College Football Week 6 Picks: Predictions for Every Saturday Game

Week 6 of the college football season marks the true commencement of conference play.

Unfortunately, the first month of the season featured plenty of ugly, lopsided blowouts, as many of the top teams in the nation feasted on weaker cupcake opponents. However, with league play now kicking into full gear, we should finally begin to really learn which teams are legit, and which teams are just pretenders.

Though this weekend may not feature many marquee matchups, pitting top-25 teams against each other, it does feature a few intriguing games such as Washington-Stanford, Arizona State-Notre Dame and Ohio State-Northwestern, which should be able to fill the cravings of die-hard fans.

Here are the predictions and picks for every Saturday game of Week 6.

*Note: All Lines Courtesy of Covers.com

Saturday’s Super-Six Picks

Washington Huskies (+7.5)

I’ve watched Washington play three times so far this season in wins over Boise State, Illinois and Arizona. Each time I’ve seen Steve Sarkisian’s squad in action, I’ve come away both impressed and surprised at just how much better the team has gotten since last year.

Coming into the season, we knew all about the Huskies’ impressive group of offensive skill-position players: QB Keith Price, RB Bishop Sankey, WR Kasen Williams and TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins. However, there were some major questions about just how strong and just how tough they were in the trenches.

So far, both the offensive and defensive lines have answered those questions and proven their worth. After allowing nearly three sacks per game last year, the Huskies O-line has allowed just three sacks in the first four games. The defensive line, on the other hand, has been very stout and active, allowing just 3.4 yards per carry and totaling 13 sacks.

Few teams in the country are strong enough in the trenches to go toe-to-toe with Stanford’s stacked offensive and defensive fronts. But it looks like this Washington team has the pieces in place to do just that.

Admittedly, asking Washington to go down to the Farm and once again upset a Stanford team that's led by budding star QB Kevin Hogan, who is undefeated as a starter, is obviously asking a lot. But the Huskies have gained my trust with the way they’ve played so far this season. I expect this year’s matchup to once again be another close, one-score affair just like Washington’s 17-13 win in last year’s meeting.

 

Michigan Wolverines (-19)

Michigan was not able to properly capitalize on the momentum it generated after a big win over Notre Dame back in Week 2. Since then, the Wolverines have turned in two lackluster performances, barely beating inferior opponents, Akron and Connecticut, by just a combined seven points.

After taking a bye week to regroup, however, this team should come out and look much hungrier and much more focused this week, as it kicks off its Big Ten schedule against Minnesota.

Following a strong 4-0 start to the season, the Golden Gophers were exposed last week in a 23-7 loss to Iowa at home.

If dynamic dual-threat QB Devin Gardner finally plays up to his potential and starts performing like the star Heisman contender he was built up to be in the preseason, Michigan finally should have the type of dominant showing we’ve been waiting to see.

 

Memphis Tigers (+9.5)

Memphis’ first test against an American Athletic Conference opponent is anything but an easy one. The Tigers welcome a 3-1 UCF squad that has already made some noise on the national scene by beating Penn State and nearly upsetting South Carolina last week.

On paper, the Knights have a clear talent advantage. However, after coming up short in a big, spotlight game against the Gamecocks, you have to wonder what kind of mentality they’ll have this week, as they now have to head out onto the road to face a Memphis team that they could very easily be overlooking.

The Tigers are by no means a great team, but they have made some noticeable strides under second-year head coach Justin Fuente.

After hammering Arkansas State 31-7 back in Week 4, the Tigers went into their bye week with plenty of confidence. They should be able to carry over that momentum and have a solid showing at home against a UCF team that could be in store for a major letdown.

 

Toledo Rockets (-21.5)

Laying a 20-plus point spread is always a risky proposition, but considering how explosive Toledo’s offense can be, especially at home, it’s something I feel relatively safe doing in this situation.

The Rockets didn’t do themselves any favors with their scheduling this year. They played four of their first five games on the road, including two games against BCS foes Florida and Missouri.

