College football 2017 Week 6 predictions

Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET

The Tigers find themselves in a bit of a pickle. After paying nearly a million dollars to lose to the Troy Trojans, the program is in panic mode. LSU doesn’t have an easy opportunity to recover, facing a Florida Gators team that has won three consecutive games. The Gators would love nothing more than to send LSU further down the struggle bus and thrill their the homecoming crowd.

Pick: Florida

Thursday, 8 p.m. ET

There must be a glitch in the matrix because we’ve seen this situation before last season. N.C. State heads into the game riding the play of its talented defensive line. Louisville enters the matchup winning its last two games, featuring the talented Lamar Jackson, who is piling up gaudy numbers at quarterback. The Cardinals won handily last year, but the Wolfpack has home field advantage. Something has to give — again.

Pick: Louisville

Friday, 10:15 p.m. ET

The oddest BYU fake punt in recent memory highlighted last year’s matchup and could have been the difference in the 28-27 game in favor of Boise State. This year, BYU is hosting and has not had the year it hoped. The Broncos haven’t been their successful selves either, and both teams will fight tooth and nail to get back on track.

Pick: Boise State

Saturday, 7:15 p.m. ET

We're only five games into the season, and Alabama is already in championship form outscoring opponents 125-3 in its last two games. However, the Crimson Tide will step into one of the most hostile environments with the 12^th man bearing down in College Station. Texas A&M has won its last four games and is battle-tested in close games. It may be enough to overcome the mighty Crimson Tide.

Pick: Alabama

Saturday, 7 p.m. ET

Kansas State QB Jesse Ertz has been struggling throwing the ball as of late, but that was also the case last year heading into a matchup with Texas. Ertz arguably had his best game against Texas in 2016 and could have a repeat performance against the Longhorns this year. Texas recovered from its loss against USC to beat Iowa State two weeks ago. It will need to bring its A-game to beat the former AP-ranked team.

Pick: Texas

Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET

The Fighting Irish look like they're ready to get back into the national spotlight, notching three straight wins after losing a close one to Georgia. Brandon Wimbush looks like he’s getting more comfortable as Notre Dame quarterback, scoring four touchdowns all by himself last week against Miami (OH). North Carolina has been on the losing end of a couple close games, but the Tar Heels will look to save face at home against Notre Dame.

Pick: Notre Dame

Saturday, 10:15 p.m. ET

Stanford running back Bryce Love broke the 1,000-yard rushing mark five games into the season last week — five games. While the team may not have had a dream start, he is looking like the star the Cardinal can depend on to get the job done. But he will be tested against a stout Utah defense that has only given up 86 rushing yards per game. If the Utes want to keep their spotless record, they will need to stop Love.

Pick: Utah

Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET

The Paul Bunyan Trophy is on the line when these intrastate rivals get together for their annual battle. The Wolverines enter the game without starting quarterback Wilton Speight, putting capable backup John O’Korn behind center instead. Michigan State hung on to beat Iowa last week with a quick start and solid defense. The Spartans will need both to put pressure on Michigan.

Pick: Michigan State

Saturday, 8 p.m. ET

This relatively new rivalry gets renewed again with the Freedom Trophy going to the winner. Wisconsin has looked like its rugged self, grinding opponents with a powerful run game and stingy defense that’s only giving up 13.4 points per game. The Badgers head into Lincoln, where Nebraska opened up with two quick wins in Big Ten play. Cornhusker quarterback Tanner Lee will have to solve the Badgers' defense to keep Nebraska atop the Big Ten West Division.

Pick: Wisconsin

Saturday, 12 p.m. ET

Can you say, “trap game”? With an earlier start time, the team on the road and AP-ranked Michigan the week after, it would be unwise for the Nittany Lions to overlook Northwestern. Penn State’s defense has only given up 9.4 points per game, but Northwestern can put up points. There could be an upset brewing in this game.

Pick: Northwestern

Saturday, 8 p.m. ET

Washington State’s win against USC last week was a warning shot to the rest of the Pac-12 — don’t underestimate the Cougars. Luke Falk leads the team into Eugene, where Oregon is limping into the game with quarterback Justin Herbert out with a broken collarbone. The Ducks lead the country with 49.6 points per game and will need running back Royce Freeman to carry the team. This could be the West Coast shootout to watch.

Pick: Washington State

Saturday, 4 p.m. ET

USC’s playoff hopes took a hit after losing to Washington State last week, but the Trojans return home to get the bad taste out of their mouth. Sam Darnold hasn’t looked like a Heisman candidate, but he will get a chance to get himself back in the conversation against an Oregon State defense that is allowing 46.4 points per game. If USC continues to struggle, it may be time to panic for Trojan fans.

Pick: USC

Saturday, 4 p.m. ET

Maryland is a football school? It could be true. The Terrapins are 3-1 and solved one of the best defenses in the Big Ten in Minnesota. They face another tough challenge in Columbus with Ohio State hosting them. The Buckeyes’ offense may cause Maryland some trouble with J.T. Barrett and J.K. Dobbins finding their stride, but Ohio State can’t sleep on this upstart Maryland team.

Pick: Ohio State

Saturday, 12 p.m. ET

Coming off its first loss, Wake Forest won’t catch a break heading into Death Valley to face undefeated Clemson. The Tigers go into the game with one of the best defenses in the country and a rushing game that has yet to be truly stopped. The Demon Deacons had their hands full last week against Florida State. Clemson will only be more difficult to contain.

Pick: Clemson

Saturday, 12 p.m. ET

Vanderbilt was riding high after beating AP-ranked Kansas State. Then, the team proceeded to lose to two ranked teams in a row, with a third next on the schedule. Georgia brings Jake Fromm and running back Nick Chubb to Nashville after shutting out Tennessee last week. At least Vanderbilt is back home, so the Commodores got that going for them, which is nice.

Pick: Georgia

Saturday, 12 p.m. ET

Quarterback Shea Patterson and the rest of the Ole Miss offense were tested against Alabama last week. They failed. Ole Miss faces another tough defense when it travels to Auburn this week. The Tigers have only given up 11 points per game, while scoring 34.2 themselves. The Rebels have their work cut out for them.

Pick: Auburn

Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET

Heck of a way to come out of a bye week. Both teams come out of their respective breaks facing a ranked team. Quarterback Will Grier and running back Justin Crawford lead the Mountaineers, who are averaging 48.8 points per game. They go head-to-head with TCU’s balanced offensive attack that is averaging 47.8 points themselves. This game has “shootout “ written all over it.

Pick: West Virginia

Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET

After being postponed due to Hurricane Irma, Miami and Florida State meet up for their heated rivalry. The Hurricanes held up their end of the bargain, staying undefeated with great performances by Malik Rosier and Mark Walton. Florida State started the season slow but got its first win against Wake Forest in comeback fashion. The Seminoles have not looked like themselves, but with a hated rival coming into town, it could be the motivation they need.

Pick: Florida State

Saturday, 4 p.m. ET

The Razorbacks had a tough string of losses against ranked opponents but got back in the win column last game against New Mexico State. Their balanced attack faces a stingy South Carolina defense that wants to erase its loss against Texas A&M. Both these teams need an SEC win and will play desperately to get it.

Pick: Arkansas

Saturday, 10:45 p.m. ET

It doesn’t get much more “Pac-12 After Dark” than a 10:45 p.m. EST start time, and this one might get weird. Washington is obviously the favorite with quarterback Jake Browning and wide receiver Dante Pettis connecting for six touchdowns. Still, Cal has enough offensive weapons in quarterback Ross Bowers and running back Patrick Laird. On paper, Washington should handily win this game. But you never know when the lights are on in the Pac-12.

Pick: Washington

Saturday, 1 p.m. ET

Oklahoma survived a scare against Baylor, heading into the bye week undefeated. The Sooners return to host Iowa State, who is coming out of its break 2-2,and running into an offensive buzzsaw in the Sooners. The Cyclones are going to have to step it up if they want to stop Baker Mayfield and company.

Pick: Oklahoma

Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET

The military academies may not have a lot of success against the rest of the country, but when they face off against each other, it’s an absolute war. The first of the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy matchups takes place with the Falcons playing the Midshipmen. Ironically, both of these branches specializing in off-land combat have incredible rushing attacks. The Air Force average 274.8 yards on the ground, while the Navy leads the country with an astounding 400 rushing yards per game. This is going to be a knock-down-drag-out battle that any football purist would love to watch.

Pick: Navy

Saturday, 7 p.m. ET

This intrastate rivalry has been dominated by Houston, but SMU is not one to go down without a fight. Both teams come in tied for second place in the AAC West standings and would love nothing more than to secure a spot above the other. This one will be close.

Pick: SMU

Saturday, 10:45 p.m. ET

If you can stay up, don’t miss out on this matchup featuring two of the best running backs in the country. San Diego State’s Rashaad Penny already has 823 yards rushing after five games. UNLV’s Lexington Thomas has notched nine touchdowns in four games. Both running backs will be helping their teams try to get a piece of first place in the Mountain West Conference’s West Division.

Pick: San Diego State

Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET

After losing its first two games to Power Five opponents, Western Michigan won three straight heading into Buffalo. The Bulls also lost their first two games before going on a three-game win streak. Western Michigan has a great running attack. Buffalo gets the job done with a balanced offense and solid defense. Both teams enter the game at the top of their respective divisions; one will remain that way.

Pick: Western Michigan