Arena Fanatic

College Football Preview Week 6

By Matt Hetzler 
​Below are 15 games that are on my slate of games to watch. Tyler (Mr. Arena Fanatic) and I will give our predictions for each game. Here we go!

Tyler’s totals after week 4: 44/76 (58%)
Matt’s totals after week 4: 48/76 (63%)

Quick Hits:

Georgia Southern (-7) @ Arkansas State

Arkansas State hosts Ga. Southern in the Red Wolves conference opener. It’s been a tough start for Arkansas State and it won’t get any easier hosting the Eagles. Ga. Southern is going to run all over Arkansas State. The Red Wolves have struggled in the run game and that’s where the Eagles dominate on both sides. I like Ga. Southern big.

Tyler’s pick: Georgia Southern 35-27
Matt’s pick: Georgia Southern 42-20

Toledo (-17) @ Eastern Michigan

Eastern Michigan is off to a 4-1 start and host a very good Toledo team this weekend. Ian Eriksen has filled in nicely for an injured Shaq Vann. Logan Woodside has been very good for Toledo with 1,444 passing yards and 16 TD. EMU has had a great run but it stops here. Toledo’s offense will be too much for the Eagles.

Tyler’s pick: Toledo 32-17
Matt’s pick: Toledo 45-22

Western Kentucky (-3) @ La Tech

There will be ton of points scored in this one, my prediction is probably a little low. WKU enters the game with a solid offense attack with White at QB, Wales at RB and Taylor/Norris at WR. The same can be said for the Bulldogs as Ryan Higgins has the dynamic WR Trent Taylor (53 catches) and RB Jarred Craft. WKU has a little better defense so I will roll with the Hilltoppers.

Tyler’s pick: Western Kentucky 42-40
Matt’s pick: Western Kentucky 38-35

Maryland (-1) @ Penn State

Maryland is off to a 4-0 start and looking for a big win at Penn State. Perry Hills has been the do-it all guy for the Terps. Maryland’s defense has been really good but this will be their first big test. Saquon Barkley will have to get the ground game going if Penn State wants to win this game. McSorley has been connecting well with Godwin. If this game was in Maryland I would lean towards the Terps but I’m going with Penn State.

Tyler’s pick: Penn State 27-26
Matt’s pick: Penn State 31-23

Iowa (-2) @ Minnesota

Both teams are coming off of tough losses last weekend. Iowa can still win the West but they will need a win in this game. Iowa’s offensive line has been mediocre all season, Iowa needs a big game from those guys. Minnesota took Penn State to OT on the road. Rodney Smith has been great in the backfield for the Gophers. This game is big for both teams but I still like the Hawkeyes a little bit better.

Tyler’s pick: Iowa 24-20
Matt’s pick:  Iowa 21-17

21 Colorado @ USC (-5.5)

Colorado is out to a surprising 4-1 start with their only loss at Michigan. USC got back to winning against Arizona State. Sam Darnold has brought a spark to the offense and has Juju Smith playing much better. Colorado has been really good on the defensive side and the Buffs offense is averaging over 531 yards. It’s going to be a big test for the USC defense and I’ll take the away team in this one.

Tyler’s pick: USC 32-20
Matt’s pick: Colorado 35-28


Washington State @ 15 Stanford (-7.5)

Stanford was absolutely crushed by the Huskies last Friday night. It was a pitiful performance by the Stanford offense. Washington State put up over 600 total yards on a not-so great Oregon offense. Stanford has major issues at the QB position. McCaffrey simply cannot win games on his own. I like Washington State and the balance they have on offense. Luke Falk is one of the best QB’s in the country. Washington State was a FG away from beating Stanford last season, I think they get it done this year.

Tyler’s pick: Washington State 24-23
Matt’s pick: Washington State 35-30

5 Washington (-8) @ Oregon

Washington firmly put themselves in the CFP discussion after a win over Stanford. Browning and Gaskin looked phenomenal and the Huskies D smothered McCaffrey. Oregon on the other hand has struggled to 3 consecutive losses. The offense is still one of the best in the country but the defense is absolutely terrible. Washington State ran all over Oregon, something the Cougars are not known for. With that being said, this feels like a trap game for Washington. Let’s not forget Arizona took them to OT in Tucson a couple of weekends ago. That’s why I am going to roll with Ducks and Royce Freeman at home.

