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Brant's best college football predictions and upset picks for Week 6 of the 2025 season. His top CFB underdogs and favorites on upset watch, including a pair of Big Ten teams and more.
For most teams, we have hit the quarter mark of the 2025 college football season, and the results have been thrilling as always. From crazy finishes to jaw-dropping upsets, each week has been full of surprises.
While this week’s schedule is a letdown after a loaded slate a week ago, there are still numerous big games worth having eyeballs on.
I have my eyes on five teams that could pull off juicy upsets this week, including two Big Ten teams that could find themselves on the ropes this week.
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Purdue Boilermakers (vs #22 Illinois)
Illinois has been as up-and-down as possible this year. Two weeks ago, they were blown out 63-10 by Indiana, crushing their playoff dreams significantly. Bret Bielema’s team bounced back the following week, beating USC 34-32. Now, the Illini face a potential trap game as they travel to West Lafayette to play Purdue.
One of the most memorable games I've ever been to, and one of the best camera shots I think I may ever have. Illinois outlasts Purdue in an overtime thriller 50-49 to move to 5-1 on the season pic.twitter.com/hUd8zL46ND
— PatrickMcCabeTV (@PatrickMcCabeTV) October 13, 2024
Last year, Purdue was the worst Power 4 team not only on the season but maybe of the last 10 seasons. They won just one game and were blown out in most Big Ten games. However, they took Illinois to overtime on the road and fell 50-49 despite all of their struggles. Prior to last season’s matchup, the Boilermakers had won four straight against Illinois. No matter how bad Purdue may be, they have the Illini’s number.
Add in the fact that Illinois is coming off an emotional win over USC and has top-ranked Ohio State coming to town next week, and this game could and should be dicey from a Purdue team that has a lot more offensive firepower than they did a season ago. Quarterback Ryan Browne has looked improved this season, and this is the Boilermakers’ opportunity to rattle off a huge win in a spot where Illinois could be caught looking ahead.
UAB Blazers (vs Army)
Army has just one win this season, but it was the toughest game on their schedule as they went on the road to Kansas State and won. The Black Knights have another road game this week, as they travel to Birmingham to play the UAB Blazers.
Hey, NFL fans. Listen to this.
UAB head coach, Trent Dilfer, calls the play in to Jalen Kitna (son of Jon Kitna) who hands the ball off to Isaiah Jacobs (brother of Josh Jacobs). pic.twitter.com/uDb9WN4MOQ
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) September 6, 2025
UAB’s offense is explosive, averaging 32.7 points per game so far this season with star quarterback Jalen Kitna leading the way. Fresh off a bye, the Blazers will be ready to play.
This will be a fun under-the-radar noon game. Army’s offense has caused headaches for opposing defenses, but UAB has all the firepower to clap back. The implied total of 57.5 may be too low for the fireworks that we are about to witness in Birmingham.
Army is favored on the road, but they have fallen short in a number of heartbreakers this season. I like UAB to get it done this week at the hands of their high-profile offense.
Maryland Terrapins (vs Washington)
Washington’s explosive offense was slowed to a halt by Ohio State last week, and the physicality that they faced in that game very well could carry over into this week’s matchup on the road against Maryland. The Terrapins are 4-0, coming off of a bye, and ready for more.
True freshman quarterback Malik Washington has been nothing short of excellent, and he should continue to make big plays this week against the Huskies. Washington is undoubtedly a talented team, as shown last week when hanging with Ohio State for the first half, but a hangover game after a fight like they went through a week ago may not serve them well. Add in the fact that they have to travel coast-to-coast, and I really like the Terps to pull off a home upset this week despite the talent gap.
Houston Cougars (vs #11 Texas Tech)
Texas Tech has looked the part of a contender this season. Quarterback Behren Morton (concussion) is expected to be back in the lineup after being knocked out of the Utah game two weeks ago, giving the Red Raiders an added boost on offense.
However, this is not your Houston team of the past. Willie Fritz has turned this Cougars’ team around in year two, helped by transfer quarterback Conner Weigman. The Cougars are undefeated, coming off a road overtime win over Oregon State. They have not faced a team anywhere close to the talent that Texas Tech holds, so this serves as a great checkpoint for the Cougars.
A win here would catapult Houston from afterthought to Big 12 contender, much like Arizona State a season ago. Not saying it will definitely happen - Texas Tech is very good - but this team has fight, is well-coached, and has a veteran quarterback who makes smart decisions. It would not be a shock to see them pull off a huge upset on Saturday night.
#18 Florida State Seminoles (vs #3 Miami)
Florida State fell short in an incredible overtime game at Virginia, shocking the nation with the loss. This is a great spot for them to bounce back and show the world that they are still deserving of a spot in the CFP.
Miami has been hyped up as one of the best teams in football, deservedly so. Carson Beck has had a strong resurgence this season. The defense has taken strides forward, led by EDGE Rueben Bain, who may play himself into being a top-five pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. This team is not going to go down easy, but the Seminoles are going to throw everything they’ve got at them in a must-win game.
FSU WR Duce Robinson is an Alien. 6’6/225 making the corner fall on a double move….
Oh, and he caught this despite a targeting call pic.twitter.com/FuhU5z3VNn
— Clay Fink (@clay_fink) September 27, 2025
Tommy Castellanos has been great himself this season, and Duce Robinson is one of the best receivers in all of college football. Mike Norvell has a good thing going offensively and has more experience winning big games than Mario Cristobal does. Throw in the fact that this is the biggest night game in Tallahassee in years. The environment is one of college football’s best, and it is not going to be easy for the Hurricanes to overcome. A win here would put Florida State right back in the CFP race, and would open the door for multiple bids for the ACC.
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