Now that they’re back home, though, QB Terrance Owens, RB David Fluellen, WR Bernard Reedy and the rest of the Toledo offense should be able to do plenty of damage to a Western Michigan defense that has been pretty putrid so far this season, allowing an average of 36 points per game.

 

LSU Tigers (-9.5)

You do have to wonder if LSU could be dealing with a hangover effect after last week’s hard-fought, physically draining loss to Georgia. However, I get the feeling that the Tigers will use that defeat as motivation. They’ll now be playing with a chip on their shoulders, as they look to prove that they are indeed a true contender in the SEC.

Les Miles’ squad will get the chance to start their climb up the SEC West ladder when it faces off with Mississippi State in Starkville.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Tigers get off to a slow start in this game. Ultimately, though, LSU just has too many dangerous offensive playmakers such as QB Zach Mettenberger, RB Jeremy Hill and receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry for the Bulldogs defense to deal with.

 

TCU Horned Frogs (+9)

Oklahoma picked up a huge revenge win at Notre Dame last week. That means the Sooners could be in store for a potential emotional letdown this week when they host TCU, a team that they beat by just a touchdown last year.

After a rather ho-hum start to the season, the Horned Frogs offense seemed to have finally found its footing last week in a 48-17 win over SMU.

Though TCU’s defense will likely be without its MVP, DE Devonte Fields, the Horned Frogs still have one of the best defensive backfields in the country, led by All-American candidates Jason Verrett and Sam Carter. Verrett, Carter and the rest of the secondary will make it tough for QB Blake Bell, who has yet to really prove his passing prowess, to consistently find open spaces to create big throws down the field.  

Air Force Falcons at Navy Midshipmen

Spread: Navy (-11.5)

Total: 55

Picks: Navy (-11.5), Under

Prediction: Navy 31, Air Force 17

 

Maryland Terrapins at Florida State Seminoles

Spread: Florida State (-15.5)

Total: 56.5

Picks: Florida State (-15.5), Under

Prediction: Florida State 35, Maryland 16

 

Penn State Nittany Lions at Indiana Hoosiers

Spread: Penn State (-3)

Total: 65.5

Picks: Indiana (+3), Over

Prediction: Indiana 38, Penn State 34

 

Louisville Cardinals at Temple Owls

Spread: Louisville (-32)

Total: 58

Picks: Temple (+32), Under

Prediction: Louisville 42, Temple 14

 

Ball State Cardinals at Virginia Cavaliers

Spread: Virginia (-4.5)

Total: 48

Prediction: Virginia (-4.5), Over

Picks: Virginia 31, Ball State 24

 

Eastern Michigan Eagles at Buffalo Bulls

Spread: Buffalo (-13.5)

Total: 54

Picks: Eastern Michigan (+12.5), Under

Prediction: Buffalo 21, Eastern Michigan 17

 

Texas Tech Red Raiders at Kansas Jayhawks

Spread: Texas Tech (-17)

Total: 56.5

Picks: Kansas (+17), Under

Prediction: Texas Tech 30, Kansas 17

 

Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SMU Mustangs

Spread: Rutgers (-4.5)

Total: 54.5

Picks: Rutgers (-4.5), Under

Prediction: Rutgers 31, SMU 21

 

Illinois Fighting Illini at Nebraska Cornhuskers

Spread: Nebraska (-8.5)

Total: 60

Picks: Nebraska (-8.5), Over

Prediction: Nebraska 45, Illinois 28

 

Michigan State Spartans at Iowa Hawkeyes

Spread: Iowa (-1)

Total: 37.5

Picks: Iowa (-1), Over

Prediction: Iowa 24, Michigan State 17

 

Georgia State Panthers at Alabama Crimson Tide

Spread: Alabama (-54.5)

Total: 58

Picks: Alabama (-54.5), Over

Prediction: Alabama 66, Georgia State 7

 

