It’s time for Week 6, and a full slate of college football! That can only mean one thing – it’s time for predictions. Lots of good football and interesting match-ups. Be sure to check out the ATS picks at the end.
Top 25
(24) Cincinnati 49 USF 14
Jeff Scott’s days as Head Coach are coming to an end, and getting blown out by Cincinnati this week won’t help his case. A player to watch in this game is Bearcats Linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. he’s been incredible this season and his draft stock is rising rapidly.
(23) Mississippi State 31 Arkansas 17
There’s a good chance KJ Jefferson misses this game, and without him the Razorbacks will struggle. I’m going with Mike Leach and the Bulldogs to win and cover.
(21) Washington 38 Arizona State 24
The Sun Devils fired Herm Edwards, but this is a pesky team capable of causing problems. The Huskies are too good to lose this game, however. Especially if QB Michael Penix Jr and WR Rome Odunze are on point. Look for RB Wayne Taulapapa to have a big game in this one.
Iowa State 24 (20) Kansas State 21
Kansas State is playing great right now, and QB Adrian Martinez has been running all over everyone. My model likes the Cyclones in this one, and it makes sense being how competitive and crazy the Big 12 seems to be. Iowa State lost a close one to Kansas last week, but they have a team that will be competitive in every game.
(17) TCU 45 (19) Kansas 35
College Gameday is heading to Kansas, and I’m super excited for the Jayhawks and the fans because they deserve it. However, not enough is being said about the Horned Frogs though, because they’re also undefeated. This game consists of two offenses capable of scoring, and I think it’s a higher scoring game. TCU has a more complete team, but the Jayhawks are capable of winning because of QB Jalon Daniels.
Notre Dame 31 (16) BYU 24
BYU won last week vs Utah State, but the Aggies moved the ball well with a backup QB. The Irish were off last week, and this is the classic principle of mine where I always pick the unranked team when they’re the favorite over the ranked team. The Irish should be able to establish the run game and move the ball well.
(15) Wake Forest 35 Army 21
Sam Hartman and the Demon Deacons have too much firepower on offense for Army, but I do expect Army to slow this game down and limit the Demon Deacons possessions.
(14) NC State 28 Florida State 24
This should be one of the best games of the weekend. Both teams desperately need to win to stay alive in the Atlantic Division of the ACC after taking losses last week. Before the season, I would’ve had the Wolfpack winning this game by 10-20 easily. But the Noles have earned my respect and should keep it close with potential to win it outright.
(13) Kentucky 27 South Carolina 20
I know most people will have Kentucky winning this big, but my formula has the Gamecocks keeping it close. QB Spencer Rattler will have to play better than he’s played all season for the Gamecocks to stay competitive in this one, and I think he does.
(12) Oregon 38 Arizona 27
Arizona has been impressive this season and QB Jayden de Laura is playing really well. I believe the Wildcats play tough in this game, but the Ducks have too much talent to lose. Duck QB Bo Nix has actually played really well lately and he will have another good game in this one.
(11) Utah 38 (18) UCLA 28
UCLA is undefeated and Utah’s only loss is in Week 1 at Florida, so this game has big implications in the PAC 12. Before the season, I thought the Utes were the better team, and I still believe they’re a more complete team. Give me the Utes to win and cover.
(9) Ole Miss 42 Vanderbilt 21
The Rebels got a big win last week vs Kentucky and they should cruise to another win vs the Commodores. Expect QB Jaxson Dart to get things going in this one and have a big game.
(8) Tennessee 31 (25) LSU 28
LSU has improved since I picked them to lose in Week 1. They have a team good enough to stay competitive vs the Vols. If they want to win they’ll need WR Kayshon Boutte to actually step up and play to his abilities. As much as I believe the Tigers will play competitive, I’m still picking the Vols to win because of the leadership of QB Hendon Hooker. Hooker and the Vols offense runs smoothly and he has major weapons at Wide Receiver.
(7) Oklahoma State 35 Texas Tech 28
Oklahoma State got a massive win last week vs Baylor to stay undefeated. Texas Tech plays tough, but really let the game slip away vs Kansas State last week in the 4th Quarter. The Red Raiders keep this one close, but QB Spencer Sanders and the Cowboys get the win.
(6) USC 38 Washington State 28
Washington State has showed a lot of potential this season and QB Cam Ward is a really solid player. Ultimately, the Trojans have too much firepower and QB Caleb Williams leads them to a win.
(5) Clemson 38 Boston College 10
Clemson announced DL Bryan Breese will miss this game, but the Tigers D-Line should still feast on a horrible Eagles O-Line. Expect Clemson to have 4+ sacks and force turnovers while QB DJ Uiagalelei continues to play well on offense.
(4) Michigan 34 Indiana 14
The Wolverines are a much better team than the Hoosiers with a roster that’s way more talented and deeper. RB Blake Corum has been almost unstoppable, and I expect another big game here.
(3) Ohio State 45 Michigan State 21
The Buckeyes are expected to have WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba and RB TreVeyon Henderson back for this game, and that’s bad news for the Spartans. The Michigan State defense has struggled, especially against the pass. Expect a big game from QB CJ Stroud and the receiving corps in this one, and the Buckeyes win big.
(2) Georgia 35 Auburn 10
This could be the last game for Coach Bryan Harsin, especially if the Tigers get blown out. Georgia hasn’t looked great the last two games, but they shouldn’t have a problem with this Auburn team.
(1) Alabama 38 Texas A&M 17
The Crimson Tide haven’t forgot what happened last season in this game. They win by 3 TDs or more, even if Bryce Young doesn’t play. But I do like the Aggies to cover +25.
Best Unranked Games
- Louisville 31 UVA 30
- Florida 34 Missouri 20
- Purdue 34 Maryland 31
- Texas 38 Oklahoma 24
- Georgia Southern 42 Georgia State 38
- UNC 41 Miami 38
- UTSA 49 WKU 45
- JMU 31 Arkansas State 28
- Illinois 17 Iowa 14
- Stanford 28 Oregon State 24
Remaining Games
- Pittsburgh 28 Virginia Tech 17
- Nebraska 24 Rutgers 17
- Houston 31 Memphis 28
- Buffalo 34 Bowling Green 24
- WMU 40 EMU 28
- Ohio 34 Akron 24
- CMU 44 Ball State 28
- ECU 36 Tulane 28
- Kent State 41 Miami OH 27
- Liberty 38 UMass 17
- UAB 35 MTSU 21
- Toledo 45 NIU 34
- Tulsa 21 Navy 17
- Wisconsin 24 Northwestern 10
- Georgia Tech 29 Duke 28
- Air Force 35 Utah State 21
- Appalachian State 31 Texas State 14
- UConn 21 FIU 20
- Troy 24 Southern Miss 16
- Louisiana Tech 31 UTEP 24
- Wyoming 17 New Mexico 10
- Coastal Carolina 42 ULM 21
- Boise State 24 Fresno State 17
- SDSU 26 Hawaii 20
Free ATS Picks
- Colorado State +3.5
- LSU +3.5
- TCU -6.5
- Texas Tech +10
- Notre Dame -3
- Iowa State +2
- Stanford +7
- ECU +3.5
