Although an upset loss removed the possibility of two Top 10 matchups in Week 9, the upcoming slate still boasts a trio of showdowns between Top 20 teams. Second-ranked LSU will host No...
NCAA Football Rankings 2019: Early Predictions for College Polls After Week 9
Oct 21, 2019
LSU quarterback Joe Burrow (9) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Florida in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
No. 9 Auburn and No. 13 Wisconsin face stiff tasks to try to move back up the college football rankings in Week 9.
Auburn has worked its way up the polls, but it could be on the way back down if it stumbles versus No. 2 LSU.
Wisconsin experienced a drop after Week 8's defeat to Illinois, and it could be out of either the Top 15 or 20 if it suffers a second straight loss to No. 3 Ohio State.
As for the Tigers and Buckeyes, they could reinforce their positions in the top three with home victories.
If that is the case, the two sides will move one step closer to setting up mammoth November clashes with Alabama and Penn State, respectively.
Week 9 Poll Prediction
1. Alabama
2. LSU
3. Ohio State
4. Clemson
5. Oklahoma
6. Penn State
7. Florida
8. Notre Dame
9. Georgia
10. Oregon
11. Utah
12. Baylor
13. Texas
14. SMU
15. Minnesota
16. Auburn
17. Wisconsin
18. Cincinnati
19. Iowa
20. Appalachian State
21. Boise State
22. Iowa State
23. Arizona State
24. Wake Forest
25. Memphis
Saturday afternoon marks the second time Ohio State faces a ranked foe in 2019.
The first resulted in a 24-point triumph over a Michigan State team that is now .500 in conference play.
Before Wisconsin lost to Illinois, the clash between the Buckeyes and Badgers could have been for the Big Ten's spot in the College Football Playoff.
Now, Paul Chryst's team has to win at Ohio Stadium, run through the Big Ten West and knock off either Ohio State or Penn State in the Big Ten Championship Game.
The Badgers will not get a chance to regain playoff hopes, as their defense may not be able to handle all of Ohio State's weapons.
Wisconsin's top-ranked rushing defense should contain J.K. Dobbins and Master Teague, but Justin Fields has an endless supply of wide receivers to work with.
Ten Buckeyes have hauled in a touchdown pass, with Chris Olave, K.J. Hill and Binjimen Victor leading the way with 13 combined scores.
Even if Jonathan Taylor produces another triple-digit showing, the Big Ten West side may not have enough horses in the passing game to keep up with the Big Ten East leader.
Jack Coan has thrown for over 200 yards once in the last five games, and he has over 25 attempts in two of those contests.
If Ohio State contains Taylor on a few drives, the junior signal-caller might not be able to be the difference-maker.
The same could be said about Bo Nix going into Tiger Stadium. The Auburn freshman has a single 300-yard performance, and he hit 150 yards once in three Top 25 matchups.
Conversely, Joe Burrow has eclipsed the 250-yard mark in each of his seven starts for LSU.
A Saturday win assures Ed Orgeron's side an undefeated record heading into Bryant-Denny Stadium November 9 for the potential game of the season.
Ohio State has a longer wait between Week 9 and the November 23 clash with Penn State. In between, the Buckeyes face Maryland and Rutgers.
By the time the Buckeyes visit Michigan, the Wolverines could have at least three losses.
Jim Harbaugh's side may fall out of the Top 25 with a home loss to Notre Dame, who is chasing the title of the best one-loss team.
If the Fighting Irish win at Michigan Stadium, they will be locked in a fight with the SEC East winner and possibly the Pac-12 champion for that designation.
If Auburn and Wisconsin fall, Oregon and Utah could shoot into the Top 10, while Baylor, SMU and Minnesota may continue their crawls up the rankings.
Baylor's movement is significant because it could give Oklahoma a chance to earn another Top 10 victory November 16 in Waco, Texas.
College Football Picks Week 9: Vegas Odds and Predictions for Top 25 Games
Oct 21, 2019
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 18: Justin Fields #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs on in the third quarter against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 18, 2019 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
Wisconsin's trip to Ohio State is no longer a Top 10 clash, but it still carries plenty of meaning in the Big Ten and College Football Playoff races.
