After a wild and wooly week five, we have the Red River Shootout to look forward to this weekend, where a highly overvalued Texas squad goes up against a juggernaut Oklahoma team. Plus, Florida heads to Death Valley with a true freshman at the helm. That should go well…
I think this is the week where we might start to see some separation and once the dust settles the Top 25 for the second half of the season might be close to set, give or take a team or five. I think Oregon will take a step up and Notre Dame will climb back into the Top 25 (probably at #25, which is the furthest they’d deserve to be until they prove otherwise).
Let’s make some picks!
Last week: 4-1 / All-time: 105-56
California at No. 9 Oregon - Neither team has really beaten anyone of consequence to this point, putting up big numbers against nobodies and falling to actual decent teams. The difference is, Cal lost to unranked Washington and Oregon lost to the #1 team in the land, LSU. The only reason Cal is ranked at all highly on defense is due to their lackluster competition. Oregon, meanwhile, can and will run over anyone who doesn’t belong to the SEC. Goodnight, sweet Golden Bears.
Oregon wins, 48-24
No. 3 Oklahoma vs. No. 11 Texas - As much as I like the feel-good storyline of Case McCoy and David Ash resurrecting the Texas offense, this Texas team is just too young to be ranked #11 in the country. They have talent, but it’s going to take a year or two for it to grow into something substantial. In the meantime, Oklahoma is going to pass all over the Longhorns.
Oklahoma wins, 38-20
Air Force at Notre Dame - On paper, this is another game that the Irish should not lose. They outweigh Air Force at every position. They’re arguably more athletic at every position, too. But service academies are tough wins for just about everyone for a reason; they’re tough S.O.B.s who do not give up. (plus, a lot of them cut-block like a motherfucker) Air Force will be a tough out, but I think the Irish run game will wear down their injury-plagued defense, as long as the offense doesn’t hand the ball over.
Notre Dame wins, 27-13
No. 17 Florida at No. 1 LSU - This is going to boring. Florida will not be able to score against the Tigers’ defense and LSU will just grind the Gators until they give up.
LSU wins, 17-6
No. 15 Auburn at No. 10 Arkansas - ..and this should be the exact opposite of the Florida/LSU game. No defenses to speak of and tons of offensive fireworks. Enjoy the WAC-ish elements of the SEC while they’re ranked! Seriously, this is a complete toss up. Just for shits and giggles, I’m going to go with the upset.
Auburn wins, 45-43
