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I really wish I looked at the weekend slate before I agreed to do this, but I didn’t so let’s just do it. Today we’re going to be looking at the best college football games of the weekend and I will provide my usually correct prediction for said games. It’s not great, but it’s football. That’s something.
By Ryan Galloway | October 4, 2024
Photo by Jamie Rhodes/USA TODAY Sports
College Football Week 6
1. SMU at 22 Louisville
Okay, I actually think this is going to be a pretty good game. SMU (4-1) is getting their second big test of the year on the road. The Mustangs have looked good since assigning full-time QB duties to Kevin Jennings. I was incredibly frustrated seeing Preston Stone’s lack of opportunity, especially after his phenomenal season last year, but Jennings just fits this offense way better. He’s a true dual-threat quarterback, and each week he’s gotten better passing. Last week he threw for 254 yards with 3 touchdowns with a 70% completion percentage in route to a blowout win over Florida State. SMU’s only loss is at BYU by 3, which has turned into a really good loss. Louisville (3-1), has also looked good this year outside of their loss to Notre Dame. They haven’t really beaten anybody, outside of Georgia Tech but I’m still unsure of what that means. Journeyman QB Tyler Shough has started the year off well, with over 1,000 yards passing and 11 touchdowns. SMU’s key to success is going to be forcing turnovers, which the Cardinals have not really given up to this point, Shough impressively only has 1 INT on the season. On the other hand, Louisville will need to continue to be smart with the ball. On defense, they’ll need to limit the run and force Jennings to stay in the pocket. I see this game turning into a shootout, but I’m going to give SMU the edge. The Mustangs win close.
SMU defeats Louisville 38-35.
2. 9 Missouri at 25 Texas A&M
Unfortunately, this is our only ranked vs ranked matchup of the weekend. Missouri (4-0) is looking to get back on track following a much-needed bye week. The last time we saw the Tigers, they were escaping with a win at home against Vanderbilt. Expect to see a lot of adjustments defensively. Missouri will be hoping to shut down freshman QB Marcel Reed, who has looked pedestrian in relief of Conner Weigman, but to his credit is finding ways to win. He’s sitting at 585 yards and 6 TDs but did come up big in the win last week against Arkansas. I believe Missouri's winning or losing will fall entirely upon QB Brady Cook. Cook, who many people expected to have a big year and be the reason Missouri wins big games, is nowhere to be found to this point in the season. Yeah, they’re undefeated, and ultimately the QB’s job is to win. He only has 4 touchdowns this year and only one interception, but when you weigh that against his expectations coming into the year, those numbers are bad. Cook’s QBR of 71.6 is ranked 37th in the nation. You can win games with what Brady Cook has been giving you, but almost everything must go right to do so. A lot of people thought the Tigers would be more than this, and they still can. But it must start now. Give me Missouri and Brady Cook doing that this weekend. Give me the Tigers over the Aggies in College Station.
Missouri defeats Texas A&M 24-14
3. 12 Ole Miss at South Carolina
So, this one should be a decent game. The Gamecocks (3-1) have been playing good, tough football this year. Freshman QB LaNorris Sellers has been fun to watch and has had his moments but is obviously a young quarterback learning as he goes. Ole Miss (4-1) was embarrassed last week against Kentucky, so I’m looking for them to come out firing. The Rebels offense has been putting up monster numbers all year (minus last week), and I expect a big performance from them. I think the key in this game is how Jaxson Dart responds, especially against the SC defensive rush that boasts 14 sacks on the year. Ole Miss is fighting for their lives the rest of the way. This is a team so many, including myself, expected to be one of the teams representing the SEC in the new 12-team playoff format. Now it is time for them to put up or shut up. I think they do that here and bounce back big.
Ole Miss defeats South Carolina 31-17
4. 4 Tennessee at Arkansas
I told you, this isn’t a good week for college football. Tennessee (4-0) is coming off a bye week and marching into Fayetteville, where they have lost 3 games in a row. Last we saw them, they clobbered the Oklahoma Sooners (4-1) in Norman and they’re hoping to replicate that performance here. Arkansas (3-2) hasn’t been able to put it together this year, dropping games to Oklahoma State (3-2) and Texas A&M. Arkansas’ only chance in the one is to run the football well against the Volunteers’ defense who have only allowed a combined 28 points this season. Razorback RB Ja’Quinden Jackson (Utah transfer, Texas legend) leads the SEC with 509 yards rushing and is ranked 2nd with nine rushing touchdowns on the year. He’ll need to provide a better showing than he did in the loss against the Aggies. Even if he does, I don’t see Arkansas being able to withstand Tennessee. Give me the Vols on the road.
Tennessee defeats Arkansas 35-14
Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images
5. Utah State at 21 Boise State
Ashton Jeanty is playing football, go watch. Seriously, he might be giving Travis Hunter a run for his money as the most electric player in CFB. Jeanty, the nation’s leading rusher, has 845 yards and 13 touchdowns in only four games. That is insane. Last week, he ran for 259 yards and four touchdowns. I think Jeanty turns in a similar performance here and the Broncos win big in their conference opener. To be fair to both sides, Utah State QB Spencer Petras (yes the really bad Iowa QB from last year) had himself a game last week throwing for 293 yards and two touchdowns. Future PAC-12 conference game too. Anyway, Boise State rolls.
Boise State defeats Utah State 42-10