The Pants Predicts: Week 6 College Football Games

Folks, the Iowa Hawkeyes are back in business this weekend, and that means they’re back in our weekly predictions (spoiler alert: Iowa should probably win). Along with them this week is the Red River Rivalry, an ACC clash, a game with College Football Playoff implications, and well, Michigan vs. Maryland for whatever reason.

Onto the picks!

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Texas at Oklahoma

Hello Jerry: Depending on where you looks, Texas are 7.5 to 8 points dogs in this. They may not have the firepower offensively yet, but I think Texas can keep this close by doing what the Big-12 does best… scoring. I’ll pick Oklahoma to win 30-27, but best believe i’m taking the points with the book.

BoilerHawk: Something I didn’t realize before moving to Dallas was the concept that the Cotton Bowl was almost exactly in between the Austin and Norman. This game is also in the middle of the Texas State Fair which is just wild to think about. 35-21, OU

Ben: 28-17 Texas

Max Brekke: Texas isn’t back. Stop trying to make Texas being back happen. Oklahoma 33, Texas 22.

JPinIC: Oklahoma. Not as close as people are thinking. 35-17

MattReisener: Texas isn’t back just yet, but they’re definitely closer than they’ve been at any point since the Mack Brown era ended. The Red River Shootout is always good for a crazy upset or two, but not this time around. OU 31, Texas 21

J. Hansen: Oklahoma’s a legit national contender. Texas is not. OU 35, Texas 21

Matt C: I want to pick Texas so bad, but I won’t. Oklahoma 28, Texas 14.

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Iowa at Minnesota

Hello Jerry: At the beginning of the year I wrote that this game would make me the most upset if Iowa lost it. I still feel that way. I’ve shared my feelings about Wisconsin, but losing to Minnesota would be unforgivable. So, Iowa 72, Minnesota 6.

Boiler: I think this is the classic game Iowa makes more difficult than it should be. Iowa springs a couple big plays early and rides the defense to get the classic “Kirk Ferentz 14-point blowout.” The only question is whether the defense grants Iowa incredible field position (or points!) with a turnover. 17-3, Iowa

Ben: 31-10 Iowa

Max: I will be in attendance this week as the Hawkeyes take on the Gophers. If you see me, say hello. I’ll be the guy with the Iowa stuff on with the girl that has Iowa stuff on. Hawkeyes 24, Gophers 13.

JPinIC: I want to see Iowa dominate this one as much as the next guy. I don’t think Minnesota has the defense to stop Iowa and that offense doesn’t particularly scare me. But I get a little nervous about this defense giving up a big play here or there and the offense sputtering in key moments. I still think Floyd stays home. Iowa 27, Minnesota 17

MattReisener: This game is always closer than it should be, but Minnesota has too many significant injuries to hang with the Hawkeyes for four quarters no matter how great a pre-game pump-up speech they get from PJ Fleck. Iowa 24, Minnesota 14

J. Hansen: It’s going to be a one possession game. That’s the only thing I’m sure of. Hawks 24, Minnesota 21

Matt C: Iowa needs to win. So they probably won’t. But I’ll pick them anyway. 21-17, Hawks.

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LSU at Florida

Hello Jerry: I’m going to keep riding with LSU only because of the big games they’ve already played in and won. Florida might be better than we thought considering they lost to a Kentucky team that may be the new 2015 Iowa. Give me theaux Tigers, 24-21.

Boiler: Despite living in SEC country I have paid like zero attention to SEC football so seeing LSU ranked 5th is kind of jarring. 21-20, LSU

Ben: 17-13 LSU

Max: I think LSU is the second best team in the SEC this season and it isn’t close. Give me Los Tigres. LSU 41, Florida 21.

JPinIC: What do I know about Florida? Not much. Does that matter? No. I’m going to think they’re overrated until Tim Tebow walks back through those doors. LSU 24, Florida 17

MattReisener: Dan Mullen gets his first signature win at Florida in an ugly defensive battle in which watching both offenses makes viewers wonder whether the game is being played in an actual swamp. Florida 10, LSU 7

J. Hansen: One of my best friends just got a job covering the Tigers. Couldn’t be happier. LSU 20, Florida 10

Matt C: Coach O is good. Florida is not good. 32, 14 LSU.

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Maryland at Michigan

Hello Jerry: Michigan had a scare last week. They wont this week. Wolverines 27-13.

Boiler: https://twitter.com/HD_starr/status/1046179826032418816 35-20, Michigan

Ben: 24-13 Michigan

Max: I think the Wolverines are a better team than what I saw last week in Evanston. They should show it this week at home against a Maryland team that looks better than most expected. Michigan 38, Maryland 23.

JPinIC: Maryland is fantastic! They’re so athletic! Their coach is the next best thing! Michigan 31, Maryland 17

MattReisener: This game is strength-on-strength with Michigan’s defensive front against Maryland’s potent rushing attack. If Rashan Gary plays, Michigan’s front seven should be able to slow the Terps down enough for Higdon and company to take care of the rest. Michigan 27, Maryland 20

J. Hansen: This is what would happen if a giant tortoise fought a real wolverine. Michigan 42, Maryland 14

Matt C: I’m still upset that Jim Harbaugh flat out insulted my favorite meat, but alas I will choose his team anyway. 35-28, Michigan.

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Notre Dame at Virginia Tech

Hello Jerry: Enter Sandman is one of the coolest entrances in all of college football, but I think having a quarterback that can actually throw the ball is cooler. I’m taking Ian Book and the Domers to beat a Tech team that lost to Old Dominion just a few weeks ago. 33-17.

Boiler: I’m very thankful to be in Arkansas instead of Indiana as the Domers rise again. 30-27, ND

Ben: 24-17 Virginia Tech

Max: I will never pick Notre Dame even when it’s obvious that they should win. Virginia Tech 27, Notre Dame 16.

JPinIC: Which VaTech team do we see this week? I have no idea, but the loser of this game has to score 17 points so ND 28, VT 17.

MattReisener: This game would be so much more interesting if Josh Jackson were healthy and that whole Old Dominion thing hadn’t just happened. Notre Dame 35, Virginia Tech 17

J. Hansen: I don’t believe in Notre Dame. I also definitely don’t believe in VT. Notre Dame 32, Virginia Tech 17

Matt C: I hate ND but the more they keep winning, the better chance they get embarrassed at a top tier bowl game. 31, 17 ND.