My predictions have taken a turn for the worse over the last two weekends. I have now gone 1-5 in two straight weeks to push my overall record to 11-13. This weekend features a few ranked matchups and some trap games for ranked opponents so hopefully I can have some more success. Here are my predictions for week six!
Clemson Tigers @ North Carolina Tar Heels | Kickoff at 11:00am CT on ESPN
When the season began, I thought for sure this would be one of the marquee matchups of the season for a good reason. Five weeks into the season and this game has become a must-win game for two teams who are struggling. Clemson is currently on a two-game losing streak in ACC play with losses to Georgia Tech and Syracuse. North Carolina has not played in the ACC yet, but has a 2-2 record so far. I like Clemson in this game. I believe the Tigers will bounce back and have enough talent to beat the Tar Heels. I don’t believe in the Tar Heels offense and believe they will struggle to find success against Clemson. My Prediction: Clemson
No.7 Penn State Nittany Lions @ UCLA Bruins | Kickoff at 2:30pm CT on CBS
Penn State travels out to California to face the UCLA Bruins in the Rose Bowl. The Nittany Lions are looking to bounce back after a heartbreaking loss at home to Oregon in double overtime. UCLA is winless so far and looks for a monumental win over one of the best teams in the Big 10. I see this game being a one-sided for Penn State. I think Drew Allar will have a big day and the running game will have success against a struggling Bruins team. My Prediction: Penn State
No.24 Virginia Cavaliers @ Louisville Cardinals | Kickoff at 2:30pm CT on ESPN2
Virginia looks to keep their momentum going after a classic upset over Florida State last week. They travel to an undefeated Louisville team that’s coming off a hard-fought win at Pittsburgh. The Cavaliers are averaging 45 points per game and are currently rushing for over 200 yards per game. Louisville are averaging 44 points per game but most of their offense comes through the air. The Cardinals are averaging 279 yards passing but just 130 yards on the ground. I like Virginia in this game. I believe their offense will be able to outlast Louisville in a shootout. My Prediction: Louisville
No.11 Texas Tech Red Raiders @ Houston Cougars | Kickoff at 6:00pm CT on ESPN
Texas Tech might be one of the stories of the season. This is a team that has not been ranked for quite some time, and has now found themselves as one of the favorites to win the Big 12 this year. They proved just how good they were with a road win at Utah last week. Meanwhile Houston has quietly gotten off to a 4-0 start, but had to scrape by Oregon State in overtime. I like Texas Tech to win this game, but I think it will be much closer than we expect. I feel like Houston is good enough on offense to keep up with the Red Raiders so expect lots of points. My Prediction: Texas Tech
South Alabama Jaguars @ Troy Trojans | Kickoff at 6:00pm on ESPN+
While the Iron Bowl is the state of Alabama’s fiercest rivalry, you cannot find another rivalry much better in the state than the annual battle between Troy and South Alabama. The Jaguars are 1-4 to start the year, but have been competitive in every game they played so far. Their offensive stats look very good and they even gave Auburn’s defense a lot of issues in week two. For Troy, they are 2-2 and almost defeated Clemson two weeks ago in Death Valley where they gave up a 17-3 lead in the second half. The Trojans have won three out of the last four games in this series dating back to 2021. I think they will win again at home in a very close game. My Prediction: Troy
No.3 Miami Hurricanes @ No.18 Florida State Seminoles | Kickoff at 6:30pm CT on ABC
It’s a massive game in the ACC and in the state of Florida as the Canes and Seminoles meet in one of the biggest games of the season. Miami is rolling into Tallahassee with an undefeated record and playoff aspirations. Meanwhile Florida State can’t afford another loss after their upset at Virginia last week. This game will be a good one, but I think Tommy Castellanos and the Florida State offense will rebound this week and come out hot against Miami. I think this could be a close game late in the fourth quarter but I like the Noles to edge it out at home. My Prediction: Florida State
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