The temperatures are cooling, but the college football season is heating up. Teams are starting to separate themselves in conference title races and the national landscape. After this week some teams will be halfway through their regular season and the stakes will rise with each passing week. Let’s look at some of the key games for week six.
#25 LSU vs #8 Tennessee (-3):
The Vols are flying high so far this season with an offense that has put up 48.5 points and 559 yards of offense per game. Their high-powered offense will go up against a LSU squad that only gives up 14.8 points and 294 yards per game. Hendon Hooker has continued to play at a high level and should be getting more consideration for the Heisman. If Hooker can lead Tennessee past LSU, he’ll have a shot to have a Heisman moment next week versus Alabama.
#17 TCU (-6.5) vs #19 Kansas:
This is not basketball season. The Kansas Jayhawks are 5-0 and ranked in football. Jalon Daniels has been the story for the Jayhawks so far this season. Daniels has completed 68% of his passes and has a 95.6 QBR to go along with 11 touchdowns. Across the field, TCU’s Max Duggan hasn’t been too shabby himself. He is completing almost 75% of his passes and has 11 touchdowns, as well. Both teams average over 40 points a game, so this contest could come down to which defense can make key stops.
#11 Utah (-3.5) vs #18 UCLA:
After a disappointing loss to Florida in the Swamp, the Utes have rebounded quite nicely, but the Bruins will be their first major test since that L to the Gators. UCLA is coming off a good win against Washington and now will take on Utah Saturday and Oregon next week. The loser of this game will fall behind in a Pac-12 race that currently has four teams undefeated in conference play.
Other notable match ups:
Texas (-8.5) vs Oklahoma: The Red-River Rivalry is always one of the best rivalries in the sport and both teams need a win
Florida State vs #14 NC State (-3): With both teams are coming off disappointing losses, the loser pretty much has zero chance of winning the Atlantic division in the ACC.
Texas A&M vs #1 Alabama (-24): The only reason I’m mentioning this game is to see how Jimbo Fisher and Nick Saban will interact post game after the comments that were made in the offseason. Did you know that after 53 games, Jimbo Fisher and Kevin Sumlin have an identical record despite Fisher’s massive contract?