After suffering an upset loss to Illinois, the Badgers tumbled out of the sport's upper echelon. However, it could move right back in with a victory as a double-digit underdog.
Saturday's contest also has Heisman Trophy implications, with Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor facing Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields. Whoever shines brightest could earn an advantage over his rival.
In the SEC, Auburn and LSU face off in a divisional clash that serves as the last major hurdle ahead of a possible No. 1-versus-No. 2 clash between LSU and Alabama.
Auburn could still land in the playoff discussion, but it has to win its remaining SEC clashes, starting with the trip to Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Week 9 Schedule and Odds
All Times ET.
Odds from Vegas Insider; predictions against the spread in bold.
Thursday, October 24
No. 16 SMU (-13.5) at Houston (7:30 p.m., ESPN)
Saturday, October 26
No. 13 Wisconsin at No. 3 Ohio State (-14) (Noon, Fox)
No. 5 Oklahoma (-22) at Kansas State (Noon, ABC)
No. 20 Iowa (-11) at Northwestern (Noon, ESPN2)
No. 21 Appalachian State (-25.5) at South Alabama (Noon, ESPNU)
No. 9 Auburn at No. 2 LSU (-11) (3:30 p.m., CBS)
No. 6 Penn State (-5.5) at Michigan State (3:30 p.m., ABC)
No. 15 Texas (-1.5) at TCU (3:30 p.m., Fox)
Maryland at No. 17 Minnesota (-15) (3:30 p.m., ESPN)
Oklahoma State at No. 23 Iowa State (-8.5) (3:30 p.m., FS1)
Arkansas at No. 1 Alabama (-33) (7 p.m., ESPN)
Boston College at No. 4 Clemson (-36.5) (7:30 p.m., ACC Network)
No. 24 Arizona State (-2.5) at UCLA (7:30 p.m., Pac-12 Network)
California at No. 12 Utah (-17.5) (10 p.m., FS1)
Washington State at No. 11 Oregon (-14) (10:30 p.m., ESPN)
No. 13 Wisconsin (+14) at No. 3 Ohio State
Wisconsin has not lost back-to-back games since October 2016, when it fell to Michigan and Ohio State.
The Badgers lost their last two meetings with the Buckeyes, but the 2016 regular-season clash and 2017 Big Ten Championship Game were both decided by one score.
To remain competitive at Ohio Stadium, Wisconsin's offensive line has to neutralize Chase Young's threat. The potential top-five pick in the 2020 NFL draft has 23 tackles, 9.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
If Paul Chryst's team handles the defensive end, it could push the ball down the field through Taylor.
The junior tailback is 33 yards away from 1,000 and has 19 total touchdowns, 15 on the ground and four through the air. The 20-year-old's season high occurred versus Michigan, but the Wolverines are a few tiers down from Ohio State in 2019.
The Buckeyes possess the ninth-best rushing defense and allowed opponents to score twice on the ground, but they might not be the most dominant run-stoppers Saturday, as Wisconsin enters with the top-ranked rushing defense.
The Badgers have held opponents to 58.4 yards per game, 2.2 yards per carry, two scores and forced 12 fumbles.
Linebackers Jack Sanborn, Chris Orr and Zack Baun, who have 18 combined sacks, will be key to containing Justin Fields and J.K. Dobbins. If they do that, Fields may end up in a few long-yardage situations on third and fourth downs that lead to punts.
At some point, Ohio State could overwhelm Wisconsin through its deep receiving corps led by Chris Olave, Binjimen Victor and K.J. Hill.
A few long gains could open up Wisconsin's defense, but without a consistent running game, the third-ranked team will not pull away until late.
A loss for Wisconsin means it would have to win out in the Big Ten West with triumphs over Iowa and Minnesota to earn a possible rematch with the Buckeyes in Indianapolis.
An Ohio State win puts it in better position to earn a top spot in the first College Football Playoff rankings, but it has to still beat Penn State and Michigan to land in the Big Ten Championship Game.
No. 9 Auburn at No. 2 LSU (-11)
LSU could open up a two-game gap between itself and Auburn with a victory at Tiger Stadium. Ed Orgeron's side should be able to achieve that with the continued progression of its high-powered offense.
Joe Burrow is 400 yards away from eclipsing the total he earned a year ago, and he already has 13 more touchdown passes than his first season with the Tigers.
LSU ranks third in the FBS in total offense behind Oklahoma and UCF with 539.9 yards and 50.1 points per game.
Auburn enters the SEC West showdown with 433.1 yards and 36.3 points per contest. Those are respectable numbers, but they pale in comparison to LSU.
As it did against Texas and Florida, LSU could overpower Auburn and its defense could come up with one or two big plays to open up a double-digit advantage.
LSU's average margin of victory in Baton Rouge is 38.25 points, and all but one of its seven victories have been by double digits.
In three of its four matchups against unranked teams, Gus Malzahn's Auburn squad eclipsed 50 points, but its production dropped in three Top 25 battles.
Bo Nix did not hit the 200-yard mark versus Texas A&M, Oregon or Florida, and if he puts up similar numbers, the visiting Tigers could lose by a few scores.
Auburn could cause some difficulties with Derrick Brown menacing LSU's offensive line, but even Florida's strong defense struggled with the system on the road.
Unless Nix bucks his first-season trend and explodes for over 300 passing yards, it is hard to see Auburn keeping up with LSU for four quarters.
Six weeks into the 2019 college football season, 16 of the 130 Football Bowl Subdivision teams remain undefeated. That number will steadily be trimmed, though. Based on the remaining games, seven are guaranteed to lose at least once...
College Football Rankings 2019: Reviewing NCAA Week 6 Standings Before Saturday
Oct 5, 2019
Although it may seem the 2019 college football campaign is still young, many programs are reaching the halfway point of their regular seasons in Week 6.
And with every passing Saturday, the significance of each result rises. Some losses are problematic in conference races. Every defeat, however, affects College Football Playoff chances.
In Week 6, the CFB world has its collective eyes on three showdowns between Top 25 teams.
While the marquee game is No. 7 Auburn at No. 10 Florida, a pair of Big Ten battles―Iowa at Michigan and Michigan State at Ohio State―are high on the national radar. Before the excitement arrives, let's review the Top 25 entering Week 6.
Week 6 AP Top 25
1. Alabama (5-0) 2. Clemson (5-0) 3. Georgia (4-0) 4. Ohio State (5-0) 5. LSU (4-0) 6. Oklahoma (4-0) 7. Auburn (5-0) 8. Wisconsin (4-0) 9. Notre Dame (3-1) 10. Florida (5-0) 11. Texas (3-1) 12. Penn State (4-0) 13. Oregon (3-1) 14. Iowa (4-0) 15. Washington (4-1) 16. Boise State (4-0) 17. Utah (4-1) 18. UCF (4-1) 19. Michigan (3-1) 20. Arizona State (4-1) 21. Oklahoma State (4-1) 22. Wake Forest (5-0) 23. Virginia (4-1) 24. SMU (5-0) T-25. Michigan State (3-1) T-25. Texas A&M (3-2)
Clarity Coming in Big Ten
At this point of the season, only a handful of Big Ten games have taken place. Beginning in Week 6, though, the conference will start to have a bit of separation in the standings.
Ohio State is widely considered the favorite, but Michigan State could throw a wrench into that discussion. While the Spartans are 20-point underdogs, per Caesars, MSU has regularly been a thorn in the Buckeyes' side in recent years.
Strong defense won't be enough for the Spartans, though.
Last season, MSU only allowed 347 yards yet fell 26-6 because the offense failed to even cross midfield on 12 of its 16 drives. That level of ineffectiveness is crushing against any opponent, but a team of Ohio State's caliber won't lose that contest.
The Spartans must be effective on offense early and put up some points, lest the Buckeyes create a multiple-score advantage and force MSU to play from behind.
Whichever team pulls out the victory will remain unblemished in Big Ten action and hold an important win for tiebreaker purposes.
Iowa's trip to Michigan doesn't have the same context, but the Hawkeyes are undefeated this year. Given the struggles of Northwestern, Nebraska and Purdue, Iowa appears to be Wisconsin's only challenger in the West Division.
Michigan, on the other hand, is trying to stay alive in the Big Ten and national races. The Wolverines have already lost to Wisconsin this season.
