Many are suggesting Week 6 will make for a boring college football weekend. Here are three games that will be much more exciting than many expect.
There are few teams that have been declared to be on upset alert. Additionally, after most teams have played four or five games, the college football playoff and conference standings are starting to take shape.
Some games that have a chance to stir the pot in the Big Ten include Maryland at No. 15 Michigan and Northwestern at No. 20 Michigan State. Were either of these games played at the opposite location, we would have a couple of interesting games. However, since the better teams are home, these games should be relatively uneventful.
As for the Pac-12, we can’t really classify anything as “under-the-radar” because there isn’t much competition in the Pac-12. Arizona State plays at No. 21 Colorado. Again, this would make the list if it the game was played in Sun Devil Stadium. Colorado is still undefeated and remains atop the Pac-12 South.
The SEC, on the other hand, has two games that make our list. But before we get to those games, we have the first service academy matchup of the season.
Bigger Than Army-Navy?
The Army-Navy football game is often the biggest game of the year for the Navy Midshipmen and the Army Black Knights. On that day, it’s the only football game played in all of college football. However, the Air Force Falcons don’t really ever get the attention that Navy and Army get despite all three teams competing for the Commander-in-Chief Trophy.
Since Navy has been the better of the three teams over the past decade, Air Force’s biggest opponent on the season has been the Midshipmen. This season is no different. Although Army has a better record, Navy is still the better team.
This year’s Air Force-Navy game is played in Colorado Springs, which gives the Falcons an overwhelming advantage. Falcon Stadium has an elevation of over 7,000 feet, to which the Navy players acclimated, given the Naval Academy is literally on the banks of the Severn River.
Navy has lost the last two trips to Air Force. This year will be a close game, but in the end, the Midshipmen will come out on top. Don’t miss this game, where the players on the field are willing to sacrifice everything for everyone who is watching.
Prediction: Navy 27 – Air Force 24
Can Kentucky Keep Winning?
The No. 13 Kentucky Wildcats have come out of the nowhere this college football season. With a preseason ranking far from the top 25, the Wildcats find themselves pushing for a top 10 spot with an unbeaten record.
Kentucky is led by running back, Benny Snell Jr., who has eight touchdowns already this season. The Kentucky offense has relied upon Snell Jr. heavily and has not left the ball in the hand of sophomore quarterback, Terry Wilson. It is not clear whether Coach Mark Stoops does not trust Wilson, or if he is simply taking advantage of the dominant running game that his team has employed.
As for Texas A&M, they have been pushing for a spot in the Top 25, but with losses against Clemson and Alabama, they have failed to break the threshold. The Aggies are a much better team than their record suggests. With Kellen Mond under center, and the game in College Station, Texas A&M has a chance to ruin the Wildcats’ perfect season. However, if Kentucky can win, they will be a Top 10 team and a serious contender in the SEC.
Prediction: Kentucky 39 – Texas A&M 31
Auburn is in danger
The past two games for the Auburn Tigers have been easy wins. They beat Arkansas, 34-3, and Southern Mississippi 24-13, both at home. However, the Tigers did not play well in either of these games, despite the scores suggesting otherwise.
Against Arkansas, Auburn gained only 225 yards on offense, 134 passing and 91 rushing. The Tigers averaged only 2.5 yards per carry. The same story was true against Southern Miss when Auburn averaged 2.7 yards per carry.
Since the game is played at Mississippi State, Auburn will have an even more tough time getting their offense playing to the level a No. 8 ranked team should be. Additionally, Mississippi State’s defense has played relatively well this season.
If Bulldog quarterback, Nick Fitzgerald, can start connecting with his receivers, and the offensive line can protect for him, Auburn may be in trouble.