College Football TV-Watching Guide – Week 6
Some would say it’s always a big weekend in the SEC, because it just means more right? This week is an actual big week with defining matchups in the west division, a new challenger in the East making itself known, and one of the best rivalries in college football taking center stage. Let’s dive in.
MUST WATCH GAMES
12:00 PM: #12 Oklahoma Sooners vs #3 Texas Longhorns (-6.5) – ABC
Be honest with yourself. How much Oklahoma football have you watched this year? If the answer is not much I don’t blame you. The Sooners finally arrive at their first big game of the year in the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl.
Second-year head coach Brent Venables has this defense playing tough again, which is a very low bar considering the last coach. In fact, do not expect this matchup to be the same as last year’s Texas shellacking of the Sooners. Both teams can more than rely on their defenses to keep them in it.
The common theme of each Longhorns game this season has been the utter dominance along both lines of scrimmage. Oklahoma has deep threats at wide receiver, but it will be a struggle for the team to protect QB Dillon Gabriel long enough for routes to develop. They will have to rely on the outside running game and quick passes, and tire the Texas defense with long possessions.
I’ll take Texas to win this game with an edge at quarterback (Quinn Ewers) and head coach (Steve Sarkisian), but Oklahoma will be in it throughout.
3:30 PM: #11 Alabama Crimson Tide vs Texas A&M Aggies (+1.5) – CBS
Who wants to win the SEC West? The winner in College Station on Saturday will be in the driver’s seat with the Tide and Aggies deadlocked at the top of the standings, along with LSU and Ole Miss chasing from just behind.
Since QB Connor Weigman was ruled out for the rest of the season with an injury, Max Johnson has picked right up where Weigman left off for the Aggies. Johnson plays a similar style and may not have put up the passing numbers as Weigman, he represents a legitimate running threat to the offense.
Nick Saban has turned back the clock on this Crimson Tide team, reverting back to a defense-first, ground and pound attack. Alabama forced three turnovers last week and has allowed just 10 points on average in the team’s three games since losing to Texas. Jalen Milroe doesn’t need to do anything special on the offensive side, just protect the ball and hand it off to Jase McClellan.
I really like the Aggies to win this game in front of a raucous home crowd, handing Alabama its second loss and jumping ahead in the division.
7:00 PM: #20 Kentucky Wildcats vs #1 Georgia Bulldogs (-15) – ESPN
The Wildcats were the talk of the conference last week after running for approximately six miles in a dominant win over Florida. RB Ray Davis collected 280 yards on the ground and scored four touchdowns, and will be another major factor if Kentucky is to pull the upset in Athens. QB Devin Leary must be better than his 69 yards passing, otherwise the Bulldogs will dare the NC State transfer to beat them over the top.
Georgia has the opportunity to silence doubters if it returns to its dominant self from the past two seasons. Kirby Smart’s team needed a fourth quarter game-winning drive to knock off a struggling Auburn team last week, as well as needed another second half surge to beat South Carolina in its only two Power 5 games so far.
The Bulldogs do not have the typical stable of running backs that have paced previous Georgia teams, but they do have Brock Bowers at tight end and relied on him to beat the Tigers a week ago. Kentucky does not have anyone that can cover him (nor does anyone in the country), and the Bulldogs win here. Expect more noise from the critics if it takes Georgia a beat to get in rhythm again.
BACKGROUND NOISE
12:00 PM: Maryland Terrapins vs #4 Ohio State Buckeyes (-20) – FOX
- The undefeated Terps head to Columbus with the Big Ten’s leader in passing touchdowns in Taulia Tagovailoa. Ohio State will be the best defense he’s faced by far. The Buckeyes will have to continue its strong defensive play to get a win, as well as continue to find the elite wide receivers down the field.
7:00 PM: Arkansas Razorbacks vs #16 Ole Miss Rebels – SEC Network
- The Rebels stay at home in Oxford after last week’s thrilling win over LSU. RB Quinshon Judkins is back to his usual self, and when QB Jaxon Dart is on he is a real difference maker in the pass game. Ole Miss also can place itself in the thick of the SEC West race with a win over a struggling Arkansas team.
7:00 PM: #10 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs #25 Louisville Cardinals – ABC
- Notre Dame is still here, showing it with a gutsy fourth quarter drive to beat Duke led by QB Sam Hartman’s fourth down scamper. Louisville has the inside track to an ACC championship game appearance with a 3-0 start in the league, and a schedule that does not include Florida State, Clemson, or Riley Leonard playing for Duke.
THE GROUP OF 5 DARLINGS GAMES OF THE WEEK
THURSDAY 7:00 PM: Sam Houston State Bearkats vs Liberty Flames – CBS Sports Network
2:00 PM: Marshall Thundering Herd vs NC State Wolfpack – CW Network
8:00 PM: #24 Fresno State Bulldogs vs Wyoming Cowboys – FOX
Honorable Mentions on Bye: Air Force Falcons, James Madison Dukes
