It’s Week 6 of the college football season, and every week has delivered. We have seen exciting games and upsets. This week promises to be no different, as conference races heat up and the College Football Playoff picture continues to take shape, with the committee rankings a month away.
While No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 6 Alabama headlines this week’s slate, several other must-watch matchups will still bring plenty of excitement. Some of these games bring plenty of storylines, upset potential, and could significantly impact not just Sunday’s AP Poll but also the College Football Playoff picture. Here are this week’s must-watch matchups beyond Georgia-Alabama.
Week 6 Must-Watch Matchups
1. No. 7 Indiana vs. Nebraska
Defending champion Indiana travels to take on Nebraska at noon on Saturday in a matchup between unbeaten teams with major Big Ten implications. Indiana is ranked, but Nebraska isn’t, making this a trap game for the Hoosiers because the Cornhuskers have played well through the first five weeks.
Despite not being ranked, Nebraska was on the radar for a top-25 ranking in last week’s AP Poll, earning 48 votes. It has beaten all its opponents by 18 or more points and has started 2-0 in Big Ten play, with wins over Michigan State and Maryland. Head coach Matt Rhule has this team humming, with an offense that is averaging 43.6 points per game. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea has led the charge, throwing 13 passing touchdowns and rushing for two. The defense has been stout as well, ranking in the top 30 nationally in every major defensive category.
As for Indiana, this will not be an easy test, as it has shown some vulnerabilities this season. They struggled to put away North Texas in their season opener before getting off to a slow start against Western Kentucky to close out their non-conference schedule. They survived two weeks ago against an upset-minded Northwestern team, benefiting from Wildcats penalties that kept some drives alive and let Indiana chew up the clock.
Nebraska has a .739 winning percentage at home, so that home-field advantage will play a huge role in this game. It has a huge chance to make a statement on Saturday as it looks to establish itself in the Big Ten race and put itself among the top 25. Indiana has to play its best to avoid an upset and keep its season on track, with Ohio State next week. With upset potential and so much at stake, this must-watch game should bring plenty of excitement.
2. No. 1 Texas vs. Oklahoma
One of college football’s biggest rivalries returns as No. 1 Texas takes on unranked Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl. While this matchup may suggest a one-sided affair, the rivalry has always been competitive, regardless of the teams’ form. For that reason, we should expect another tight battle.
The teams have met 121 times, with Texas leading 65-51-5. While the Longhorns have won the last two meetings, the Sooners have dominated this rivalry since 2010, winning 11 of the last 16 games. Despite being 2-2, Oklahoma still has plenty of talent to test Texas, as its defense ranks in the top five in fewest overall and passing yards allowed, while allowing 16 points per game. Offensively, they have enough talent to overcome their recent struggles, and with quarterback John Mateer playing for his job after a difficult stretch, this game could bring out the best in Oklahoma.
Texas might be the No. 1 team in the country right now, but it has certainly struggled in its last two games. Quarterback Arch Manning was inaccurate against UTSA, completing 50% of his 32 passes for 161 yards despite throwing two touchdowns. Against Tennessee, he threw for 201 yards on 14 of 19 passing attempts and threw one interception. Despite the offense being subpar the last two games, the defense has been the reason for being able to overcome these struggles, allowing 13.3 points per game and ranking in the top 30 in every major defensive category.
This should be a defensive battle, with both offenses struggling and fewer than 40 points scored in each of the last two matchups. However, rivalry games like this one usually bring out the best in both teams. With both teams well-rested coming off a bye week, we should expect another highly contested matchup in Dallas, Texas.
3. No. 21 UCLA vs. No. 13 Oregon
Another Big Ten matchup with plenty of implications as No. 21 UCLA travels to No. 13 Oregon, with both teams looking to make a significant move in the College Football Playoff picture.
In the second game between ranked opponents in Week 6, the Bruins have made significant progress in head coach Bob Chesney’s first year, moving from unranked to No. 21 and starting 4-0 for the first time since 2022. A big reason for its early success has been the running game, which has scored 18 touchdowns, led by running back Wayne Knight, who has scored half of them. It is among the best in the nation, averaging 281.5 yards per game and ranking fourth. The defense has also done its job, limiting opponents to 18.8 points per game, and UCLA has beaten all of its opponents by 14 or more points.
After a rocky start to the season, the Ducks have recovered well from their Week 2 loss against Oklahoma State, shutting out Portland State and defeating No. 19 USC on the road to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive. Despite losing starting quarterback Dante Moore to a concussion against USC, Dylan Raiola stepped up when the team needed it most and led the Ducks to victory. The defense has also played better, forcing five turnovers in its last two games. It remains to be seen who will start at quarterback, but the Ducks should be potent offensively regardless.
This is a must-win for both teams as they have a huge opportunity to boost their resumes in a bid to make the Playoff. Both teams are well-rested after their bye weeks, and the winner will have a huge advantage in the Big Ten race. Expect a thriller in Eugene, Oregon, on Saturday afternoon.
4. No. 10 LSU vs. Kentucky
Although this game is played during Georgia-Alabama, LSU vs. Kentucky is worth watching and will have major implications in the SEC.
LSU has rebounded well from its Week 3 loss to Ole Miss, blowing out Texas A&M and McNeese at home to keep themselves in the SEC race and College Football Playoff contention. This is a well-rounded team, as they have generated the third-most yards per game in the country (547.8). Defensively, they have allowed the second-fewest yards per game (220.8), so both units need to play their best to avoid an upset over a good Kentucky team on the road.
Despite being unranked, Kentucky has proven to be a good team, as it was ranked in Week 4’s AP Poll before coming up two votes short of being ranked in last week’s poll. Its only loss of the season came against Alabama, but its wins have been impressive, including an upset of Texas A&M on the road. The defense has forced 10 turnovers this season, giving the Wildcats a +5 turnover margin that has played a big role in game outcomes. Along with its defense, they have gotten good production out of quarterback Kenny Minchey and running back CJ Baxter, who have contributed to 17 of the team’s 22 touchdowns this season.
With both teams already having one loss in conference play, this is a must-win for both teams to stay alive in the race for the SEC Championship. This is a game worth watching, with so much at stake and so much talent on both sides.
5. No. 19 USC vs. Penn State
Even though this matchup has lost some of its appeal because of Penn State’s struggles, a Penn State White Out is always worth watching, especially with No. 19 USC coming to State College.
After losing to Oregon two weeks ago, the heat has turned up for head coach Lincoln Riley as he continues to struggle to get a signature win. The Trojans also have little margin for error in their bid to make the College Football Playoff, as their schedule gets harder starting this week. With a talented team led by quarterback Jayden Maiava, Riley must meet expectations, starting with a win over Penn State in the hostile White Out environment if he wants to have job security.
Penn State also faces heavy pressure after consecutive losses to Wisconsin and Northwestern. After being ranked No. 13 in Week 3’s AP Poll, the Nittany Lions are now unranked after struggling on both sides of the ball. Despite their struggles, the White Out couldn’t have come at a better time for a team looking for a spark and some momentum to end this slide. In Penn State’s White Out history, the Nittany Lions have 13 of their 22 White Outs, including six of their last seven, so expect the team to play much better despite their last two games.
The White Out is among the greatest traditions in college sports and creates an intimidating environment for Penn State’s opponents. USC has a chance to save its season, while Penn State can earn a signature win in a rough season. With an electric crowd and both teams searching for a statement win, this year’s White Out promises to be a great one.
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