Jim Harbaugh's teams have performed much better at home against marquee opponents, so the sky might not continue falling in on Michigan. Simultaneously, a terrific Iowa defense is a bad matchup for an offense searching for its identity.
If the Wolverines falter again, they will be all but eliminated from the Big Ten and CFP races. Only a monumental collapse from Ohio State would give U-M a second chance.
But with a win―despite all the deserved criticism of Harbaugh―Michigan wouldn't be finished.
Follow Bleacher Report writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
College Football Odds Week 6: Picks, Spread Predictions for Top 25 Games
Oct 3, 2019
Auburn running back JaTarvious Whitlow (28) reacts after scoring a touchdown against Texas A&M during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Some of the top college football programs could create separation in the standings in Week 6.
Auburn and Florida both have an opportunity to solidify their status among the top four teams in the SEC alongside Alabama, Georgia and LSU.
The Tigers could rack up its third victory over a Top 25 team, while a triumph for the Gators would set up a colossal clash with Georgia for the top spot in the SEC East.
Ohio State can gain a one-game advantage on Michigan State in the Big Ten East, and it might get some help from Iowa at Michigan Stadium.
The Hawkeyes need to keep pace with Wisconsin in the Big Ten West. A win over Michigan would push them further on to the national radar and further sink the Wolverines.
No. 15 Washington(-16.5) at Stanford (10:30 p.m., ESPN)
No. 16 Boise State(-22) at UNLV (10:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network)
Predictions
Auburn (-3) at Florida
STARKVILLE, MS - OCTOBER 06: Derrick Brown #5 of the Auburn Tigers defends during a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Auburn's offense and Florida's defense have been two of the better units in the SEC.
In the win over Texas A&M, the Tigers used a balanced approach, as Bo Nix threw for only 100 yards while the rushing attack led by JaTarvious Whitlow totaled 193 yards.
A week ago, the totals increased to 361 passing and 217 rushing in a rout of Mississippi State that featured 42 first-half points.
If the seventh-ranked side produces the same offensive efficiency, the Gators could be in for a long afternoon in "The Swamp."
The Gators rank fifth in points conceded per game and 16th in rushing yards allowed per game, but their list of opponents is far from impressive.
In the last two weeks, Dan Mullen's team has outscored Towson and Tennessee 82-3. Auburn is the first of three ranked foes Florida faces in conference action.
The visitors could create scoreboard separation through their pass rush. Tyrone Truesdell, Marlon Davidson and Derrick Brown have two sacks or more.
Brown was a menace versus Texas A&M, and if he applies the same pressure to Kyle Trask, the SEC West side could secure its third quality win.
Auburn defeated Oregon and Texas A&M by a combined 14 points, and with Saturday's spread so small, there is a good chance it will cover if it comes out on top. Its average margin of victory is 20.8 points.
Iowa (+3.5) at Michigan
It is hard to put any betting faith in Michigan after it faltered against Wisconsin.
Sure, a home thumping of Rutgers was good for its confidence, but that proved nothing about how it will perform against Top-25 opponents.
In the last three years, Jim Harbaugh's team suffered five losses to ranked foes by 10 or more points. The only defeat under that threshold came in Week 1 of 2018 to Notre Dame.
If Iowa follows a similar defensive game plan as Wisconsin, it could storm out of Michigan Stadium with its unblemished record in tact.
The Hawkeyes are giving up 77.7 rushing yards per game with zero touchdowns. If they slow down Michigan's running backs, they could force Shea Patterson to win the game, which is what every Big Ten defense should try to do.
Michigan's senior signal-caller struggled to find a rhythm at Camp Randall Stadium, as he went 14-of-32 for 219 yards, the majority of which were earned in the second half when the game was already over.
Even when the Wolverines defeated ranked opposition in 2018, Patterson's numbers were far from impressive. He averaged 178.8 passing yards versus a quintet of Top 25 foes in his junior campaign.
In fact, he has not had a single 300-yard performance in maize and blue, and he has not had much support on the ground in 2019, with Michigan ranking 94th in rushing yards per game.
It's hard to see Michigan fixing its offensive issues in big games in four quarters, so we are going with the more reliable defense.
An Iowa victory keeps it on track with Wisconsin in the Big Ten West, and it lines up a massive clash with Penn State at home in Week 7.
