College football: Week 7 will deliver the biggest Big Ten matchup yet

Ann Arbor, Michigan – Keeping the college football madness rolling, Week 7 of the 2022 season is slated to be a heavy-hitter with six top-ranked conference games and three undefeated matchups.

Kyle Hicks (l.) of the TCU Horned Frogs carried the ball against Chad Whitener of the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the teams' previous matchup from 2016.
Kyle Hicks (l.) of the TCU Horned Frogs carried the ball against Chad Whitener of the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the teams' previous matchup from 2016.  © TOM PENNINGTON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

The battles will begin with a Big Ten clash between the Michigan Wolverines and the Penn State Nittany Lions for a noon-sharp showdown on Saturday.

The game will be the biggest Midwest matchup of the season yet and will serve as the first round battle for the Division East conference title.

Saturday's afternoon pack of games will see the SEC rivalry between No. 6 Tennessee and No. 3 Alabama, and a huge meetup in the Big 12 between Oklahoma State and TCU.

The pairings are sure to overtake the crazy weekend of football madness. The SEC marquee game will be the first time since 1989 that both teams face each other undefeated. And with Oklahoma State and TCU being the last programs of the Big 12 also undefeated, the winner will determine who will take the lead in the race to become division champions.

As we rapidly approach postseason, all eyes will be on the Big Ten first. Here's what you need to know about the biggest matchup of the weekend: Michigan vs Penn State.

Michigan vs Penn State: Who will move forward undefeated in the Big Ten?

Anthony Whigan (c.) of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after a play against the Michigan Wolverines when the two teams played last year.
Anthony Whigan (c.) of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after a play against the Michigan Wolverines when the two teams played last year.  © SCOTT TAETSCH / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

The biggest game of the Big Ten so far this season is finally upon us.

The Nittany Lions are traveling to Ann Arbor coming off a bye weekend with a perfect 5-0 record that includes two road wins.

Penn State is led by veteran quarterback Sean Clifford and a much improved running game with freshmen running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen.

Since their nail-biter win against Purdue in Week 1, Pennsylvania has dominated the field this season and cruised past their opponents. While their defense has been off to a strong start, forcing 12 turnovers this season, their hands will surely be full when going toe-to-toe with Michigan's offense.

Led by running back Blake Corum, the junior is one of the top rushers in the nation with 735 yards and is No. 2 with 11 rushing touchdowns. Corum has been the biggest threat on the Wolverines offense, making the job easy for first-year starting quarterback JJ McCarthy.

Though McCarthy has been efficient in passing the ball so far this season, Michigan has played one of the easiest non-conference schedules in the country, and faced no real competition on the field.

Already knocking off Maryland, Iowa, and Indiana in conference play, the visiting Nittany Lions will be Michigan’s toughest test by a large margin.

Cover photo: SCOTT TAETSCH / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

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