Week 6 College Football Predictions

Tuesday
Southern Mississippi at Tulsa (+6): This is a big in-conference game between these two clubs, who both enter the game at 3-1. While I can't stand picking against Southern Miss, because they seem to always be such a pain in the backside, I'm going to give the slight edge to Tulsa at home. But, I expect it to be close.
Tulsa 21 Southern Mississippi 17
Tulsa 20 Southern Mississippi 6 (1-0) (0-1)

Wednesday
Central Florida at Marshall (+3.5): I haven't seen much to be impressed about with either school. Marshall put up 54 points on Division I-AA Hofstra, but have only put up 24 points in their three games against Division I-A opponents (all losses). Central Florida is not playing nearly as well as they did a season ago when they made a bowl game, but they've impressed me more this year than Marshall, that's for certain. Golden Knights win a game on the road.
Central Florida 28 Marshall 21
Central Florida 23 Marshall 22 (2-0) (1-1)

Thursday
Florida State (+10) at North Carolina State: N.C. State will need more than luck and help from officials in this game. The 'Noles know they need this one or else they'll have two conference losses at the halfway point.
Florida State 24 North Carolina State 10
North Carolina State 24 Florida State 20 (2-1) (1-2)

TCU (+1) at Utah: Both teams are coming off disappointing losses. TCU was beaten up last Thursday by BYU 31-17 (game wasn't even that close). Utah got clobbered by Boise State on Saturday by the final of 36-3. This prediction is similar to the one I made in the Marshall/Central Florida game. While TCU hasn't done much to impress me this season, Utah has impressed me even less. I'll take the Horned Frogs in a close, fairly low-scoring affair.
TCU 21 Utah 14
Utah 20 TCU 7 (2-2) (1-3)

Friday
Louisville (+32.5) at Middle Tennessee State: No question about it, I expect the Cardinals to win, but without Bush or Brohm in the line-up, I don't expect them to score as much as they're used to. They shouldn't be on an upset alert, but Middle Tennessee State is not a bad football team and should beat the spread.
Louisville 38 Middle Tennessee State 14
Louisville 44 Middle Tennessee State 17 (3-2) (2-3)

Saturday
Nebraska (+7) at Iowa State: The Cyclones have struggled all year and it's difficult for me to believe they'll come away with this one. In the only two games where they played against major conference competition, ISU has gone 0-2 and have been outscored 64-31 in those two games. They should put up some points on the NU defense, but not enough for the victory.
Nebraska 38 Iowa State 28

Purdue at Iowa (+11): Will Iowa still be beat up about their 38-17 loss to Ohio State or will they come focused and ready to play? It's hard for me to believe that the loss from Saturday night will be a total thing of the past when they take the field on Saturday. With it being in Iowa City, though, I'm going to give the slight edge to the Hawkeyes.
Iowa 28 Purdue 21

Baylor at Colorado (+4.5): I remember when Baylor won in Boulder a couple years ago and how ecstatic some friends of mine and I were. They stunk and Colorado was supposed to be an elite team in the Big XII. Well, now Baylor is mediocre and Colorado is one of the worst teams in the Big XII. It won't be as big a shock this time around, but I'm going with Da Bears!
Baylor 17 Colorado 14

Oklahoma State (+2.5) at Kansas State: With the game in Manhattan, K-State should keep it fairly close, but I think that OSU will have too much on offense for the Wildcats to contend with.
Oklahoma State 24 Kansas State 17

Oklahoma at Texas (+4): I have back and forth about this one. Two things are for certain. It won't be a shootout and it shouldn't be a blowout. Even though I think Texas may have the better overall team, I think that Bob Stoops and company are on a mission following that Oregon game and will atone for last year's blowout loss to the 'Horns.
Oklahoma 24 Texas 21

Kansas at Texas A&M (+1.5): Both teams are coming off heartbreaking defeats at the hands of conference foes. Kansas came back from 17-0 down to Nebraska in Lincoln and forced the game to overtime, but lost in the extra session 39-32. A&M had the lead on Texas Tech until the last few seconds when the Red Raiders launched a bomb into the end zone for the go-ahead and winning score, 31-27. With the game at home, it's hard for me to see the Aggies and the 12th man losing for the second consecutive week.
Texas A&M 28 Kansas 21

