Hello football friends and welcome to October! The weather has cooled off and it's time for some hardcore football. October brings the thick of conference play, and this is when teams will begin to separate themselves from each other. This post will break down my predictions on all the big games this week, including Nebraska's homecoming game against Northwestern, which always ends up being entertaining. It's football season ladies and gentlemen, enjoy!
Week 5 Prediction Results: 8-4
Overall Prediction Results: 41-22
#14 Iowa at #19 Michigan
A BIG 10 showdown in Ann Arbor will take place as the Hawkeyes and the Wolverines square off. Michigan has not been impressive this season, but a win over Iowa would boost them back into the BIG 10 talks. They will be tested, as Iowa doesn't make many mistakes and are a difficult team to beat. Michigan will need some help with their home field advantage. As for the Hawks, we really haven't seen much of them this season. They had the tough fought win against Iowa State, but otherwise the competition has been extremely lackluster. This will be the first real test as they move into conference play. Nate Stanley will face a stout defense and the Wolverines will be looking to shut down the rushing attack. This game is hard to predict because it could really go either way. I'll go with the home team in this game. Michigan wins a grinder 24-20.
#11 Texas at West Virginia
Morgantown is never an easy place to win, but this is the chance Texas needs to put the hammer down. The Longhorns are going to need statement wins along with total beat down games as they move through their schedule. This is a great opportunity for one of those beat downs, as the Mountaineers are giving up as many points as they score (25) and Sam Ehlinger is ready to keep on his Heisman campaign. Texas rolls West Virginia 47-17.
#25 Michigan State at #4 Ohio State
The Spartans of Michigan State march into Columbus, Ohio to take on the Buckeyes. Ohio State is obviously coming off of a big win in Lincoln, but will face a stout defense this weekend. MSU is only giving up 15 points per game on average, and less than 60 rush yards per game. Their offense is still a work in progress at time, but QB Brian Lewerke has thrown for more than 1,300 yards with 10 TDs and just 1 interception. He will have to face the wrath of Chase Young, who leads the nation in sacks with 8. The Spartans could have a difficult time moving the ball. On the other side, I doubt the Buckeyes will have many hiccups on offense. Justin Fields is unstoppable and they have too many weapons on offense to cover. The Spartans are always a potential for an upset, but I don't think Ohio State is slowing down any time soon. Buckeyes win 36-17.
California at #13 Oregon
Without QB Chase Garbers, this will be a very difficult upset for Cal to pull on the Ducks. However, their defense gives them a chance, as they will be coming after Justin Herbert. Herbert by the way, has yet to throw an interception this season, but does have 14 TDs on the year. He'll have to navigate around a defense that gives up just 18.6 points per game. However, that's been a big chance on the Oregon side as well. The Ducks defense has given up an average of 10.5 points per game and just 262 yards. I think they'll make a statement in this game as they gear up for Washington in a couple weeks. Oregon wins a good one in Autzen, 30-13.
#7 Auburn at #10 Florida
The biggest game of the week takes place down in the swamp as the Tigers take on the Gators. This is the first of big SEC match-ups we have coming up, and this will really set the tone for the next few weeks. Auburn has looked like one of the more dominant teams in the nation, with a suffocating defense that allows less than 100 rush yards per game. Their offense is led by Freshman QB, Bo Nix and averages 38 points per game. The Gators are relying on backup QB Kyle Trask after the starter Felipe Franks was injured a couple of weeks ago. Florida's defense has looked tough, but has not played much competition yet. They'll hang around in the swamp for a while, but I think Auburn walks out with the victory here. WAR EAGLE and the Tigers win 28-20.
Northwestern at Nebraska
This is always one of the most difficult games of the year to pick for me. Northwestern is always a team Nebraska looks like they could beat, but the games are always tight, keeping everyone on edge. Plus, the road team usually wins, and the Wildcats have taken the last two in Lincoln. However, their offense ranks 126th in the nation and averages just 15.5 points per game. The Blackshirts should have a great opportunity for a bounce back game in this one. The other side of the ball brings more concern, as the Huskers looked absolutely inept on offense last week and for a good amount of the season. The Wildcats have a tough defense too, as they held Wisconsin to just 17 points (on offense) and love to shut down the run. Nebraska needs to establish the ground game then start with easy throws to get Martinez into a rhythm. This will be a tough game, but I've switched my pick from the beginning of the season. Nebraska bounces back at home with a 26-24 victory!
Now for some quick hit predictions on other interesting games around the nation:
Arizona at Colorado- The Wildcats of the desert continue to outfox me and my predictions, but now they travel to Boulder to take on Steven Montez and the Buffs. Arizona gives up more than 330 yards per game through the air, and I know Laviska Shenault Jr. is drooling over that. Buffalo win 37-25.
Baylor at Kansas State- More Wildcats that let me down, ugh. K-State couldn't pull of the win against Oklahoma State last week, but get a chance to knock Baylor from the ranks of the unbeaten this week at home. Statistically these teams line up perfectly, but I'll give the edge to the Bears in this one. I think Matt Ruhle is doing a phenomenal job down in Waco. Bears 33, Wildcats 21.
Air Force at Navy- This is a tricky one, and you never really know what comes in these rivalry games. The Midshipmen have played very well at home though, so I'll give them the edge. Navy beats Air Force 27-23.
Thanks for reading all of my Week 6 Predictions and enjoy all of the games this weekend.
GO BIG RED!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
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