College Football Picks: Week 6 Predictions for Every Game
In the sixth week, they rested.
A week after every ranked team in the country was in action, with several tangling against each other, seven Top 25 teams are on a bye (including Florida, whose Saturday home game against LSU has been postponed because of Hurricane Matthew). But even without them, we still have a strong lineup, one that features a quartet of ranked matchups.
High-profile clashes in the ACC and SEC highlight the 54 games on the docket, which for the first time this season doesn't include any games involving FCS schools.
We've made predictions for every matchup, and as they go final, we'll update with results so you can track our picks. And as always, make your guesses in the comments section.
Last week: 50-13 (.794)
Season: 276-74 (.789)
Thursday Night Games
1 of 8
Temple (3-2, 1-0 AAC) at Memphis (3-1, 0-0), 8 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Temple beat Memphis 31-12 last November.
Ex-Tennessee quarterback Riley Ferguson, now at Memphis, followed up a six-touchdown performance against Bowling Green by throwing three picks at Ole Miss. He still topped 300 passing yards and will be the difference for the Tigers.
Prediction: Memphis 31, Temple 21
FINAL: Memphis 34, Temple 27
Western Kentucky (3-2, 1-0 C-USA) at Louisiana Tech (2-3, 1-1), 8 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Western Kentucky beat Louisiana Tech 41-38 in September 2015.
A combined 0-4 record against power-conference schools muddies these teams' overall records, but each has a one-point loss to an SEC squad. Defending Conference USA champ Western Kentucky's 13-game win streak against league foes will end in a shootout of prolific offenses.
Prediction: Louisiana Tech 40, Western Kentucky 36
FINAL: Louisiana Tech 55, Western Kentucky 52
Friday Night Games
2 of 8
No. 3 Clemson (5-0, 2-0 ACC) at Boston College (3-2, 0-2), 7:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Clemson beat Boston College 34-17 last October.
From the wonder that is Lamar Jackson to the dudes of Boston College, Clemson faces a major change in opponent type and ability. Add in the short week and the lingering effects of their thrilling 42-36 win over Louisville, and the Tigers could be facing a trap situation. But they won't lose against a BC team riding a 10-game ACC skid.
Prediction: Clemson 29, Boston College 10
FINAL: Clemson 56, Boston College 10
Massachusetts (1-4) at Old Dominion (3-2), 8 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Old Dominion beat Massachusetts 48-33 in October 2011.
Massachusetts' just-ended four-game home stand produced a lone victory against a team that would later fire its coach (Florida International and Ron Turner), giving up a lot of rushing yards in the process. The ground game has fueled Old Dominion's last two wins, producing seven rushing touchdowns.
Prediction: Old Dominion 31, Massachusetts 20
FINAL: Old Dominion 36, Massachusetts 16
SMU (2-3, 0-1 AAC) at Tulsa (3-1), 8 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Tulsa won 40-31 at SMU last October.
SMU has picked off 12 passes, but its quarterbacks have thrown 10 interceptions, making it hard for the Mustangs to pull an upset. Tulsa has a veteran passer in Dane Evans and a workhorse of a rusher in D'Angelo Brewer, who carried 46 times for 242 yards in the Golden Hurricane's last game.
Prediction: Tulsa 43, SMU 24
FINAL: Tulsa 43, SMU 40 (OT)
No. 19 Boise State (4-0, 1-0 MWC) at New Mexico (2-2, 1-0), 9 p.m. ET
Last meeting: New Mexico won 31-24 at Boise State last November.
Boise allows 2.4 yards per carry and has held all four opponents to under 100 rushing yards but faces a big test in New Mexico's triple-option, which is second-best in FBS at 347 yards per game. The Broncos lean on only one rusher, Jeremy McNichols, who in addition to gaining 504 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground has 16 catches for 216 yards and three scores.
Prediction: Boise State 34, New Mexico 27
FINAL: Boise State 49, New Mexico 21
Saturday Early Games
3 of 8
Cincinnati (3-2, 0-2 AAC) at Connecticut (2-3, 0-2), 11:30 a.m. ET
Last meeting: Cincinnati beat Connecticut 37-13 last October.
Any chance for either team to be a contender in the East Division will go out the door with a loss here, and Cincinnati is coming off a 1-2 homestand in which opponents outscored it by 42 points. Connecticut will lull the Bearcats into submission.
Prediction: Connecticut 23, Cincinnati 17
FINAL: Connecticut 20, Cincinnati 9
No. 20 Oklahoma (2-2, 1-0 Big 12) vs. Texas (2-2, 0-1) in Dallas, noon ET
Last meeting: Texas beat Oklahoma 24-17 last October.
Remember when Texas was declared to be back, before it gave up 99 points in consecutive losses to California and Oklahoma State? And remember when Oklahoma was a bust after losing to Houston and Ohio State? First impressions aren't always the best kind in college football.
Prediction: Oklahoma 45, Texas 30
FINAL: Oklahoma 45, Texas 40
TCU (3-2, 1-1 Big 12) at Kansas (1-3, 0-1), noon ET
Last meeting: TCU beat Kansas 23-17 last November.
The cure for what ails TCU's defense is an opponent that can't get out of its own way. Kansas' minus-seven turnover margin is tied for third-worst in FBS.
Prediction: TCU 38, Kansas 20
FINAL: TCU 24, Kansas 23
Iowa (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten) at Minnesota (3-1, 0-1), noon ET
Last meeting: Iowa beat Minnesota 40-35 last November.
Iowa and Minnesota aren't just battling to stay in contention in the West Division; there's also a bronze pig up for grabs. Floyd of Rosedale is the epitome of #B1G trophies and will go to a Golden Gophers team with a run game that's averaged 254.3 yards over its last three games.
Prediction: Minnesota 28, Iowa 23
FINAL: Iowa 14, Minnesota 7
Maryland (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) at Penn State (3-2, 1-1), noon ET
Last meeting: Penn State beat Maryland 31-30 last October.
Head coach D.J. Durkin has Maryland playing its best ball since the early 2000s, as it has had two turnovers in four games. Penn State just had its first giveaway-less game and needed overtime to beat Minnesota at home.
Prediction: Maryland 26, Penn State 24
FINAL: Penn State 38, Maryland 14
Auburn (3-2, 1-1 SEC) at Mississippi State (2-2, 1-1), noon ET
Last meeting: Mississippi State won 17-9 at Auburn in September 2015.
Auburn played its first five games at home and managed only 47 points in contests against power-conference competition. Mississippi State hasn't played in Starkville since Sept. 10 and won't again until Oct. 29, so expect its fans to be extra vigorous with those cowbells as the Bulldogs turn to their run defense to slow Auburn's SEC-best rushing attack.
Prediction: Mississippi State 27, Auburn 21
FINAL: Auburn 38, Mississippi State 14
East Carolina (2-3, 0-1 AAC) at South Florida (4-1, 1-0), noon ET
Last meeting: South Florida won 22-17 at East Carolina last November.
It's been all downhill for East Carolina since head coach Scottie Montgomery threw up an X after his team beat North Carolina State in Week 2. All five of South Florida's games have been decided by 20 or more points, so fans can beat the traffic home.
Prediction: South Florida 44, East Carolina 21
FINAL: South Florida 38, East Carolina 22
Southern Mississippi (4-1, 2-0 C-USA) at UTSA (1-3, 0-1), noon ET
Last meeting: Southern Mississippi beat UTSA 32-10 last October.
Southern Miss quarterback Nick Mullens threw for 591 yards last week against Rice, and the Golden Eagles lead Conference USA in rushing. UTSA has lost six of its last eight at home and doesn't have the weapons to keep up.
Prediction: Southern Mississippi 37, UTSA 22
FINAL: UTSA 55, Southern Mississippi 32
Notre Dame (2-3) at North Carolina State (3-1), noon ET
Last meeting: North Carolina State beat Notre Dame 28-6 in the 2003 Gator Bowl.
Firing defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder has resulted in a 0.5 points-per-game improvement for Notre Dame, so it was totally worth it. With back-to-back tilts at Clemson and Louisville, this might be N.C. State's last chance to enjoy itself for a while.
Prediction: North Carolina State 36, Notre Dame 33
FINAL: North Carolina State 10, Notre Dame 3
Georgia Tech (3-2, 1-2 ACC) at Pittsburgh (3-2, 0-1), 12:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Pittsburgh won 31-28 at Georgia Tech last October.
Pat Narduzzi's reputation as a defensive guru has taken a hit, as his Pittsburgh team is giving up six yards per play and 31 points per game. The Panthers are strong against the run, though, which is all Georgia Tech is capable of doing on offense.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 41, Georgia Tech 19
FINAL: Pittsburgh 37, Georgia Tech 34
Bowling Green (1-4, 0-1 MAC) at Ohio (3-2, 1-0), 2 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Bowling Green beat Ohio 62-24 last November.
Bowling Green won the conference title last December but is a missed two-point conversion by FCS North Dakota from being winless and has been outscored 154-13 on the road. Ohio isn't as potent as Ohio State or Memphis, but it's more than capable of adding to the Falcons' woes.
Prediction: Ohio 37, Bowling Green 20
FINAL: Ohio 30, Bowling Green 24
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Saturday Midafternoon Games
4 of 8
No. 6 Houston (5-0, 2-0 AAC) at Navy (3-1, 2-0), 3 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Houston beat Navy 52-31 last November.
Navy threw the ball 31 times against Air Force—seven more than in its first three games. Houston's top-ranked run defense might force the Midshipmen to abandon their option attack to have a chance at winning.
Prediction: Houston 31, Navy 15
FINAL: Navy 46, Houston 40
Miami, Ohio (0-5, 0-1 MAC) at Akron (3-2, 1-0), 3 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Akron won 37-28 at Miami last November.
Miami's last four losses have been by 10 or fewer points, but it only managed seven at home against Ohio last week. Akron's games have all featured at least 58 combined points, but that includes giving up 38 or more three times.
Prediction: Akron 39, Miami 20
FINAL: Akron 35, Miami 13
Toledo (3-1) at Eastern Michigan (4-1, 1-0 MAC), 3 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Toledo beat Eastern Michigan 63-20 last October.
Eastern Michigan might be the biggest surprise of the 2016 season, having won only seven games the previous four campaigns combined. Beating Toledo would be an even bigger shock, since the Rockets have averaged a 50-spot their last three outings (including a wild 55-53 loss at BYU).
Prediction: Toledo 52, Eastern Michigan 24
FINAL: Toledo 35, Eastern Michigan 20
Indiana (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) at No. 2 Ohio State (4-0, 1-0), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Ohio State won 34-27 at Indiana last October.
Indiana's best hope of beating a second consecutive ranked team—it knocked off Michigan State in overtime last week—is if Ohio State rests its starters for the upcoming trips to Wisconsin and Penn State. The Buckeyes backups would probably still win comfortably.
Prediction: Ohio State 48, Indiana 21
FINAL: Ohio State 38, Indiana 17
No. 9 Tennessee (5-0, 2-0 SEC) at No. 8 Texas A&M (5-0, 3-0), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Tennessee beat Texas A&M 38-7 in the 2005 Cotton Bowl.
Tennessee has taken last season and flipped it upside down, turning the blown leads of 2015 into improbable rallies this year. That's a dangerous game plan and one that won't work against Texas A&M's rush offense, which is averaging 6.73 yards per carry and has produced first downs on 31.8 percent of its runs.
Prediction: Texas A&M 26, Tennessee 20
FINAL: Texas A&M 45, Tennessee 38 (2 OT)
No. 25 Virginia Tech (3-1, 1-0 ACC) at No. 17 North Carolina (4-1, 2-0), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: North Carolina won 30-27 at Virginia Tech last November.
North Carolina QB Mitch Trubisky is worthy of Heisman consideration as much as fellow ACC passers Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson. He leads FBS in completion percentage (76) and has gone without an interception since November 2014. Virginia Tech's last opponent, East Carolina, threw for 362 yards.
Prediction: North Carolina 38, Virginia Tech 30
FINAL: Virginia Tech 34, North Carolina 3
Iowa State (1-4, 0-2 Big 12) at Oklahoma State (3-2, 1-1), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Oklahoma State won 35-31 at Iowa State last November.
Even if Iowa State had managed to hold on against Baylor, it would be ripe for a letdown. The Cyclones have lost 12 straight road games and haven't won in Stillwater since 2000, where Oklahoma State has put up 94 points and 1,195 yards in its last two outings.
Prediction: Oklahoma State 50, Iowa State 28
FINAL: Oklahoma State 38, Iowa State 31
Purdue (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten) at Illinois (1-3, 0-1), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Illinois won 48-14 at Purdue last November.
Purdue's football field has a sinkhole, which makes for a good metaphor for a program that's lost 23 of 25 Big Ten games. A fourth-quarter lead, like Illinois had last week at Nebraska, should be a lot safer this time around.
Prediction: Illinois 39, Purdue 21
FINAL: Purdue 34, Illinois 31 (OT)
Ball State (3-2, 0-1 MAC) at Central Michigan (3-2, 0-1), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Central Michigan won 23-21 at Ball State last October.
A 39-point home loss to rival Western Michigan may be hard for Central Michigan to bounce back from. But Ball State just allowed 653 yards to previously winless Northern Illinois. The Chippewas will find their footing.
Prediction: Central Michigan 38, Ball State 29
FINAL: Central Michigan 24, Ball State 21
Kent State (1-4, 0-1 MAC) at Buffalo (1-3), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Buffalo won 18-17 at Kent State last November.
When two of the four worst offenses in the country square off, what can you really expect to happen? For Buffalo, managing more than 67 yards like it did last week against Boston College should do the trick.
Prediction: Buffalo 24, Kent State 17
FINAL: Kent State 44, Buffalo 20
Air Force (4-0, 1-0 MWC) at Wyoming (3-2, 1-0), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Air Force beat Wyoming 31-17 last October.
Air Force is off to its best start since 2003 thanks to a top-five rushing offense and an FBS-best 13.3 yards per pass attempt. Wyoming has surpassed last season's win total but has allowed more than six yards per play in four of five games.
Prediction: Air Force 30, Wyoming 21
FINAL: Wyoming 35, Air Force 26
Texas State (2-2) at Georgia State (0-4, 0-1 Sun Belt), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Georgia State won 41-19 at Texas State last November.
Texas State has 104 points in its wins and six in its losses, while Georgia State is last nationally in scoring and total offense. The Panthers' season-saving four-game win streak in 2015 began against Texas State, and their current skid will end on Saturday.
Prediction: Georgia State 30, Texas State 24
FINAL: Georgia State 41, Texas State 21
BYU (2-3) at Michigan State (2-2), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: None
BYU is incapable of playing a game that doesn't come down to the wire, as it beat Toledo on a field goal at the buzzer last week for its fifth straight outing decided by three points or fewer. Michigan State's first two-game losing streak since 2012 has featured a home blowout and a road loss in overtime. Skip the first 55 minutes and tune in for the finish.
Prediction: Michigan State 23, BYU 21
FINAL: BYU 31, Michigan State 14
Army (3-1) at Duke (2-3), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Duke won 44-3 at Army last October.
Army's top-ranked rushing offense has the school's first bowl appearance since 2010 looking doable, yet the independent Black Knights don't have a game lined up like in past years. Duke's shot at a fifth consecutive bowl is looking shaky with four ranked opponents left on its schedule, so it must channel the offense that popped up against Notre Dame to keep that hope alive.
Prediction: Duke 27, Army 21
FINAL: Duke 13, Army 6
No. 21 Colorado (4-1, 2-0 Pac-12) at USC (2-3, 1-2), 4 p.m. ET
Last meeting: USC won 27-24 at Colorado last November.
Do not adjust your eyes. Colorado is the only team in the South Division without a conference loss and ranked for the first time in 11 years. USC is coming off its best outing of the season, thumping previously unbeaten Arizona State, and is gaining confidence after a rough September.
Prediction: USC 36, Colorado 27
FINAL: USC 21, Colorado 17
Vanderbilt (2-3, 0-2 SEC) at Kentucky (2-3, 1-2), 4 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Vanderbilt beat Kentucky 21-17 last November.
Two of the most offensively challenged teams in the league have combined to score 46 points in their five SEC games. At least Kentucky managed to beat equally inept South Carolina two weeks ago.
Prediction: Kentucky 16, Vanderbilt 13
FINAL: Kentucky 20, Vanderbilt 13
Hawaii (2-3, 1-0 MWC) at San Jose State (1-4, 0-1), 4:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: San Jose State won 42-23 at Hawaii last November.
Hawaii, which has lost its last nine visits to the mainland since shutting out San Jose in November 2014, ran for 344 yards last week against Nevada. San Jose's run defense is the fifth-worst in the country.
Prediction: Hawaii 33, San Jose State 30
FINAL: Hawaii 34, San Jose State 17
Saturday Early Evening Games
5 of 8
Northern Illinois (1-4, 1-0 MAC) at Western Michigan (5-0, 1-0), 6:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Northern Illinois beat Western Michigan 27-19 last November.
Western Michigan's rise under head coach P.J. Fleck since the start of the 2014 season makes it almost a certainty it will be searching for a new coach when Fleck gets plucked up by a power-conference school this winter. Before losing him, the Broncos still have some goals to achieve, starting with their first win over Northern Illinois since 2008.
Prediction: Western Michigan 30, Northern Illinois 21
FINAL: Western Michigan 45, Northern Illinois 30
No. 1 Alabama (5-0, 2-0 SEC) at No. 16 Arkansas (4-1, 0-1), 7 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Alabama beat Arkansas 27-14 last October.
Alabama's defense and special teams have scored more touchdowns (seven) than its opponents have overall (six) and outscored them three times. Arkansas' worst performances have come when it loses the turnover battle, though Austin Allen has gone 120 passes without an interception after getting picked off twice in the season opener.
Prediction: Alabama 27, Arkansas 20
FINAL: Alabama 49, Arkansas 30
No. 4 Michigan (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) at Rutgers (2-3, 0-2), 7 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Michigan beat Rutgers 49-16 last November.
Michigan's first road game of the season will feel like a homecoming for the Wolverines' nine players from New Jersey, including defensive studs Rashan Gary and Jabrill Peppers. Rutgers has managed 20 points and 794 yards in three games against power-conference teams.
Prediction: Michigan 35, Rutgers 10
FINAL: Michigan 78, Rutgers 0
Syracuse (2-3, 0-1 ACC) at Wake Forest (4-1, 1-1), 7 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Syracuse beat Wake Forest 30-17 in September 2015.
Wake's 23.6 points-per-game average is worst among the 29 FBS schools with four or more victories, and two straight poor defensive performances have the Demon Deacons coming back to earth. Enter Syracuse, which is allowing 7.72 yards per play against FBS competition.
Prediction: Wake Forest 34, Syracuse 28
FINAL: Wake Forest 28, Syracuse 9
Texas Tech (3-1, 1-0 Big 12) at Kansas State (2-2, 0-1), 7 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Texas Tech beat Kansas State 59-44 last November.
Texas Tech's No. 1 scoring offense could be run by either Patrick Mahomes II or backup Nic Shimonek, depending on Mahomes' shoulder injury. Either way, longtime Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder will need to whip up a game plan to slow down a Red Raiders attack that averages an FBS-leading 4.26 points per drive, per BCF Toys.
Prediction: Texas Tech 37, Kansas State 32
FINAL: Kansas State 44, Texas Tech 38
Marshall (1-3) at North Texas (2-3, 1-1 C-USA), 7 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Marshall beat North Texas 30-13 last October.
Marshall's 167 points allowed during a three-game skid are more than 105 teams have yielded all season, including 70 that have played five games. North Texas is most effective when running the ball well, averaging 5.85 yards per carry in wins and 0.95 in losses.
Prediction: North Texas 34, Marshall 27
FINAL: North Texas 38, Marshall 21
Fresno State (1-4, 0-1 MWC) at Nevada (2-3, 0-1), 7 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Nevada won 30-16 at Fresno State last November.
Head coach Tim DeRuyter remains on termination watch after Fresno gave up 300-plus rushing yards for a third straight game last week. Nevada will look to take out the frustration of getting thumped at Hawaii and avoid its first three-game skid since 2013.
Prediction: Nevada 47, Fresno State 31
FINAL: Nevada 27, Fresno State 22
Idaho (2-3, 0-1 Sun Belt) at Louisiana-Monroe (1-3, 0-1), 7 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Idaho beat Louisiana-Monroe 27-13 last October.
Take out their four losses to power-conference schools by a combined 188 points, and these bottom-tier Sun Belt teams are still pretty bad. The most impressive result among them was Monroe's two-point loss at Georgia Southern two weeks ago, which tips the scales the Warhawks' way.
Prediction: Louisiana-Monroe 30, Idaho 28
FINAL: Idaho 34, Louisiana-Monroe 31
No. 5 Washington (5-0, 2-0 Pac-12) at Oregon (2-3, 0-2), 7:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Oregon won 26-20 at Washington last October.
Oregon's reported possible turn to a true freshman at quarterback reeks of desperation and not of confidence that it can beat Washington for a 13th straight time. It also doesn't address a defense that's allowed 200-plus rushing and passing yards in three straight games or how to deal with a Washington team that dropped 44 on Stanford and shut down Christian McCaffrey.
Prediction: Washington 45, Oregon 34
FINAL: Washington 70, Oregon 21
Saturday Night Games
6 of 8
No. 23 Florida State (3-2, 0-2 ACC) at No. 10 Miami, Florida (4-0, 1-0), 8 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Florida State beat Miami 29-24 last October.
This always-fun Sunshine State rivalry would have more of a glow if Florida State's defense hadn't turned into a sieve, yielding 135 points the last three games. Miami might not seem as explosive, but it's second in the country at 8.18 yards per play and will use that to pace its first win over the Seminoles since 2009.
Prediction: Miami 30, Florida State 23
FINAL: Florida State 20, Miami 19
Florida International (1-4, 1-0 C-USA) at UTEP (1-4, 0-2), 8 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Florida International beat UTEP 52-12 last October.
A change of Rons (from head coach Turner to interim coach Cooper) sparked FIU to its first win of the season last week. UTEP head coach Sean Kugler should be thankful no one on his staff shares his first name if the Miners drop a fifth straight game.
Prediction: UTEP 27, Florida International 16
FINAL: Florida International 35, UTEP 21
California (3-2, 1-1 Pac-12) at Oregon State (1-3, 0-1), 9 p.m. ET
Last meeting: California beat Oregon State 54-24 last November.
Cal beat Utah on Saturday by making a goal-line stand in the final seconds, which is proof anything is possible. So that means Oregon State's shoddy pass defense is capable of slowing FBS passing leader Davis Webb, right? Well…
Prediction: California 38, Oregon State 30
FINAL: Oregon State 44, California 41 (OT)
Arizona (2-3, 0-2 Pac-12) at No. 24 Utah (4-1, 1-1), 10 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Arizona beat Utah 37-30 last November.
Arizona has burned quarterback Khalil Tate's redshirt as offensive injuries continue to pile up, while Utah's offensive line has to be reshuffled after losing center J.J. Dielman for the season to a lower-leg injury. Utah's defense is healthy, though, and ready to rise.
Prediction: Utah 29, Arizona 17
FINAL: Utah 36, Arizona 23
Utah State (2-3, 0-2 MWC) at Colorado State (2-3, 0-1), 10 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Utah State beat Colorado State 33-18 last October.
Devante Mays has had one carry for two yards in the last three games, and his 234 yards for the season is still tops for Utah State. It's also better than anyone on Colorado State, so QBs Kent Myers and Collin Hill will decide this one.
Prediction: Utah State 24, Colorado State 20
FINAL: Colorado State 31, Utah State 24
Washington State (2-2, 1-0 Pac-12) at No. 15 Stanford (3-1, 2-1), 10:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Stanford won 30-28 at Washington State last October.
Stanford has an FBS-low three red-zone touchdowns this season, with one of those coming in garbage time of its 44-6 loss at Washington. Washington State has at least two red-zone TDs in every game, with six against Oregon, and Cougars QB Luke Falk is completing 74.3 percent of his passes. All that's saving Stanford from another loss is Christian McCaffrey's pride after getting shut down last week.
Prediction: Stanford 40, Washington State 24
FINAL: Washington State 42, Stanford 15
UCLA (3-2, 1-1 Pac-12) at Arizona State (4-1, 1-1), 10:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Arizona State won 38-23 at UCLA last October.
Quarterback Josh Rosen is coming off his best outing of the season (350 yards and three touchdowns against Arizona) just in time to face Arizona State's FBS-worst pass defense. As with most Sun Devils games, points will be abundant.
Prediction: UCLA 45, Arizona State 41
FINAL: Arizona State 23, UCLA 20
UNLV (2-3, 1-0 MWC) at San Diego State (3-1), 10:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: San Diego State won 52-14 at UNLV last November.
San Diego State's 13-game win streak ended at South Alabama despite another 151 rushing yards from Donnel Pumphrey. He averaged almost 10 yards per carry in Vegas last season and could double that.
Prediction: San Diego State 44, UNLV 20
FINAL: San Diego State 26, UNLV 7
Sunday Games
7 of 8
Charlotte (1-4, 0-1 C-USA) at Florida Atlantic (1-4, 0-1), noon ET
Last meeting: Florida Atlantic won 17-7 at Charlotte in September 2015.
Last place in the East Division isn't the only thing at stake in this stinker pitting teams that are winless against the FBS. Head coach Charlie Partridge is 7-22 at Florida Atlantic and has lost eight of 10 at home, and a loss here could seal his fate with the Owls.
Prediction: Florida Atlantic 33, Charlotte 23
FINAL: Charlotte 28, Florida Atlantic 23
Georgia (3-2, 1-2 SEC) at South Carolina (2-3, 1-3), 2:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Georgia beat South Carolina 52-20 in September 2015.
The last time Georgia head coach Kirby Smart experienced consecutive regular-season losses was as Alabama's DB coach in 2007. South Carolina's upset chances are good, but they'd be better if the offense had shown any real growth.
Prediction: Georgia 23, South Carolina 14
FINAL: Georgia 28, South Carolina 14
Next Wednesday Night's Game
8 of 8
Appalachian State (3-2, 1-0 Sun Belt) at Louisiana-Lafayette (2-3, 1-1), 8 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Appalachian State beat Louisiana-Lafayette 28-7 last November.
Appalachian State has won seven consecutive league road games, including in 2014 at Louisiana-Lafayette. That was when the Ragin' Cajuns were in the midst of a fourth straight nine-win season but since have gone 6-11.
Prediction: Appalachian State 26, Louisiana-Lafayette 20
FINAL: Appalachian State 24, Louisiana-Lafayette 0
All statistics courtesy of cfbstats.com unless otherwise noted. All series history information courtesy of CFBDataWarehouse.com unless otherwise noted. All team rankings are from the Associated Press Top 25 poll.
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter @realBJP.
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