North Carolina Tar Heels at Virginia Tech Hokies

Spread: Virginia Tech (-7)

Total: 46

Picks: North Carolina (+7), Under

Prediction: Virginia Tech 24, North Carolina 20

 

Central Michigan Chippewas at Miami (Ohio) RedHawks

Spread: Central Michigan (-3)

Total: 47

Picks: Central Michigan (-3), Over

Prediction: Central Michigan 35, Miami (Ohio) 21

 

Army Black Knights at Boston College Eagles

Spread: Boston College (-11.5)

Total: 50.5

Picks: Boston College (-11.5), Under

Prediction: Boston College 31, Army 14

 

South Alabama Jaguars at Troy Trojans

Spread: Troy (-3.5)

Total: 62.5

Picks: Troy (-3.5), Over

Prediction: Troy 45, South Alabama 31

 

UTSA Roadrunners at Marshall Thundering Herd

Spread: Marshall (-14)

Total: 65

Picks: UTSA (+14), Over

Prediction: Marshall 45, UTSA 35

 

Ohio Bobcats at Akron Zips

Spread: Ohio (-5)

Total: 57

Picks: Akron (+5), Under

Prediction: Akron 27, Ohio 23

 

Florida Atlantic Owls at UAB Blazers

Spread: UAB (-4.5)

Total: 53

Picks: UAB (-4.5), Under

Prediction: UAB 28, Florida Atlantic 20

 

Western Michigan Broncos at Toledo Rockets

Spread: Toledo (-21.5)

Total: 57.5

Picks: Toledo (-21.5), Over

Prediction: Toledo 52, Western Michigan 24

 

Georgia Bulldogs at Tennessee Volunteers

Spread: Georgia (-10)

Total: 64

Picks: Georgia (-10), Under

Prediction: Georgia 35, Tennessee 21

 

Minnesota Golden Gophers at Michigan Wolverines

Spread: Michigan (-19)

Total: 50

Picks: Michigan (-19), Over

Prediction: Michigan 45, Minnesota 17

 

Rice Owls at Tulsa Golden Hurricane

Spread: Tulsa (-3)

Total: 54.5

Picks: Tulsa (-3), Over

Prediction: Tulsa 38, Rice 31

 

North Texas Mean Green at Tulane Green Wave

Spread: North Texas (-2.5)

Total: 53

Picks: North Texas (-2.5), Over

Prediction: North Texas 35, Tulane 27

 

NC State Wolfpack at Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Spread: NC State (-7.5)

Total: 47.5

Picks: Wake Forest (+7.5), Under

Prediction: Wake Forest 24, NC State 17

 

Clemson Tigers at Syracuse Orange

Spread: Clemson (-14)

Total: 64

Picks: Syracuse (+14), Over

Prediction: Clemson 42, Syracuse 34

 

UMass Minutemen at Bowling Green Falcons

Spread: Bowling Green (-26.5)

Total: 50.5

Picks: Bowling Green (-26.5), Under

Prediction: Bowling Green 38, UMass 0

 

Northern Illinois Huskies at Kent State Golden Flashes

Spread: Northern Illinois (-9)

Total: 64.5

Picks: Kent State (+9), Over

Prediction: Northern Illinois 42, Kent State 38

 

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Miami Hurricanes

Spread: Miami (-6)

Total: 55

Picks: Georgia Tech (+6), Under

Prediction: Georgia Tech 28, Miami 24

 

East Carolina Pirates at Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

Spread: East Carolina (-7.5)

Total: 63.5

Picks: Middle Tennessee (+7.5), Under

Prediction: East Carolina 31, Middle Tennessee 27

 

Kansas State Wildcats at Oklahoma State Cowboys

Spread: Oklahoma State (-14)

Total: 59.5

Picks: Oklahoma State (-14), Over

Prediction: Oklahoma State 45, Kansas State 24

 

FIU Golden Panthers at Southern Miss Golden Eagles

Spread: Southern Miss (-17)

