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We highlight the college football games of Week 6 that are the most important or should be the best games to maximize your viewing pleasure.
The 25 Best College Football Games Of Week 6
This week almost feels like a letdown compared to last week. We had six overtime games last week. Three of those were double-overtime games. Two of those involved teams that are in the top 25. The only one of these instant classics that we didn’t recommend last week was possibly the best one between Louisiana and Marshall. The game had two overtimes and 105 combined points.
Every college football game is available if you know where to look. Which ones are worth seeking out? Which ones are worth using the multi-screen view on? Which ones absolutely can’t be missed? RotoBaller puts together the top 25 games in Week 6 and where you can find them. With some of these games on streaming services, it makes it a little more difficult. Most of these games are on networks, but that doesn’t mean the best games are. ESPN owns 70% of everything and only has so many channels to show games on. All times are Eastern time.
25. Minnesota at (1) Ohio State
Where to watch: NBC/Peacock, 7:30 p.m.
Minnesota hasn’t beaten Ohio State since 2000 and has only beaten them twice in my lifetime. Once, I was too young to remember. So why are we watching this? Because Ohio State is the top-ranked team, and we want to see if they play like it. We want to see if P.J. Fleck can get Minnesota back to prominence anytime soon. He has looked close to doing so a couple of different times, one of which was in 2021 when Minnesota was leading the Buckeyes in the opening game of the season before star RB Mohamed Ibrahim went down in the third quarter…when he had already carried 30 times for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Ohio State pulled away after that.
24. Louisiana-Monroe at Northwestern
Where to watch: Big Ten Network, 3:30 p.m.
This is a good barometer to gauge how far the upper tier of the Sun Belt is from the bottom of the Big Ten. Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy is taking the SEC by storm. He dominated the Sun Belt at Monroe as a freshman last year. This year, it’s junior Braylon McReynolds who is thriving in this run-heavy offense. This is also the second-to-last game at Northwestern’s beautiful palace by the lake. I’m going to miss this place. It was the best setting for a field in college football. FPI and Vegas don’t believe in the Warhawks, but their only loss was to Alabama. This might be a close game considering Northwestern almost blew a big lead (for them) against UCLA last week.
23. West Virginia at (23) BYU
Where to watch: ESPN, 10:30 p.m. (Friday)
Will Bear Bachmeier finally record his first turnover? Is West Virginia secretly nocturnal and just needs a night game to get going? These are the burning questions that may or may not be answered in Provo on Friday.
22. Air Force at Navy
Where to watch: CBS/Paramount+, noon
It’s the first leg of the Commander-in-Chief Trophy, so throw out the 1-3 record for Air Force and the 4-0 record for Navy. Take a step back to 1985 and watch some option football at its finest, led by Navy’s Blake Horvath. Air Force’s Liam Szarka already has 638 passing yards. Air Force quarterbacks usually don’t hit that mark in an entire season! Navy is the heavy favorite in both FPI (86%) and Vegas (-11.5). I wouldn’t be surprised if this stayed close. The CIC Trophy is the most important thing to the service academies.
21. Clemson at North Carolina
Where to watch: ESPN, noon
Remember when this was supposed to be a good game? Bill Belichick was supposed to have the Tar Heels sitting at 4-0, facing a 3-1 or 4-0 Clemson team. Now, the teams have a combined three wins. North Carolina somehow has two of those. FPI (77.5% and Vegas (-14.5) are still treating Clemson like a good team. What if that’s not the case? When the going is tough, road games are even tougher than usual.
20. Wisconsin at (20) Michigan
Where to watch: FOX, noon
Wisconsin couldn’t handle Maryland freshman Malik Washington. Bryce Underwood is (allegedly) even better. We could see another breakout game for Underwood. What I’m looking to see is just where the breaking point is for Wisconsin. Luke Fickell is essentially a dead man walking, and everyone knows it. His prohibitive buyout ($25.4 million) means Wisconsin will likely have to suffer for a while. Wisconsin simply does not have that kind of money. His buyout goes down to $19.2 million at the end of 2026, but how dead will the program be by then? The Badgers have shown no signs of improvement this year. In fact, they have regressed.
19. Kentucky at (12) Georgia
Where to watch: ABC, noon
Kentucky is one of those teams that can beat you if you’re not at your best. The Wildcats are playing a little better with Cutter Boley at quarterback, but outside of Seth McGowan, that offense is a mess. Georgia needs a get-right game. More importantly, they need to establish the run game. That has been the hallmark of Georgia football, even when Matt Stafford and Aaron Murray were throwing it around the yard.
