Week 6 College Football Preview

Last week, for the first time this season the top 5 stayed put and won. Granted the top two teams were off this week, but nonetheless status quo was pretty good this week.

Recap of last week: The Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday night games were not exactly exciting, but it was football. Both West Virginia and Pittsburgh showed they might challenge Cincinnati or South Florida for Big East supremacy. Could be good matchups when they arise on schedule. Speaking of South Florida, they had little trouble with Syracuse, but between the two they turned the ball over 5 times in the first 4 minutes. South Florida can’t do that against better opponents. Iowa and Penn State after their battle on Saturday were on the winning end of their respective games this past week. Ohio State, equally, stated the course and remains in position to still win the Big Ten. While Wisconsin was successful at Minnesota and prepares for Ohio State this week. Both Mississippi and Georgia Tech bounced back with win this past week and have tough challenges ahead this week. Auburn looked good against Tennessee and might finally be on a lot of people's radars in the SEC. In the BCS buster games, TCU took care of business and Boise State didn't play great, but still won. However, Houston stumbled big time at UTEP and now will be only playing for just another bowl game.

In terms of my top 5 matchups picks, I went 3-2 this week and after five weeks I'm 16-9 on the year. Michigan and Michigan locked up in a close game and continued the recent trend of close games between the two state rivals. Michigan came into the game on a hot streak and undefeated and ranked for the first time in about two years. However, the Wolverines would be downed in overtime after fighting to come back late in the 4th quarter. The up and down season woes continued for Florida State this past week as they struggled mightily against Boston College. The questions surrounding if Bobby Bowden should be removed are circulating again after the first month or so of action. California came out flat against Oregon and didn't fare too much better against a much better USC team. USC after that Washington stumble seem to be on pace again and could be poised to make a move if anyone in front of them stumbles. Notre Dame looms in the near future for the Trojans now as they cleared another Pac-10 hurdle. In what was expected to be a big SEC battle, both LSU and Georgia showed up and delivered a wire to wire close game. It looked as if Georgia was about to down LSU late in the game, but LSU got a couple big plays that set up the winning touchdown run to keep the Tigers in the top 5. Now that LSU has survived one SEC East opponent, they turn their attention to a big matchup at home against No. 1 Florida. The winner of this matchup has won the last three national titles. And finally, in what I deemed the matchup of the week; the Miami Hurricanes rebounded quite nicely against a Sam Bradford-less Oklahoma Sooners team. I thought Oklahoma would come out and play a little better than they did and I wasn't sure what type of quarterback play would come for Miami QB Jacory Harris. He looked exposed against Virginia Tech, but showed "the swag" necessary to make the important drives to win the game. The "U" made another statement and came out of the gauntlet month at 3-1. Not bad. Oklahoma now drops to 2-2 and can play spoiler to Texas in a couple weeks if the Longhorns get by Colorado this week.

Now turning to this week's slate of games that might be worth watching/feature a team or teams with something on the line:

Tuesday Night matchup
Middle Tennessee at Troy: If you LOVE football, you might watch.
Friday Night matchup
Louisiana Tech at Nevada: Another if you LOVE football and are bored on Friday night, you might watch.

No. 17 Auburn at Arkansas: Auburn is ranked and is coming off a good win against an improving Tennessee squad. Arkansas will be another test for the Tigers. Could be a trip up game or a possible statement game for Auburn. Each win will get them a little more recognition in a conference that is currently dominated by the 3 top 5 teams: Florida, Alabama, and LSU.

Georgia at Tennessee: Both had crucial SEC losses last week and is a battle between two unranked SEC teams. Not going to get many headlines this week with Florida and LSU on the slate as well. The loser will most likely fall to the bottom half of the conference and struggle to make a bowl game.

Houston at Mississippi State: A good amount of the games I usually highlight feature teams looking to bounce back. Houston is that team in this case. They were a sleeper pick for a BCS game and came out of no where for many. They had a Heisman quality QB and looked to be in good position to make a run. They lost to UTEP and now face a very good Mississippi State that came close to beating No. 4 LSU this year.

Wisconsin at No. 9 Ohio State: This is a big game for Wisconsin at this point in the season and Ohio State conversely needs to be on guard this week. Both have a pretty close rivalry and one usually doesn't dominate the series at any point. Wisconsin is on the brink of getting in the Big Ten conversation and a win at Ohio State could serve as a catalyst. Ohio State has played well since that early USC loss.

No. 13 Oregon at UCLA: Oregon has looked impressive in the last few weeks, but needs to be on upset alert against a capable UCLA team that is at home. This could be the interesting battle this week in the Pac-10.

Baylor at No. 19 Oklahoma: QB Sam Bradford might be back this week. Either way this is important middle game because the Sooners definitely want to get back on track and tune up before the Red River Shootout with Texas next week.

No. 10 TCU at Air Force: Can TCU keep the winning ways going? Any stumble will most likely end any BCS talk.

No. 22 Georgia Tech at Florida State: The main storyline here revolves around Bobby Bowden's job security at Florida State. Another loss especially in the ACC will only make things worse for him and the team. Georgia Tech, though, could make an important statement regardless of how Florida State is playing and stay in the ACC race.


Now for my top 5 matchups of Week 6:

5. Boston College at No. 5 Virginia Tech: This is intriguing matchup in the ACC. Virginia Tech has been playing hard on defense lately and usually play especially well at home. Boston College played really well at home last week and are usually in contention of late in the ACC. I think Virginia Tech may have a little too much and could have a good offensive day. Pick: Virginia Tech

4. Michigan at No. 12 Iowa: Michigan was surging and ran into Michigan State last week. They played a close game, but still lost in overtime. Iowa has risen the ranks and has a great chance to win the Big Ten this year. They are rolling on both sides of the ball. This is a crucial game for both teams. Michigan can get back in the conversation with a win while Iowa can crack the top 10 possibly this week. Pick: Iowa

3. No. 21 Nebraska at No. 24 Missouri: A week before a big Big 12 South battle, there is a big Big 12 North battle on Thursday night this week. Missouri is undefeated and Nebraska's only loss came to No. 5 Virginia Tech. Nebraska's defense has been playing really well this year. Missouri has improved since last year and could make a run at the Big 12 North title. Pick: Nebraska

2. No. 3 Alabama at No. 20 Mississippi: Alabama has been rolling thus far this year and their defense has been very lethal. Mississippi could be eliminated the SEC race with a loss and with a win they could redeem themselves for that South Carolina loss. Alabama is on a mission this year to redeem their two losses to end the year and get a rematch in the SEC title game with most likely Florida. I think Alabama will over power an overrated Mississippi squad. Pick: Alabama

1. No. 1 Florida at No. 4 LSU: This quite possibly the biggest game thus far of the college football year in 2009. They are both SEC foes and are ranked in the top 5. QB Tim Tebow will most likely return for Florida, but without him the Gators become a slightly different team. LSU has a streak of 32 wins on Saturday night at home, which is truly unbelievable. The winner of this matchup the last three years has gone onto to play in the national title game and win the national title. A lot is truly on the line for both teams. It should be a close one coming down to a late drive or crucial big play. Pick: Florida

Should be a more than a few good matchups. See which teams will rise up to the challenges.