College football picks, schedule: ATS predictions, odds for the top 25 games today in week 6

Another busy college football Saturday is upon us with 19 ranked teams in action and three important games between the top 25 opponents. Upheavals and changes in expectations have been the name of the game in the first five weeks of the 2021 season, and there’s every chance that will continue into Week 6 with teams like No. 7 Ohio. State, No. 10 BYU, No. 9 Michigan and No. 14 Notre Dame, among others, in matches against an unranked but talented competition.

There are four standout games of the day, however, starting with No.6 Oklahoma and No.21 Texas going head-to-head in the latest edition of the Red River Showdown. The Sooners have won three in a row and five of the last six in the series, but the Longhorns believe they found something with the one-two punch from Casey Thompson at quarterback and Bijan Robinson as running back. . Georgia’s seemingly impenetrable defense will face their toughest test of the season when they face No.18 Auburn and QB Bo Nix, while the No.3 Iowa is hoping to see his defense continue his incredible turnover frenzy against a No.4 The Penn State team feels thanks to QB Sean Clifford. In the evening, Alabama and Texas A&M No.1 take on coach Nick Saban looking to improve to 25-0 against his former assistants as Jimbo Fisher continues to seek answers for an Aggie side who disappointed this season.

While winning is all that matters for the standings, we do care whether these teams will cover their gaps. Be sure to stick with CBS Sports throughout the day for college football coverage, from the opening kickoff Saturday to the final whistle. Let’s take a look at our expert picks for the fifth full Saturday of the season.

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No.6 Oklahoma vs. No.21 Texas

Noon | ABC, fuboTV (Try for free) – It’s unclear which version of each team we’ll get in the Red River Showdown. Was Texas the team that lost 70 points to Texas Tech or the one that struggled against a comparable TCU team? Are Oklahoma playing its cards close to the vest, or is it systematically defective in attack? My money is on Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley unleashing the running backs against his team’s No. 1 ranked opponent this season and the defense is enjoying a Texas offense that still finds its place. Prediction: Oklahoma (-3) – Shehan Jeyarajah

No. 2 Georgia to No. 18 Auburn

3:30 p.m. | CBS, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports app – The best way for Georgia to stop quarterback Bo Nix from working his magic is to keep him on the sidelines, and that’s exactly what will happen. Whether it’s Stetson Bennett IV or JT Daniels starting below center, offensive coordinator Todd Monken will do whatever he can to shorten the game knowing one of his quarterbacks is smart enough to be in charge of football. That said, Nix and his talented running backing body will do enough to make it a four-quarterback game and keep it within two touchdowns. Prediction: Auburn (+14.5) – Barrett Sallee

No.4 Penn State to No.3 Iowa

4 p.m. Fox, fuboTV (Try for free) – My official pick here is Penn State and Points, but I’d be lying if I told you I was confident about it. This game is a draw in my eyes. For one thing, I’m not sure if Iowa’s offense can be a long streak of goals if it takes one late. On the other hand, I’m not sure I’m ready to trust QB Sean Clifford on the road in a place like this. Earlier this year, Clifford struggled on the road against Wisconsin, and that Iowa defense is just as strong. This game will come down to which team makes the fewest mistakes, and both are able to force them. So at the end of the day I’m just taking the points in what should be a close competition. Prediction: Penn State (+2.5) – Tom Fornelli

# 9 Michigan in Nebraska

7:30 p.m. | ABC, fuboTV (Try for free) – I’m looking to take advantage of the perception here. Michigan is 5-0 and is in the top 10, while Nebraska is 3-3 and lost to Illinois. You are naive if you don’t think these factors have an impact on the point spread. Now, as I pick the Cornhuskers to pull off the upset outright, I’m not as confident in it as the Huskers covering the spread. I find it hard to trust the Michigan offense to cover as a favorite on the road against a team that can score points. Nebraska can score points. Prediction: Nebraska (+3) – Tom Fornelli

Alabama # 1 at Texas A&M

8 p.m. CBS, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports app – It’ll be the best defense Alabama have faced since playing in Florida, but the Aggies’ inability to move the football on offense will give the Crimson Tide a lot more cracks offensively. Expect the Aggies’ defense to bend without breaking a bit before the floodgates open in the third quarter. Prediction: Alabama (-17.5) –David Cobb

What college football picks can you confidently make in Week 6, and which national title contender will be hit hard? Visit SportsLine to see which teams will win and cover the spread – all from a proven computer model that has grossed nearly $ 3,400 in profits over the past five+ seasons – and find out.