18. Oklahoma State at Arizona
Where to watch: TNT, 3 p.m.
Oklahoma State played a solid game against Baylor in the first game after the end of the Mike Gundy era. The team looked as if they were having fun. Rodney Fields Jr. could be the next great Oklahoma State RB. The Cowboys will have their hands full with an Arizona offense that has looked pretty good so far. FPI sees this as a blowout (89.8% for Arizona). Vegas is on board, with the line climbing to Arizona -20.5. I wouldn’t be sure about that. The Pokes didn’t even lose to Baylor by that much. This feels like a game Oklahoma State could win if the team truly has turned a corner post Mike Gundy.
17. UNLV at Wyoming
Where to watch: CBS Sports Network, 7 p.m.
Laramie has been a house of horrors for many unsuspecting teams over the years. The Rebels are off to a 4-0 start behind Virginia transfer Anthony Colandrea. This is a battle of offense against a tough defense. Wyoming’s offense has been awful, and UNLV’s defense has been an adventure. Games that feature contrasting styles are usually entertaining. FPI doesn’t think so, giving UNLV a 73.5% chance at a win. The spread in Vegas opened at -5.5 in favor of the Rebels but has dropped all the way to -3.5. That means a lot of sharp money is coming in on Wyoming. The plot thickens…
16. Colorado at TCU
Where to watch: FOX, 7:30 p.m.
There was a time not long ago when Colorado altered the history of TCU football. The first game of the Deion Sanders era saw Colorado upset TCU in Fort Worth. Chandler Morris was injured, then benched, and some guy named Max Duggan from Council Bluffs, Iowa, sent TCU to the National Championship Game. Who knows where TCU would be if Morris hadn’t been hurt? Both teams have had varying degrees of success since then.
According to FPI, TCU is a heavy favorite of 79.2% behind the passing attack of Josh Hoover and Eric McAlister. The Horned Frogs are also heavy favorites in Vegas at -13.5. The line has dropped a little, mainly because Kaidon Salter has come back and played well since being benched against Houston.
15. Kansas at Central Florida
Where to watch: ESPN2, 7:30 p.m.
Even though Jalon Daniels is playing like a Heisman candidate (85-127, 1,262 yards, 16 TD, 2 INT), the defense is holding the Jayhawks back. That’s what’s going to make this an interesting game. Central Florida’s offense has looked explosive at times. Vegas realizes this will be a battle for the Jayhawks, as the visitors are 4.5-point favorites. FPI is a little less convinced, with Kansas only holding a 55.9% chance at a win. Everything went wrong for Kansas in the last 10 minutes of the Cincinnati game. We should see plenty of adventures in Jayhawking in this one as well.
14. Boise State at (21) Notre Dame
Where to watch: NBC/Peacock, 3:30 p.m.
For the second straight week, the Irish will face a team they have never faced before. It ended well last week. It should again this week. Boise has been largely ignored after being bullied by South Florida on Thursday night of Week 1. Notre Dame is the only team that has played nothing but Power 4 opponents. Vegas has the Irish as a heavy favorite (-17.5). FPI agrees, with Notre Dame having a 91.9% chance to win. This is the type of game that Boise has been begging to play in the regular season for years. If the Broncos get smacked into oblivion, it will undoubtedly hurt recruiting.
13. Western Kentucky at Delaware
Where to watch: CBS Sports Network, 7 p.m. (Friday)
This is a low-key important game in Conference USA. Both teams have only one loss on the season. The Hilltoppers lost to Toledo, and Delaware lost in Boulder. Delaware is in its first FBS season, but they have played well in wins over FIU and Connecticut. This will be the biggest test for the Blue Hens. Western Kentucky once again has a quarterback who isn’t afraid to throw 50 times per game. Maverick McIvor already has 1.474 passing yards and 11 touchdowns with only two interceptions. Surprisingly, FPI (57.3%) and Vegas (-2.5) give Delaware the edge. The winner is the likely opponent for Louisiana Tech in the CUSA Championship game.
12. Duke at California
Where to watch: ESPN, 10:30 p.m.
Here we have another East Coast team heading west to start a game at what is bedtime for most of these players. We saw what happened when Minnesota visited a couple of weeks ago, and they’re still an hour behind Duke. Cal’s Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is a star in the making. The true freshman has dazzled in all but one game. Duke’s Darian Mensah was a Group of 5 darling at Tulane last season. His transition to a power conference has gone well so far despite Duke’s two losses. You can’t pin those on Mensah. FPI has Duke as a 62.2% favorite to win. Vegas is similarly on the fence with the line at -2.5 for Duke and still falling.
11. (11) Texas Tech at Houston
Where to watch: ESPN, 7 p.m.
The old SWC rivalry is enjoying a nice war on X. It has been one of the more enjoyable ones this season so far. Will the game be the same? Tech has been off for a week after dismantling Utah in Salt Lake City. Tech is once again on the road, and the fans travel as well as anyone. They have been known to hijack presales and overpay whoever will take money to get seats to away games. Houston is thriving this year under former Texas A&M quarterback Conner Weigman. Tech gets starting QB Behren Morton back this week after backup Will Hammond sealed the win at Utah in Week 4. Both FPI (74.5%) and Vegas (-12.5) are heavy on the Red Raiders, but Houston has notoriously been a tough stop for opposing Big 12 teams.
10. Michigan State at Nebraska
Where to watch: FS1, 4 p.m.
Both teams are 3-1 heading into the teeth of conference play. The Rhule-Aid cups are half empty now after the loss to Michigan. Nebraska still has a lot in front of them. There has been noticeable growth, but this team was so hyped up that the fans are still disappointed. Michigan State had a rough 2024 season, and not much was expected of them in 2025. A strong showing on the road at USC has some fans believing that the Spartans can play spoiler. FPI doesn’t think so, with Nebraska a heavy 86% favorite to win. Vegas isn’t impressed either, with Nebraska still favored by 10.5 points. The line is down a little bit, but some people are still buying Matt Rhule in Year 3 stock.
9. (24) Virginia at Louisville
Where to watch: ESPN2, 3:30 p.m.
The Wahoos are back in the rankings after taking down Florida State on Friday night. The experience of Chandler Morris has been a shot in the arm for the Virginia offense. North Carolina Central transfer J’Mari Taylor has been great as the featured back for Virginia. The question here is whether the Virginia offense can hold its own against the strong Louisville defense. Miller Moss and the Cardinals started slow against Pitt but finished that game in a flurry that ended in a comeback win and Moss’s finest day as a Cardinal. Vegas wasn’t that impressed with Virginia’s win since Louisville is still a 6.5-point favorite at home. FPI gives the Wahoos a 44% chance of scoring the upset.
8. Washington at Maryland
Where to watch: Big Ten Network, 3:30 p.m.
You can act like this game doesn’t matter, but it might. As a plus, you’ll get to see two of the most exciting young quarterbacks in the game. Washington’s Demond Williams Jr. took over at the end of 2024, which ended with a narrow loss to Louisville in the bowl game. Williams has started the year with 8 total touchdowns and no turnovers. Maryland’s true freshman Malik Washington has been nearly as sharp, with 1,038 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and just one interception. Washington isn’t a runner like Williams is, but they are both great at putting on a show. Besides, FPI has this as a very close game. Washington is a very slight (51.5%) favorite. Vegas has the Huskies still favored by 5.5, but the line has dropped 1.5 points since it opened.
7. (9) Texas at Florida
Where to watch: ESPN, 3:30 p.m.
ESPN is going to tell you that Texas will win this going away. FPI has the Longhorns at 76.7% favorites. Vegas agrees, with Texas favored by 6.5 points. I side more with Vegas. Much has been made of Florida’s struggles, and Florida is going to continue to struggle against this Texas defense. The inverse could also be true. The love-fest for Arch Manning is back on because he got his groove back against Sam Houston. That highlights my point. Texas hasn’t been tested since the opener, and they failed that test. Florida’s defense isn’t quite as good as Ohio State’s, but it’s pretty close.
Florida’s schedule after Week 1 has been one big test. A battle-tested Florida team at home against a Texas team that hasn’t played a meaningful game in over a month. This is the very definition of a trap game. Florida saved Billy Napier’s job last year by winning games they shouldn’t have because there was no pressure left. Who’s to say that it won’t happen again?
6. Wake Forest at Virginia Tech
Where to watch: CW Network, 1 p.m.
Virginia Tech is 2-0 since the firing of Brent Pry. One of those games was against Wofford, which is one they should have won anyway. The other was a key road win in Raleigh against North Carolina State. The Virginia Tech offense opened up in that game. Kyron Drones looked comfortable. Terion Stewart was finally turned loose, and he looked just as good as he did at Bowling Green last year. There is still a lot of talent on this Virginia Tech team.
