By Chris Carlson: Week 5 standouts were TCU demolishing Oklahoma, big victories from Oklahoma State, and Wake Forest among others. Week 6 has its fair of close matchups on paper with 3 ranked versus ranked in the SEC, Big-12, and Pac-12 so once again buckle up for another slate of College Football games. 16 programs remain unbeaten who will fall this week?
Marquee Matchups
#8 Tennessee vs. #25 LSU: Newly ranked LSU has a chance to earn a major home win this Saturday. Can Tennessee avoid the massive hype sinking into player’s minds from what has been a tremendous start from the Vols? Clearly Tennessee has the advantage at quarterback with Hendon Hooker taking the next step combined with LSU QB Jaylen McDaniels possibly not at full strength and was seen limping from a knee injury of sorts leaving the game last week. The stat that is a real key here especially for the Tigers is LSU holding teams to 184 passing compare to Tennessee giving up 309 yards thru the air per game. The question of can LSU exploit the Volunteers secondary will likely decided the outcome.
The Pick: Tennessee -3
#17 TCU vs. #19 Kansas: Two surprise teams in the Big-12 go head to head in a battle of undefeated foes. TCU manhandled the Sooners in Week 5 but can they summon the overcome a letdown in Lawrence? Kansas snuck one out against the Cyclones and will need to be more explosive on offense to compete with the Horned Frogs. So far through 5 games the Jayhawks have 3 closely-contested games will they finally get beat by a team in TCU who’s only close one came versus SMU two weeks ago. This marquee matchup has shootout written all over it so whoever has the ball last will likely be the winner.
The Pick: Kansas +7 TCU gets the “W” but Kansas scores late.
Under The Radar
#11 Utah vs. #18 UCLA: This game is flying under the radar to an extent but don’t you dare sleep on this Pac-12 matchup. Utah lost on the road in the swamp to Florida but has managed to string some wins together coming off a route of the Beavers. UCLA started fast and survived a late push by Washington last week. The Bruins are better at stopping the run than the Utes statistically speaking but that can be seen as misleading giving the strength of schedule. I do like the way Utah stepped on the Beavers throat last week showing the killer instincts whereas UCLA allowed the Huskies back in that game.
The Pick: Utah wins and covers as the -3.5 favorite.
#16 BYU vs. Notre Dame: BYU damn-near got caught looking ahead to the Irish almost losing to a down Utah State. After starting 0-2 Notre Dame found a way to right the ship for now with close wins over California and North Carolina. The Irish coming off a bye week means extra game planning of course their offense isn’t as good as Oregon, which is BYU’s only blemish.
BYU QB Jaren Hall is a difference maker and with his main pass catchers in Puka Nacua and Chase Roberts probable to return it could very well push BYU over the top.
The Pick: BYU +3.5
Saturday Upset Special
Iowa is due to pull off an upset over Illinois, assuming it will come in ugly fashion but the Hawkeyes win.
Hardcore Barnburners
#20 Kansas State vs. Iowa State: Will the Wildcats keep the ball rolling after back to back impressive victories over Oklahoma and Texas Tech? Can Iowa State finally get over the hump and deliver a much needed win in the Big-12?
The Pick: Kansas State -2
Maryland vs. Purdue: Purdue just knocked off Minnesota on the road and now travel to Maryland. The Terps have the look of a team that will compete in the wide-open Big Ten West. Odds favor the Boilermakers not winning on the road again.
The Pick: Maryland -3 but admittedly not all that confident
Against The Spread
Arkansas +9.5 versus Mississippi State
Washington State +13 versus USC
Florida State +3 versus #14 NC State
Quick Hits Recap
-TCU pulled a major upset off the back of their defense & quarterback Max Duggan putting up 302 passing yards throwing 3 TD’s in a beat down over the Sooners 55-24. Duggan also rushed for 116 yards and 2 TD’s.
-UCLA QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson came up big in a victory over a ranked Washington throwing for 315 yards & scoring 4 total touchdowns in the 40-32 win.
-Utah QB Cameron Rising had 4 TD’s combined in a dominant 42-16 win over a good Oregon State squad.
-Mississippi State signal caller Will Rodgers threw for 328 yards and 3 TD’s in an impressive win over Texas A&M 42-24.
-The Kansas Jayhawks held off Iowa State 14-11 moving to 5-0 for the first time since 2009.
-QB Adrian Martinez backed up last week’s breakout game with 171 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns in a nice win over a scrappy Texas Tech 37-28.
-Coastal Carolina QB Grayson McCall (335 yards 3 TD’s) & WR Jared Brown (139 yards 1TD) teamed up to defeat Georgia Southern 34-30.
Written by Chris Carlson Host of The College Ball Show Podcast available at blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio & Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio