College Football’s Week 6 Slate Offers Plenty of Intrigue
The upcoming weekend may not feature the most glamorous matchups, but there’s still plenty to be excited about in Week 6 of the college football season. Michigan and Washington will clash in Seattle, Missouri will put its perfect record on the line against Texas A&M, and Ohio State’s high-powered offense will face its first major test against Iowa’s stingy defense.
Beyond the games themselves, there are several intriguing storylines developing around the paths to the expanded College Football Playoff, impact freshmen, and down-the-road matchups. Insiders have been talking to sources throughout the week to get their reactions to what’s unfolded and what’s still to come.
One-Loss Contenders with the Best Path to the Playoff
Clemson’s manageable schedule and strong road wins against Virginia Tech and Pitt make them a prime candidate for a playoff spot. The Tigers’ loss to Georgia was a neutral-site loss to a top-10 team, which will likely be viewed favorably by the selection committee. If Clemson runs the table, its path to the playoff likely runs through Miami in the ACC title game.
LSU is another one-loss team that can’t be counted out. The Tigers have been quietly improving every week, and their two toughest games – against Ole Miss and Alabama – are both at home. If LSU beats both the Rebels and Tide, it could have a good case for CFP selection.
Undefeated Contenders with the Toughest Path
Ohio State’s season is about to get much tougher, with games against Oregon, Michigan, and Penn State on the horizon. The Buckeyes’ star-studded offense will need to earn its points and yards against Iowa’s stingy defense, which has feasted on turnovers all season.
Miami, meanwhile, faces back-to-back road trips to Cal and Louisville, which could prove challenging. The Canes need to win out and hope for some help elsewhere to secure a playoff spot.
Top True Freshmen
Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams has been making waves with his explosive plays, including a 75-yard game-winning touchdown against Georgia. Williams lacks size, but his speed and agility make him a threat every time he touches the ball.
Ohio State freshman Jeremiah Smith has also been impressive, with six contested catches this season and an 80% catch rate. Smith’s one-handed catch against Michigan State is a must-see, and his physical attributes have drawn rave reviews from coaches.
Can Army or Navy Make the CFP?
It’s possible, but both service academies would need to win the American Athletic Conference and finish as one of the selection committee’s five highest-ranked conference champions. Army has positioned itself well with its triple-option offense, while Navy is undefeated and has taken notice of its unique developmental program.
Emptying the Notebook
SMU’s improvement on offense can be traced to its decision to settle on quarterback Kevin Jennings, who has completed 30 of 42 pass attempts with five touchdowns and no interceptions in the past two games. The Mustangs have recommitted to a fast-paced offense with good run-pass balance.
Iowa State’s Matt Campbell has become the school’s all-time winningest coach, thanks to a maturity that has shown up in key moments. The Cyclones aren’t dominant, but they have allowed only five red-zone trips on defense and have 11 touchdowns on their own 15 red-zone opportunities.
Rutgers coach Greg Schiano joked that his team is “ham-and-egging it pretty good” through the first four games, winning by avoiding big mistakes. The Scarlet Knights are fifth nationally in fewest penalties per game, second in red zone defense, tied for fifth in fewest turnovers, and 12th in rushing.
The push for multiple automatic qualifiers for the Big Ten and SEC is again in the spotlight, with leaders in both leagues agreeing they should have more teams in the playoff field. Sources have also talked about limiting or eliminating the role of the 13-member selection committee in the future to take some of the subjectivity out of the process.
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