Exams are over for me, and I’m starting to get a routine where I can work on Calhoun’s Corner, the Daily Campus, UCTV, and have enough time for my social life and academics. It’s hard to balance and I learned that the hard way. Week 6 is one of my favorite weeks in college football. In my Daily Campus article, I described weeks 5-7 as, in golf terms, the “Amen Corner” of college football. It’s the midway point of the regular season. The highlighted game normally this week is Texas-Oklahoma, but neither team is ranked and College Gameday decided to go to TCU-Kansas instead. However, there are many games to get excited about today. Let’s take a look at those games and my predictions:
Arkansas (3-2) at #23 Mississippi State (4-1) (-9)
It wouldn’t surprise me if Arkansas wins this game. They’re a strong team, with KJ Jefferson at quarterback and Raheem Sanders at running back. The game is in Starkville, and the Razorbacks’ defense has not been as impressive as it should be. Arkansas leads the all-time series 18-12-1, with an 8-7 edge at Davis Wade Stadium. I’ll take the Bulldogs by a field goal in a very close noon game.
Tune into Arkansas at Mississippi State at 12 PM ET on SEC Network.
#16 BYU (4-1) vs. Notre Dame (2-2) (-3.5)
BYU has a better team this year, but Notre Dame has fared well against BYU and has a perfect 10-0 record in the Shamrock Series. With a big win at North Carolina, the Fighting Irish seek to continue their momentum in Las Vegas. While BYU has a better scoring offense, I think Notre Dame’s defense controls this game.
Tune into BYU vs. Notre Dame at 7:30 PM ET on NBC/Peacock.
Florida State (4-1) at #14 NC State (4-1) (-3)
NC State has won four of the last five meetings against Florida State, and it helps to be home in Raleigh for tonight’s game. It would be the first time ever that the Wolfpack won three consecutive games against the Seminoles. With Devin Leary leading the way, I’ll take my chances on NC State winning tonight.
Tune into Florida State at NC State at 8 PM ET on ACC Network.
Washington State (4-1) at #6 USC (5-0) (-13)
USC is my favorite team in college football this season. With such a talented offense playing in the evening at home today, I think it will be a blowout win for the Trojans. Washington State has lost 30 of the last 34 meetings in Los Angeles.
Tune into Washington State at USC at 7:30 PM ET on FOX.
#20 Kansas State (4-1) (-1.5) at Iowa State (3-2)
Iowa State is coming off back-to-back losses to Kansas and Baylor. They cannot afford to lose three straight, which is why I have the Cyclones winning this game. Iowa State has won their last six night games at Jack Trice Stadium. It will be their last seven after tonight.
Tune into Kansas State at Iowa State at 7:30 PM ET on ESPNU.
Auburn (3-2) at #2 Georgia (5-0) (-29.5)
Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry has not been as good as it has shown throughout the long history of the rivalry. Georgia has won five straight and 16 of the last 21 games. Surprisingly, Auburn holds a winning record in Athens (18-16). Georgia did not look recognizable against Missouri last week, but I’m sure they will come into this rivalry game with a chip on their shoulder as they dropped to 2nd in the country. With Stetson Bennett leading the way, the Georgia Bulldogs should handle the Tigers.
Tune into Auburn at Georgia at 3:30 PM ET on CBS.
Texas A&M (3-2) at #1 Alabama (5-0) (-24)
Alabama lost on a game-winning field goal a year ago in Bryan-College Station, Texas. This year, the Nick Saban-Jimbo Fisher rivalry has grown stronger, and the Crimson Tide are coming into Bryant-Denny Stadium with a chip on their shoulder. They’re seeking revenge. However, Bryce Young is out against the Aggies tonight. I’ll take Alabama, even with their second-string quarterback.
Tune into Texas A&M at Alabama at 8 PM ET on CBS.
#8 Tennessee (4-0) (-3) at #25 LSU (4-1)
LSU has won the last five meetings between these two schools, with the last Tennessee win coming in 2005. The reason I’ll take LSU in this game is because of their defense and how strong it has been so far this season against their opponents. It will be up to Hendon Hooker and the Vols to put the streak to an end, but Death Valley is a tough atmosphere to play in, even at noon.
Tune into Tennessee at LSU at 12 PM ET on ESPN.
Texas (3-2) (-8.5) vs. Oklahoma (3-2)
The Red River Showdown has always been a great rivalry that always seems to exceed expectations. Last year, Texas blew a 28-7 lead against Oklahoma last year, when Caleb Williams made the substitution for Spencer Rattler and the Sooners won 55-48 in a thriller. This year’s edition is the first game where both teams are unranked since 1998, where the Longhorns handled Oklahoma, 34-3. Quinn Ewers is back and will start today for Texas, boosting an offense that already is full of talent. With him and Bijan Robinson leading the Longhorns’ offense, I think Oklahoma’s streak comes to an end today at the Cotton Bowl.
Tune into Texas vs. Oklahoma at 12 PM ET on ABC.
#17 TCU (4-0) (-6.5) at #19 Kansas (5-0)
This is the unpopular pick, but I’m picking who I think is going to win, not who I want. Seeing Kansas ranked makes me think, “Is this 2007?” It certainly could be that type of year for the Jayhawks, as they are hosting College Gameday for the first time ever and are ranked for the first time since 2008. TCU is ranked second in total offense, thanks to a strong rushing offense led by Kendre Miller. The Booth, short for David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, is sold out for the third consecutive week, but I don’t think that will be enough. TCU has won nine of the last ten meetings between these Big 12 teams, with Kansas winning in 2018.
Tune into TCU at Kansas at 12 PM ET on FS1.
#11 Utah (4-1) (-3.5) at #18 UCLA (5-0)
UCLA needs a full capacity stadium in order to say that the Bruins have a home-field advantage. Utah has won five straight against them, and this may be their best team to ever play UCLA. While the Bruins are undefeated, I’ll take the Utes in Pasadena.
Tune into Utah at UCLA at 3:30 PM ET on FOX.
Calhoun's Corner 