CFW Week 6 Forecast - Julia Roberts and Matt Damon were no shows

 CFW Week 6 Forecast – Julia Roberts and Matt Damon were no shows

Undefeated Duke, Miami, Missouri,

Ohio State, Rutgers, Tennessee and UNLV

put their perfect records on the line

 

Greetings from Mystic, Connecticut!

 

Unfortunately, there was no Julia Roberts or Matt Damon on Monday evening, but the pizza was great. Yesterday, our personal trolley tour of Newport, Rhode Island, was great too. One more day of activities. Nothing better than getting a bunch of former Navy guys together. We know how to have fun. But our wives keep us from getting too crazy. Next year’s reunion will take place in Nashville.

 

In our group there are Connecticut, Iowa State, Michigan, Penn State, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Tennessee fans. There are some pretty good teams represented in the group. And, of course, you know I am a West Virginia and Florida fan. Sadly, there are a few of the guys who just aren’t into college football. Everyone’s not perfect.

 

Speaking of college football, can you believe we are into Week 6 already. Time flies when you are having fun. Remember there are 14 weeks in the season this year. So, we won’t be half way through the season until we get through Week 7. There is an extra week in the season this year. The teams have 14 weeks to play 12 games. That’s why most teams have two open weeks on their schedule.

 

Speaking of Week 6, there aren’t any, what you would call, “blockbuster” games this weekend. However, having said that, there are a slew of games that will end up being “blockbuster” games.

 

Six weeks into the season, most of the games now are intraconference affairs. The conference with the most interesting games in Week 6 is the ACC, with five. Miami (5-0) at California (3-1) could be a trap game for the Canes. Miami is at Louisville next week. This week, Louisville (3-1) hosts SMU (4-1). SMU squeezed in between Notre Dame and Miami could be a trap game for Louisville.

 

Boston College (4-1) at Virginia (3-1) should be a good battle in Charlottesville. Duke (5-0) at Georgia Tech (3-2) will be a test for the Dookies to keep their perfect record intact. And finally, Florida State (1-4) hosts Clemson (3-1). FSU quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei is out with a hand injury. That could be a benefit for the Noles. Will FSU shock the nation? Or will Clemson roll?

 

The SEC has three good encounters this weekend. The first one is Missouri (4-0) at Texas A&M (4-1) – my “Game of the Week.” Both Mizzou and the Aggies escaped with wins last week. Only one will escape this week. The second good encounter is Tennessee (4-0) at Arkansas (3-2). The Vols should remain undefeated, but you just never know about Arkansas. Those Hogs have the potential to be dangerous. They have nothing to lose, and Sam Pittman is fighting for his job. And who knows what Bobby Petrino will throw at you on offense.

 

Finally in the SEC, there is Ole Miss (4-1) at South Carolina (3-1). Ole Miss got roughed up last week, while the Gamecocks were on R&R. It could get wild in Columbia.

 

The two feature games in the Big Ten are Iowa (3-1) at Ohio State (4-0), and Rutgers (4-0) at Nebraska (4-1). Iowa will be the Buckeyes toughest test to date. Ohio State is fortunate to have the Hawkeyes at home. I’d say Rutgers is in serious danger of losing its first game. Looking at a wild engagement in Lincoln.

 

The one big game in the Big 12 is Texas Tech (4-1) at Arizona (3-1). Are we looking at a basketball score?

 

With all the intraconference games this weekend, there are two good interconference games – Syracuse (3-1) at UNLV (4-0) and UCF (3-1) at Florida (2-2). UNLV is the highest-ranked Group of Five team. Can the Cuse spoil the Rebels perfect record? UCF-Florida is an interconference and intrastate game. That’s a mouthful. UCF would love nothing more than to beat Florida. But Billy Napier would love nothing more than to keep his job. Wild times in The Swamp.  

 

Saturday morning, Swamp Mama and I are flying home from Connecticut. We’ll be home in time to catch an afternoon and evening of college football on TV.   

 

Enjoy your weekend!

 

UTEP and the Mountain West Conference announced that UTEP will join the MWC on July 1, 2026. UTEP is currently a member of Conference USA. The MWC will have at least eight members on July 1, 2026. The conference is losing five members – Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Utah State – to the Pac-12 on July 1, 2026.

 

Meanwhile, Texas State has turned down an invite from the MWC. Texas State will remain in the Sun Belt Conference.

 

Major League Baseball player and manager Pete Rose died on Monday. He played Major League Baseball from 1963 to 1986, most prominently with the Cincinnati Reds – 19 seasons (1963 to 1978 and 1984 to 1989). He played five years for the Philadelphia Phillies and one year for the Montreal Expos. He managed the Reds from 1984 to 1989. A switch hitter, Rose had a .303 batting average, 4,256 hits, 160 home runs and 1,314 runs batted in. He played on three World Series champion teams. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Peter Edward Rose was 83.  

 

Touchdown Tom

October 3, 2024

https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com

 

Touchdown Tom’s Predictions for

Week Six’s 10 Biggest and Most Intriguing Games….and then some

 

GAME OF THE WEEK: 1. Missouri (4-0) at Texas A&M (4-1) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ABC – Missouri is coming off two close wins and both were at home. The Tigers beat Boston College by seven points and Vanderbilt in overtime. The best part of Missouri is its defense – one of the best in the country. The Tigers are holding opponents to 12 points a game. Mizzou’s offense isn’t bad. Quarterback Brady Cook triggers the offense. He has passed for 936 yards in four games. Running back Nate Noel has rushed for 441 yards in four games. Still, the overtime scare from Vanderbilt has to be concerning. Texas A&M has a lousy passing game, but a strong running game. The Aggies defense is not good, but not bad either. A&M lost its opener to Notre Dame. Currently the Aggies are on a four-game winning streak. This is a dangerous game for Mizzou. But the Aggies aren’t spoilers – Missouri 24, Texas A&M 20.

 

RUNNER-UP: 2. Iowa (3-1) at Ohio State (4-0) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, CBS – Iowa’s one loss is a one-point setback to Iowa State. Unlike Iowa teams of the recent past, this Hawkeyes team can score. They are averaging 32 points a game. The strength of the offense is running back Kaleb Johnson. Johnson is averaging 171 yards a game. The weakness of the Iowa offense is its passing. There is none. Except for defending the pass, Iowa has a strong defense. It needs to be strong to stop the running of Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson. Will Howard’s passing isn’t bad either – 1,039 yards in four games. The Buckeyes are averaging 49 points a game on offense. To make matters worse for Iowa, Ohio State’s defense is one of the best in the country – holding opponents to seven points a game. It doesn’t look good for the Hawkeyes – Ohio State 28, Iowa 17.

 

REST OF THE BEST: 3. Miami (Florida) (5-0) at California (3-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 10:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – Miami is an all-around good team. The Canes have an outstanding offense and a good defense. However, the defense had its problems with Virginia Tech last week. On offense, quarterback Cam Ward, who may be the leading contender for the Heisman Trophy has passed for 1,782 yards in five games. As a team, Miami is averaging 49 points a game. California is an interesting team. The Golden Bears are playing better defense than offense. On defense, they are holding opponents to 13 points a game. On offense, Cal is shaky. They are only averaging 23 points a game. The Canes get radical in Berkeley – Miami 30, California 20.

 

4. Rutgers (4-0)  at Nebraska (4-1) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 4 pm ET, Saturday, FS1 – Nebraska’s strength is its defense. The Huskers are holding opponents to 12 points a game. Nebraska’s offense, on the other hand, is not so good. The Huskers are below average moving the ball. The running game is nonexistent. The passing game should improve as Dylan Raiola improves. Rutgers is undefeated. However, the offense and defense of the Knights are just average. The best part of the offense is the running game. It’s not bad. The best part of the defense is holding opponents to 16 points a game. This contest could come down to a defensive battle. Sir Herbie – Nebraska 21, Rutgers 18.

 

5. Tennessee (4-0) at Arkansas (3-2) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – You can’t get any better than Tennessee’s offense and defense. The offense is averaging 54 points a game. The defense is holding opponents to 7 points a game. The Vols are cookin’. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava and running back Dylan Sampson have been solid. Arkansas is a tough team that has had some tough luck. The Razorbacks have lost two games by a total of 12 points. One of the two losses was in overtime. The Arkansas offense is pretty good – it isn’t bad. It’s the Hogs’ defense that is suspect. Playing at home, Arkansas is likely to give Tennessee a tough time. However, while Tennessee was resting up last week, Arkansas was in a hard-fought battle with Texas A&M – a battle the Hogs lost. Pork belly for the Vols – Tennessee 30, Arkansas 16.

 

6. Syracuse (3-1) at UNLV (4-0) – (ACC vs. MWC) – 9 pm ET, Friday, FS1 – UNLV is on top of the world with its undefeated record. The Rebels are averaging 45 points a game on offense, while holding opponents to 14 points a game on defense. UNLV has played well. Syracuse has played well too. The Orange just have one loss. That one by two points. On offense, Syracuse is one of the best passing teams in the country combined with one of the worst rushing teams. Quarterback Kyle McCord has passed for 1,459 yards in four games. The problem area is Syracuse’s defense. They are below average in all aspects. The Orange hope that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas – UNLV 27, Syracuse 20.

 

7. Texas Tech (4-1) at Arizona (3-1) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 11 pm ET, Saturday, FOX – In the last two weeks, Arizona has gone from one extreme to another. After losing to Kansas State, 31-7, the Wildcats beat Utah, 23-10. Arizona is just average on offense and defense. The best part of the offense is quarterback Noah Fifita. He can be a game winner. Texas Tech has a good offense, and a terrible defense. The offense is averaging 42 points a game. The defense is giving up 34 points a game. Tech quarterback Behren Morton is good, passing for 1,426 yards in five games. The Red Raiders are Raiderless – Arizona 34, Texas Tech 24.