Tyler’s pick: Washington 42-20
Matt’s pick: Oregon 41-38

6 Houston (-17.5) @ Navy

Houston heads to Navy in a big AAC showdown. Navy lost its first game last weekend against a solid Air Force team. Houston continues to roll behind the fantastic play of Greg Ward Jr. Houston has too many playmakers for Navy to pull off a huge upset but I think Navy makes this game competitive for a half. Navy’s secondary has yet to be tested so the Cougars roll in the 2nd half.

Tyler’s pick: Houston 32-22
Matt’s pick: Houston 38-17

LSU (-1) @ 18 Florida

Ed Orgeron had LSU ready to play last Saturday. I tweeted that I wasn’t sure if LSU would show up and boy was I wrong. Without Leonard Fournette the Tigers dominated Missouri from start to finish. Derrius Guice had a huge game with 3 TD runs and 163 yards and the defense held Missouri to 265 yards. Florida squeaked by Vanderbilt in an ugly 13-6 win. Florida needs better QB play if they expect to win this game. I don’t see that happening and the Tigers can still chase a SEC title.

Tyler’s pick: Florida 27-20
Matt’s pick: LSU 27-13

The Big Ones:

Texas @ 22 Oklahoma (-10.5)

Oklahoma will be seeking revenge on the Longhorns after last season’s upset. Oklahoma is in the driver's seat for a Big 12 Championship after beating TCU in Fort Worth. Texas is looking to recover from back-to-back losses. Texas is averaging more points and yards on offense than the Sooners and the defense has been better statistically. The key for Oklahoma will be Perine and Mayfield using his feet. If OU can break open the run game then I expect the Sooners to win easily. For Texas to win they need solid play from Shane Buechele and big performances from Foreman and Warren in the run game. Charlie Strong is desperate for a big time win and if he can get another over Oklahoma he should be back next season.

Tyler’s pick: Oklahoma 30-26
Matt’s pick:  Texas 35-31

23 Florida State @ 10 Miami (-3)

Miami is off to a 4-0 start and has a huge opportunity to take down their rival FSU at home. Miami is the betting favorite and that’s because of Brad Kaaya, the rushing of Mark Walton and a great defense. If you dig deeper into Miami you will see they haven’t really been challenged yet. Florida State on the other hand has played 3 really good teams so far. UNC shocked the Noles last week so I expect a big bounceback by the Noles. Francois made some gutsy plays late and Dalvin Cook is the best RB in the country. FSU’s offense will test Miami’s defense for the first time. If Miami wins this game I would be shocked, but then again I didn’t expect FSU to give up 60+ to Louisville or lose to UNC.

Tyler’s pick: Florida State 27-24
Matt’s pick: Florida State 34-24

25 Virginia Tech @ 17 North Carolina (-2.5)

UNC is coming off of a shocking win over the Noles in Tallahassee. VT has been dominating teams since the Tennessee loss. There should be plenty of fireworks in this game. Jerod Evans has been a playmaker for the Hokies. Evans can beat you with his arm and feet. His decision making has been spot on with only TO. For UNC, Mitch Trubisky continues his great start. Trubisky is over 1,700 passing yards and is in sync with Ryan Switzer. VT is one of the nation's top defensive teams so UNC will have its work cut out for them. UNC at home will be too much for this VT team but I expect a great game.

