Each week, The Game Haus will preview every college football game featuring teams in The Associated Press Top 25. We’ll also give an expanded look at three Week 6 Top 25 matchups especially worth watching.
Here we go with our Week 6 Top 25 previews (all times Eastern):
Key Games
No. 14 Iowa (4-0) at No. 19 Michigan (3-1), Noon, Saturday
Scouting the Hawkeyes: They last started 5-0 during that impressive 12-2 campaign of 2015. They’ve also won five of the last six versus Michigan, but four of those wins came at home. Iowa has outscored its opponents 134-34, and seems capable of pulling this one out on the road.
Scouting the Wolverines: A visit from Rutgers is just what Michigan needed to rebound from that ugly Wisconsin loss. At the end of the day, it showed nothing. Shea Patterson needs to avoid the turnovers and his offensive line must protect him (nine sacks allowed) from an Iowa squad that’s plus-5 in the turnover department.
Winner: Iowa
No. 7 Auburn (5-0) at No. 10 Florida (5-0), 3:30 p.m., Saturday
Scouting the Tigers: Bo Nix and Co. head to The Swamp, where Auburn last played in 2007. The Tigers have won the last three matchups, but the most recent came in 2011. Nix has thrown five touchdowns without an interception in the last three games.
Scouting the Gators: They’ve outscored their opponents 117-3 in three home games this season. Of course, two came against FCS teams and the other versus Tennessee. This is the best group the Gators have faced to date and we should have a good idea what to make of Dan Mullen’s squad when it’s done.
Winner: Auburn
No. 15 Washington (4-1) at Stanford (2-3), 10:30 p.m., Saturday
Scouting the Huskies: Washington has won three straight since losing to Cal, and its defense is starting to get comfortable. However, the difference could be the Huskies’ rushing attack, which averages 191.2 yards and boasts three backs with at least 212 yards.
Scouting the Cardinal: It’s been a rough start for Stanford, and just making a bowl could be the goal for 2019. That said, the Cardinal have won five straight at home against Washington, and we expect them to be poised to keep that streak alive.
Winner: Washington
The Rest
No. 18 UCF (4-1) at Cincinnati (3-1), 8 p.m., Friday
The Skinny: Another potentially tough road test for the Golden Knights. They could not get it done at Pitt last month. However, UCF has won the last three meetings with Cincinnati by a combined 113-39. The Bearcats have also lost 13 in a row against Top 25 teams since December 2009.
Winner: UCF
No. 6 Oklahoma (4-0) at Kansas (2-3), Noon, Saturday
The Skinny: It’s Les Miles’ turn to try and contain Jalen Hurts and Co. For as crazy good as Jalen Hurts has been, what about CeeDee Lamb? The receiver has totaled 414 yards with six touchdowns – on just 16 receptions. Talk about a big-play guy.
Winner: Oklahoma
Utah State (3-1) at No. 5 LSU (4-0), Noon, Saturday
The Skinny: The Tigers enjoyed a week off, but face a somewhat interesting challenge against Utah State. The Aggies’ lone defeat came at undefeated Wake Forest, narrowly, and they might just make a game of this one.
Winner: LSU
Purdue (1-3) at No. 12 Penn State (4-0), Noon, Saturday
The Skinny: Talk about making a statement. That’s what Penn State did with its 59-0 thrashing of Maryland. Don’t be surprised if the Nittany Lions are just as dominant this week against a Purdue team that’s minus star Rondale Moore (leg) and quarterback Elijah Sindelar (broken clavicle).
Winner: Penn State
No. 21 Oklahoma State (4-1) at Texas Tech (2-2), Noon, Saturday
The Skinny: Oklahoma State is part of the Week 6 Top 25 previews for the first time as a ranked team in 2019. However, the Cowboys could face a stiff test right out of the gate against a Texas Tech squad that needs to rebound from that 55-16 loss to Oklahoma. The Red Raiders snapped a nine-game skid to Oklahoma State last season.
Winner: Oklahoma State
Kent State (2-2) at No. 8 Wisconsin (4-0), Noon, Saturday
The Skinny: The Badgers were far from dominant against Northwestern, but two defensive touchdowns helped keep them undefeated. Wisconsin has recorded two shutouts already in 2019. This could be No. 3.
Winner: Wisconsin
Bowling Green (1-3) at No. 9 Notre Dame (3-1), 3:30 p.m., Saturday
The Skinny: Irish defensive end Daelin Hayes is done for the season with a shoulder injury and receiver Chase Claypool is dealing with an ankle issue. While those injuries are potentially significant, they won’t matter this week against BGSU. which has allowed 149 points in its last three games.
Winner: Notre Dame
No. 11 Texas (3-1) at West Virginia (3-1), 3:30 p.m., Saturday
The Skinny: This is an intriguing matchup. West Virginia’s offense is not as potent as in years past, but the Mountaineers have won three of the last four meetings with Texas. However, the Longhorns won the most recent in Morgantown in 2017. But, will they get caught looking ahead to Oklahoma next week?
Winner: Texas
No. 3 Georgia (4-0) at Tennessee (1-3), 7 p.m., Saturday
The Skinny: The Volunteers won this matchup as recently as 2016, but that seems like forever as both teams have gone in opposite directions. Since Tennessee’s ’16 win, Georgia is 33-8 and the Vols are 14-22. That should set the table for this year’s affair.
Winner: Georgia
No. 25 Michigan State (4-1) at No. 4 Ohio State (5-0), 7:30 p.m., Saturday
The Skinny: The Spartans are wildly inconsistent, which means after rallying to beat Indiana, could give Ohio State a challenge if we’re going according to form. Then again, Ohio State is a machine, outscoring its opponents 262-43 and showing no signs of letting up.
Winner: Ohio State
Tulsa (2-2) at No. 24 SMU (5-0), 7:30 p.m., Saturday
The Skinny: It’s quite an historical time for the Mustangs, who are ranked in the Top 25 for the first time since receiving the death penalty in 1987. They’re here thanks to an offense that averages 44.4 points and is led by former Texas quarterback Shane Buechele (69.4 completion percentage, 158.2 passer rating.
Winner: SMU
California (4-1) at No. 13 Oregon (3-1), 8 p.m., Saturday
The Skinny: Oregon has not allowed a touchdown since that heartbreaking Seth Williams’ catch in the waning seconds against Auburn on Aug. 31. It’s quite possible that defensive stinginess continues with Cal minus injured quarterback Chase Garbers.
Winner: Oregon
No. 16 Boise State (4-0) at UNLV (1-3), 10:30 p.m., Saturday
The Skinny: It’s the first Mountain West road game for the Broncos, who last went 5-0 in 2016. They’ve yielded 36 points over the last three games and take on a UNLV squad that’s totaled 48 while losing three in a row.
Winner: Boise State
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