KSL.com Pick’em: Staff picks for Week 7 of college football

SALT LAKE CITY — The college football weekend is back, with a handful of games that could define seasons for teams.

The weekend begins Friday night in a battle between two of the top Group of Six teams in the country, with South Florida traveling to North Texas in a game that could have College Football Playoff implications.

Saturday begins with a heated rivalry between Oklahoma and Texas, with many questions surrounding both programs — but none more on a Texas team that has failed to live up to expectations. Can the Longhorns get the bounce-back win against arguably the best defense in the country?

And then BYU travels to the desert (amid an oncoming Hurricane) to face an Arizona team seemingly finding a rhythm with Noah Fifita back in regular form. It begins a tough closing stretch for the Cougars.

Utah then welcomes reigning Big 12 champion Arizona State to Rice-Eccles Stadium in a late game. The game was expected to be a tough battle between potential Big 12 contenders, but now there’s questions about Sun Devils QB Sam Leavitt being available Saturday night. It’s safe to wait on making this pick until his status is official.

And closing out the night in Hawaii is Utah State off the bye week. Can Bronco Mendenhall continue the momentum with the Aggies to get a another win behind a stellar season for QB Bryson Barnes. The Aggies get the support of star safety Ike Larsen back in the lineup, so that should help, too.

Head on over to KSL.com College Pick’em and fill out your weekly ballot before the games start.