After an absolutely bonkers Week 6, we’re locked and loaded for yet another satisfying slate of football within our 2021 sim! Let’s get into it!
Games of Note:
Pittsburgh @ #21 Virginia Tech
-Scott: This is shaping up to be one of the more important matchups in the ACC Coastal in 2021. Due to UNC’s frontloaded conference schedule, the Heels are sitting at 5-0 in ACC play, and both of these dangerous squads are trying to stay in the race. Pitt has looked dominant thus far, albeit against lesser competition. The Panthers are led by the nation’s 14th ranked defense, and are coming off a bye. VA Tech pulled the upset against Notre Dame last weekend and entered the rankings for the first time this year. For Pitt, this will be the stiffest test by far, and with a home date with Clemson next week, I think the Panthers may be caught looking ahead. The home team has won the last four, and I think that trend continues for this season. Virginia Tech 27 Pittsburgh 18
-Gavin: Virginia Tech 21, Pittsburgh 17
#24 TCU @ #2 Oklahoma
-Scott: TCU has impressed me thus far this year, and bounced back last week by throttling the Red Raiders in Lubbock. OU is coming off a massive rivalry win over Texas, and the Sooner defense looks as good as ever. Oklahoma has had laser focus all year it seems, and they know they are a playoff favorite. Despite losing seven straight in the series, TCU will be sure to have something schemed up for Lincoln Riley’s offense. Did Texas find some vulnerability in the Sooners last week? I don’t think the Frogs will be able to replicate it all that well. Oklahoma 41, TCU 17
-Gavin: Oklahoma 35, TCU 21
UCF @ #7 Cincinnati
-Scott: While this matchup hasn’t quite lived up to the preseason hype due to a UCF loss at Louisville a few weeks back, this looks to be Cincy’s largest roadblock towards their undefeated season in AAC play. These teams have been the class of the conference for the last three years or so, and I expect Dillon Gabriel to be able to create against this vaunted Bearcat defense. I think both quarterbacks show out here, as Desmond Ridder won’t be outdone. Luke Fickell and the UC playoff push will roll on after a tough test. Cincinnati 35, UCF 28
-Gavin: Cincinnati 31, UCF 17
#5 Florida @ #25 LSU
-Scott: In one of the more underrated rivalries in college football, the Tigers will look to cling to their ever-so-slim SEC championship hopes by defending home turf against the undefeated Gators. UF had an outstanding season last year, but due to a particular piece of footwear, the Tigers upset Dan Mullen and company. Florida will aim to not have their season derailed by the Bayou Bengals. Florida has as good of a playoff chance as anyone, but they can’t be caught napping in a hostile environment. LSU escaped Lexington by the slimmest of margins last week, in a place where Florida cruised a week prior. I really don’t know who to pick here, but with all the wackiness this season, give me the underdog. LSU 30, Florida 29
-Gavin: Florida 28, LSU 24
Miami (FL) @ #8 North Carolina
-Scott: As stated before, the Tar Heels could very well wrap up a division championship sooner rather than later. That most likely means a shot to knock off #1 Clemson and prove themselves as a legit natty contender. UNC’s offense has lived up to the hype, averaging 44.5 PPG through half of their regular season. Miami has a lot of talent on defense, but they weren’t close to slowing down another potent offense in Alabama, and struggled against another good offense in Virginia’s. I think Manny Diaz will have his team up for this game, and D’Eriq King will show up on a pretty big stage. However, I think the Heels have just enough, and the home crowd will prove to be the difference. North Carolina 40, Miami 34
-Gavin: North Carolina 45, Miami 28
#16 Oklahoma State @ #12 Texas
-Scott: The two orange teams of the Big XII face off, and while Texas played a great game last week in the Red River Shootout, they are coming off a devastating loss. OK State is still undefeated, and coming off a bye. But, the schedule difficulty is about to ramp up considerably with Texas this week, and the Top 10 Cyclones awaiting afterwards. This matchup could very well determine who is the challenger to the two favorites in the Big XII. The Cowboys have an amazing defense, but Bijan Robinson will prove to be quite the test. I’m worried about the hangover effect for Texas, but I think a night game in Austin will provide just enough energy for the Horns to finish the game strong. Texas 33, Oklahoma State 26
-Gavin: Texas 35, Oklahoma State 17
#9 Arizona State @ #14 Utah
-Scott: This week’s headliner is one you may not have expected coming into this season. The Sun Devils and Utes are a combined 11-0, and 5-0 in conference. While the Pac-12 has been know to beat itself up, this game could ultimately decide the South division, and maybe even who can emerge as a playoff favorite. The most important matchup on the field will be Jayden Daniels and the ASU explosive backfield against the terrific Ute secondary. Utah’s defense is the #6 scoring D in the country, and the MUSS will be rocking Saturday night. However, Utah is coming off a massive road win at the Coliseum, so there may be a body-blow effect here. I’m predicting another nail-biter, and I’m going to lean towards the home team. Utah 24, Arizona State 21
-Gavin: Utah 28, Arizona State 27
UCLA @ #22 Washington
-Scott: I think this could be sneakily a must-watch game this weekend. Both teams have explosive playmakers on both sides of the ball. This is basically a UCLA offense vs. UW defense matchup, because that’s where the headliners play for both teams. Despite the Huskies’ lackluster road performance in Michigan, they’ve taken care of lesser competition pretty handily. Meanwhile, the Bruins started strong, in defeating LSU and eventually getting to 3-0. They promptly lost two straight following that. Although they snapped their skid last week, it was a one-point OT win against cellar-dweller Arizona. In fact, UCLA has played 3 straight OT games, going 1-2 in that span. I just don’t trust UCLA in a pretty tough environment. Give me UW to continue to keep on winning. Washington 28, UCLA 14
-Gavin: UCLA 38, Washington 28
Upset Picks:
-Scott: BYU @ Baylor
In a matchup that’s only been played twice prior, the Cougars head south to Waco to face future conference rival Baylor. BYU is one of the most bipolar teams in the country, but they’ve looked real good in their last two games against Utah State and Boise. Baylor’s offense exploded for 40 against WVU last week, but I think the Cougars will be able to pin down Gerry Bohannon and the Baylor offense. BYU 24, Baylor 18
-Gavin: Ball State @ Eastern Michigan
Ball State 27, Eastern Michigan 21
That’s it for Week 7 as we cross the halfway point of our 2021 season! Be sure to follow our Twitter coverage this weekend @ncaafbsim to watch along with us!
NCAA 2020 Football Simulation 