Missouri at Texas Tech (+4): This should be a fun one. Missouri is 5-0, but have played some pretty soft competition. Texas had also until a week ago, when they defeated A&M 31-27. With the ever improving Chase Daniel at the helm for the Tigers, I'm going to go with Mizzou, but I can't say I'm particularly confident about it.
Missouri 31 Texas Tech 28

Indiana at Illinois (+8): With the win last week against Michigan State, I'll have to favor the Illini here. But, a +8 favorite against a fellow Big Ten school? I don't know if I'm buying that.
Illinois 28 Indiana 21

Michigan State at Michigan (+15.5): Michigan better watch out. This is the game that the Spartans circle every year to win. This would be the perfect game to get Michigan State back on track and ruin their rival's chance at going undefeated. Call me crazy, but I think after last week's no show against Illinois, the Spartans will be ready again to play some footbal, en route to a huge upset over the heavily favored Wolverines.
Michigan State 31 Michigan 28

Bowling Green at Ohio State (+34.5): The only question here is whether or not the Buckeyes will cover the spread. That's an awfully large cover to spread right there. I hate these large spreads, so I'll go with Bowling Green against it.
Ohio State 42 Bowling Green 10

Penn State (+3) at Minnesota: At 2-3, with two losses already in conference, Minnesota is desperately in need of a win. They've fallen to three teams with a combined record of 13-2 (California, Purdue, and Michigan). Even though Penn State looked impressive against potential doormat Northwestern last week, I'm going with the home team, the GO-phers.
Minnesota 24 Penn State 21

Northwestern at Wisconsin (+20.5): Speaking of the potential doormat, here they are, going to Camp Randall. This is a large spread, but with how poorly the 'Cats have been playing, I'm fairly confident that the BAH-gers can cover it.
Wisconsin 31 Northwestern 10

Pittsburgh (+7) at Syracuse: If the Orange can win this one, that'd be huge! Because, as for now, the top two teams in the Big East are West Virginia and Louisville and the there and four teams are Rutgers and Pittsburgh. Rarely is another team mentioned with those four. Syracuse has won three straight, but should fall short of four. Pitt's too quick.
Pittsburgh 24 Syracuse 14

Clemson (+16.5) at Wake Forest: Would you look at that? An unbeaten team at home is a 16.5 point underdog. Oddly enough, I can see the reason(s) why that is.
Clemson 31 Wake Forest 17

North Carolina at Miami (Florida) (+18): Even at the Orange Bowl, I have a tough time believing that the 'Canes will cover an 18 point spread.
Miami (Florida) 24 North Carolina 10

Maryland at Georgia Tech (+14): The only obstacle in Georgia Tech's way is the threat of a letdown after their big win in Blacksburg a week ago. Even then, I see them coming away with the victory.
Georgia Tech 31 Maryland 21

Kent State (+24) at Temple: This is when you know that you've got things bad, when you're over a three touchdown underdog at home to the Golden Flashes of Kent State! Ouch! Kent State's also won three straight ball games after falling to 0-2. Yeah, Kent State should win and I wouldn't be surprised if they covered the spread.
Kent State 38 Temple 10

Ball State (+3.5) at Buffalo: I think this is the first time that I've done it, but I'm going with Buffalo!
Buffalo 24 Ball State 21

Arkansas at Auburn (+15.5): Auburn better be on upset alert. If this game was played in Arkansas, I'd probably go with the 'Hogs. But since it's not, I'm going with the Tigers in another hard-hitting, low-scoring SEC battle.
Auburn 24 Arkansas 21

Duke at Alabama (+29): The Tide can't be happy about their last couple games, an overtime loss to Arkansas and a tough late game loss to the Gators. They should have no problem doing away with the Blue Devils.
Alabama 35 Duke 3

San Diego State at BYU (+28): If it wasn't for a last second loss to Arizona and an overtime loss to Boston College, BYU would be unbeaten. San Diego State is on the other end of the spectrum, as they ender this contest at 0-4. The only thing that could beat the Cougars in this one is themself.
BYU 42 San Diego State 14

