Games To Watch: Week 6

Will Everett Golson and the Irish survive the Cardinal?(Photo Credit: CBS Sports)

Written By: Nathan Skinner
                 Canes Rising Contributor


It's the mother lode if you're a football fan.  This week is by far the best week of the season to date with six ranked versus ranked tilts scheduled. We are officially at the midpoint of the season, and these games will separate the wheat from the chaff. 

(Honorable Mention) Alabama vs. Ole Miss-- This game would easily make the top 5 any other week, but this game is on the outside looking in.  Lane Kiffin has taken what was a staid, conservative 'Bama offense and turned it into a scoring machine.  Blake Sims is now an unquestioned leader, and the Tide are averaging 42 points per game, good for 16th in the country.  Ole Miss, following two exceptional recruiting classes is finally starting to look like a player in the competitive SEC.  The 'Rebs are led by defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche, and safety Tony Connor.   The key to this game will be whether Ole Miss quarterback Bo Wallace can avoid turnovers.  The Rebels were shut out and held to a grand total of 205 yards in Tuscaloosa last year. 

5) Oklahoma vs. TCU-- OU has rarely been challenged this season, with wins over Tennessee, Tulsa, Louisiana Tech and West Virginia.  The Sooners enter this game coming off of their closest game, a 12 point win over the Mountaineers.  Head Coach Gary Patterson has made TCU one of the better defensive units in America, and they will be ready to face OU quarterback Trevor Knight. Bob Stoops told reporters this week that TCU is "probably" the best team they've faced so far.  Stoops should remove the probably, because TCU is far superior to WVU, a team that is mediocre defensively.  The Horned Frogs are fast, well coached, and physical.   OU has struggled against the Frogs in recent memory, and the trend will continue.

4. Texas A&M vs. Mississippi State-- Are the Bulldogs for real? Or are they the beneficiary of the dreaded SEC poll bias? That will be answered on Saturday when the Aggies come to Starkville.  Mississippi State has cruised to a 4-0 record, defeating Southern Miss, South Alabama and UAB.  Their win over LSU carries weight, but that wasn't a vintage LSU team.  For the Bulldogs, a win over Texas A&M would show that the win over LSU wasn't a fluke, and sets up an epic battle against Auburn next weekend.  Texas A&M enters this game still riding their opening night win over South Carolina, another team that has failed to meet expectations so far this year.  Bulldogs signal caller Dak Prescott is a Heisman candidate, and a great performance will do wonders for his campaign.  TAMU's Kenny Hill hasn't been tested since week 1, so he has something to prove as well.

3. LSU vs. Auburn--LSU was the only team to have defeated Auburn last season, but that LSU team had an underrated quarterback in Zach Mettenberger.  This year, LSU is a one dimensional team, a team that is unable to pass.  Combine that with a defense that is reloading, and you have a team that isn't anywhere near elite.  Auburn found a way to beat Kansas State, and is still alive in the chase for the College Football Playoff, but there's trouble on the plains.  This game marks the beginning of a rough stretch for Auburn.  The Tigers will face LSU, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and Georgia in consecutive weeks.  It's important for Auburn to get off to a good start.

2. Stanford vs. Notre Dame-- This game will be Notre Dame's chance to push their way into the conversation.  Notre Dame's schedule has been pretty lax so far this year, with zero attention grabbing match-ups so far.  Stanford comes into this game with the nation's best defense, and an offense that is steadily improving under quarterback Kevin Hogan.  Notre Dame has an explosive offense led by Everett Golson, and a defense that has only given up an average of 11.5 points per game.  Unlike the other games on this list, this game doesn't have conference implications.  That said, the winner of this game will have a huge win to put on their resume.   The key to this game will be whether Stanford can take advantage of all scoring opportunities.  The Cardinal have struggled converting field goals, with kicker Jordan Williamson  connecting on 4 of 8 attempts this season. Stanford's depth at running back is something to watch, especially late in the game. Will Stanford's many tailbacks be able to wear the Irish down?

1. Nebraska vs. Michigan State--The B1G conference has been a laughingstock all season.  From the struggles of Michigan, to the offensive ineptitude of Ohio State, the B1G hasn't been able to command the attention of the college football world.  This week, that all changes, when Michigan State and Nebraska meet.  Michigan State entered the season as a dark horse playoff contender, but lost some buzz after being steamrolled by Oregon.  Nebraska may not be the dominant power they once were, but are undefeated, and look like a player in the B1G. Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah is one of the best backs in the country, he's been unstoppable all season.  Ameer will have his toughest test of the year, because Mark Dantonio's Spartans are loaded on defense.  Last year, Michigan State forced 5 Nebraska turnovers, and never trailed.  If Michigan State can stop Abdullah, this game may get ugly.  Nebraska quarterback Tommy Armstrong isn't a good passer.