Michigan State at Ohio State (-20)
Ohio State produces the opposite emotions to its top rival when you watch its offense.
Justin Fields is looking like a Heisman Trophy contender, and he has a plethora of weapons around him that could finish Michigan State by halftime.
Ryan Day's team outscored its first five opponents 262-43 and enjoyed a 41-point thumping of Nebraska last time out.
Michigan State carries an aggregate score of 150-65 in its four wins, but it is coming off the concession of 31 points to Indiana in a contest it barely won.
Mark Dantonio's squad boasts the seventh-best yards conceded per game with 254, but that can't be seen as an advantage Saturday since the Buckeyes rank second in that category.
Ohio State's defense has a Top 15 mark in passing yards, rushing yards and points per game, and Saturday marks another chance for the Chase Young-led unit to shine.
Young and fellow potential first-round pick Jeffrey Okudah have been overshadowed a bit by the massive numbers put up by Fields, J.K. Dobbins, K.J. Hill and Co., but they deserve credit for the performances they have put in.
Thirteen Buckeyes have recorded a sack and five others have an interception. If that defensive form carries over into its second Big Ten East game, Ohio State could land another victory over 20 points.
While the biggest weekend of the college football season is closing in fast, Week 6 will provide a bit of separation before the showdown-filled slate in Week 7. The Big Ten offers two Top 25 matchups with No...
College Football Picks Week 6: Top 25 Rankings, Schedule, Odds and Predictions
Sep 30, 2019
The top game on the Week 6 college football schedule is expected to be the closest one involving a ranked team.
No. 7 Auburn opened as a three-point favorite for its visit to No. 10 Florida. That is different from two weeks ago, when the Tigers were viewed as an underdog by the oddsmakers for their trip to Texas A&M.
The opening line for the SEC clash is one of four single-digit spreads for games involving Top 25 squads.
One of the two other ranked matchups is predicted to be more of a one-sided affair, as No. 4 Ohio State tries to extend its terrific start.
The Buckeyes return home Saturday for a Big Ten East showdown with No. 25 Michigan State, who squeezed out a win over Indiana in Week 5.
Until we are proved wrong, the Buckeyes should be a two-to-three-score favorite because of how dominant they have looked.
Bowling Green at No. 9 Notre Dame (-45) (3:30 p.m., NBC)
No. 11 Texas (-10) at West Virginia (3:30 p.m., ABC)
No. 3 Georgia (-24) at Tennessee (7 p.m., ESPN)
No. 25 Michigan State at No. 4 Ohio State (-20) (7:30 p.m., ABC)
Tulsa at No. 24 SMU (-13) (7:30 p.m., ESPNU)
California at No. 13 Oregon (-17.5) (8 p.m., Fox)
No. 15 Washington (-14) at Stanford (10:30 p.m., ESPN)
No. 16 Boise State (-21.5) at UNLV (10:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network)
Predictions
No. 7 Auburn (-3) at No. 10 Florida
All four of Auburn's victories over ranked foes in the last two years have been decided by one possession.
The season-opening game versus Oregon was won late in the fourth quarter, while Texas A&M rallied with 17 points in the final stanza in an eight-point loss to Gus Malzahn's team.
Three of those four triumphs occurred away from Jordan-Hare Stadium, two of which were at neutral sites.
That suggests if Bo Nix and Co. leave Ben Hill Griffin Stadium with a win, it will be by a narrow margin.
Florida won in similar fashion over a pair of Top 25 SEC sides a year ago, when it defeated Mississippi State and LSU by a combined 15 points.
The exception to the trend was the Gators' Peach Bowl blowout of Michigan, a contest they won by 26.
There could be some concerns about Florida's home form, as it dropped results to Kentucky and Missouri in Dan Mullen's first season.
In three home games in 2019, the Gators have outscored teams 117-3, but two of those sides were FCS programs and the other was a struggling Tennessee.
Since Auburn has played the more difficult schedule to date, it is understandable to back it, especially after thriving at Kyle Field.
Nix, who is coming off a 335-yard showing, could be the difference-maker. In his first true road test, the freshman quarterback managed the game well with 138 total yards.
If he applies the experience from wins over Oregon and A&M with the increased numbers from Week 5, Nix could help the Tigers land their third victory over a ranked opponent.