Tyler’s pick: North Carolina 34-27
Matt’s pick: North Carolina 30-24

1 Alabama (-14) @ 16 Arkansas

Arkansas has a big opportunity at home to take down the #1 team in the nation. If Arkansas wins this game it will be the play of Austin Allen. Allen has been consistent for the Hogs thus far with 12 TD and only 2 INT. Alabama continues to roll on the offensive side of the ball. Damien Harris is running the ball with purpose and Calvin Ridley is starting to breakout. Alabama’s defense is allowing only 68 yards rushing per game. This is going to be a physical game. Arkansas should be able to hang with the Tide but they will need a big performance from the defense and Allen to win.
Tyler’s pick: Alabama 42-17
Matt’s pick: Alabama 31-21

9 Tennessee @ 8 Texas A&M (-6.5)

Both teams enter this game at 5-0. Tennessee had a little bit of luck last weekend with the hail mary win over Georgia. What is a little more surprising to me was the performance A&M had at South Carolina. The defense played well against a pretty lousy SC offense. The concern for me is the play of Trevor Knight. He has yet to have what I would consider a great game. Knight has done just enough to get the Aggies wins, but will that be enough against the Vols.
Tennessee has a problem playing a decent first half. Tennessee has had to come back from double digits in 3 games now. Eventually the Vols will run out of luck, many people expect it this week against Myles Garrett and a very good Aggie D. What I like about Tennessee in this game is..Josh Dobbs. Dobbs rises to the challenge when the Vols need him most. Injuries are starting to pile up for the Vols but Jalen Hurd is expected to play. I expect a complete performance by Tennessee this week to set up a big matchup with Alabama.

Tyler’s pick: Texas A&M 30-27
Matt’s pick: Tennessee 31-24

Matt's Picks

Top 25

1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Louisville
4. Houston
5. Michigan
6. Tennessee
7. Clemson
8. Texas A&M
9. Wisconsin
10. Stanford
11. Florida State
12. Baylor
13. Washington
14. Nebraska
15. Miami
16. Boise State
17. Utah
18. Arkansas     
19. Michigan State
20. Ole Miss
21. San Diego State
22. Western Michigan
23. Arizona State
24. Georgia
25. TCU

Non-Power 5 Top 10

1. Houston (#4 nationally)
2. Boise State (#14 nationally)
3. Western Michigan (#18 nationally)
4. Toledo
5. San Diego State
6. Air Force
7. South Florida
8. Troy
9. Eastern Michigan
10. Middle Tennessee
​

Heisman Standings

1. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
2. J.T. Barrett, QB, Ohio State
3. Greg Ward Jr, QB Houston
4. Donnel Pumphrey, RB, San Diego State
5. Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
6. Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
7. Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
8. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
9. Amba Etta-Tawo, WR, Syracuse
10. Chad Kelly, QB, Ole Miss

New Year's Six and Playoffs

Peach Bowl:         4 Houston vs. 1 Alabama
Fiesta Bowl:         3 Clemson vs. 2 Ohio State
Orange Bowl:         Louisville vs. Nebraska
Sugar Bowl:          Tennessee vs. Baylor
Cotton Bowl:          Miami vs. Texas A&M
Rose Bowl:          Michigan vs. Washington

Tyler's Picks

Top 25

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

Non-Power 5 Top 10

1. Houston (#3 Houston) 
2. Boise State (#8 Nationally)
3. Western Michigan (#18 Nationally)
4. Western Michigan (#24 Nationally) 
5. South Florida
6. Air Force
7. Troy 
8. Central Michigan
9. Toledo
​10. Eastern Michigan
​

Heisman Standings

​1. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville 
2. Greg Ward Jr, QB, Houston
3. Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
4. J.T. Barrett, QB, Ohio State
5. Donnel Pumphrey, RB, San Diego State 
6. Patrick Mahomes, QB, TTU
7. Davis Webb, QB, Cal
8.  Jamaal Williams, RB, BYU
9. Amba Etta-Tawo, WR, Syracuse
10. Chad Hansen, WR, Cal

New Year's Six and Playoffs

Peach Bowl:    4 Clemson vs. 1 Alabama
Fiesta Bowl:   2 Ohio State vs. 3 Houston
Orange Bowl:  Lousiville vs. Wisconsin
Sugar Bowl:     Tennessee vs. Baylor   
Cotton Bowl:  Boise State vs. Texas A&M
Rose Bowl:      Washington vs. Michigan

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