Under-the-radar college football games in Week 6
As we bring your attention to the games on an abbreviated Week 6 slate with secondary impact on the playoff race, we offer a couple of caveats.
It might be worthwhile, for me at least, to keep an eye on third-ranked Clemson’s Friday night venture to Boston College (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). We bring this up for two reasons.
First, of course, the Tigers will be trying to avoid the dreaded "game after the Big Game" trap, with one fewer day of preparation time following their epic bout with Louisville. The other is that, despite its sub-.500 record, Boston College enters the contest with the statistically stingiest defense in the Football Bowl Subdivision in a couple of categories.
The Eagles are surrendering just 202 yards a game and just 3.53 yards per play. Those figures aren’t likely to hold up against Deshaun Watson and his multitude of weapons, and if the Tigers can build an advantage early, BC will not have anything resembling the firepower to catch up.
Likewise, No. 2 Ohio State could find itself in a tussle for a time with upstart Indiana (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). The Hoosiers are coming off an upset of Michigan State, and they have a passing attack that ranks in the top 20 nationally. But QB Richard Lago can be pick-prone, and the Buckeyes have snagged nine INTs already.
With those major contenders unlikely to have their aspirations derailed, we now turn to the Saturday games that fans of some of those contenders might be monitoring.
No. 22 Oklahoma vs. Texas in Dallas
Saturday, noon ET, Fox Sports 1 | Pregame.com line: Oklahoma by 10½
This one almost makes the Friday impact list, but the two-loss Sooners would still need so, so much help to be considered true Playoff candidates. They are, however, now on their way to repeating as Big 12 champions. Add in the additional intrigue of Longhorns’ coach Charlie Strong’s tenuous job security, and there will be plenty of things to watch in the Cotton Bowl during the middle of the Texas State Fair.
No. 23 Colorado at Southern California
Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Networks | Pregame.com line: USC by 4½
Who would have suspected a month ago that one of these teams would have a number before its name, and it wouldn’t be USC? The Buffaloes suddenly find themselves atop the Pac 12 South but might still have to prove themselves since the Oregon win now has dubious value. The Trojans, on the other hand, finally showed flashes of what they were expected to be last week in a dominant win against previously unbeaten Arizona State.
UCLA at Arizona State
Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN 2 | Pregame.com: UCLA by 10
And, speaking of the Sun Devils, they hope to regroup at home and get some help to stay in the conference picture. The Bruins, not unlike their L.A. rivals, are coming off a convincing win that indicates they, too, have spoiler potential.
No. 5 Houston at Navy
Saturday, 3 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network | Houston by 17
The Cougars will enjoy a physical advantage at most positions against the Midshipmen, and they might be better prepared than many opponents to face the triple option since the spread the defense sees in practice every day employs similar principles. Houston also knows how to control the clock, negating one of Navy’s usual advantages. But it is a long road trip for the Cougars, and Navy often improves as the season progresses.
Iowa at Minnesota
Saturday, noon ET, ESPN2 | Pregame.com line: Iowa by 2
We put this game here for one reason and one reason only, the greatest trophy in all of sports. The bronze pig known as Floyd of Rosedale embodies everything we love about college football. Just enjoy it.
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