2025 Week 6 College Football Predictions for Every Game

While the dust has settled on a hectic weekend in college football, Week 6 is primed to bring another round of fireworks.

The biggest games of the week—Vanderbilt at Alabama and Miami at Florida State—are a pair of Top 25 matchups. Six more ranked teams are hitting the road, and those matchups are liable to produce a surprise or two.

And, as always in October, there's a whole lot of conference games. You never know how a result this weekend may shape a tiebreaker in December.

Let's get to the picks.

No. 14 Iowa State (5-0) at Cincinnati (3-1), Noon ET

Actually a slight underdog on the road, Iowa State is aiming to continue its perfect start to the season. Cincinnati has been quietly competitive so far—a needed jolt for Scott Satterfield on a hot-ish seat—behind dual-threat QB Brendan Sorsby. Still taking ISU because of its all-around stability, but Cincy has a great opportunity to announce itself as a threat in the Big 12.

Prediction: Iowa State 23, Cincinnati 19

No. 9 Texas (3-1) at Florida (1-3), 3:30 p.m.

The bright side for a reeling Florida team is the defense has been stellar. LSU and Miami both struggled to pull away despite controlling the game. The bad news is Texas' defense is probably better. Anything can happen in a low-scoring slog, yet it might not seem like the Gators have much of a chance, either.

Prediction: Texas 24, Florida 10

No. 16 Vanderbilt (5-0) at No. 10 Alabama (3-1), 3:30 p.m.

Alabama made a national statement with a win at Georgia, but Vanderbilt is looking for the same. Diego Pavia has been one of the most dynamic QBs in the country this season, and Bama knows first-hand how dangerous he can be after losing at Vandy in 2024. While I'm not expecting a repeat—Alabama is still perfect at home in Kalen DeBoer's tenure—this is a fascinating narrative game.

Prediction: Alabama 41, Vanderbilt 27

No. 3 Miami (4-0) at No. 18 Florida State (3-1), 7:30 p.m.

The same question faces any Miami opponent: Can you handle what the 'Canes send out up front? The offensive line is relentless, and the D-line is powerful. If the 'Noles can bait Carson Beck into a couple of mistakes, they'll be dangerous. The physicality of this UM roster may be overwhelming, though.

Prediction: Miami 27, Florida State 20

Mississippi State (4-1) at No. 6 Texas A&M (4-0), 7:30 p.m.

Before this season is over, Mississippi State looks like it could pick off a ranked SEC opponent at home. Three more opportunities should await the Bulldogs there. On the road at Kyle Field, though, is a different story. Texas A&M leans on the Marcel Reed-led offense to stay unbeaten.

Prediction: Texas A&M 38, Mississippi State 24

West Virginia (2-3) at No. 23 BYU (4-0), Friday, 10:30 p.m. ET

Though it's borderline unforgiveable that a QB wears No. 47, Bear Bachmeier has been excellent for BYU this season. He's totaled 860 yards with 10 touchdowns and zero turnovers. Given that Kansas and Utah outscored WVU 89-24 in the last two weeks, this contest might not be much of one.

Prediction: BYU 37, West Virginia 14

Sam Houston (0-4) at New Mexico State (2-2), Thursday, 9 p.m.
Prediction: NMSU 23, Sam Houston 20

Charlotte (1-3) at South Florida (3-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
Prediction: USF 42, Charlotte 14

Western Kentucky (4-1) at Delaware (3-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
Prediction: WKU 34, Delaware 31

New Mexico (3-1) at San Jose State (1-3), Friday, 10 p.m.
Prediction: SJSU 29, New Mexico 24

Colorado State (1-3) at San Diego State (3-1), Friday, 10:30 p.m.
Prediction: SDSU 19, Colorado State 13

Kentucky (2-2) at No. 12 Georgia (3-1), Noon ET

Last weekend, South Carolina held Kentucky to 232 yards at 3.9 per snap. Perhaps it doesn't get worse at UGA, but there's simply no way I'm trusting the UK offense to keep the 'Cats competitive in Athens.

Prediction: Georgia 31, Kentucky 10

Wisconsin (2-2) at No. 20 Michigan (3-1), Noon

Wisconsin, similarly, has dealt with major offensive woes. Billy Edwards Jr. is dealing with a knee injury, which he aggravated in a brief return last week. No matter whether he plays, Michigan is comfortably the pick.

Prediction: Michigan 27, Wisconsin 10

No. 22 Illinois (4-1) at Purdue (3-2), Noon

After an emotional last-second win over USC with top-ranked Ohio State looming next Saturday, there is real danger for Illinois in a trip to Purdue. I'm not ready to trust a Purdue defense that has yielded 89 points to USC and Notre Dame, but the hangover/lookahead combo for the Illini is reason for hesitation.

