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Week 7 viewers guide: A look at Saturday's top games

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Each Friday, theScore will preview the week's best matchups on the college football calendar. Here are the top games to watch in Week 7.

No. 3 Georgia at No. 2 Alabama (8 p.m. ET, CBS)

While most of the Week 7 slate leaves a lot to be desired, Alabama-Georgia props it up with a serious Game of the Year vibe. Despite the fact that Nick Saban won't be on the sidelines due to his positive COVID-19 test, the legendary coach will still hope to improve to 22-0 versus his former assistants, with Kirby Smart looking to finally end the lengthy streak.

The marquee matchup in this one will see Georgia's dominant defense attempt to slow down the machine that is Alabama's offense. The Bulldogs somehow held Tennessee to -1 yards rushing in last week's win, but Najee Harris will have other ideas after piling up a ridiculous 206 yards rushing and five touchdowns versus Ole Miss. On the road, Stetson Bennett and the Bulldogs' offense probably won't be able to keep up with the Crimson Tide, so it's on the defense to keep this one close in Tuscaloosa.

No. 5 North Carolina at Florida State (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC)

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Given the respective programs' histories, many would assume a matchup between North Carolina and Florida State featuring one top-five team would see the Seminoles ranked. This isn't the case in 2020. Mack Brown's fifth-ranked outfit boasts one of the country's top offenses, with stars Sam Howell and Michael Carter coming in rolling. The Tar Heels scored at will against Virginia Tech last week, piling up an incredible 656 yards of total offense. Don't expect that to stop this week in Tallahassee.

Florida State showed signs of life versus Notre Dame last week but is now 0-3 against Power 5 opposition with a combined scoreline of 110-63. We've seen nothing this season that would suggest the Seminoles can keep pace with the Tar Heels on Saturday night, so this one even staying close would be among the day's biggest surprises.

Louisville at No. 4 Notre Dame (2:30 p.m. ET, NBC)

No. 4 Notre Dame is quietly turning in one of the most impressive starts to the season, posting a 3-0 record with a 27-point average margin of victory. Next up is Louisville, which is 0-3 versus Power 5 competition this season and is fresh off a 46-27 loss at Georgia Tech. While the battle between the Fighting Irish's defense and Cardinals quarterback Malik Cunningham will be fun to watch, Notre Dame's offense should put this one comfortably out of reach.

The Cardinals rank 63rd out of 76 teams in points allowed this season and are near the bottom of the ACC in rushing yards allowed per play. That doesn't bode well with the Notre Dame's Kyren Williams and Chris Tyree both averaging 7.5 yards per carry. Unless Louisville can stop the run in South Bend, it could be a long afternoon for Scott Satterfield's program.

No. 11 Texas A&M at Mississippi State (4:00 p.m. ET, SECN)

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The reward for No. 11 Texas A&M after upsetting Florida last weekend at home is a trip to Starkville to face Mississippi State, which is coming off one of the worst offensive performances in recent memory. Kellen Mond was brilliant in the first top-five win of Jimbo Fisher's tenure last week, but the Bulldogs' defense should give the senior quarterback a much tougher time than the Gators did. Mississippi State's pass defense ranks among the best in the SEC, and without Caleb Chapman, the Aggies could struggle to move the ball through the air.

On the other side of the ball, K.J. Costello and the Bulldogs turned in one of the poorest showings for a Mike Leach offense in the storied coach's history with the Air Raid. Since setting the SEC's single-game passing record in the season opener, Mississippi State has scored just 14 points across eight quarters, with Costello throwing seven interceptions over that span. This matchup with the Aggies' defense, which is allowing over 10 yards per completion, could be just what the doctor ordered.

Pitt at No. 13 Miami (Noon ET, ACCN)

All the hype surrounding Miami entering last weekend's game at Clemson died quickly, as the Tigers absolutely dominated the Hurricanes from the jump. The normally high-powered offense had no answer all night, barely topping the 200-yard mark of total offense for the game. While Pitt isn't exactly the softest of landing spots, the Panthers come in off two straight heartbreaking, one-point losses.

The Panthers entered the campaign expecting to boast one of the ACC's best defenses. The run defense has certainly held up its end of the bargain, but the secondary has looked very ordinary of late. The last two games have seen opposing quarterbacks both top the 300-yard passing mark while throwing seven combined touchdowns. Keeping D'Eriq King and the Hurricanes in check through the air will likely decide this contest in Miami.

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