Week 6 Preview - Top 25

Jordan Kuehne

Week 6 College Football Picks

October 7^th, 2011 – The trials and tribulations of college finally caught up to me last weekend and consequently halted my picks column; three tests and two papers (including a dreaded foreign language composition) will do that to most people! Alas, I return this weekend with a tightened up version of the weekly predictions as several mouth-watering games await fans eager for college action on the gridiron.

2 Weeks Ago: 22-4

Season: 64-8

#3 Oklahoma vs. #11 Texas -- #3 Oklahoma: 31, #11 Texas: 24

A valiant fight from the Longhorns will come up short as Oklahoma stud QB Landry Jones exposes the Texas’ D in the Red River Shootout. One of the fiercest rivalries in college football returns to its days of glory with a top-11 matchup. Texas and its lucky season garners its first blemish despite keeping it close throughout.

KEY MATCHUP: David Ash vs. Oklahoma LBs – Texas duel threat QB David Ash has been setting opposing defenses ablaze with his legs thus far. Oklahoma’s LBs are a different breed however, with targets on opposing stars and the ability to make plays. This matchup will be key in deciding the outcome.

#17 Florida @ #1 LSU -- #1 LSU: 27, #17 Florida: 24

I anticipate the Gators will keep this game much closer than last week’s matchup vs. the Crimson Tide in which they were run roughshod out of the Swamp en route to a 38-10 defeat. The Gators will utilize a heavy dose of star tailback Chris Rainey and try to improve upon their 1.1 ypc average that led to last weekend’s huge loss. LSU sees former star QB Jordan Jefferson return as they look to stay unbeaten and continue their magical run through the gauntlet that is their 2011 schedule.

KEY MATCHUP: Chris Rainey vs. LSU D-Line – LSU’s D-Line is much like Oklahoma’s LBs: a different breed. Big, strong, powerful, and explosive, they symbolize everything that SEC defense stands for. Rainey is a small, explosive tailback that has the ability to turn any play into a huge gain. This matchup will once again determine the Gators’ fortunes.

#15 Auburn @ #10 Arkansas -- #10 Arkansas: 37, #15 Auburn: 35

Arkansas QB Tyler Wilson finally found his stride last Saturday, leading the ‘Hogs to a stunning come-from-behind victory over the Aggies of Texas A&M and throwing for a school-record passing total in the process. If Wilson can continue to build upon that performance and gather momentum, look for the ‘Hogs to eek out a tight victory over defending national champion Auburn and its star RB, Michael Dyer.

KEY MATCHUP: Michael Dyer vs. ‘Hogs D – Dyer’s got the powerful tree trunks that college RBs dream about to go with darting quickness that allows the back to hit holes with force. The Hogs gave up 38 points in a tight win last weekend and their “bend, don’t break” philosophy will come under fire from Dyer and his team.

Vanderbilt @ #2 Alabama -- #2 Alabama: 45, Vanderbilt: 6

#5 Boise State @ Fresno State -- #5 Boise State: 53, Fresno State: 24

Kansas @ #6 Oklahoma State -- #6 Oklahoma State: 62, Kansas: 20

Colorado @ #7 Stanford -- #7 Stanford: 38, Colorado: 17

Boston College @ #8 Clemson -- #8 Clemson: 34, Boston College: 16

#12 Michigan @ Northwestern -- #12 Michigan: 38, Northwestern: 31

Maryland @ #13 Georgia Tech -- #13 Georgia Tech: 49, Maryland: 21

Ohio State @ #14 Nebraska -- #14 Nebraska: 22, Ohio State: 17

Connecticut @ #16 West Virginia -- #16 West Virginia: 28, UConn: 14

Kentucky @ #18 South Carolina -- #18 South Carolina: 24, Kentucky: 10

#19 Illinois @ Indiana -- #19 Illinois: 45, Indiana: 27

UPSET SPECIAL: Missouri @ #20 Kansas State – Missouri: 34, #20 Kansas State: 24

Miami (FL) @ #21 Virginia Tech – #21 Virginia Tech: 22, Miami (FL): 21

#22 Arizona State @ Utah -- #22 Arizona State: 34, Utah: 13

#23 Florida State @ Wake Forest -- #23 Florida State: 45, Wake Forest: 3

#24 Texas A&M @ Texas Tech -- #24 Texas A&M: 31, Texas Tech: 27

Iowa State @ #25 Baylor -- #25 Baylor: 45, Iowa State: 20

Louisville @ North Carolina – UNC: 31, Louisville: 17

Pittsburgh @ Rutgers – Pittsburgh: 27, Rutgers: 24

Iowa @ Penn State – Iowa: 17, Penn State: 13

Georgia @ Tennessee – Georgia: 35, Tennessee: 31

Washington State @ UCLA - Washington State: 24, UCLA: 17

TCU @ San Diego State - TCU: 35, SDSU: 28