Updated October 9, 2026, 9:10 a.m. ET
Time flies during college football season. Once this Saturday is over, we will be a week away from the halfway point of the campaign.
There’s been a lot to digest with top contenders solidifying themselves, contenders being abandoned, and other surprise teams that could threaten to shake things up.
The Week 6 schedule includes a major SEC game that will give a boost to the winner and shouldn’t hurt the other too much. There are other potential pitfalls Saturday, including one of sport’s great rivalries taking place on neutral ground in Dallas.
Where will the upsets come from this week? Our experts weigh in on the bold predictions.
Bold college football predictions for Week 6
Tennessee quarterback conundrum persists
The Vols opened their season with 18-year-old freshman Faizon Brandon at the helm. He had a chance to upset Texas last month, although he was sacked 10 times in that game. He was sidelined amid his struggles on Oct. 3 against Auburn. Enter George MacIntyre, a former four-star prospect and grandson of the late former Vanderbilt coach of the same name. We think MacIntyre is doing enough this week in Arkansas to keep Josh Heupel making excuses. After all, Heupel said Brandon still wasn’t healthy after getting beat against Texas — but he started it nonetheless. –Jean Brice
Missouri avoids Florida hangover against Texas A&M
Missouri won’t be the last SEC team to play flat after a big win. Ole Miss and Florida weren’t ready after the statement games, Missouri will be. For what? Defense. The Tigers are in the Top 30 in the country in rushing defense and will stop the run and force Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed to win the game. Reed has struggled in the passing game since last year’s CFP first-round loss to Miami. It won’t be any different. -Matt Hayes
SEC cannibalism continues with Missouri’s next victim
There’s a strange trend where SEC teams get emotional wins and then follow it up with an ugly loss. It happened at Ole Miss with Florida and then to the Gators at Missouri. This week, the Tigers are humbled by a Texas A&M team that desperately needs to prove itself after a rough start to the conference slate. The win over Arkansas gave Marcel Reed his composure back and he’ll be able to play all day against Missouri’s defense, knocking down the Tigers and throwing another wrench in the SEC pecking order battle. The Aggies just have to hope they don’t become casualties down the road. –Jordan Mendoza
North Carolina surprises injured Pittsburgh
After a closer than expected defeat last week against Notre Dame, Bill Belichick’s North Carolina scores a surprise by eliminating undefeated Pitt. The Panthers are somewhat of an unknown without quarterback Mason Heintschel, who is out for the year with a knee injury. This gives UNC’s defense a chance, although the offense must maintain the efficient passing game from last week against the Irish. –Paul Myerberg
Oklahoma pulls off stunning Red River Rivalry against Texas
Everything points to an explosion of Texas against Oklahoma in the middle of the State Fair of Texas. But fans of the rivalry will note that the series has produced its fair share of surprises – often from teams in similar situations to the Sooners. This is a pivotal game for Oklahoma’s season. It will take better play from quarterback John Mateer – especially by reducing turnovers – and the offensive line. That said, the defense is good enough to slow down the Longhorns and make the game close. If the Sooners force Arch Manning to make a few mistakes, they will leave the Cotton Bowl with the Golden Hat. –Erick Smith
Kentucky drops out of ranking after LSU loss
The SEC hangover is real and it will claim another victim this week. No, not Missouri. The Tigers might have a hard time putting away a desperate Texas A&M group that is at least coming off a good game against Arkansas, but Mizzou will successfully defend its home field. No, it will be Kentucky who cannot follow up with a difficult victory. The Wildcats needed everything in the bag to get past a mediocre South Carolina team, and aside from winning against underperforming Texas A&M, their most significant accomplishment was hanging with Alabama for a half. LSU may or may not live up to its top-10 ranking, but the Bayou Bengals are talented enough to offer a dose of reality to UK, even in Lexington. -Eddie Timanus
Keelon Russell powers Alabama past Georgia
With a hurricane roaring toward coastal Alabama and the Florida Panhandle and continuing into interior Alabama on Saturday, one would expect Georgia-Alabama to become a handoff battle in wet and windy conditions. But not so fast. Famed Alabama-based meteorologist James Spann predicted the worst of the storm would pass through Tuscaloosa by the evening’s kickoff, creating decent playing conditions. Never mind three meters and a cloud of mist, here’s yet another dart throw from Keelon Russell. The Alabama quarterback is coming off his career-best performance against Mississippi State, and he’s climbing the list of Heisman Trophy contenders. Gunner Stockton will be good for Georgia, but Russell will be better, and after this game at Bryant-Denny Stadium, we’ll be asking two questions: Should Alabama be ranked No. 1? And can Russell catch Jeremiah Smith for the Heisman? –Blake Toppmeyer
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