Total: 46

Picks: Southern Miss (-17), Under

Prediction: Southern Miss 31, FIU 10

 

Washington State Cougars at California Golden Bears

Spread: Washington State (-1.5)

Total: 66

Picks: Washington State (-1.5), Over

Prediction: Washington State 38, California 34

 

UCF Knights at Memphis Tigers

Spread: UCF (-9.5)

Total: 47.5

Picks: Memphis (+9.5), Under

Prediction: UCF 23, Memphis 17

 

Fresno State Bulldogs at Idaho Vandals

Spread: Fresno State (-27)

Total: 67

Picks: Fresno State (-27), Over

Prediction: Fresno State 52, Idaho 21

 

Oregon Ducks at Colorado Buffaloes

Spread: Oregon (-38.5)

Total: 68.5

Picks: Colorado (+38.5), Under

Prediction: Oregon 45, Colorado 17

 

Ole Miss Rebels at Auburn Tigers

Spread: Ole Miss (-3)

Total: 56.5

Picks: Auburn (+3), Under

Prediction: Auburn 26, Ole Miss 24

 

Arkansas Razorbacks at Florida Gators

Spread: Florida (-11.5)

Total: 43

Picks: Florida (-11.5), Over

Prediction: Florida 30, Arkansas 16

 

Cincinnati Bearcats at South Florida Bulls

Spread: Cincinnati (-11.5)

Total: 48

Picks: South Florida (+11.5), Over

Prediction: Cincinnati 34, South Florida 24

 

TCU Horned Frogs at Oklahoma Sooners

Spread: Oklahoma (-9)

Total: 46.5

Picks: TCU (+9), Under

Prediction: Oklahoma 24, TCU 20

 

Texas State Bobcats at UL-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns

Spread: UL-Lafayette (-11)

Total: 55

Picks: UL-Lafayette (-11), Over

Prediction: UL-Lafayette 41, Texas State 24

 

LSU Tigers at Mississippi State Bulldogs

Spread: LSU (-9.5)

Total: 55.5

Picks: LSU (-9.5), Over

Prediction: LSU 38, Mississippi State 24

 

New Mexico State Aggies at New Mexico Lobos

Spread: New Mexico (-10)

Total: 60

Picks: New Mexico (-10), Over

Prediction: New Mexico 42, New Mexico State 24

 

Arizona State Sun Devils vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Spread: Arizona State (-5.5)

Total: 62

Picks: Notre Dame (+6), Under

Prediction: Notre Dame 30, Arizona State 24

 

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at UTEP Miners

Spread: Louisiana Tech (-2)

Total: 58

Picks: UTEP (+2), Over

Prediction: UTEP 34, Louisiana Tech 30

 

Missouri Tigers at Vanderbilt Commodores

Spread: Vanderbilt (-1)

Total: 56

Picks: Missouri (+1), Over

Prediction: Missouri 34, Vanderbilt 27

 

Kentucky Wildcats at South Carolina Gamecocks

Spread: South Carolina (-21)

Total: 54

Picks: South Carolina (-21), Under

Prediction: South Carolina 37, Kentucky 10

 

West Virginia Mountaineers at Baylor Bears

Spread: Baylor (-28.5)

Total: 70.5

Picks: Baylor (-28.5), Over

Prediction: Baylor 56, West Virginia 21

 

Ohio State Buckeyes at Northwestern Wildcats

Spread: Ohio State (-7)

Total: 60

Picks: Ohio State (-7), Over

Prediction: Ohio State 44, Northwestern 31

 

Washington Huskies at Stanford Cardinal

Spread: Stanford (-7.5)

Total: 52.5

Picks: Washington (+7.5), Under

Prediction: Washington 27, Stanford 23

 

San Jose State Spartans at Hawaii Warriors

Spread: San Jose State (-5)

Total: 55.5

Picks: Hawaii (+5), Over

Prediction: Hawaii 38, San Jose State 34