“This is my wish, my wish for the world–that peace would find its way to every boy and girl”- Kevin Ross
Week 5 was a lot of fun to watch. I rarely pick 15 games in a weekend, but this past week, there was a combination of too many easy underdogs to pass on, and too many matchups that I knew would be fun to watch. Now, did I expect to go 12-3? Of course not, but did I believe in each pick I made? Absolutely.
Some weekends are better than others, and Week 5 was absolutely set up to be the most fun to watch so far. Week 6 however, looks like a great time to get the eyes off the TV and hike a few miles up a mountain trail.
At least, that is what I will be doing.
Will there be fun football on during the day? Most likely. College Football never ceases to entertain and create drama every week. But the question is: will this week’s drama add to the long season narrative or is this a filler Chapter in the 2024 College Football Story with the drama coming from the sub plots?
My opinion is the latter, but here a few games on during the day that do interest me:
Pittsburgh @ North Carolina NOON ESPN2:
#5 Jahvaree Ritzie is always fun to watch on the Tar Heel Defensive Line.
Navy @ Air Force NOON CBS:
Navy is undefeated and has looked impressive. Air Force has back slidden this season, but will they find their footing and give Navy a game? Also, Service Academy games are always a unique viewing experience. Step up Falcons, you know? To help the Tigers in Memphis.
UCLA @ PENN ST NOON FOX:
Penn St is ranked in the top 10 and UCLA has a fearless coaching staff. The Bruins lost in Death Valley already. Will they find their way in the Happy Valley? Nittany Lions are hard to watch, but I like James Franklin.
Missouri @ Texas A&M NOON ABC:
Missouri is ranked in the top 10. I challenge you to watch it and see for yourself. Neither of these teams have impressed me so far.
Mississippi @ South Carolina 3:30 ESPN:
Story lines abound in this one. Will Kiffin’s Oxford bunch find their way offensively and will they be able to contain Rocket Sanders? Or will South Carolina unleash my second favorite running back in all the land on the defeated Mississippi defense and feed off the magic inside Williams-Brice to send the Columbia faithful home happy?
Virginia Tech @ Stanford 3:30 ACC Network:
No real reason here. Just intrigued at the fact that this is an Atlantic Coastal Conference Game.
The following three games are on the list because they feature teams that are ranked very highly, and each have future FF players on them. However, each should handle their opposition with ease and move on to Week 7 unscathed:
Iowa @ Ohio St 3:30 CBS
Auburn @ Georgia 3:30 ABC
Alabama @ Vanderbilt 3:30 SEC Network: AL needs to focus for all 60 minutes in this one.
These are the games that I believe will be worth at least a glance throughout the day. During the day that is…
While Week 6 lacks in matchups I prefer during the early windows, the following night games look like they could be must watch:
Michigan @ Washington 7:30 NBC:
BEAST
photo cred: Chicago Tribune
Mullings. Must watch. More than that though, this game is the Wolverines first road test, and it just so happens to be a rematch of the National Championship last season. Now, different coaches and players represent the characters in this year’s battle, but a revenge factor is certainly going to be lurking in some of those Huskie minds. This game also features one of my favorite players in the country not named Mullings.
Michigan Kicker Dominic Zvada. The 6’3” former Arkansas St Red Wolf is a perfect 7/7 on the season including 5/5 from beyond 50 yards and drilling a 55 yard yarder Week one against Fresno that could’ve seemingly gone 70. Big kid. Big leg.
Tennessee @ Arkansas 7:30 ABC:
The fact that this is a regional matchup that carries weight in my old stomping grounds in which family rivalries are fueled and forged,
The fact that my in laws in the Natural State live and breathe calling the Hogs and have passed that trait down to my better half—In turn, passing it to me because the bed is comfier than the couch. Woo Pig Honey.
The fact that this looks like the best Volunteer team I’ve watched in a long time that has a Head Coach who is fearless, ruthless, and is proving he belongs in the Coach of the Year conversation,
The fact that this is a Top 4 team (my own ranking) traveling into the Hog Heaven sanctuary at night,
The fact that Arkansas hasn’t been able to cover any receiver worth his salt this season, and they are going against the fastest, flashiest offense in college,
ALL of these facts and more make this game a must watch.
Also, this game has a massive nostalgia factor in my own mind. My childhood friend Jon, and his parents, used to throw fantastic watch parties for this game. 20-25 Arkansas or UT fans would cram into their house and watch the game on the 3 box tv sets positioned in the kitchen, living room, and upstairs game room that featured a pool table. Jon’s mom would make her famous “Razorback Dip” amongst an array of other treats the other moms brought. Crockpot Cocktail Weenies were usually my family’s contribution to the enormous food spread.
Once upon a time on an October night in Fayetteville…maybe this game will provide a storybook ending.
Southern Cal @ Minnesota 7:30 Big Ten Network:
SC has impressed at times this season. Outscoring Wisconsin 28-0 in the second half after trailing 21-10 at the break was masterful to watch. My question for SC is: Will they put together a complete 4 Quarter game?
For Minnesota well, PJ Fleck loves to play as an underdog. Let’s see if the Gophers can control the clock, limit turnovers, and play enough defense to trounce the Trojans.
UCF @ Florida 7:45 SEC Network:
I didn’t miss on many games this past Saturday, but I missed on this one. Badly. My worst read game of the season by a large margin. I backed UCF to beat the poor tackling and weak blocking Colorado Buffaloes by at least 14.5 this past week, and the Buffs ended up beating the nickels out of the Knights in Orlando.
Disappointed is a word I would use towards both of these squads for different reasons. Confusing is a word I would us to describe UCF. The central Florida rivalry is intriguing in itself, but I really want to see who this Gus Malzone squad is on the road at the SWAMP. QB KJ Jefferson has to find his way this week on offense. Colorado shut him down.
Miami @ California 10:30Pm ESPN:
The Hurricanes showed poise at home against the Hokies. It was a necessary step for this ACC wagon to feel adversity and overcome it. It was exactly as it should have played out. I hope you followed me on the VA Tech pick. Easy.
This week, the South Beach Superstars are travelling 3,000 miles across the mountains and the prairies to the Pacific coast for this Atlantic Conference battle. This is the one that will watch me fall asleep late Saturday night, but one that is worth tuning in for if you have enough gas in the tank. I’ll do my best.
So, these are the games I like for Week 6. Again, I won’t be tuning into to the day matchups, but if I could Mississippi @ South Carolina would be the ONE.
As for the night games, well, Quad Box will be my friend and I’ll be glued to my kitchen barstool or pacing 2 feet in front of the TV.
There will not be a pick sheet for Week 6, and I am unsure if I will have any picks this week. Such is how it goes sometimes.
Patience, Patience is my only Plea, Falling into traps will steal your Glee.
If I do post picks, it will be this Friday.
In the briefest of look-aheads, WEEK 7 looks like a bounce back week for the programming schedule. Tasty matchups.
I hope this week is productive, joyful, and rewarding for you, wherever you may be, and I know you’re there. Thank you for being a reader. Only a few regular readers on this blog so far, but I appreciate every person that will read me ramble my sometimes horse manure opinions. I hope it remains fun and enjoyable for you. Spes et fides.
Find the Humor and keep on Movin’
Whit W.