 

8. Ole Miss (4-1) at South Carolina (3-1) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – Ole Miss stubbed its toe last week – losing at home to Kentucky. Kentucky has a darn good defense and a woeful offense. That sounds like South Carolina. The Gamecocks have a darn good defense and a woeful offense. Still, it will be tough to contain the Magnolias. Ole Miss is averaging 47 points a game. The Ole Miss defense is holding opponents to eight points a game. Magnolias quarterback Jaxson Dart has passed for 1,815 yards in five games. That’s impressive. Cocky can be impressive too – South Carolina 18, Ole Miss 16.

 

9. SMU (4-1) at Louisville (3-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN – SMU only has one loss. That was a three-point setback to BYU. BYU is undefeated. SMU has managed a 4-1 record with just an okay offense and an okay defense – nothing exceptional. Now the Mustangs face an exceptional team. Louisville’s one loss was by seven points to Notre Dame. The Cardinals are pretty good on both offense and defense. Quarterback Tyler Shough has passed for 1,114 yards in four games. The Cardinals saddle the Mustangs – Louisville 30, SMU 24.

 

10. Boston College (4-1) at Virginia (3-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ACCN – Boston College quarterback Thomas Castellanos is injured. It is not known if he will play. Without Castellanos, the Eagles could be in trouble. Virginia’s offense is no better or no worse than Boston College’s offense. The problem for the Cavaliers is their defense. It stinks. BC could take advantage of that. Virginia does have a decent quarterback in Anthony Colandrea. The Eagles snatch their prey – Boston College 24, Virginia 17.

 

 

YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:

 

West Virginia (2-2) at Oklahoma State (3-2) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 4 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN2 – Oklahoma State has to be angry. The Cowboys are coming off two-straight losses. That could be good news or bad news for West Virginia. Okie State quarterback Alan Bowman is good. He has passed for 1,559 yards. He could sting the WVU pass defense. Okie State running back Ollie Gordan has been a disappointment so far. That’s scary for WVU. Gordan could have a breakout game. Except for running, the Cowboys have a good offense. Okie State’s defense is sad. That’s good news for the Mountaineers. However, West Virginia’s defense is one of the worst in the country. That’s good news for the Cowboys – Oklahoma State 31, West Virginia 24.

 

UCF (3-1) at Florida (2-2) – (Big 12 vs. SEC) – 7:45 pm ET, Saturday, SECN – UCF suffered its first loss last week, losing badly to Colorado. The Knights may be shaken up. Meanwhile, Florida had the week off to get its act together. Billy Napier needs a good act. UCF has a fairly good offense. Averaging 40 points a game. The Knights defense is not so good. Florida’s defense is not so good either. The Gators hope to spring some magic from quarterbacks Graham Mertz and D.J. Lagway. Albert has the Knights floundering – Florida 24, UCF 20.

 

Duke (5-0) at Georgia Tech (3-2) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, ACCN – Duke mixes a below average offense with a better than average defense. The Dookies are 5-0, but their luck could be running out. Dookies quarterback Malik Murphy has performed well, but he will need a lot of luck against Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets have not been particularly impressive on offense or defense. Their victories have been over weak teams. The Dookies are not a weak team – Duke 27, Georgia Tech 24.

 

Auburn (2-3) at Georgia (3-1) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – Auburn has no good wins. Its victories have been over cupcakes. Georgia is no cupcake. But the Dawgs’ offense and defense isn’t what it has been in recent years. Still, Georgia will be mad after the loss to Alabama. The Dawgs take out their frustrations on the Tigers – Georgia 28, Auburn 13.

 

Purdue (1-3) at Wisconsin (2-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, BTN – Wisconsin lost its last two games by a combined 49 points. That’s about to change this weekend. The Badgers could win by 49 points. Most likely not, however. The Badgers offense and defense is no better than Purdue’s. And the Boilers are pretty bad on offense and defense. Purdue’s offense has been so bad the Boilers fired their offensive coordinator after last week’s loss. The Boilers get Badgered – Wisconsin 28, Purdue 17.

 

 

ELSEWHERE AROUBND FLORIDA:

 

Stetson (2-2) at St. Thomas (MN) (1-3) – (Pioneer vs. Pioneer) – 1 pm ET, Saturday….

Florida A&M (2-2) at Alabama State (2-2) – (SWAC vs. SWAC) – 3 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+….

 

Mississippi College (0-4) at West Florida (1-2) – (Gulf South vs. Gulf South) – 4 pm ET, Saturday….

Clemson (3-1) at Florida State (1-4) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN…. 

 

 

Quotes of the Week

 

“When you take a look at the schedule you start to wonder if this isn’t looking like another losing season under Hugh Freeze. Which would be two in a row. I think you can figure out what’s around the corner if this is Auburn,” ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum, suggesting that Auburn could fire Hugh Freeze.

 

Touchdown Tom

https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com

 

(The next CFW – Week 6 Results – will be posted Monday morning, October 7.)