This week, we’re approaching our discussion a bit differently here at the college football overreaction center.

The numerous games in Week 7 that hinged on a single play highlight just how narrow the line is between victory and defeat in college football. However, fans and analysts often put more weight on these results than may be necessary. Even fans of winning teams sometimes feel their squad is on the verge of a major collapse.

As we hit the midpoint of the season, let’s explore a few key teams in the sport and determine if there’s real reason for alarm. We acknowledge that teams with two losses are likely in crisis mode — a salute to fans in Oxford, Mississippi, Norman, Oklahoma, and Salt Lake City — and we’ll instead focus on playoff contenders who might or might not have valid concerns.

Columbus, Ohio

Ohio State fans are notorious for their level-headedness when things go awry. Just kidding! But seriously, Buckeye fans, things aren’t as dire as they seem.

It would indeed be great to see a Ryan Day-coached team successfully execute a game-winning drive. Nevertheless, if Ohio State faces Oregon again — which seems likely — it will take place on neutral ground, allowing the Buckeyes to remove common issues like false starts that stem from a hostile environment.

A more challenging road test awaits in a few weeks — stay tuned for that discussion below — and if similar late-game struggles occur, it could signal a worrying trend. But for now, all of Ohio State’s season goals remain within reach.

Athens, Georgia

Georgia has secured victories in its last two outings since losing to Alabama, yet Bulldogs fans still noticed numerous issues in those wins. Despite not being in real jeopardy of losing, Georgia took more than a half to overcome Auburn and allowed over 300 passing yards to a Mississippi State team without any wins in Bowl Subdivision play. Concerns started even before the Alabama game, with the UGa offense struggling in a narrow victory against Kentucky. With various units faltering at different times, a pattern indicating a troubling lack of focus has left Dawgs fans anxious ahead of their upcoming road game against No. 1 Texas.

A win in Austin would ease those worries significantly, bringing the panic meter down to levels akin to the dominant season opener against Clemson. Yet the absence of a complete performance since then remains a valid concern.

State College, Pennsylvania

After a disappointing first half at the L.A. Coliseum, Nittany Lions fans felt a mix of despair and relief when the team managed to rally for an overtime victory against the Trojans. Drew Allar and his teammates made crucial plays, but it remains questionable whether the Lions possess the ability for big plays necessary to compete with Ohio State in three weeks, or potentially against Oregon in the Big Ten championship.

For now, fans can take pride in reaching 6-0 and look forward to the upcoming bye week. Ideally, they would like to see a drama-free game at Wisconsin before facing the Buckeyes.

Tuscaloosa, Alabama and Knoxville, Tennessee

The positive news for both Alabama and Tennessee is that one will secure an important victory next week. However, the loser will likely find themselves in a state of panic — and rightfully so.

The intrigue surrounding this upcoming matchup lies in both teams’ struggling units. Alabama’s difficulties on third downs could prove costly again, while Tennessee’s offense has been average since the start of SEC play. It’s reasonable to anticipate these issues creating significant anxiety among fans in the coming week.

Big 12 Headquarters

As Utah faced its second straight loss late Saturday night, a defeat that likely knocked the team out of Big 12 title contention, some online discussions revolved around the possibility that the eventual champion might not be one of the four highest-ranked teams from the conference. Such a situation could potentially allow a champion from a Group of Five league to secure a top-four seed and a first-round bye in the expanded playoff format.

Could this become a reality? It’s not impossible, especially given that Iowa State and Brigham Young maintained their perfect records later on Saturday, easing some of those concerns. The race for the conference title remains wide open, so no need for alarm at the Big 12 office just yet.