Frogs O’ War Staff Picks: College Football Week 6

Big 12

West Virginia Mountaineers at BYU Cougars – Fri. Oct. 3, 9:30 PM, ESPN

Anthony: After getting beat to bits at home by one set of Utah behemoths, West Virginia now has to travel across the country to Provo for the opportunity to get beat to bits by a different group of Utah behemoths. BYU by a billion.
Austin: BYU wins by a landslide. West Virginia would otherwise be the Big 12’s worst team if not for Oklahoma State—the Cougars score 40-plus against the Mountaineers.

Caleb: BYU is officially rolling and West Virginia has not mustered the strength to play well away from Morgantown yet this year. Show me BYU.
Drew: West Virginia is not a good football team and BYU just keeps winning. I have BYU winning at home by multiple scores.
Russ: One of the top teams in the conference against one of the worst. Give me BYU.

Iowa State Cyclone at Cincinnati Bearcats – Sat. Oct. 4 11:00 AM ESPN2

Anthony: Bearcats have fought valiantly with two losses away from home each by three points. While this could be the week it breaks through with a ranked win, I’m seeing the opposite. ISU is about to put a hurting on Cincinnati, Cyclones win despite coming into Nippert as road underdogs.
Austin: The 5-0 Iowa State Cyclones are flying under the radar. Despite being ranked 14th in the nation, there isn’t much love for the Cyclones. On the other hand, Cincinnati has been better than advertised at 3-1. Still, Iowa State gets the victory.
Caleb: Not too sure why people, particularly bettors, are writing Iowa State off after the start they’ve had. Matt Campbell loves coaching as an underdog though, so I expect the Cyclones to be up the task this week. Sorsby has put up an insane PFF grade this year but he hasn’t faced a defense like this one. Iowa State gets the win.
Drew: Cincinnati put up some very impressive numbers on the road against Kansas last week with Brendan Sorsby passing for almost 400 yards and two touchdowns. The defense, however, did not have a great game, letting Jalon Daniels throw for 445 yards and four touchdowns. I think Rocco Becht has a big day and keeps the Cyclones undefeated.
Russ: I was surprised with how Cincinnati outpaced the Kansas offense, but I believe Iowa State’s defense will hold the Bearcats in check. I’ll take the Cyclones.

Kansas State Wildcats at Baylor Bears – Sat. Oct. 4 11:00 AM, ESPN+

Anthony: Scout this one as both of these teams’ next game is against the Horned Frogs. Will this be the end of the Aranda Era in Waco as a half-empty McLane Stadium rains down boos while Avery Johnson runs wild through the defense? Not so fast my friend. Sawyer Robertson continues to throw up monster stats and the Bears get the win.
Austin: Kansas State winning by 14 points against UCF doesn’t really turn heads, but it’s surprisingly a huge confidence booster for the 2-3 Wildcats. Yet, the optimism is short-lived as the Baylor Bears outduel the Wildcats.
Caleb: K-State showed signs of life, knocking off an undefeated UCF team that was playing with house money, Baylor is a different beast. The Bears have clear eyes on this one with a bye week coming up, they should make quick work of K-State before taking two weeks to prep for our beloved Frogs.
Drew: Kansas State’s win over UCF was needed for the Wildcats but I don’t think the Knights were that formidable of an opponent. I have concerns about the Kansas State secondary and Sawyer Robertson is more than capable of picking defenses apart. I have Baylor winning this at home.
Russ: Kansas State started slow, but ultimately gained a much needed win against UCF. I’m still not convinced the Wildcats have righted the ship, though. Give me Baylor.

Oklahoma State Cowboys at Arizona Wildcats – Sat. Oct. 4, 2:00 PM TNT/HBO MAX

Anthony: Arizona is a three touchdown favorite in a Big 12 game. While these Wildcats have looked solid before getting smacked by ISU last week, the mismatch here is due to how truly far the Pokes have fallen. Arizona wins with ease.
Austin: Arizona. Oklahoma State is off limits until proven otherwise.
Caleb: I can’t consider picking a team coached by Doug Meacham in 2025, interim or not. Fifita and the Wildcats bounce back hard at home against the Pokes. Go Zona.
Drew: Arizona bounces back from a loss to Iowa State last week with a comfortable victory over Oklahoma State.
Russ: Oklahoma State had one of its better performances of the season after firing Mike Gundy. Nevertheless, it’s a lost season for the Cowboys. Arizona wins here.

