Week 6 brings another round of surprise opportunities, including two Big Ten matchups capable of changing the conversation well beyond the weekend and the nation’s top-ranked team faces a rivalry fight with a cornered rival opponent.
UCLA’s trip to Oregon is a real eye-opener. The Bruins have a chance to turn growing respect into something more substantial with a win, while the Ducks will turn to Dylan Raiola at quarterback after Dante Moore was ruled out with a concussion.
Matt Rhule has a chance to earn a victory in Nebraska against defending national champion Indiana. The Huskers spent years waiting for a breakthrough on this stage, but failed to deliver after every opportunity.
Which favorites should be nervous this week? Here are the games with enough warning signs to attract attention in Week 6.
#1 in Texas
Opponent: against Oklahoma (+7.5)
The Sooners could turn things around after a disappointing start to the season with a win over the hated Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl. For that to happen, Oklahoma needs the best out of John Mateer at quarterback, a player who hasn’t been successful all season thus far.
Brent Venables said this week that his team evaluated his options under center on opening day ahead of Texasbut did not provide additional details.
Texas’ defense has been rolling since the fourth quarter against Ohio State, including a dominant 10-sack performance in the team’s win at Tennessee. After losing four straight to Oklahoma, the Longhorns have won three of the last four games in the series by an average of 32.3 points per game.
No. 11 Oregon
Opponent: against UCLA (+11.5)
If anyone could hide a hot mic in the UCLA locker room before this one, we’d appreciate it. Bob Chesney’s pregame speech should go something like this: “We’re undefeated, a double-digit underdog, and no one believes in us.”
That basically covers the bases for the Big Ten weekend game at Autzen Stadium. Both teams had ample time to prepare after the opening date. UCLA leads the Big Ten in rushing and the Ducks are explosive on offense. Fireworks? They are coming. UCLA leads the all-time series with Oregon, 38-35, but the Ducks have won five straight in the series dating back to the 2018 season and 11 of their last 12 meetings overall.
No. 20 Iowa
Opponent: in Washington (-3.5)
Another example of a ranked team hitting the road as an underdog and usually winning money for the home team. We saw it a few weeks ago when Florida was favored against the undefeated, so no. 4 Ole Miss before blowing out the Rebels.
Husky Stadium on a Friday night will be a noisy environment, and Washington badly needs a win after close Big Ten losses to Minnesota and USC. The Hawkeyes need to limit Demond Williams. The No. 1 priority last week was getting Jeremiah Smith together, and that didn’t happen in a 31-14 loss to Ohio State. Letting another one of the opposition’s best players cook is not a winning recipe for Kirk Ferentz’s team.
No. 7 Indiana
Opponent: in Nebraska (+7.5)
Nebraska has lost 31 straight games against top 25 teams dating back to the 2016 season, including all nine during Matt Rhule’s tenure as coach.
However, there is reason to be optimistic heading into Saturday’s fight against Indiana, which has a 21-fight winning streak in the ring. The defending national champions don’t seem as invincible as they once did if the Huskers can stand out at the line of scrimmage.
Turbo Richard and Lee Beebe Jr. have already combined for over 1,000 rushing yards this fall with nine touchdowns, but Nebraska prides itself on stopping the run. The Hoosiers also have yet to face a quarterback as dynamic as Anthony Colandrea, who replaced Dylan Raiola with a home run. Indiana has already failed to defend against a Big Ten opponent this season, and that happened at home. If there was ever a place for Nebraska’s coming out party and breaking into the top 25, this is it.
No. 14 Missouri
Opponent: against Texas A&M (+3.5)
This is a classic trap for the Tigers, following their blowout victory over previously undefeated Florida. The Tigers’ mammoth win was impressive, but just 3.5 points against a desperate Texas A&M team shows that oddsmakers understand this one comes with a warning.
The Aggies are trying to keep their season from going downhill, and urgency can make an inconsistent team dangerous. Coach Mike Elko remains loyal to Marcel Reed, whose flashes suggest there is more availability than Texas A&M has shown during an uneven campaign.
If Reed protects the ball and forces Missouri to defend its legs, it could get uncomfortable quickly. Eli Drinkwitz said last week that his team’s only priority is to block out the noise and focus on improving week to week. Another barometer match will take place on Saturday.
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