Bold Predictions for Week 6 - 2024 College Football

Week 5’s bold predictions were all close but no cigar. Last week, I had Notre Dame over Louisville by double digits. The Irish led all game but ended up winning by seven. I also predicted that Michael Hawkins Jr. would ignite the Oklahoma Sooners and get them rolling. 

Hawkins had an impressive 48-yard touchdown run, but he did not exactly get the Sooners “rolling” despite winning the game without key weapons on both sides of the ball. My third prediction, calling for an Illini outright win over Penn State, was flat-out wrong. The Nittany Lions played a good game and looked like a team to beat.

Given the wishy-washy nature of last week’s bold predictions, I have determined to be more straightforward this week. Let’s dig in.

Missouri Notches Big Road Win

With narrow victories over Boston College and Vanderbilt (double overtime) on their resume this season, the Missouri Tigers look like one of the most overrated teams in the nation at No. 9.

This weekend, they are underdogs on the road against Texas A&M. Not so fast. While the Tigers have struggled at times this season, they have been battle-tested time and time again. Defensively, they are not what they were a season ago. Offensively, Brady Cook and Luther Burden III are still here and have been coming through in clutch moments when needed. 

Mike Elko’s Aggies are inexperienced, while Brady Cook is a fifth-year senior quarterback. The Tigers are ranked highly for a reason -- this is a talented team. Give me Missouri to hit the 5-0 mark.

Miami Returns To Form, Blows Out California

The Miami Hurricanes very narrowly escaped with what probably should have been a loss at home last week against Virginia Tech. A last-second Hokies touchdown was overturned, handing Miami their fifth win on the season.

HAIL MARY NO GOOD 😳

No. 7 Miami outlasted Virginia Tech after the Hokies' final play was ruled incomplete. pic.twitter.com/Xrpl2UFod9

— ESPN (@espn) September 28, 2024

Before last week, Miami had an average margin of victory of over 35 points. This week, it travels across the country to play California at 10:30 p.m. in a game being dubbed “Woke vs. Coke.”

The Golden Bears are 3-1 but were not impressive in their ACC debut as they fell to Florida State. This is a perfect spot for the Hurricanes to recapture their early season domination. Favored by just 10 points, give me Miami by 20+.

Will Rogers Turns The Ball Over Multiple Times In Loss

Washington quarterback Will Rogers has been perfect in the turnover margin this season, throwing for 10 touchdowns and no interceptions. That will change in Saturday night’s title game rematch. Michigan will not win this game without making plays on the defensive side of the ball.

I’m predicting that defensive coordinator Wink Martindale brings pressure that Rogers has not felt since his SEC days, where he averaged eight interceptions a season in his three full years as Mississippi State’s starting quarterback. Rogers’ perfect passing streak will come to an end Saturday night.

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