Rice (+2) at Tulane: Even at home, I'm going to have to go with the option offense of Rice over the Green Wave.
Rice 24 Tulane 21

Navy at Air Force (+3): If you like the option, then this game is for you! While Air Force has been the most consistent military academy over the past several years, Navy has improved quite a bit in recent years. With the game in Colorado Springs and the Falcons appearing to be on a mission this year, I'm going to go with them.
Air Force 28 Navy 24

Stanford at Notre Dame (+29.5): Stanford stinks. It's as simple as that. They haven't played an easy schedule though. I'll give them that much.
Notre Dame 42 Stanford 10

West Virginia (+22) at Mississippi State: Sly Croom's tough year just gets tougher and Paul Rodriguez and the Mountaineers are a perfect 5-0 after this one.
West Virginia 35 Mississippi State 10

LSU at Florida (+1.5): With the game being in The Swamp and Florida being better prepared ahving already faced Tennessee and Alabama in conference play, I'm going with the Gators.
Florida 17 LSU 14

Washington State (+3) at Oregon State: Just as I called it, the Cougars gave USC all they could handle a week ago. They're playing solid football and should win the game in Corvallis this weekend.
Washington State 28 Oregon State 14

Arizona at UCLA (+12): Arizona is closing the talent gap with teams like UCLA in the conference, but they're not there yet and that'll show on the field Saturday.
UCLA 28 Arizona 10

Washington at USC (+19): Following a 6-point win against Washington State, USC is a 19-point favorite against the 4-1 Huskies of Washington? Hmmm. I don't think UW will win this game, but I see it being closer than the "experts" think.
USC 31 Washington 21

UNLV at Colorado State (+17.5): The Rams are looking more like the Rams of old when Bradlee Van Pelt was quarterback. UNLV is looking like the UNLV of usual. CSU should roll at home.
Colorado State 42 UNLV 17

New Mexico State at Idaho (+1): Even with Coach Erickson and the game being at home, I think New Mexico State just has too much offense for the Vandals to keep up with.
New Mexico State 28 Idaho 21

Virginia at East Carolina (+6): That's when you know UVA has fallen on hard times, when they're a touchdown underdog to East Carolina. While I see the game being closer than that, I ultimately see the Pirates coming out on top.
East Carolina 21 Virginia 17

Akron at Cincinnati (+6): Akron has been up and down this year. Cincinnati has been fine so long as they don't play at the Horseshoe or Lane Stadium. They're at home against the Zips, so they should be fine in this one.
Cincinnati 24 Akron 21

South Carolina (+5.5) at Kentucky: I'm not sold on the Gamecocks yet and I'm curious about the Wildcats, but I'm going to have to go with Steve Spurrier's crew, even though something is telling me I shouldn't.
South Carolina 28 Kentucky 24

Memphis at UAB (+5): When UAB wins, they win ugly. When Memphis wins, it's usually against a Division I-AA team. Because of that, I'm going with the Blazers.
UAB 24 Memphis 10

Western Michigan (+4) at Ohio: With a week off to prepare for the struggling Bobcats, I have to think the Broncos will come out victorious in this one. After starting the season 2-0, Ohio has lost three straight and have scored a combined 23 points in those three losses.
Western Michigan 24 Ohio 14

Vanderbilt (+2) at Ole Miss: Ole Miss showed some fight against Georgia last week, but then again, most any team these days with that struggling offense of theirs. Vandy, meanwhile, has won two straight after losing three tough games to Michigan, Alabama, and Arkansas by a combined 25 points. With them on a role and not having played a bad game all season, I'm going with the Commodores.
Vanderbilt 21 Ole Miss 14

Central Michigan at Toledo (+2.5): I don't know what to make of either team. Toledo doesn't appear to be what they once were. Central Michigan seems to like to lose close games against major conference teams. Because I've been more consistently impressed with the Chippewas this year than I have been with Toledo, I'll go with CMU.
Central Michigan 31 Toledo 28

