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AP Top 6
1.Georgia 6-0 (3-0) SEC This week: @ Vanderbilt (2-5) (12 PM ET, CBS)
2.Michigan 6-0 (3-0) Big Ten This week: Indiana (2-3) (12 PM ET, FOX)
3.Ohio State 5-0 (2-0) Big Ten This week: @ Purdue (2-4) (12 PM ET, Peacock)
4.Florida State 5-0 (3-0) ACC This week: Syracuse (4-2) (12 PM ET, ABC)
5.Oklahoma 6-0 (3-0) Big 12 This week: Off
6.Penn State 5-0 (2-0) Big Ten This week: Massachusetts (1-6) (3:30 PM ET, BTN)
Biggest risers and fallers in the AP Top 25 this week:
Risers
5.Oklahoma 6-0 (3-0) Big 12 Week 6: #12 (Defeated 3.Texas, 34-30)
14.Louisville 6-0 (3-0) ACC Week 6: #25 (Defeated 10.Notre Dame, 33-20)
Fallers
9.Texas 5-1 (2-1) Big 12 Week 6: #3 (Lost to 12.Oklahoma, 34-30)
19.Washington State 4-1 (1-1) Pac-12 Week 6: #13 (Lost to UCLA 25-17)
21.Notre Dame 5-2 (0-0) Independents Week 6: #10 (Lost to 25.Louisville, 33-20)
24.Kentucky 5-1 (2-1) SEC Week 6: #20 (Lost to 1.Georgia, 51-13)
25.Miami 4-1 (0-1) ACC Week 6: #17 (Lost to Georgia Tech, 23-20)
Dropped Out
Missouri 5-1 (1-1) SEC Week 6: #21 (Lost to 23.LSU, 49-39)
Fresno State 5-1 (1-1) Mountain West Week 6: #24 (Lost to Wyoming, 24-19)
New
18.UCLA 4-1 (1-1) Pac-12 Week 6: NR (Defeated 13.Washington State, 25-17)
23.Kansas 5-1 (2-1) Big 12 Week 6: NR (Defeated Central Florida, 51-22)
Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of AP Poll)
Texas A&M (4-2) @ 19.Tennessee (4-1) (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS)
Can Texas A&M bounce back after a tough loss to Alabama last week? The Aggies offensive line was destroyed time and time again by the Alabama front seven. Max Johnson (675 yards and 7 TDs) tried to evade the Tide rush on multiple occasions but rarely could do so. Receivers and Anias Smith (431 yards) and Evan Stewart (403 yards and 4 TDs) must be good in this game if they want to go into Neyland Stadium and win over the Volunteers. The Aggies defense must get to the quarterback with linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (41 tackles and 6 sacks), Taurean York (32 tackles and 1 sack), and defensive lineman Walter Nolen (22 tackles and 4 sacks). That quarterback, Joe Milton, has used his strong arm to throw for nearly 1,200 yards and 9 TDs. In the running game, Jaylen Wright’s 435 yards and 1 TD paces them while Ramel Keyton (230 yards and 3 TDs) does the same for the receivers. Linebacker Aaron Beasley (33 tackles and 2 sacks) leads the Volunteers defensively. In what should be a very important game in the race to Atlanta for both teams, the line of scrimmage should determine it. Projected Score: Texas A&M 27, Tennessee 24
8.Oregon (5-0) @ 7.Washington (5-0) (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ABC)
Oregon and Washington look like the top two teams in the Pac-12’s final season as we know it. Can former Auburn transfer QB Bo Nix (1,459 yards and 15 TDs) lead the Ducks to a win on the road in a hostile Seattle environment. Helping him will be tailbacks Bucky Irving (393 yards and 4 TDs) and Jordan James (297 yards and 7 TDs). Receiver Troy Franklin, who has 535 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns, has been huge for the Ducks this season. Oregon’s defense has held both Colorado and Stanford to six points each in blowouts. A much more difficult challenge awaits in Heisman contender Michael Penix (1,999 yards and 16 TDs) and the high flying Washington offense. Receivers Rome Odunze (608 yards and 4 TDs), Ja’Lynn Polk (468 yards and 4 TDs), and Jalen McMillan (311 yards and 3 TDs). Defensive back Dominique Hampton (35 tackles and 1 interception) and linebacker Edefuan Ulfoshio (27 tackles and 1 sack) must get in the backfield and make Bo Nix earn everything on Saturday. Washington will need to play better after only beating Arizona by seven a week ago. In maybe the best Pac-12 we have seen in years and ESPN’s College GameDay on site, this Oregon-Washington game means so much to not only the conference race but a College Football Playoff berth. Projected Score: Washington 45, Oregon 38
Missouri (5-1) @ 24.Kentucky (5-1) (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, SECN)
