If you have noticed that there haven’t been many weekly picks on the site, that is because I haven’t had enough time for it. What I did in the meantime was tweet out my picks with minimal research due to my busy schedule. If you’re not following Calhoun’s Corner on Twitter already, click here because you can stay up to date with all the posts, news, and more.
We have a huge Week 6 slate ahead of us, and I’m more than excited to see these games play out. Whether it’s the Red River Shootout or a top-four matchup between Penn State and Iowa. Outside of college football, we also have Wilder-Fury III Saturday night. Anyways, here are my picks for this Saturday:
UConn (0-6) (-3) at UMass (0-5)
They call this game the “Toilet Bowl.” Why? Because UConn and UMass are famous for being the worst teams in college football. UConn has covered the spread the last three games, and I assume they will do it again and win outright against the Minutemen. However, COVID-19 has plagued part of the team, which is a major disadvantage for the Huskies. Their top quarterback, Tyler Phommachanh, is out, so this will be a hard game to watch for either team.
Tune into UConn at UMass at 3:30 PM ET on FloSports/NESN.
#19 Wake Forest (5-0) (-6) at Syracuse (3-2)
The Demon Deacons are currently at the top of the ACC, and they travel north to Syracuse, a team that leads the series 6-4. The last play of Syracuse’s last win against Wake Forest in an overtime thriller at the Carrier Dome still pains me, as two of my sisters went to Wake Forest. Sam Hartman and the Deacs should roll, but they shouldn’t be too cocky about it.
Tune into Wake Forest at Syracuse at 3:30 PM ET on ESPN2.
Maryland (4-1) at #7 Ohio State (4-1) (-21.5)
Maryland is coming off a blowout loss to Iowa that included star quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa throwing five interceptions. With another tough game at Ohio State, does Maryland look better than their fiasco last week? It will be difficult, but I can’t see the Terps being at a lower point than their loss to Iowa. Ohio State will win, especially as they are 6-0 against the Terrapins and 73-19-5 in Homecoming games. Ryan Day’s offense has reached over 500 total yards in 22 of his 30 games as head coach.
Tune into Maryland at Ohio State at 12 PM ET on FOX.
Utah (2-2) at USC (3-2) (-3)
USC has had a rocky start, and a night game against Utah doesn’t get much easier. However, the last time USC lost to Utah at home, the year was 1916. The Trojans want to win back-to-back games for some momentum, especially when they have a bye week next week and play at Notre Dame a week later. USC wins by two touchdowns, but it’s an entertaining game for all four quarters.
Tune into Utah at USC at 8 PM ET on FOX.
#11 Michigan State (5-0) (-4.5) at Rutgers (3-2)
Rutgers has not beaten a ranked opponent since 2009, where they beat #23 USF. With Michigan State hot and Kenneth Walker III leading the way, I can’t see the Spartans losing.
Tune into Michigan State at Rutgers at 12 PM ET on Big Ten Network.
#9 Michigan (5-0) (-2.5) at Nebraska (3-3)
I am very surprised that Michigan is only a 2.5-point favorite against Nebraska, especially when they are a top-ten team right now. Nebraska does have a home-field advantage, with a 48-8 record at home during a primetime matchup. However, Nebraska is cold, while Michigan is hot. That’s only in terms of their football teams. Michigan blows them out.
Tune into Michigan at Nebraska at 7:30 PM ET on ABC.
Boise State (2-3) at #10 BYU (5-0) (-6)
With BYU at home, and Boise State having a rough start to the season, give me BYU by two touchdowns.
Tune into Boise State at BYU at 3:30 PM ET on ABC.
#1 Alabama (5-0) (-18) at Texas A&M (3-2)
Remember when this game was supposed to be a top-six matchup? Texas A&M struggled to start the season, going 0-2 against SEC opponents. This is by far the biggest game of their season, as they won’t play a tougher team than Alabama. The Crimson Tide leads the series 11-2, winning eight straight against the Aggies. Bryce Young and Nick Saban will lead the way as Alabama should take care of business in College Station.
Tune into Alabama at Texas A&M at 8 PM ET on CBS.
LSU (3-2) at #16 Kentucky (5-0) (-2.5)
LSU is 40-16-1 against Kentucky all-time, but Kentucky remains the favorite in this matchup. After a loss, LSU is 16-1 with Coach O, which is a big reason why I’m taking the Tigers. Kentucky has not started 6-0 since 1950, which I think is a drought that continues.
Tune into LSU at Kentucky at 7:30 PM ET on SEC Network.
#14 Notre Dame (4-1) at Virginia Tech (3-1)
The line is even for this game, which makes sense considering Notre Dame has a great defense, and Virginia Tech’s home-field advantage is unmatched. The Fighting Irish lead the series 2-1, while Virginia Tech has won four straight at home. Their biggest test so far this season is Notre Dame, and the last time the Hokies hosted a ranked opponent, they upset North Carolina. I can’t watch this game (thanks ACC Network), but it will be one to watch if you can. I’m taking Notre Dame because they need a bounce-back game, and their defense will step up. Like I said in my rankings post, their offensive line is a problem.
Tune into Notre Dame at Virginia Tech at 7:30 PM ET on ACC Network.
#13 Arkansas (4-1) at #17 Ole Miss (3-1) (-5)
Matt Corral is one of college football’s top quarterbacks, and after a devastating loss to Alabama, the Rebels look to strike back and show what they are made of. Arkansas is also coming off of a road loss at Georgia, so it will be interesting who bounces back in this game. Arkansas leads the series and barely trails in the games played in Oxford. Ole Miss has the fifth-ranked offense in America, which is the deal-breaker for me. Ole Miss at home wins.
Tune into Arkansas at Ole Miss at 12 PM ET on ESPN.
#2 Georgia (5-0) (-14.5) at #18 Auburn (4-1)
Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry is known for that miracle catch for Auburn years ago. Georgia leads the series 61-56-8, winning 16 of the last 20 games. With JT Daniels back starting, and the tough Georgia defense, I think it can be close, but Georgia wins.
Tune into Georgia at Auburn at 3:30 PM ET on CBS.
#6 Oklahoma (5-0) (-3) vs. #21 Texas (4-1)
Ah, the Red River Shootout. One of my favorite rivalries in college football. I can still remember Gus Johnson’s call of Texas’ Cameron Dicker kicking the go-ahead field goal. Oklahoma’s Spencer Rattler is coming off of his best game of the season as the Sooners edged Kansas State. Expect a battle, as always, but Oklahoma isn’t as good as we thought. Watch out for Texas running back Bijan Robinson, who is making a case for himself as the best running back in the country. I’m curious to see how Steve Sarkisian approaches his first-ever Red River Rivalry game. With the experience that Spencer Rattler and Lincoln Riley have, the Sooners get the job done and win four straight against Texas.
Tune into Oklahoma vs. Texas at 12 PM ET on ABC.
#4 Penn State (5-0) at #3 Iowa (5-0) (-2.5)
Penn State leads the series 17-13 and has won four the past five games where both teams were ranked. They have also won six of the last seven matchups, with Iowa beating them the last time they met. Both teams have one of the best scoring defenses in the country, and defense wins championships. Both teams seem pretty even, but with the Hawkeyes at home, I have to take Iowa. Their defense is so good.
Tune into Penn State at Iowa at 4 PM ET on FOX.
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