Wake Forest was a blown call away from beating Georgia Tech. Former Auburn star Robby Ashford is doing a good job running Wake Forest’s slow mesh scheme, and Demond Claiborne has 366 rushing yards in four games. FPI has Virginia Tech as a heavy home favorite (76.8%) now, but Vegas has the line just under a touchdown (-6.5) in favor of the home team. Tech’s season isn’t done yet. All three losses were outside of ACC play. Can you imagine the uproar if the Hokies get into the ACC Championship with three or even four losses? After watching the team against North Carolina State, that no longer seems so far-fetched.
5. Kansas State at Baylor
Where to watch: ESPN+, noon
It’s a travesty that ESPN can’t find a place for this one. Kansas State looked the way we expected with a healthy Dylan Edwards against Central Florida. Baylor’s offense is explosive and fun to watch. Sawyer Robertson leads the nation in passing yards (1,713) and passing touchdowns (17). The defense is the polar opposite. Baylor is a 5.5-point home favorite over Kansas State, but FPI is much higher on Baylor at 61%. I know that UCF has a long way to go, but what if K-State isn’t really that bad at full strength? What if Baylor’s failures at home already in 2025 aren’t done yet? We could see an entertaining game here.
4. Mississippi State at (6) Texas A&M
Where to watch: SEC Network, 7:30 p.m.
Mississippi State has shocked many college football fans by beating Arizona State, then nearly taking out Tennessee. The Aggies are a different animal, and the previous two games were at home. Texas A&M hasn’t been ranked in the top 6 of the AP Poll since the second week of the 2022 season. The Aggies have the reputation of always being ranked in the preseason and seldom ending the season in the same manner. In other words, most are waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Vegas doesn’t think it will be here. The Aggies opened as 13.5-point favorites. The line is now up to 14.5. FPI is in the same ballpark, with the Bulldogs only having a 21.1% chance of springing the upset. After watching how closely the Bulldogs played a really good Tennessee offense, I’m expecting the game to be closer than this.
3. (14) Iowa State at Cincinnati
Where to watch: ESPN2, noon
Some are saying this is a trap game for Iowa State after the way they played in Jonesboro just before the bye week. After the way Cincinnati played Kansas, it’s possible. Cincinnati is a tough team. You’re going to get their best whenever they step on a field. The bad news is that Iowa State is just a more experienced version of Cincinnati. Rocco Becht makes NFL throws, and he finally has a receiver in Chase Sowell who stepped up to replace all of the lost production at the position.
The metrics and Vegas see this as a close game. FPI gives Iowa State a 51.5% chance at a road victory. That’s a very slim margin. Vegas agreed at one point. This line opened with Iowa State favored by 2.5. Now the Bearcats are home favorites by 1.5 points. At any rate, we should see a great one from Nippert Stadium on Saturday afternoon!
2. (16) Vanderbilt at (10) Alabama
Where to watch: ABC, 3:30 p.m.
There is a lot of noise surrounding this one since Vandy beat Alabama in Nashville last year, also the week after Alabama beat Georgia again. If this were a Nick Saban Alabama team, I would say this is a blowout. Now, I’m not so sure. Vanderbilt has scored more than 50 points in back-to-back games for the first time since 1915. This is a ranked vs. ranked matchup for the first time since 1937. See what I mean about noise?
Vegas is usually good about blocking out noise, especially for historical also-rans who now have prominence. Vegas has the Tide as 10.5-point favorites. FPI gives Alabama a 74.3% chance of a win. After seeing the defense against Georgia, I understand it. I hope that Vanderbilt shows up, and we get a good game out of this, but Vegas and the metrics don’t think we will.
1. (3) Miami (FL) at (18) Florida State
Where to watch: ABC, 7:30 p.m.
Florida State blew College Gameday possibly going to an ACC location for what would likely be the only time this year, with the loss in Charlottesville on Friday. Miami is going for the Florida state championship, having already taken out South Florida and Florida. The spread opened at 6.5 points in favor of Miami, but it’s down to 4.5 now. Vegas expects the Seminoles to put up a fight at home. FPI isn’t so sure. It only gives Florida State a 34.7% chance of a home win. Miami hasn’t won in Tallahassee since 2019, and the Hurricanes have the Paul Finebaum seal of approval. Since Finebaum knows almost nothing about football, Florida State might win this.