Texas Tech Red Raiders at Houston Cougars – Sat. Oct. 4, 6:00 PM, ESPN

Anthony: I don’t have the cajones to take UH to earn the huge home upset, but think that wild comeback win over Oregon State might spark something. Cougars won’t have the horses to win this game, but put a scare in TTU while seeding doubt and discord in which QB should be behind center for the Red Raiders.
Austin: Houston is sneaky, but the Cougars aren’t quite there yet to knock off the 11th-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders. Texas Tech is far too talented.
Caleb: Houston has had a very fortunate run to start the year but I think they get humbled this week by an overpowered Tech squad that’s run roughshod through the first 3rd of their regular season schedule. Morton or Hammond could start and win this one, to be frank.
Drew: Houston is off to a nice 4-0 start and the offense has been much improved this season but I think Texas Tech coming off of a bye week wins a close game on the road.
Russ: I expect Houston to fight in the first half, but this Texas Tech offense, even without Behren Morton, continues to be explosive and dynamic. Red Raiders win here.

Kansas Jayhawks at UCF Knights – Sat. Oct. 4, 6:30 PM, ESPN2

Anthony: Knight Time! The Bounce House does enough to rattle Jalon Daniels and UCF finds a way to convert short fields into enough points to win the game as home underdogs.
Austin: Time and time again, for whatever reason, I believe in the Kansas Jayhawks. This time will be the last straw if the Jayhawks lose. But here we are, Kansas wins.
Caleb: How does one solve the UCF pass defense? Well, it helps when your QB can run it himself to force them into the box (see Avery Johnson last week). Jalon Daniels is UCF’s worst nightmare, I’d expect Kansas to shake back after an off week against Cincy and silence the Bounce House.
Drew: The Kansas defense concerns me after they gave up over 600 yards of offense to Cincinnati last week but I think Jalon Daniels will score plenty against UCF. I have Kansas winning this one.
Russ: In a game that could potentially turn into a high-scoring affair, Kansas gets a bounce-back victory over the Knights in Florida.

Top National Games

Texas Longhorns at Florida Gators – Sat. Oct. 4, 2:30 PM ESPN

Anthony: Arch Manning re-enters the Heisman race as he carves up the Gators defense. Longhorns romp in the Swamp and the flight tracker into GNV is fully engaged, looking for who Florida is bringing to town to replace Billy Napier.
Austin: The Longhorns aren’t the powerhouses we expected, but neither are the Gators. Texas gets the victory in Gainesville.
Caleb: I’ve been shocked to see how poorly Florida can play as a team for 60 minutes this year, and Texas seems to be able to do that and still get away with wins (unless it’s against Ohio State). I think Texas wins this one on the road, playing to the level of their opponent in the process.
Drew: Billy Napier is firmly on the hot seat and I don’t see that changing this week with Florida losing at home to Texas in a very low scoring game.
Russ: I’m predicting that both Arch Manning and DJ Lagway will struggle, but the Longhorn defense will do enough to help Texas secure the victory.

Vanderbilt Commodores at Alabama

Crimson Tide – Sat. Oct. 4, 2:30 PM ABC

Anthony: Tennessee native Ty Simpson appears to be hitting his five-star pedigree stride and will go nuclear to out duel Diego Pavia and the ‘Dores to avenge last season’s stunning loss.
Austin: Alabama gets the win at home against the pesky Commodores. Vanderbilt, led by Diego Pavia, is certainly a formidable opponent, but Alabama is coming off a huge win against the Georgia Bulldogs, and that momentum carries over.
Caleb: Is Alabama back? They looked much different than the team that debuted against FSU this season, beating Georgia in Athens. I think the team believes in DeBoer again and Vanderbilt comes in with more respect than they’ve earned in the past, so they can’t sneak past the giants anymore. Roll Tide.
Drew: Ty Simpson looks to be in full control of an Alabama offense that is loaded with weapons. I think Alabama gets revenge for the loss last season and beats Vanderbilt at home.
Russ: After a horrible loss against Florida State, Alabama and Ty Simpson have looked much better in recent weeks. The Crimson Tide get revenge on Diego Pavia and the Commodores.

