texas Tech over Kansas

Kansas has a fantastic offense and can score with anyone. Tech though has a great offense of their own, and a defense that is good enough to stop a good offense. Hence the blowouts in Texas Tech’s favor. While this won’t be a blowout, the Red Raiders should win.

#7 Texas A&M over Florida

The Aggies would love nothing more than to beat the team that just upset their archrivals, the Longhorns. At the same time, Florida found that they’re still a capable team that can compete with anyone. I like the Aggies as a whole this season, they’re a more complete team. 

#19 Georgia over Auburn

Auburn is in desperation mode, and Georgia has been here before. Kirby Smart holds the edge over Hugh Freeze, and Gunnar Stockton has one over Jackson Arnold at this point. Georgia wins the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.

USC over michigan

Losing on the road at Illinois has USC and their fans fighting the feelings of déjà vu, reminding them of Big Ten play last year. I actually think michigan, with Justice Haynes, will beat USC. But I’m hoping the struggle of traveling across three time zones beats michigan and their cheating coach.

LSU over South Carolina

South Carolina is having a rough year, and it doesn’t get any easier with having to go to Death Valley. LSU has one of the best home-field advantages. This should be a win for them. But South Carolina has a puncher’s chance, so an upset here wouldn’t surprise me.

Notre Dame over NC State

CJ Carr has been a top 25 quarterback this entire season. Even in the losses to Texas A&M and Miami, Carr was a big reason the Irish were in those games to the very end. Carr has grown every week, too. I don’t think NC State can disrupt him enough to win.

#8 Georgia Tech over Virginia Tech

Georgia Tech hasn’t forgotten their 21-6 defeat in Blacksburg. Haynes King is a legitimate Heisman candidate. King continues to do it in the air and on the ground, and Georgia Tech wins.

#6 Navy over Temple

Navy is on the road against Temple, but the program is so used to playing in Philly that it feels like a second home. Blake Horvath and Eli Heidenreich are outstanding players who will enter the Heisman conversation as long as Navy is a playoff contender. Navy goes to 6-0.

#15 UNLV over Air Force

Speaking of undefeated Group of Five teams with playoff hopes, UNLV will play an Air Force team that gave Navy all they wanted, and then some, last week. People of Vegas should go watch Dan Mullen and the Rebels go to 6-0 on Saturday.

#1 Ohio State over #16 Illinois

I think it’s because of Bret Bielema, but this reminds me of the upset of Ohio State he pulled off at Wisconsin in 2010. The difference is, that team was a little surprised, and dug themselves into a hole early. I expect this Buckeye team to be ready from the beginning and beat Illinois, even if it’s a close contest.

#25 Cincinnati over UCF

The Bearcats are in the best spot they’ve been in as a program in the Scott Satterfield Era. Brendan Sorsby wills this team to touchdowns and victory at times. Satterfield, Sorsby, and Cincinnati are more settled and confident as a program than Scott Frost and UCF are at the moment.  

#20 Tennessee over Arkansas

Joey Aguilar, Chris Brazzell II, Josh Heupel, and the Vols offense will just be too much for Arkansas. This one could be as lopsided as Arkansas’s loss to Notre Dame. Tennessee’s offense is playing that well this season.

#3 BYU over Arizona

I’ve been high on BYU and their consistent growth all season long. It’s what I expect them to do, to beat Arizona. Bear Bachmeier will continue to play well and grow, while LJ Martin will continue to lead a running game that crushes opponents.

2025 Record: 59-48 (Overall: 161-91)

Writer’s Note: All Rankings are from the latest college football Power Rankings at

TheForkball.com.