Prediction: Illinois 31, Purdue 24

Boston College (1-3) at Pitt (2-2), Noon
Prediction: Pitt 26, Boston College 23

Clemson (1-3) at North Carolina (2-2), Noon
Prediction: Clemson 31, UNC 20

Kansas State (2-3) at Baylor (3-2), Noon
Prediction: Baylor 34, Kansas State 27

Army (1-3) at UAB (2-2), Noon
Prediction: Army 35, UAB 24

Air Force (1-3) at Navy (4-0), Noon
Prediction: Navy 31, Air Force 14

Ohio (3-2) at Ball State (1-3), Noon
Prediction: Ohio 34, Ball State 20

Wake Forest (2-2) at Virginia Tech (2-3), 1 p.m.
Prediction: Wake Forest 27, Virginia Tech 23

UTSA (2-2) at Temple (2-2), 1 p.m.
Prediction: UTSA 30, Temple 24

Campbell (1-4) at North Carolina State (3-2), 2 p.m.
Prediction: NC State 52, Campbell 21

Western Michigan (2-3) at Massachusetts (0-4), 2:30 p.m.
Prediction: WMU 34, UMass 20

Oklahoma State (1-3) at Arizona (3-1), 3 p.m.
Prediction: Arizona 38, Oklahoma State 21

No. 7 Penn State (3-1) at UCLA (0-4), 3:30 p.m. ET

The most helpful piece of this matchup for UCLA is that Penn State is taking a cross-country flight. So, yeah, that's something. UCLA is a disaster.

Prediction: Penn State 37, UCLA 17

Boise State (3-1) at No. 21 Notre Dame (2-2), 3:30 p.m.

As long as Notre Dame's defense isn't a sieve, the offense should carry the Irish. The backfield of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price is thriving, and CJ Carr is improving by the week. Boise State has plenty of firepower, but a high-scoring shootout is not what the Broncos want to see in South Bend.

Prediction: Notre Dame 45, Boise State 24

No. 24 Virginia (4-1) at Louisville (4-0), 3:30 p.m.

Deserved kudos to Virginia for an upset of FSU and leaping into the Top 25, but Louisville—in my estimation—is wildly overlooked right now. Jeff Brohm has a balanced offense and a pesky, turnover-happy defense. Virginia has issues on defense that UL is probably going to exploit.

Prediction: Louisville 38, Virginia 27

Kent State (1-3) at No. 5 Oklahoma (4-0), 4 p.m.

If there's ever a time for your Heisman-contending QB to undergo hand surgery in the middle of the season, it's during an off week followed by a game against the worst FBS team in the country over the last two years.

Prediction: Oklahoma 59, Kent State 7

Syracuse (3-2) at SMU (2-2), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: SMU 37, Syracuse 24

Washington (3-1) at Maryland (4-0), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Washington 28, Maryland 27

Louisiana-Monroe (3-1) at Northwestern (2-2), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Northwestern 24, ULM 20

Oregon State (0-5) at Appalachian State (2-2), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: App State 31, Oregon State 28

Florida International (2-2) at Connecticut (3-2), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: UConn 34, FIU 23

Eastern Michigan (1-4) at Buffalo (2-3), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Buffalo 27, EMU 20

Central Michigan (3-2) at Akron (1-4), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: CMU 26, Akron 19

Miami (Ohio) (1-3) at Northern Illinois (1-3), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: NIU 17, Miami 16

James Madison (3-1) at Georgia State (1-3), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: JMU 38, Georgia State 21

Michigan State (3-1) at Nebraska (3-1), 4 p.m.
Prediction: Nebraska 31, MSU 24

Texas State (3-1) at Arkansas State (1-4), 4 p.m.
Prediction: Texas State 38, Arkansas State 23

No. 11 Texas Tech (4-0) at Houston (4-0), 7 p.m. ET

Will Hammond looked good in relief for Texas Tech at Utah, but Behren Morton is healthy after leaving that win. Morton will be key to steadying the Red Raiders against a thorny UH defense, one ceding just 4.0 yards per snap. Houston's offensive upside is shaky, though, keeping the pick in Tech's favor.

Prediction: Texas Tech 27, Houston 20

Minnesota (3-1) at No. 1 Ohio State (4-0), 7:30 p.m.

So far, nobody has managed to hang double-digit points on Ohio State. Hang the banner, Minnesota, you'll be the first! Hopefully. Maybe.

Prediction: Ohio State 38, Minnesota 10

Coastal Carolina (2-2) at Old Dominion (3-1), 6 p.m.
Prediction: ODU 34, Coastal Carolina 17

Florida Atlantic (1-3) at Rice (3-2), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Rice 28, FAU 24

UNLV (4-0) at Wyoming (2-2), 7 p.m.
Prediction: UNLV 23, Wyoming 14

South Alabama (1-4) at Troy (2-2), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Troy 27, South Alabama 23

Colorado (2-3) at TCU (3-1), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: TCU 41, Colorado 21

Kansas (3-2) at UCF (3-1), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Kansas 34, UCF 24

Tulsa (2-3) at Memphis (5-0), 8 p.m.
Prediction: Memphis 45, Tulsa 20

Duke (3-2) at Cal (4-1), 10:30 p.m.
Prediction: Cal 37, Duke 31

Nevada (1-3) at Fresno State (4-1), 10:30 p.m.
Prediction: Fresno State 33, Nevada 17