Boise State Broncos at Notre Dame Fighting Irish – Sat. Oct. 4, NBC

Anthony: SMH, who put this game on the list? Irish win with no issue in one of its few losable remaining games. We need Notre Dame to fall hilariously on its face again to pick up a third loss and drop out of the CFP; there’s still time, but it won’t be the Broncos to deliver the shameful blow.
Austin: Notre Dame is battle-tested, having faced off against two top-25 win teams in Purdue and Arkansas. Boise State, on the other hand, has not. The Fighting Irish win handily at home.
Caleb: I think Notre Dame curb stomps Boise this week, don’t imagine this one being too close.
Drew: While Boise State has bounced back from a week one loss to USF, I can’t see a Broncos defense that let up 37 to Air Force slowing down a Notre Dame offense that dropped 56 on Arkansas last week. I have Notre Dame winning comfortably.
Russ: Notre Dame fired on all cylinders against Arkansas and I expect the Fighting Irish to roll over Boise State here.

Virginia Cavaliers at Louisville Cardinals – Sat. Oct. 4, 2:30 PM, ESPN2

Anthony: How about Chandler Morris!? Known to deliver stunning defeats to ranked CFP contenders, he’s also been known to come out the next week and get shelled by a conference title hopeful. Louisville has its RB duo of Brown & Watson fully back from injury and they’ll run all over UVA. Cardinals win.
Austin: All aboard the Virginia Cavaliers and the Chandler Morris hype train! Virginia knocks off the Louisville Cardinals away from home.
Caleb: Virginia played the game of their season last week, knocking off FSU. If I know Chandler Morris like I think I do, this week will be a little bit tougher for him on the road. Louisville will have big eyes for a ranked team coming onto their home turf, with a bye week on the horizon to eliminate distractions. Give me the Cardinals at home.
Drew: I remain skeptical of Virginia’s offense despite a very fun win over Florida State last week. I think Miller Moss and Louisville pick up a top 25 win and stay undefeated with a win over UVA.
Russ: Credit to former Horned Frog Chandler Morris on delivering a home upset against Florida State a la 2021 Baylor. However, I’m taking Louisville here.

Miami Hurricanes at Florida State Seminoles – Sat. Oct. 4, 6:30 PM, ABC

Anthony: Carson Beck is no Chandler Morris. While Castellanos and the FSU offense have a big challenge in finding any room to work against the Hurricanes defense, the Seminoles’ home field advantage takes over to take the upset win.
Austin: Florida State secures the upset victory in front of their home crowd against the Miami Hurricanes. Miami has looked dominant so far, but so have the Seminoles. Florida State squeaks by.
Caleb: I imagine that FSU would be fired up for this game to avenge their loss last week, but for some reason Miami had a Bye week leading up to this and have a bye week after. Their sole focus has been beating FSU for 2 weeks with nothing else on the horizon. Give me the Canes to pushing the Seminoles further in their spiral.
Drew: Florida State gave up over 200 yards on the ground against Virginia and Miami is better on the offensive line than the Cavaliers. I think Rueben Bain keeps Tommy Castellanos out of a rhythm and the Hurricanes pick up a road rivalry win.
Russ: Carson Beck turns in a good game and Miami’s defense does just enough to contain Thomas Castellanos and secure the victory for the Hurricanes.

Mississippi State Bulldogs at Texas A&M Aggies – Sat. Oct. 4, 6:30 PM, SEC Network

Anthony: As good as the Bulldogs looked taking Tennessee to OT, the bounce back will not go well in College Station. Marcel Reed and the Aggies are a freight train that will run right over State to continue undefeated.
Austin: The Texas A&M Aggies continue their torrid start with a victory against the better-than-advertised Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Caleb: Mississippi State is coming off of an emotional loss, being very close to upsetting Tennessee last week. I imagine they’re gutted after that one, leading to a lackluster performance against A&M at Kyle Field. The Aggies are rolling right now and I think that stays the same.
Drew: Texas A&M is on a roll, especially on offense, and that continues this Saturday against Mississippi State. Aggies win this one comfortably.
Russ: Mississippi State put a scare into Tennessee in Starkville, but traveling to College Station, I expect Texas A&M to remain hot with a win.