Oct 3, 20165 min read

CFB: Week 6 Predictions

Week 5 produced arguably the best games of the season; as No. 5 Clemson took down No. 3 Louisville 42-36, No. 4 Michigan powered past No. 8 Wisconsin 14-7, No. 10 Washington demolished No. 7 Stanford 44-6, No. 11 Tennessee pulled off (another) miracle at Georgia 34-31, and No. 13 Baylor slipped past Iowa State 45-42.

Week 6 does not have the same top heavy matchups that we saw last week, but there are still a ton of must see and noteworthy games. Blake Stoll and I have compiled a joint Top 25 rankings, to go along with some burning questions in preview of Week 6. I have also provided my upcoming week predictions and current Heisman rankings.

Composite Rankings:

1. Alabama (5-0) 2. Ohio State (4-0) 3. Clemson (5-0) 4. Michigan (5-0) 5. Washington (5-0) 6. Houston (5-0) 7. Louisville (4-1) 8. Texas A&M (5-0) 9. Tennessee (5-0) 10. Miami (FL) (4-0) 11. Baylor (5-0) 12. Wisconsin (4-1) 13. Nebraska (5-0) 14. Stanford (3-1) 15. Arkansas (4-1) 16. Ole Miss (3-2) 17. North Carolina (4-1) 18. Florida (4-1) 19. Boise State (4-0) 20. West Virginia (4-0) 21. Utah (4-1) 22. Colorado (4-1) 23. Florida State (3-2) 24. Georgia (3-2) 25. North Dakota State (4-0)

Just Missed the Cut: Virginia Tech (3-1) UCLA (3-2) TCU (3-2) Maryland (4-0) LSU (3-2)

Does Arkansas have enough to upset top ranked Alabama?

Post: The Razorbacks (4-1) are off to a good start, but there is no way in my mind they upset the No. 1 Crimson Tide (5-0). Alabama has won 17 straight games and look every part of a title contender once again. Alabama's offense (46.5 points per game) is extremely explosive with dual-threat quarterback Jalen Hurts (727 yards, 5 touchdowns) running the show. Austin Allen (1,026 yards, 9 touchdowns) has looked great in his first season as a starter for the 'Backs, but their defense (allows 26.5 points and 389.8 yards per game) won't be able to contain Hurts, Calvin Ridley, and Bo Scarbrough.

Stoll: The answer is a simple no. No. 1 Alabama has one of the best defenses in the country only giving up two field goals in their previous two games (vs. Kent State and vs. Kentucky). Alabama has reached the end zone on the ground 12 times compared to nine in the air. The Crimson Tide will have their way against the Razorbacks.

Which team stays perfect; Texas A&M or Tennessee?

Post: Texas A&M. The Volunteers have been playing with fire in each of their first five games, trailing by at least a touchdown in each game. They have made a habit of late comebacks but against a good Aggies team, there is no way Tennessee will be able to dig themselves out of another hole. Trevor Knight (1,055 yards, 7 touchdowns) has looked comfortable in the A&M system after transferring this past offseason. Texas A&M scores more points (+10.2) and allows less (-5.0). That seems like a perfect formula to end Tennessee's win streak. Aggies improve to 6-0.

Stoll: This upcoming Saturday, No. 9 Tennessee travels to College Station, Home of the 12th Man, to take on No. 8 Texas A&M. The Volunteers are coming off a win which came off of a hail mary as time expired against Georgia. The Aggies however are coming off a fairly comfortable win over South Carolina on the road. My pick is for the Aggies to win the game backed by their powerful ground attack.

Does Washington have enough in the tank after such an emotional win?

Post: It became apparent that Washington put their all into last weekend's matchup with No. 7 Stanford, where they came out on top 44-6. Washington proved to everyone that they are a legitimate College Football Playoff contender. It is hard to say if they will have enough energy to go into Eugene and pull out a victory. Washington's inexperience could play a huge factor here. Oregon is quickly declining from the powerhouse we came to know over the last decade, but the Ducks (41.8 points per game) still have a lot of playmakers; headlined by running back Royce Freeman (325 yards, 4 touchdowns). If Washington's defense (allows 12.8 points and 299.2 yards per game) can shut down Freeman, they will win, but that is easier said than done. I think Oregon saves a sinking season with a top-10 upset.

Stoll: No. 10 Washington boosted in the rankings, up to No. 5 after an absolute rout of No. 7 Stanford. This was the assurance that I was looking for in the Huskies. This week, they travel to battle the Oregon Ducks. Washington quarterback Jake Browning has the offense under control and will have no problem taking down the unranked Ducks.

Will Florida State recover from the North Carolina upset?

Post: No. 12 Florida State was shocked 37-35 by the Tar Heels last Saturday, losing their second game in the last three weeks. The 'Noles (43.0 points scored, 35.0 points allowed per game) were one of the most highly touted teams in the country coming into the season, and are now hanging by a thread to the AP Top 25. Meanwhile, Miami (51.0 points scored, 7.7 points allowed per game) is clicking on all cylinders, sitting at 4-0 in Mark Richt's first season. I think Florida State somehow musters up enough offense to shut down a ruckus Hurricanes crowd, behind Dalvin Cook (495 yards, 4 touchdowns), continuing the up and down Seminoles season.

Stoll: Now ranked No. 23 Florida State was stunned at home by now ranked No. 17 North Carolina, dropping their 22-game home winning streak. It was a well fought battle by both sides but the Tar Heels had the ball late in the fourth quarter and converted on a 54-yard field goal to win the game as time expired. The Seminoles go on the road to face off against No. 10 Miami and quite frankly; I think they will stumble once more.

Can Houston actually go undefeated?

Post: Well, in theory, of course they can. Houston is off to a 5-0 start, beating No. 3 Oklahoma, Lamar, Cincinnati, Texas State, and UCONN. There is only one game left against a current ranked opponent (vs. Louisville on 11/17), so the schedule definitely sets up for an undefeated run. Before the Cougars start looking forward to November and potentially December, they have to get through October, which starts with a road game at Navy (33.7 points and 420.3 yards per game). Houston is led by Greg Ward Jr. (1,325 yards, 8 touchdowns) who will lead them past the Midshipmen in Week 6. The reason I believe the Cougars will go unbeaten is because the defense (allows 11.2 points and 250.0 yards per game) is one of the best in the country.

Stoll: Yes, No. 6 Houston has a chance to go undefeated but they have one substantial roadblock. The Cougars will have to battle against the No. 7 Louisville Cardinals on November 17. In my eyes, this will be their only true challenge in their road to the College Football Playoff.

No. 3 Clemson 35, Boston College 13.

Arizona 14, No. 21 Utah 30.

No. 5 Washington 38, Oregon 45.

No. 23 Florida State 28, No. 10 Miami (FL) 24.

Virginia Tech 17, No. 17 North Carolina 20.

Texas 20, Oklahoma 34.

No. 6 Houston 42, Navy 21.

No. 9 Tennessee 33, No. 8 Texas A&M 38.

Indiana 10, No. 2 Ohio State 48.

No. 1 Alabama 27, No. 15 Arkansas 20.

Week 5 Record: 7-3.

Overall Record: 37-13.

Read my full article; Predicting the 2017 College Football Playoff Teams. No. 1 Alabama (5-0, 2-0) No. 2 Florida State (3-2, 0-2) No. 3 Ohio State (4-0, 1-0) No. 4 Clemson (5-0, 2-0)