Missouri and Kentucky both took their first losses a week ago. Missouri’s defense failed them in a 49-39 shootout loss to LSU in a blacked out Faurot Field in Columbia last Saturday. Kentucky was blown out by Georgia, 51-13. The Wildcats must be better if they want to beat a Missouri team that looks vastly improved from a season ago. Kentucky needs to get their running game going with Ray Davis, who has already rushed for 653 yards and 8 TDs. They also have a few talented receivers in Tayvion Robinson, who has 317 yards and 3 TDs and Dane Key who has 261 yards and 2 TDs. Throwing them will be Devin Leary, who has thrown for almost 1,300 yards and 12 TDs. He must avoid turning the ball over as he already has thrown five interceptions. For Missouri, their offense was humming against LSU. Brady Cook continues to shine, throwing for 1,879 yards and 13 TDs so far this season. Cody Shrader continues to pund on the ground, running for 577 yards and 6 TDs while receiver Luther Burden has 793 yards and 5 TDs. Linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper (35 tackles and 1 sack) and defensive back Joseph Charleston (31 tackles) lead the Tigers defense. With Georgia still the favorite currently in the SEC East, Kentucky and Missouri must prove themselves while they still have a shot to make it to Atlanta for the SEC Championship. Projected Score: Missouri 35, Kentucky 24
25.Miami (4-1) @ 12.North Carolina (5-0) (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, ABC)
Miami lost in the worst possible way when they could have ended their game against Georgia Tech last Saturday with a kneel but they ran the ball and fumbled and lost to the Yellow Jackets in the final seconds. Hurricanes signal caller Tyler Van Dyke has thrown for 1,330 yards and 12 TDs on the season while his tailback Henry Parrish Jr. has rushed for 379 yards and 4 TDs. Van Dyke needs to rely on his receivers against a question North Carolina pass defense, including Xavier Restrepo (478 yards and 2 TDs), Jacolby George (337 yards and 4 TDs), and Colbie Young (298 yards and 3 TDs). The Miami defense, including linebacker Francisco Maugoia (22 tackles and 1 interception) and defensive back Jaden Davis (19 tackles and 3 interceptions), will have to be great against a terrific North Carolina offense, led by quarterback Drake Maye (1,629 yards and 8 TDs). With Omarion Hampton (461 yards and 7 TDs) running the ball well and receiver Tez Walker (43 yards) finally back in the lineup after being ruled eligible ahead of last week’s win over Syracuse. Defensive backs Giovanni Biggers (22 tackles) and Alijah Huzzie (20 tackles and 3 interceptions) must stop the Hurricanes’ passing attack if they want to stay undefeated through six games. A huge ACC match up looms on Saturday in prime time. Projected Score: North Carolina 41, Miami 31
10.USC (6-0) @ 21.Notre Dame (5-2) (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, NBC)
After Notre Dame’s second loss of the season in what has been a grueling stretch of games against AP top 25 teams versus Ohio State (loss), at Duke (win), and Louisville (loss) they face their fourth consecutive top 25 opponent in primetime. This time it will be against reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Caleb Williams (1,822 yards and 22 TDs). Notre Dame must get back to relying on their running game with tremendous running back Audric Estime, who has rushed for almost 700 yards and 7 TDs. His hard running will be crucial to opening the pass for signal caller Sam Hartman (1,712 yards and 16 TDs) against a questionable USC passing defense. Stopping a star like Caleb Williams and the up tempo Lincoln Riley offense is always difficult, but the Notre Dame defense will look to do so with leading tackler Howard Cross III (42 and 1 sack). The USC playmakers must be terrific against a great Notre Dame defense on the road. Trojan running back MarShawn Lloyd (519 yards and 4 TDs) and receivers Tahj Washington (456 yards and 5 TDs) and Brenden Rice (434 yards and 7 TDs) will look to help Williams win the rivalry game against the Fighting Irish. Similarly to the Notre Dame defense against Caleb Williams, the USC defense will have to be just as good against Sam Hartman. Trojan safeties Jaylin Smith (41 tackles) and Calen Bullock (30 tackles and 1 interception) will look to create turnovers with pressure on the Notre Dame quarterback. With the Fighting Irish out of College Football Playoff conversations, they can’t eliminate USC from the event yet but coming off a loss, Notre Dame still has a New Year’s Six Bowl game to play for. Projected Score: Notre Dame 45, USC 42