UConn at South Florida (+6.5): UConn didn't show me much last week in their 41-17 loss to Navy. South Florida, meanwhile, has lost two straight to Kansas (3-2) and Rutgers (5-0) by the combined score of 35-27. Head coach Jim Leavitt has to be pleased with how they're playing and that should play to their advantage in this conference matchup.
South Florida 24 UConn 17

Tennessee (+2) at Georgia: Both teams have very solid defenses and coaching. But the Bulldogs are this year where the 'Vols were a year ago. Georgia has a quarterback situation, where Joe Cox, Marcus Stafford, and Joe Tereshinski are all taking snaps. Tereshinski gets the start on Saturday for the 'Dawgs, but who knows how many times others are platooned in and out of the game and who knows who'll finish the game. Erik Ainge has that duty for Tennessee and has improved a great deal from a year ago. They also found a speedy and shifty new tailback in Corker to go along with their talented wideouts. Georgia has gotten very lucky the past two weeks by outscoring teams with a 1-9 overall record 28-22. They won't get that lucky again with the 'Vols.
Tennessee 24 Georgia 14

Oregon at California (+5.5): Cal quarterback Longshore currently leads the Pac 10 in several categories, including touchdown passes. Cal is loaded at receiver and running back, led by Marshawn Lynch. The Ducks won't quack quietly while in Berkeley, but they may not quack enough to outscore the Bears.
California 35 Oregon 28

Wyoming (+1.5) at New Mexico: Wyoming has had a string of "almost" games. How do I mean? Let me illustrate it for you. Wyoming is 1-4 on the season and yet have outscored their opponents for the combined five games! I should just go ahead and pick New Mexico by 3 in overtime, but I'm going to have some faith in the Cowboys on the road this week.
Wyoming 24 New Mexico 17

Louisiana Tech at Boise State (+36): Louisiana Tech gets no down weeks to slack off, do they? They've faced Nebraska in Lincoln, played Clemson last week, and now unbeaten Boise State. Whew. The Broncos will stay undefeated after this win.
Boise State 42 Louisiana Tech 10

Fresno State (+27) at Utah State: Fresno finally gets a week off after facing Oregon, Washington, and Colorado State (a combined 11-2). Utah State is one of the worst teams in all of Division I-A college football and if Fresno doesn't cover the spread, they should be embarrassed.
Fresno State 35 Utah State 0

SMU at UTEP (+10): Who would've thought? A 3-2 SMU and 2-2 UTEP facing off? Even though SMU's record is better by half a game, UTEP has Jordan Palmer at quarterback and Mike Price as coach, so just based on those two factors, I'm going with the Miners.
UTEP 31 SMU 17

Nevada at Hawaii (+11): Nevada has pulled off three straight after losing their first two, but it'll be tough to make that four straight when going to Hawaii. While I think the Wolfpack will beat the spread and make a good game of it, I don't think they'll have quite enough punch offensively to outscore the Warriors.
Hawaii 35 Nevada 28

Florida International (+3) at North Texas: Following four straight losses by a combined 11 points to teams with a 12-7 record (none of which with a losing record), Florida International got blown out last week by Arkansas State (now 2-2). Do they not know how to win? Even if they don't, I'm going to pick them here.
Florida International 21 North Texas 17

Louisiana-Lafayette at Houston (+17): The only demon for the Cougars here is a letdown from their one-point loss to Miami a week ago. At home, I honestly don't see that happening.
Houston 31 Louisiana-Lafayette 14

Louisiana-Monroe at Arkansas State (+5.5): Arkansas State was mighty impressive a week ago, blowing out a team that has lost to Bowling Green, Middle Tennessee State, South Florida, and Maryland by a combined 11 points. They should continue on that roll this week.
Arkansas State 28 Louisiana-Monroe 17

Sunday
Northern Illinois (+10) at Miami (Ohio): What happened to Miami? They were great just three years ago and were decent a couple years ago. It seems that ever since head coach Terry Hoppner and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger left the program, it's been in a downward spiral. With Garrett Wolfe coming fresh off a remarkable 353 yard performance against Ball State a weekend ago, he and the Huskies should have no problems on Sunday.
Northern Illinois 31 Miami (Ohio) 10