The College Five: Tennessee, Alabama, Miami and More

Honorable Mention - (21) Colorado vs. USC

This is one of the underrated games on Saturday as Colorado takes on the seemingly new and improved Trojan team. Sam Darnold has looked great since taking over for Max Browne and Justin Davis has rushed for over 100 yards in every start Darnold has had. As well as Colorado has played, they still let up 181.6 rushing yards to opponents on the road. USC is going to take advantage of this weakness with Justin Davis and Ronald Jones II. USC goes on a two game winning streak.

Prediction: USC wins 31-27

# 5 - (25) Virginia Tech vs. (17) North Carolina

Virginia Tech has looked solid in their last two games, putting up 45 plus points in each contest and has done a better job with ball security. Even though they were playing Boston College and Eastern Carolina they did blow both out. However, last time they played a top 25 team they committed seven fumbles. North Carolina is rolling and more importantly has a very well rounded team. They pass for 348.2 yards and rush for 136 yards a game. The defense consistently comes up with stops late in games to protect a lead.

Prediction: UNC wins 35-17

#4 - (20) Oklahoma vs. Texas

The red river rivalry is one of the best in college football and is always a great, back and forth battle. Both teams come in desperate as Oklahoma has dropped games to Houston and Ohio State. Texas has an electric offense but their defense has been atrocious, causing them to be a mediocre 2-2. Now both these teams need win over a significant opponent badly. While Oklahoma is the favorite, Texas is 6-2 a ranked Sooners team. This will be shootout of a game as Baker Mayfield and Shane Buechele square off.

Prediction: Texas wins 48-41

#3 - (23) Florida State vs. (10) Miami

Brad Kaaya has jumped off the screen in the the last two weeks, passing for 609 yards and five touchdowns. While Dalvin Cook and the FSU running game finally seems to be picking up, this is still a team with a lot of problems. They continue to give up plenty of points, averaging 35 a game. Their defensive from is weak, giving up rushing yards and failing to get consistent pressure on the quarterback. Kaaya will be able to sit back and pick apart a secondary missing it’s best player in Derwin James.

Prediction: Miami wins 45-31

#2 - (1) Alabama vs. (16) Arkansas

The last two years these have been incredibly tight games, dominated by defense and won in the trenches. While Arkansas has looked good thus far, and averages 197 yards on the ground, this will be a long game for the Razorbacks. They are up against one of the very best defensive lines in college and they will make their presence felt all game long. Look for Jonathan Allen to have a monster game, as he is the standout stud on the line. Defense wins this game.

Prediction: Alabama wins 24-13

#1 - (9) Tennessee vs. (8) Texas A&M

After conducting two crazy comeback wins, Joshua Dobbs heads into College Station without running back Jalen Hurd to take on Texas A&M. With their lead back out, the game plan for A&M is simple: Fill the secondary with defenders and force them to beat you on the ground. They can trust their pass rush with Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall to get pressure with a four man rush. Then hand the game to Trevor Knight and company, who have averaged 39.2 points a game. This is the game Texas A&M shows they are a top level SEC team and Tennessee gets back to reality.

Prediction: Texas A&M wins 41-27

Bonus prediction: The defensive line for the Aggies produces six sacks.