NCAAF News

Home

Teams

Quizzes

Newsletter

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

Five CFB games to watch: An epic 'Red River Rivalry' is nightmare for Big 12 commish

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 10/5/23

A massive "Red River Rivalry." The top non-QB Heisman contenders meet in Georgia. Jimbo Fisher vs. Nick Saban. There are plenty of great storylines in Week 6. Here are five games to watch:

The five-star game: No. 12 Oklahoma (5-0) at No. 3 Texas (5-0) in Dallas | 12 p.m. ET

It's Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark's worst nightmare: The Sooners and Longhorns meeting in the conference's biggest game of the year. The future SEC programs — they both join the conference in 2024 — are the only ranked teams in the Big 12, a glorified "Group of Five" conference without these two powerhouses.

Texas and Oklahoma are legitimate College Football Playoff contenders, with UT securing arguably the most impressive win of the season (at Alabama) while OU has simply been among the more remarkable teams in the country. The Sooners are second in ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI) and third in the Fremeau Efficiency Index. The Longhorns rank fourth and fifth in FPI and FEI, respectively.

The Heisman game: No. 20 Kentucky (5-0) at No. 1 Georgia (5-0) | 7 p.m. ET

The Heisman usually goes to a quarterback, but the Wildcats and Bulldogs have two of the top non-QB contenders for college football's highest individual honor. Kentucky running back Ray Davis forced his way into the conversation after rushing for 280 yards in the Wildcats' 33-14 win against the Florida Gators last week.

pic.twitter.com/78tUYJ5SBl
— go to ➡️ collegefootballnetwork.com (@PickettsPool) September 30, 2023

BEAST MODE TD @Ray_Davis07

- @ESPN https://t.co/wBIloVVbzL pic.twitter.com/wombL4jFK0
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) September 30, 2023

75-yd run to the house @Ray_Davis07

- @ESPN https://t.co/wBIloVVbzL pic.twitter.com/OeO7PaVWIj
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) September 30, 2023

Meanwhile, tight end Brock Bowers is Georgia's best offensive weapon. He is coming off a monster game at Auburn in which he had eight receptions for 157 yards and a touchdown.

Brock Bowers sure is something https://t.co/koRkVJGrlG pic.twitter.com/BhqTXXwBpU
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) September 30, 2023

BROCK BOWERS YOU BEAUTY pic.twitter.com/vp4hHkBB1x
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) September 30, 2023

Upset special: No. 13 Washington State (4-0) at UCLA (3-1) | 3 p.m. ET

Cougars quarterback Cameron Ward hasn't received the same recognition as other Pac-12 quarterbacks, including Caleb Williams (USC), Michael Penix Jr. (Washington), Bo Nix (Oregon) and Shedeur Sanders (Colorado). However, you'd be mistaken for thinking that is a commentary on his play. Ward is just as good as his higher-profile peers, averaging 347.5 passing yards and 3.3 touchdowns per game without throwing an interception.

UCLA is a 3.5-point favorite, but it will only win if it can hold Ward in check. So far, no team has.

Under-the-radar game: No. 11 Alabama (4-1) at Texas A&M (4-1) | 3:30 p.m. ET

Jimbo Fisher vs. Nick Saban, round six.

The SEC West showdown seems overlooked despite the winner gaining the inside track on a division crown. Both were buried after early losses. Texas A&M was blown out at Miami while Alabama lost at home to Texas.

Despite those setbacks, the Aggies and Crimson Tide are the lone SEC West teams undefeated in conference play. Texas A&M won the last meeting in College Station, 41-38, its first home win in series history. Saturday's game might come down to the wire, too.

Wild-card game: Maryland (5-0) at No. 4 Ohio State (4-0) | Noon ET

Ohio State is coming off its bye as it preps for the best Maryland team in its 10 seasons as a Big Ten member. The Terrapins rank in the top 20 nationally in scoring offense (38.6 points per game) and defense (13.2 points allowed per game). The Buckeyes have scored 138 points (34.5 points per game, 38th in the country), their lowest point total through four games in the Ryan Day era. The defense, meanwhile, is second in the country in scoring (8.5 points allowed per game).

Ohio State is 8-0 against Maryland, and the games have primarily been one-sided. Only one was decided by fewer than 13 points. This could be a get-right game for the Ohio State offense, which has scored at least 43 points in every game against the Terrapins.

More must-reads: