October has arrived, and that means conference play is in full swing in college football.
The Week 6 schedule features plenty of important league contests, some of which were anticipated and some that are somewhat surprising in terms of their level of intrigue. A certain traditional rivalry heads the list of games to watch, with spotlight contests in the Big Ten and SEC also on the docket.
Additionally, a prominent independent program we all know gets another prime-time showcase. Curiously the Pac-12 did not make our lineup this time with several of its major contenders getting the weekend off, but No. 6 Southern California’s late-night encounter with Arizona in the Coliseum has serious #Pac12AfterDark potential.
Right then, let’s get to the matchups.
Time/TV: Noon ET, ABC
Why watch: The Red River showdown is arguably the biggest game on the calendar, a bitter-sweet development at Big 12 headquarters with both teams off to the SEC next year. They might also meet again in a couple of months, but that is far from a certainty at this early stage of the season. We do know that the Sooners’ defense, anchored by LB Danny Stutsman, has made significant strides from a season ago. Whether it can keep Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers and his vast array of big-play targets, led by WRs Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell, in check remains to be seen. Sooners QB Dillon Gabriel has boosted the performance on the other side of the ball as well, but DT Byron Murphy and the Texas front that shone in the signature Alabama win could make his job difficult.
Why it could disappoint: It won’t be another 49-0 drubbing like the Sooners absorbed here last year, but Oklahoma might nonetheless have trouble keeping up if the Longhorns put up some early scores. Then again, this rivalry has been known to produce unexpected results. Hopefully, it will be at its entertaining best.
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Time/TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
Why watch: Only three SEC teams remain unscathed. That number will be reduced by at least one on this day as the preseason favorite Bulldogs entertain the feisty Wildcats between the hedges. The good news for Georgia fans concerned with the team’s recent trend of slow starts is that QB Carson Beck and TE Brock Bowers usually get their timing down when needed after intermission. Having WR Ladd McConkey back in the lineup helps, but a late surge could be more difficult against LB Trevin Wallace and the Wildcats’ accomplished defense. Perhaps the bigger concern for the Bulldogs is the success offensively challenged Auburn was able to muster running the ball last week, particularly with Wildcats RB Ray Davis coming to town right after his career day against Florida. Kentucky QB Devin Leary has been picked off five times, a total he must not allow to increase in hostile environs against the likes of Bulldogs DB Tykee Smith.
Why it could disappoint: Kentucky is battling a whole lot of history in this series, and it’s possible this is the week the Bulldogs put it all together and start dominating. It seems more likely, though, that both offenses will struggle to move the ball in their first few possessions, which should mean a high degree of tension after halftime.
Time/TV: Noon ET, Fox
Why watch: It’s time to find out if the Terrapins can bust through the hard ceiling of the Big Ten East, which has been the exclusive property of the Buckeyes and Michigan since 2017. In dispatching its first five opponents, Maryland’s scoring margin of 25.4 points per game compares favorably with the other league powers. Of course, facing the Buckeyes’ defense will be a different animal for Terps QB Taulia Tagovailoa. He’s been getting plenty of help from RBs Roman Hemby and Colby McDonald, but real estate could be harder to find against OSU LBs Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers. The Buckeyes’ week off came at a good time, allowing standout WR Marvin Harrison Jr. to rest the ankle he turned in the Notre Dame victory. QB Kyle McCord will be happy to have him at close to full speed, but they’ll need to keep the ball away from Maryland CB Tarheeb Still, who has three of the Terps’ eight picks.
Why it could disappoint: Maryland put up a more than respectable fight last season in College Park against the Buckeyes in a 43-30 decision, but the Terps’ last visit to Columbus in 2021 was a 66-17 thrashing. We should know fairly soon if this one will be different.
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Why watch: The Fighting Irish survived their first of three consecutive must-win contests in their quest to remain in the playoff picture. Next up is this road date with the Cardinals, who have already shown considerable progress under first-year coach and favorite son Jeff Brohm. Notre Dame QB Sam Hartman etched his name into the school’s impressive football lore with last week’s gutsy game-winning drive and fourth-down scramble at Duke. His pass catchers will again have their hands full as they take on DB Devin Neal and the solid Cardinals’ secondary. Louisville QB Jack Plummer has delivered in the clutch thus far but has also made some mistakes. Notre Dame DB Xavier Watts will be ready should any more throws go astray.
Why it could disappoint: There are a couple of scenarios. It’s conceivable the Irish will have tapped out their reserves in a third consecutive high-profile game. But the Cardinals, whose close calls have come against somewhat less accomplished competition, might simply find themselves at a talent deficit in their most significant test to date.
Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS
Why watch: This game will, for the moment at least, determine the outright lead in the SEC West. Both teams have rebounded from early non-conference setbacks, but another loss here would all but extinguish any faint playoff aspirations. Aggies’ QB Max Johnson has kept things moving since stepping in for the injured Conner Weigman. He’s an experienced hand who won’t get rattled easily, but taking on LB Dallas Turner and the Tide pass rush will be a challenge nevertheless. Alabama QB Jalen Milroe has been more selective with his throws since being reinstated as the starter, but he might need to take some deep shots against LB Edgerrin Cooper and the A&M defense that has played better since the Week 2 loss to Miami.
Why it could disappoint: The star power that has made this game compelling in recent years – think Aggies like Johnny Manziel and Devon Achane or Devonta Smith or Bryce Young from Alabama’s side – appears somewhat lacking this time out, with both teams relying more on grit and less on flash. New playmakers can emerge, of course, but this feels like it could be a bit of a slog.
Time/TV: Noon ET, ESPN
Why watch: Mizzou, the third SEC squad still without a loss, survived its first SEC test at Vanderbilt and now faces an angry bunch of Bayou Bengals, whose defense was exposed for a second time this season in last week’s wild setback at Ole Miss. There was nothing wrong with the LSU offense, but QB Jayden Daniels might need another big day if this contest unfolds in similar fashion. Missouri QB Brady Cook seems up to the challenge, with 11 scoring tosses without a pick thus far in 2023. One must also not forget about Mizzou’s Harrison Mevis, a.k.a. the Thicker Kicker who became immortalized when he nailed the 61-yard FG to walk off Kansas State.
Why it could disappoint: LSU is capable of scoring in bunches if Mizzou gets bitten by the turnover bug. But even in their wins the Bayou Bengals have struggled to put opponents away. As long as Missouri keeps its home crowd interested, this should be another four-quarter fight.
Time/TV: 8 p.m. ET, Fox
Why watch: At first glance, this Mountain West contest might seem an unusual choice for a prime network position. But it should be worth your attention. Not only is it a vital showdown in the league race, it could also go a long way toward determining the New Year’s Six bowl representative from the group-of-five conferences. Bulldogs QB Mikey Keene is an efficient passer who makes ample use of WRs Erik Brooks and Jaelen Gill. The Cowboys counter with QB Andrew Peasley, who isn’t quite as prolific through the air but gets plenty of ground support from flashy RB Harrison Waylee.
Why it could disappoint: Strange things can happen in the high altitude of Laramie for the less acclimated, so a big lead might not be safe for the visiting Bulldogs as the night wears on. If the Cowboys’ defense comes up with immediate stops, the momentum might swing the home team’s way late. A blowout either way seems unlikely though, so do keep an eye on this one.
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