No. 25 Michigan State at No. 4 Ohio State (-20)
A 20-point margin of victory may be too easy for Ohio State to attain.
An argument can be made that Ryan Day's side has looked like the best team in the nation, and it reinforced that with a 48-7 win at Nebraska.
The Buckeyes' second Big Ten road win caught the eye of pollsters, as they nabbed seven first-place votes in the AP Top 25.
The average score of Ohio State's first five games is 52-9, and it has held its last four opponents to 10 points or fewer.
Michigan State enters Ohio Stadium at 4-1, but it has had a few shaky performances in the last three weeks.
The Spartans were limited to a touchdown at home in a loss to Arizona State and struggled to put away Indiana.
The problem facing Michigan State, and the rest of Ohio State's opponents, is the depth Justin Fields has to work with.
Nine players have a touchdown catch, with K.J. Hill and Chris Olave leading the group with four each.
If, by chance, the Spartans limit Fields' production, there is no guarantee they will contain J.K. Dobbins, who averages 7.1 yards per carry and has found the end zone six times.
Additionally, the Buckeyes have downed the Spartans by 20 or more in their last two meetings.
All of that leads us to believe Ohio State will roll once again and gain more momentum in the discussion as the country's best team.
College Football Rankings 2019: Week 6 Standings, Schedule and Predictions
Sep 30, 2019
Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley runs from Iowa State defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike, right, during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Ames, Iowa. Iowa won 18-17. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Two weeks after falling flat in its first Top 25 matchup, Michigan receives a chance to rebuild its resume against Iowa.
Jim Harbaugh's team can't afford another loss with four ranked foes remaining on the schedule, including three from the Big Ten East.
Saturday is the first chance Iowa has to impress against a Big Ten power. The Hawkeyes have wins over a pair of Group of Five teams, Rutgers and Iowa State.
Following the Big Ten showdown on the Week 6 schedule is a Top 10 meeting between Auburn and Florida.
The Tigers have the best resume in college football with two victories over ranked foes, and they can add to it with a road triumph over the Gators.
AP Top 25
1. Alabama (5-0)
2. Clemson (5-0)
3. Georgia (4-0)
4. Ohio State (5-0)
5. LSU (4-0)
6. Oklahoma (4-0)
7. Auburn (5-0)
8. Wisconsin (4-0)
9. Notre Dame (3-1)
10. Florida (5-0)
11. Texas (3-1)
12. Penn State (4-0)
13. Oregon (3-1)
14. Iowa (4-0)
15. Washington (4-1)
16. Boise State (4-0)
17. Utah (4-1)
18. UCF (4-1)
19. Michigan (3-1)
20. Arizona State (4-1)
21. Oklahoma State (4-1)
22. Wake Forest (5-0)
23. Virginia (4-1)
24. SMU (5-0)
25. Texas A&M (3-2)
Week 6 Schedule
Friday, October 4
No. 18 UCF at Cincinnati (8 p.m., ESPN)
Saturday, October 5
Utah State at No. 5 LSU (Noon, SEC Network)
No. 6 Oklahoma at Kansas (Noon, ABC)
Kent State at No. 8 Wisconsin (Noon, ESPNU)
Purdue at No. 12 Penn State (Noon, ESPN)
No. 14 Iowa at No. 19 Michigan (Noon, Fox)
No. 21 Oklahoma State at Texas Tech (Noon, FS1)
No. 7 Auburn at No. 10 Florida (3:30 p.m., CBS)
Bowling Green at No. 9 Notre Dame (3:30 p.m., NBC)
No. 11 Texas at West Virginia (3:30 p.m., ABC)
No. 3 Georgia at Tennessee (7 p.m., ESPN)
No. 25 Michigan State at No. 4 Ohio State (7:30 p.m., ABC)
Tulsa at No. 24 SMU (7:30 p.m., ESPNU)
California at No. 13 Oregon (8 p.m., Fox)
No. 15 Washington at Stanford (10:30 p.m., ESPN)
No. 16 Boise State at UNLV (10:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network)
Predictions
Iowa 23, Michigan 17
Putting up 52 points against Rutgers was the perfect remedy for Michigan to get over its deflating loss to Wisconsin.
