CFB Game Guide Week 6: How Explosive is the Buckeyes' Offense?
Well, how do you top a week like we had last time out? The top two teams going back and forth in an SEC battle for the ages! We might not reach those heights this weekend but there should be plenty of intriguing games to keep the playoff discussion rolling. Here’s our pick of the bunch.
Early Kickoff Window
Big Screen Billing: Missouri @ Texas A&M (12PM ET / 5PM GMT, ABC)
We kick off Week 6 with a trip down to the SEC. Apart from a season opening loss to Notre Dame, Texas A&M have started 2024 in great form. Even with injury keeping starting QB Conner Weigman sidelined, dual-threat replacement Marcel Reed has filled in well, keeping the ball out of danger with 0 interceptions. Weigman could return for this one but should the Aggies change the winning theme?
The main attraction to this one is likely on the other side of the ball where the Aggies defensive line will look to slow down the explosive Missouri combination of Brady Cook, Luther Burden and Nate Noel. The Tigers have had a bye week to regroup after getting away with one previously against Vanderbilt. Although unbeaten, they’re perhaps not quite living up to their AP Poll ranking of 9. Noel, averages over 6.4 yards per carry but the duo of Shemar Turner and Shemar Stewart will be a different proposition. Star receiver Burden will also hope to bolster his draft stock with plenty of eyes on this early kickoff.
I think a Weigman-led Aggies could run out clear victors and expose the Tigers’ current ranking.
Upset Potential: SMU @ Louisville (12PM ET / 5PM GMT, ESPN)
Since Kevin Jennings got the full-time starting gig at SMU, the Mustangs have looked much more assured. Their only loss was to a BYU team that has since showed it has Big 12 title aspirations. As the starter, Jennings has wins against TCU and Florida State to his name and will fancy picking off Louisville on the road. His mobility will be key against a defensive line that has generated plenty of pressure so far. Ashton Gillotte is the headline act but edge partner Tramel Logan also has three sacks to his name.
For Louisville, Tyler Shough has been equally impressive. Against Notre Dame he displayed his hose of an arm and even some different arm angles, in a Mahomes-like style. Shough has 8 big time throws this season per PFF. Watching these two QBs go back and forth should be plenty entertaining. The Cardinals go into this one seven point favourites but with SMU’s confidence high, I think the Mustangs have a good chance to cause the upset on the road.
Primetime Window
Big Screen Billing: Iowa @ Ohio State (3.30PM ET / 8.30PM GMT, CBS)
The primetime slot doesn’t offer too much intrigue in terms of potential close matchups so let’s turn our attention to a championship contender. There hasn’t been much need for the neutral to tune in to the Buckeyes this year as they waltzed through their early schedule with ease. As a 19.5 point underdog Iowa shouldn’t offer too much resistance but, they are a strong defense so it will give us some sort of a handle on how explosive this Buckeye group is.
The Hawkeyes are allowing under 14 points a game, an impressive mark that’s still dwarfed by Ohio State allowing under 7. Can the likes of Jeremiah Smith and Quinshon Judkins run roughshod over a usually solid Iowa group? Defensively, the Buckeyes experienced linebacker group must slow down Kaleb Johnson, the physical back who has 685 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns in four games. It might not be a close one but it should still throw up plenty of answers about Ohio State’s true strength.
Keep an eye on: Ole Miss @ South Carolina (3.30PM ET / 8.30PM GMT, ESPN)
So work this one out, South Carolina dominated a Kentucky side that then went on to take Georgia close, before felling the Ole Miss Rebels last time out. Should we be worried that the Gamecocks are 9.5 point underdogs? Well, I trust Lane Kiffin to come up with a more coherent offensive plan, considering the negative feedback last week earned him. He will need to ensure Jaxson Dart has time to operate in the pocket. Dart was hit five times vs Kentucky and the edge rushing duo of Kyle Kennard and Dylan Stewart will be disruptive for South Carolina.
The Gamecocks were missing starting QB LaNorris Sellers and star running back Rocket Sanders during their Akron victory last week but, both should be healthy for the visit of the Rebels. Sellers hasn’t been ultra-productive but his ability running the ball gives the offense a different edge. If South Carolina can unsettle Dart, then this one could be closer than expected.
After Dark Window
Big Screen Billing: Tennessee @ Arkansas (8.30PM ET / 12.30AM GMT, ABC)
Tennessee are the hot ticket in the SEC right now. Yes, Georgia and Alabama proved they remain at the top of the tree with a thriller in Tuscaloosa, but the Vols have looked like next man up so far. While it wasn’t a vintage offensive display against Oklahoma, their defense stifled the Sooners into ditching their 5-star quarterback at half-time. Now rested, the true SEC tests begin. First up, a plucky Arkansas who, having run Oklahoma State and Texas A&M close, have helped to cool the hot seat head coach Sam Pittman entered the year on.
A pair of transfers have spearheaded the Razorbacks offense, QB Taylen Green and RB Ja’Quinden Jackson, will they be able to function with edge rusher James Pearce Jr seeking to get into the backfield? One battle I will be really intrigued to watch is Hogs leading receiver Andrew Armstrong battle Vols corner Jermod McCoy who has a PFF coverage grade of 89.7 this year. Oh yes, there’s the small attraction of Nico Iamaleava as well! Could we get a late night surprise in Razorback Stadium?
Keep an eye on: UCF @ Florida (8.45 ET / 12.45AM GMT, SECN)
We head to Florida to round the evening out. The bookies only have 2.5 points between these two, the Knights being slight favourites heading to the Swamp. Before Colorado swept them aside last week I thought UCF had a chance to put a final nail in Billy Napier’s coffin. However, the two teams come in with fortunes reversed. UCF QB KJ Jefferson threw two picks versus the Buffs as the Knights failed to keep pace with a Shedeur Sanders led offense.
Florida enjoyed a bye week after beating Mississippi State 45-28. Graham Mertz looked much improved at QB, with a completion rate of over 90% and three touchdown throws. He’s currently doing enough to fend off freshman DJ Lagway. If you had asked me a couple of weeks ago I would have had UCF comfortable winners, and it could still swing that way. If that is the case Napier will be on ‘sack watch’ considering a rampant Vols await next. Can he perform a miracle starting with a rivalry victory this week?
Rory-Joe Daniels
NFL & Cfb contributor
AS A LONG-SUFFERING CINCINNATI BENGALS FAN, RORY HAS FOLLOWED THE NFL FOR OVER 20 YEARS. HIS PASSION FOR THE DRAFT LED HIM TO GET ENTANGLED WITH COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND HE HAS BEEN WRITING ABOUT PROSPECTS AND THE CFB LANDSCAPE EVER SINCE.