Week 6 College Football Predictions – See Our Early Picks

By Chris Amberley in College Football
Published:

- Week 6 of the College Football season kicks off Thursday
- #16 Vanderbilt is 5-0 for the first time since 2008, and rank 4th in points per game
- See my favorite Week 6 College Football predictions, and the best early picks to make
The college football season turns the calendar to Week 6 starting on Thursday with another electrifying slate. The bulk of the country’s best teams will be in action, including a top-20 showdown between #16 Vanderbilt and #10 Alabama. That SEC contest cracks my early Week 6 college football predictions, as do the matchups between #9 Texas and Florida, and #11 Texas Tech and Houston.
College Football Week 6 Picks
Odds as of Sept. 29. Check out the top college football betting apps for Week 6.

My favorite Week 6 college football early pick is the Commodores +10.5 in Tuscaloosa. Vandy upset Bama at home last season, and this year’s team can certainly score enough points to keep pace with the Crimson Tide.
Vanderbilt vs Alabama Prediction
The opening college football Week 6 odds listed the Commodores +14, but that number didn’t last long. Money has been pouring in on Vandy for good reason, but we’re still getting over two scores with a very good football team.
Vanderbilt Offensive Stats
The Commodores enter play 5-0 for the first time since 2008. They’ve put up 50+ points in back-to-back games for the first time since 1915, and rank top-15 in the nation in scoring, total offense and yards per play.
QB Diego Pavia is one of the most valuable players in college football, and completed 80% of his throws for 252 yards and 2 scores in last year’s upset of Alabama.
Vandy hasn’t played a murderer’s row of opponents yet, but did upset a then #11 ranked South Carolina team on the road in Week 3. They’ve yet to commit a turnover all season, and have beaten every opponent by at least 20 points.
Defensively, they are much improved from a year ago, ranking inside the top-40 in points and yards against. They’ve limited enemy offenses to 3.3 rushing yards and 6.1 passing yards per play, while averaging 2 takeaways per contest.
Alabama meanwhile, has vaulted into a top-three National Championship odds contender after taking down Georgia. They’re far from impenetrable however, and are showing major cracks against the run. The Tide has surrendered 200+ rushing yards in both games versus ranked opponents, and now face a Commodores team averaging 6.7 yards per carry.
- Vanderbilt +10.5 (-108 at DraftKings)
Texas vs Florida Pick
Is Texas back? Maybe not quite yet, but they have showed major signs of improvement since their Week 1 loss at Ohio State. The Longhorns have outscored their opposition by 103 points over the last three games, while former Heisman Trophy odds frontrunner Arch Manning has started to settle in.
Manning’s legs in particular have been a major weapon, as he’s accounted for 5 rushing scores already. The sophomore has thrown 8 TD passes since Week 1, while also chipping in 85 rushing yards.
Texas’ defense however, has been the real story. They rank second in points allowed per game, and 12th in yards allowed. That spells trouble for a struggling Gators offense that’s averaging only 11 points per game in three matchups with ranked opponents. Florida QB DJ Langway has regressed significantly this season, throwing 6 picks and absorbing 8 sacks in this last three starts alone.
- Texas -6.5 (-110 at Bet365)
Texas Tech vs Houston Best Bet
As far as the Texas Tech vs Houston contest goes, the 11.5 point spread is way too large a number. Sure, the Red Raiders have destroyed everyone in their path so far, but the Cougars present a major challenge.
Houston’s offense is incredibly balanced, and capable of moving the ball on the ground and through the air. They extend drives at an elite rate, and finish in the red zone as well as anyone in college fooball.
Defensively, the Cougars are top-25 in scoring defense, yards allowed and yards per play. They’re also very stout against the pass, limiting opponents to 5.6 yards per throw, which will be key against this Red Raiders offense.
Texas Tech has been one of the most productive passing offenses to date. They’re averaging 375 yards through the air per game, and 10 yards per throw, but you can seriously disrupt QB Behren Morton if you pressure him. His passing grade drops from 86.3 when kept clean to 35.5 when pressured, and the Houston pass rush enters play ranked top-37 in sack percentage.
- Houston +11.5 (-110 at FanDuel)
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Sports Writer
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.