Shea Patterson produced his highest number of passing yards and best completion percentage of 2019, so if anything, the Wolverines should have some confidence Saturday.
However, a much more difficult test awaits from Iowa, who ranks third in the FBS in points conceded per game.
In fact, the four best scoring defenses in the bowl subdivision come from the Big Ten. Michigan is not one of them, as it sits 32nd with 19.3 points given up per contest.
Iowa's biggest advantage could be stopping the run. The Hawkeyes let up 77 rushing yards per game and the Wolverines were held to 40 yards on the ground by Wisconsin.
Linebackers Kristian Welch and Djimon Colbert, who lead Iowa in tackles, will be crucial in halting Michigan's run game.
If Iowa limits the ground production, Patterson has to step up, which has not happened during his time with the Wolverines.
In five ranked matchups in 2018, Patterson averaged 178.8 passing yards. He ended with 219 yards and two scores versus Wisconsin, but those numbers are deceiving because most of his production occurred in the second half and he had a 43.8 completion percentage.
If that trend continues, Iowa may have an easy time pulling away with Nate Stanley at the helm. He has a quartet of 200-yard performances with eight touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Iowa's complement of running backs could wear down Michigan's defense, as Mekhi Sargent, Toren Young and Tyler Goodson all have over 30 carries and 200 rushing yards.
As long as Kirk Ferentz's team maintains balance, it should be able to put together extended drives and hold on to the lead at Michigan Stadium.
Auburn 24, Florida 16
Auburn passed its tests against ranked foes in different styles.
The Tigers came from behind to beat Oregon in their season opener and then pounced on Texas A&M early in their first SEC contest.
Saturday marks the first major challenge for Florida to prove it belongs in the Top 10. The Gators could shut down Bo Nix and Co. since they come into the matchup with 24 points conceded in the last four games.
Nix enters off the best passing performance of his young career. He totaled 335 passing yards and two touchdowns while going 18-of-21 versus Mississippi State.
Additionally, Auburn's running game racked up 217 yards Saturday, with five skill players and Nix carrying the ball three or more times.
Yards may be hard to come by since Florida ranks in the top 30 of rushing and passing yards conceded per game. But the Gators are facing a step up in competition from Tennessee and Towson.
The Kyle Trask-led Gators could pile up numbers, as Auburn's defense gave up 391 total yards to Texas A&M and 332 to Oregon.
In his two starts since replacing Feleipe Franks, the junior is 38-of-48 for 481 passing yards with four touchdowns, but he has been picked off twice.
The key might be Auburn's pass rush. The Tigers have 13 sacks and a potential first-round pick at defensive tackle in Derrick Brown, who put in a huge showing versus Texas A&M.
If the Tigers are effective in the trenches and affect Trask's throws, they could earn the advantage and come away with another ranked win.
ESPN 'College GameDay' Will Go to Gainesville for Auburn vs. Florida in Week 6
Sep 29, 2019
AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 28: Quarterback Bo Nix #10 of the Auburn Tigers looks to throw a pass during the second quarter of their game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Auburn, AL. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
Gainesville, Florida, is the next stop on the ESPN College GameDay tour.
Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit and the rest of the gang will be in town in advance of an important SEC showdown between No. 7 Auburn and No. 9 Florida, who both moved to 5-0 with emphatic wins on Saturday.
Auburn took down Mississippi State 56-23 behind 335 passing yards, 56 rushing yards and three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) from freshman signal-caller Bo Nix.
Florida defeated Division I-FCS Towson 38-0 as junior quarterback Kyle Trask completed 18 of 20 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns.
Auburn and Florida are two of five SEC teams who are undefeated and also ranked in the Top 10. No. 2 Alabama, No. 3 Georgia and No. 4 LSU are the others.
The SEC showdown highlights a strong slate of Week 6 games next Saturday as three other matchups feature teams currently ranked in the Top 25. No. 25 Michigan State will visit No. 5 Ohio State, No. 13 Oregon will host No. 15 Cal and No. 14 Iowa will pay a visit to No. 20 Michigan.
The main event is clearly Auburn at Florida, however, as it's the only game where two Top 10 teams will face off.
CBS will televise the contest, which is slated for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff.
