What a week of college football, Week 6 has in store for us.
The Red River Shootout/Rivalry between the #1 Texas Longhorns vs the Oklahoma Sooners. No matter the rankings, this game is always chippy and physical.
#14 Missouri Tigers are coming off a big win over (then ranked) #8 Florida, and they’re taking on the Texas A&M Aggies (who are rumored to be under investigation for NIL violations). Can the Tigers handle being the hunted, instead of the hunter???
Can Nebraska Cornhuskers coach Matt Rhule FINALLY beat a ranked team? They take on last year’s National Champions, #7 Indiana Hoosiers. Personally, I’m saying doubt it.
With so many options to choose from, it’s hard to pin down a list, but, here are the 3 games you should watch…..
1) #20 Iowa Hawkeyes (4-1) at Washington Huskies (3-2)
Game starts at 9:00 PM (EST), Friday night, on FOX.
Both teams are coming off crushing losses (Iowa to Ohio State at home, and Washington at USC).
While, Iowa was simply outclassed on the field, Washington SHOULD have won, and simply choked the game away.
It seems like Iowa has finally found a good QB in Senior Hank Brown (832 yards, 5 TDs, and 1 INT). As usual with the Hawkeyes, it’s all about defense and the running game. Senior Kamari Moulton gets the bulk of the carries (50 carries for 311 yards, and 2 TDs), but Braeden Jackson, Xavier Williams, and Nathan McNeil all have over 100 yards on the ground. Senior LB Cam Buffington has 44 tackles to lead the team, and DE Joesph Anderson has 3 sacks.
Washington has one of my favorite dual-threat QBs to watch, Demond Williams Jr (1,327 yards, 8 TDs and 3 INTs in the passing game, 53 carries for 191 yards, and 2 TDs running). On defense, it all runs through Senior safety Alex McLaughlin, as he leads the team in total tackles (36), sacks (2.5), and INTs (2).
The Huskies are favored by 3 points (as of this writing).
Prediction – I badly want to take Washington. My gut is telling me that Williams will try too hard and cost his team the game late. Give me the Iowa Hawkeyes in a close 28-27 upset win.
2) #21 UCLA Bruins (4-0) at #13 Oregon Ducks (3-1).
Game starts at 3:30 PM (EST), Saturday afternoon, on CBS.
Are Bob Chesney and his UCLA Bruins for real???
Well, we’re about to find out, as they face their toughest test BY FAR.
This Bruins offense goes through the running game, NOT QB Nico Iamaleava. Senior HB Wayne Knight followed Chesney from James Madsion and leads the team with 49 carries, for 445 yards, and 9 TDs. He’s not alone though. HBs Anthony Woods (36, 269, 4), and Jaivian Thomas (28, 155, 3), help shoulder the load. On defense, LB Sammy Omosigho simply has a nose for the football. He leads the team in total tackles (38), sacks (3), and forced fumbles (4).
Junior transfer QB Dylan Raiola (Nebraska) will get the start. He’s 30 for 36, for 413 yards, with 5 TDs and 0 INTs, so far this season. He’ll need to continue playing well, which he didn’t do at Nebraska. On defense, transfer S Koi Perich (Minnesota) leads the team in total tackles (24). LB Matayo Uiagalelei leads the team in sacks (3). DB Jett Washington leads the team in INTs (2) and forced fumbles (1). What does that tell you??? That they have playmakers all over the defensive back 7.
Prediction – The UCLA storyline is great, and Bob Chesney is going to bring the Bruins back to relevance for the next few years. HOWEVER, he’s in for a rude awakening. The Ducks are favored by 11.5, and I’ll take that. Ducks win 42-21.
3) #2 Georgia Bulldogs (5-0) at #5 Alabama Crimson Tide (5-0).
Game starts at 7:30 PM (EST), Saturday night, on ABC.
Get your pizza and popcorn ready, don’t forget your TUMS too (if you eat this late LOL); because this game is gonna be fun!!!
Georgia is led by the best QB in the SEC (yes, I said it) in Gunnar Stockton (1,049 yards, 13 TDs, 1 INT). He simply doesn’t make mistakes. They need the run game to step up in this game. Their leading rusher, HB Nate Frazier, only has 211 yards on the ground, but does have 5 TDs. As usual, the UGA LBs are fast and active. They have 9.5 of the teams 13 sacks and 4 of the teams 5 forced fumbles. They fly around to the football, and they will need to continue to cause turnovers in this game.
Alabama’s’ high-octane offense, is led by dual-threat Sophomore QB Keelon Russell. He’s thrown for 1,414 yards, 11 TDs and 2 INTs, and has run for 184 yards with 4 TDs. The Crimson Tide have 3 HBs with 200+ rushing yards, Daniel Hill (51 carries, 247 yards, 4 TDs), Trae’shawn Brown (42 carries, 211 yards, 5 TDs), and EJ Crowell (26 carries, 204 yards, 3 TDs). Future 1st round pick WR Ryan Coleman-Williams, leads the team with 20 catches, for 376 yards, and 4 TDs. The defense gets after the QB, as they have 16 team sacks this season, causing 8 INTs, and forcing 6 fumbles.
Prediction – Some think this will be high scoring. Some think this will be a defensive struggle. I think it’ll be in the middle. Alabama got them in the regular season last year, but lost in the conference title game. I DO NOT think that happens here. Bulldogs get the win in Tuscaloosa, 35-28.
What game do you think should’ve made the list???
– by Sean McKenzie
Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave and ESPN.
Stats and information courtesy of…..NCAA and ESPN.
