If you remember a couple weeks ago during week 5, we talked about “Separation Saturday,” which is loosely defined as a weekend featuring 6 or more games between ranked opponents. While that weekend was a bit of a disappointment, the further we get into the 2022 season, the more these games between ranked opponents become meaningful.
This weekend brings us a full-course meal of collegiate football, close to 12 hours of competitive games that have a lot of meaning. Take the #10-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions’ matchup against #5-ranked Michigan Wolverines, at the Big House. An 11am Big 10 game between two top 10-ranked opponents, while the newly ranked Illinois Fighting Illini try to prove they deserve to be in the top 25 against a hungry Minnesota Golden Gophers play at the same time? Count me in. Two very strong Big 10 games right out of the gate.
I’m most excited to see Alabama Crimson Tide (#3) on the road against a hot, #8-ranked Tennessee Volunteers. Alabama was almost upset by a medicore-at-best Texas A&M team last week, and Knoxville is one of the toughest places to play in all of college football. When we look back at the end of the season to remember who-beat-who, this will certainly be one of the games the NCAA committee will pay close attention.
Week 7: October 12 — October 15, 2022
Penn State (#10) at Michigan (#5)
@ Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan
11:00 AM CT, FOX
Penn State Nittany Lions Chicago bars: A. J. Hudson’s Public House
Michigan Wolverines Chicago bars: Celtic Crown, Duffy’s Tavern & Grille, Whiskey Business
Minnesota at Illinois (#24)
@ Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois
11:00 AM CT, BTN
Minnesota Gophers Chicago bars: The Other Side Bar
Illinois Fighting Illini Chicago bars: Bird’s Nest, Budweiser Brickhouse Tavern, Joe’s Bar on Weed Street, Parlay at Joy District, Schoolyard Tavern & Grill, The Ogden
Alabama (#3) at Tennessee (#6)
@ Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee
2:30 PM, CBS
Alabama Crimson Tide Chicago bars: Houndstooth Saloon
Tennessee Volunteers Chicago bars: Riverview Tavern
Oklahoma State (#8) at TCU (#13)
@ Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas
2:30 PM, ABC
TCU Horned Frogs Chicago bars: Joe’s Bar on Weed Street
NC State (#15) at Syracuse (#18)
@ JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, New York
2:30 PM, ACCN
North Carolina State Wolfpack Chicago bars: Sheffield’s Beer & Wine Garden
USC (#7) at Utah (#20)
@ Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, Utah
7:00 PM, FOX
USC Tojans Chicago bars: Highline Bar & Grill
Utah Utes Chicago bars: Nisei Lounge