October has arrived, which means conference play is now in full swing in college football. The Week 6 slate isn’t quite as jam-packed with marquee contests as the most recent menu was, but there are still plenty of juicy tidbits to keep us entertained on Saturday.
Our weekly viewers’ guide to the most important and potentially compelling matchups will begin, as it often does, in SEC country. The lineup also features a prime-time rivalry showdown, a clash of unbeatens in the Lone Star State, and a meeting of 2024 playoff participants trying to work their way back. Let’s dive in, shall we?
No. 17 Vanderbilt at No. 11 Alabama
Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC.
Why watch: The words ‘Vanderbilt’ and ‘playoffs’ don’t usually appear in the same sentence, which is why Commodores QB Diego Pavia’s bold pronouncement heading into the season caused such a stir. He and his Vandy teammates now have the chance to back up the notion that they are indeed contenders to make the field of 12. They did, after all, take down the Crimson Tide a year ago, but of course Alabama is well aware of that. Alabama for its part is very much back in the picture after last week’s win at Georgia, though again, the Tide did that last year as well then had a rough second half of the season. Pavia has certainly done his part for Vandy, accounting for 15 total TDs while making excellent use of TE Eli Stowers and RB Sedrick Alexander. His mobility could be an issue for the Tide defensive front, which will likely need backing from DB Bray Hubbard. Alabama QB Ty Simpson has also been hot since the opening loss to Florida State. WR Ryan Williams is a constant big-play threat, though his hands have let him down at times. Expect to see Commodores DB C.J. Heard in the vicinity of the ball often.
Why it could disappoint: This year’s Alabama squad isn’t built to simply show up and coast to victory. The Tide might still do so, but the Commodores would have to help them by giving the ball away. This feels more like it’s going to be another wild ride – possibly not to the tune of 40-35 like last season’s encounter in Nashville but points should again be plentiful.
No. 3 Miami (Fla.) at No. 19 Florida State
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC.
Why watch: The anticipated top-10 matchup didn’t materialize, but that hardly reduces the hype level as the ACC’s Sunshine State showdown gets the prime-time treatment. The urgency might be dialed up higher for the Seminoles, who must avoid a second conference loss in succession, but the Hurricanes won’t be feeling charitable toward their archrivals. Seminoles QB Thomas Castellanos isn’t shy about taking off, but he’s been receiving considerable punishment of late as a result. With Miami DE Rueben Bain eager to mete out more of it, he might want to let RB Gavin Sawchuk do the heavy lifting in the ground game. Hurricanes QB Carson Beck and his long-ball threats were largely held in check in their last outing against Florida, but RB Mark Fletcher helped with some tough yards. He’ll likely be needed again, as DBs Ja’Bril Rawls and Jerry Wilson will be actively patrolling the Florida State secondary.
Why it could disappoint: Neither team has been immune to the turnover bug, so it’s conceivable that one could find itself digging out of an early hole. Both offenses are equipped to stage a comeback should that occur, but a close contest throughout is more probable.
No. 14 Texas Tech atHouston
Time/TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN.
Why watch: The Cougars, perhaps the quietest unbeaten squad in the power conferences, will be quiet no more if they can topple the Red Raiders, who are among the early favorites in the wide-open Big 12. Houston had to work harder than it wanted to get out with a victory at winless Oregon State last week, but QB Conner Weigman made the plays when needed late. He’ll want to get the offense moving a bit quicker this time, but Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez might have something to say about that. The Red Raiders should be rested after their impressive victory at Utah two weeks ago. QB Behren Morton is expected to start after leaving that game early with a neck injury, but the strong performance of freshman backup Will Hammond should give the team confidence should Morton experience complications. WR Coy Eakin and TE Terrance Carter Jr. lead a deep group of pass catchers, but the Cougars have snared five interceptions.
Why it could disappoint: In theory, Texas Tech is more battle-tested and could hand the Cougars their first taste of adversity. But if Houston has successful drive outcomes early, it should be game on for 60 minutes.
Minnesota at No. 1 Ohio State
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC.
Why watch: The Golden Gophers were able to defend their home turf and outlast Rutgers to start Big Ten play on the right foot. The challenge ramps up by an order of magnitude as they head into the Horseshoe to face the top-ranked Buckeyes. Minnesota QB Drake Lindsey will be the next signal caller to try and solve the Buckeyes’ championship caliber defense, which starts up front with DE Caden Curry sealing the edge with LBs Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles often there to clean up. The Ohio State offense might still have untapped potential, a scary thought as QB Julian Sayin is already completing passes at a 78% clip. Freshman RB Bo Jackson has emerged as another weapon, giving Gophers LBs Devon Williams and Maverick Baranowski more to think about.
Why it could disappoint: If this is the week the Buckeyes’ offense breaks out of its first-quarter funk, things could be decided in short order. Minnesota will have to be nearly perfect, which it has not always been when playing away from home.
Mississippi State at No. 5 Texas A&M
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, SECN.
Why watch: While the Bulldogs will almost certainly exceed their projected last-place finish in the SEC, last week’s near upset of Tennessee was still a major missed opportunity. They can’t dwell on it, however, as they must regroup quickly to take on the Aggies, who stifled Auburn in their league opener but are hoping to show more pop from the offense. A&M QB Marcel Reed will look to get big-play WRs Mario Craver and K.C. Concepcion involved quickly. The Miss State defense relies on safety help from Isaac Smith and Jahron Manning limiting such explosive plays. Bulldogs QB Blake Shapen has weapons of his own in WRs Brenen Thompson and Anthony Evans, but Aggies DE Cashius Howell could keep him from finding them.
Why it could disappoint: Mississippi State has made huge strides on the offensive side of the ball this season, but the Aggies’ defense might prove harder to solve. It would take only moderate improvement on a surprisingly low 30.61% third-down conversion rate for A&M to establish game control.
Boise State at No. 21 Notre Dame
Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC.
Why watch: This pairing of playoff teams from a season ago lost a bit of its luster with both squads off to subpar starts in 2025. Both now enter on winning streaks, though none of their combined five victories can be considered needle movers. The Boise offense has been more reliant this year on QB Maddux Madsen, whose passing can be streaky. When he’s on target, WRs Latrell Caples and Chris Marshall are valuable downfield weapons, so Notre Dame DBs Jalen Stroman and Adon Shuler must minimize the big plays. Fighting Irish QB C.J. Carr is completing 68.3% of his passes, though the offense works best when RBs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price are involved. They’ll become well acquainted with Broncos DB Ty Benefield and LB Marco Notarainni.
Why it could disappoint: The Broncos have undoubtedly worked out a few issues since getting blown out at South Florida, but this is a major step up in competition. The Fighting Irish have also found their identity and could take immediate charge here.