CBS Sports Network’s coverage of the 2023 college football season continues in Week 7, and the lineup is loaded with a season-high seven games set to air this week. The slate kicked off with a Conference USA matchup between Louisiana Tech and Middle Tennessee. A second Conference USA clash follows on Wednesday, as New Mexico State and Sam Houston square off in a battle of conference newcomers.
After a break from the action on Thursday, the Mountain West takes the spotlight on Friday when Fresno State, fresh off its first loss of the season, visits Utah State. It’s the final appetizer before the main course arrives, with four games set for Saturday.
CBS Sports Network’s Saturday slate starts at noon with a MAC matchup between Eastern Michigan and Kent State, followed by Army West Point hosting Troy in the afternoon. The Mountain West then returns as the focus for both night games. Air Force hosts surging Wyoming in the early evening before Hawaii hosts San Diego State in a late-night showdown.
From Murfreesboro, Tennessee, all the way to Honolulu, Hawaii, CBS Sports Network will be with you every step of the way in Week 7. Key storylines and more for the network’s upcoming games are below.
All times Eastern | Odds via SportsLine consensus
Sam Houston at New Mexico State
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 11 | Time: 9 p.m.
Location: Aggie Memorial Stadium– Las Cruces, New Mexico
TV: CBS Sports Network [Channel finder]
Live stream: CBSSports.com | Mobile: CBS Sports App (Free)
Spread: New Mexico State -4 | Will the Aggies cover? Check out SportsLine’s Week 7 projections here
Sam Houston remains winless (0-5) in its first season at the FBS level, but the Bearkats have come achingly close to a victory each of the past two weeks. After losing in overtime to Jacksonville State in Week 5, Sam Houston nearly upset Liberty as a three-touchdown underdog on the road in Week 6, having a chance to score the game-winning touchdown in the final minute of play before turning it over on downs in the red zone. We’ll see if a breakthrough comes against New Mexico State, which is 3-3 after beating FIU in Week 6 but has yet to string together consecutive wins in 2023.
Fresno State at Utah State
Date: Friday, Oct. 13 | Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Maverik Stadium — Logan, Utah
TV: CBS Sports Network [Channel finder]
Live stream: CBSSports.com | Mobile: CBS Sports App (Free)
Spread: Fresno State -6 | Will the Bulldogs cover? Check out SportsLine’s Week 7 projections here
Entering Week 6, Fresno State looked like the Group of Five team to beat after sitting 5-0 and at No. 24 in the AP rankings. That all changed with a loss at Wyoming, snapping what was the nation’s second-longest winning streak at 14 games. Now comes another road game for the Bulldogs, this time against a Utah State team that has now won back-to-back games after starting 1-3. This game features two of the top-20 passing attacks in the FBS, but the Aggies must overcome a typically stout Fresno State defense. The Bulldogs have held their opponent to 10 points or less three times through six games, including a shutout victory at Arizona State in Week 3.
Kent State at Eastern Michigan
Date: Saturday, Oct. 14 | Time: Noon
Location: Rynearson Stadium — Ypsilanti, Michigan
TV: CBS Sports Network [Channel finder]
Live stream: CBSSports.com | Mobile: CBS Sports App (Free)
Spread: Eastern Michigan -10 | Will the Eagles cover? Check out SportsLine’s Week 7 projections here
Don’t expect this game to be won on offense. Kent State and Eastern Michigan account for two of the least productive teams when it comes to moving the football, ranking 128th and 129th in total offense, respectively, out of 130 FBS teams. Both have struggled defensively as well. The Eagles rank 92nd in total defense, while the Golden Flashes sit 105th. An offense and defense that both rank outside the top 100 explains much as to why Kent State enters this one sitting 1-5 and as a 10-point underdog against a relatively pedestrian Eastern Michigan team.
Troy at Army
Date: Saturday, Oct. 14 | Time: 3:30 p.m.
Location: Michie Stadium — West Point, New York
TV: CBS Sports Network [Channel finder]
Live stream: CBSSports.com | Mobile: CBS Sports App (Free)
Spread: Troy -4.5 | Will the Trojans cover? Check out SportsLine’s Week 7 projections here
While defense is the strength for both teams in this matchup, Troy has fared extremely well against the run. The Trojans are holding opponents to just 86 rushing yards on average, a mark that is good for 10th overall in the FBS. How Troy handles the Black Knights’ always-challenging triple-option offense could go a long way in deciding the outcome of this matchup. The Trojans already have the momentum of a three-game winning streak as they head to West Point, New York, while Army is looking to avoid a third-straight loss.
Wyoming at Air Force
Date: Saturday, Oct. 14 | Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Falcon Stadium — United States Air Force Academy, Colorado
TV: CBS Sports Network [Channel finder]
Live stream: CBSSports.com | Mobile: CBS Sports App (Free)
Spread: Air Force -10.5 | Will the Falcons cover? Check out SportsLine’s Week 7 projections here
This is a big Mountain West matchup as both teams enter undefeated in conference play. Air Force has ridden both the nation’s top rushing attack and No. 2 defense to a perfect 5-0 start overall, averaging 329.8 yards on the ground and limiting opponents to just 223.8 total yards on average. Don’t expect that to faze a resilient Wyoming squad. The Cowboys rallied back from down 17 points during their Week 1 double-overtime win against Texas Tech, and most recently knocked off a previously-unbeaten Fresno State team. If Wyoming looks to pull off yet another upset, limiting Air Force on the ground will be paramount. While the Cowboys defense ranks a pedestrian 77th against the run, it has only surrendered three rushing touchdowns on the season.
San Diego State at Hawaii
Date: Saturday, Oct. 14 | Time: 11 p.m.
Location: Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex — Honolulu
TV: CBS Sports Network [Channel finder]
Live stream: CBSSports.com | Mobile: CBS Sports App (Free)
Spread: San Diego State -6 | Will the Aztecs cover? Check out SportsLine’s Week 7 projections here
Coming off a bye week, San Diego State enters this one desperately looking to stop the bleeding. The Aztecs have lost four straight games following a 2-0 start to the season, plagued by a defense that is surrendering 439.7 yards on average. San Diego State suffered its most lopsided loss of the season in Week 5, dropping a 49-10 decision at Air Force. That loss also marked the third time in four games that San Diego State scored 10 or fewer points. If the offense can’t find a spark Saturday, things could get dicey against a Rainbow Warriors squad that owns one of the better passing attacks within the Group of Five. Hawaii is averaging 278.7 yards through the air, good for 30th among all FBS teams.
