Kalen DeBoer on Alabama’s win over Georgia after FSU loss
Kalen DeBoer breaks down how Alabama learned from the FSU loss and used it to beat Georgia.
There might be some tricky matchups in Week 6 of the college football season.
No. 7 Texas (3-1) travels to Florida (1-3, 0-1 in SEC play) one week ahead of the Red River Rivalry, which is always one of the most-anticipated games for the Longhorns each season. The Gators are reeling, having lost three consecutive games — but a hostile atmosphere awaits the SEC matchup.
No. 19 Florida State (3-1, 0-10 also hosts No. 3 Miami (4-0) as the Seminoles look to avoid back-to-back losses. Can the Hurricanes hold off a motivated FSU team coming off a disappointing road upset to Virginia on Sept. 26?
There’s also No. 11 Alabama (3-1, 1-0 SEC), which looks to follow up its huge road win over No. 10 Georgia last week at home against 17th-ranked, Diego Pavia-led Vanderbilt on Oct. 4. The Commodores are undefeated this season, and defeated the Crimson Tide last year.
Here’s a look at some of the top potential upsets in Week 6, including a look at the odds of each game:
College football games on upset watch in Week 6
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Monday, Sept. 29
No. 7 Texas (-6.5) at Florida
Is a trap game on the horizon for Texas? The Longhorns offense hasn’t been prolific with first-year starting quarterback Arch Manning, and Florida’s defense has been solid, despite the Gators’ three-game losing streak.
Texas also follows up the Florida matchup with the Red River Rivalry in Dallas, a game that is circled every year for the Longhorns. For what it’s worth, Oklahoma faces Kent State, one of the worst teams in FBS, in Week 6.
No. 3 Miami (-4.5) at No. 19 Florida State
Florida State showed what it was capable of when it dismantled Alabama 31-17 in its season opener. The Seminoles fell to Virginia 46-38 in two overtimes in Week 5 in a disappointing showing, but are capable of bouncing back against Miami in a rivalry game — especially at home.
The Hurricanes, who have been one of the best teams in college football so far this season, won’t be an easy out. But they could be walking into a hostile environment against a team that needs a bounce-back win for its College Football Playoff hopes.
No. 17 Vanderbilt at No. 11 Alabama (-10.5)
College football fans have seen this before, and Vanderbilt looks much improved from a season ago, when it upset Alabama at home in Nashville.
Pavia and Co. will look to make it 2 for 2 against the Crimson Tide as they head into Tuscaloosa, Alabama for ESPN’s “College GameDay” game of the week. Alabama, of course, is looking to avoid a hangover after it handed Georgia its first loss at home in regulation since 2019 in Week 5.
Alabama looks like a different team from when it lost its season opener to Florida State, but has another tough matchup ahead.
No. 12 Iowa State at Cincinnati (-1.5)
Cincinnati is actually favored by BetMGM against No. 12 Iowa State in Week 6 as the Bearcats host the Cyclones.
Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby has been one of the most prolific quarterbacks in the country this season, although he hasn’t garnered much national attention. He has 1,043 passing yards with 10 touchdowns to one interception, along with 227 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 35 carries.
Cincinnati is coming off a hard-fought 37-34 win over Kansas last week, and looks to take down the perceived Big 12 favorites in Week 6.
No. 14 Texas Tech (-11.5) at Houston
Another Big 12 championship contender, Texas Tech travels to face a new-look Houston squad that’s much improved under second-year coach Willie Fritz.
Quarterback Conner Weigman has looked a lot better with the Cougars than he did at Texas A&M, and is even showing off his mobility as a scrambler at his new school. A night game on the road for the Red Raiders is certainly going to be tough.
While Texas Tech proved its defense is legit after it defeated Utah 34-10 on Sept. 20, Houston has a chance to shock the conference on Oct. 4.