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NFL Mocks Staff Predictions: College Football Week 6

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 1:03 p.m. ET

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If you watched week five of college football, chances are you are still recovering from an exciting weekend.

We witnessed a hail mary in Athens to keep the Tennessee Volunteers a perfect 5-0. The North Carolina Tarheels stole the game from Florida State with a late field goal and we witnessed one of the best college football games maybe ever when Clemson overcame Louisville.

It’ll be tough, but there are plenty of intriguing matchups in week six that should provide a plethora of memories. Regardless of records, the Red River Rivalry is always a must see game. After rocky starts both Texas and Oklahoma will be playing for pride when the Longhorns visit the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl.

Will the Tennessee Volunteers be able to continue their winning ways against a stout Texas A&M defense? Will Miami fall victim to an ever dangerous Florida State team?

The NFL Mocks Staff take a look at this week’s key games, and predicts who will come out victorious.

Sep 10, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Samaje Perine (32) breaks a tackle attempt by Louisiana Monroe Warhawks safety Aaron Townsend (31) during the first quarter at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Texas at #20 Oklahoma

Texas heads into the Red River Rivalry in a very similar situation to last year. Head coach Charlie Strong finds himself on the hot seat after a 2-2 start to the season. Their most recent loss came against an Oklahoma State team that put up 555 yards of offense. In the aftermath, Strong demoted defensive coordinator Vance Bedford and took over the defensive play calling.

If the defense can come into form and slow down Oklahoma, the Longhorn offense has the talent to score against the Sooners.

The Oklahoma Sooners have had a season very similar to that of the Texas Longhorns. They too have started the season 2-2 and thus far have failed to live up to pre-season expectations. The Sooners have an explosive offense  that can hang with almost any team in a shootout. Their defense is where the problem lies.

The secondary hasn’t been able to stop anyone from throwing on them. If they want to stop the Longhorns then they’ll have to shore up on the defensive side of the ball.

Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Samaje Perine (32) celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the first half of the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Duyos-USA TODAY Sports

Staff Predictions:

David: Texas

Eric: Oklahoma

Brady: Texas

George: Texas

Shawn: Oklahoma

Sep 24, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies wide receiver Isaiah Ford (1) catches a pass against East Carolina Pirates defensive back DaShaun Amos (39) during the first quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

#25 Virginia Tech at #17 North Carolina

The Tar Heels are coming off a program defining 37-35 road win against Florida State. The victory marked the second straight week in which they secured a victory in the final seconds of the game. The past two victories can be largely attributed to the stellar play of quarterback Mitch Trubisky. Against Pitt the junior quarterback threw for over 400 yards and an impressive five touchdowns. In the most recent victory against the Seminoles, Trubisky threw for over 400 yards again and added another three touchdowns. The defense has struggled to slow down high-powered offenses, and will have another tough test against the Hokies.

Under new head coach Justin Fuente the Hokies have quietly enjoyed a 3-1 season. The Hokies displayed an impressive offensive performance last week against East Carolina. Led by junior-college transfer Jerod Evans at quarterback, the Hokies put up over 400 yards of offense in a dominating 54-17 win. Look for Evans to keep targeting star wide receiver Isaiah Ford in an effort overcome a stingy Tar Heel secondary.

The Hokies still boast a tough defense thanks in part to Bud Grant remaining a part of Justin Fuente’s staff as the defensive coordinator. If Jerod Evans can take care of the football, and the defense can minimize Trubisky the Hokies have a real shot at upsetting the Tar Heels.

Sep 24, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) gets sacked by Pittsburgh Panthers offensive lineman Tony Pilato (59) during the third quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Carolina defeated Pitt 37-36. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Staff Predictions:

David: North Carolina

Eric: North Carolina

Brady: North Carolina

George: North Carolina

Shawn: North Carolina

Sep 17, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Texas A&M Aggies lineman Myles Garrett (15) tackles Auburn Tigers quarterback Sean White (13) during the first quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

#9 Tennessee vs #8 Texas A&M

When Tennessee takes on Texas A&M it will be the first time the two meet as members of the SEC. The Volunteers have looked like two very different teams so far this season. They struggled against Appalachian State to start the year, and looked like they may be blown out by Florida. Through it all they have continued to find ways to win and find themselves at 5-0. Josh Dobbs is the engine that makes the Volunteers offense go. He needs to play well if they hope to overcome a tough Aggie defense.

Texas A&M has had a very different road to 5-0 than the Volunteers. The Aggies have faced relatively little resistance in each of their victories this season. The only tough test they faced was in week one when they played a hard-fought game against UCLA. Quarterback Trevor Knight has been sensational for the Aggies, he has stepped right in and elevated the offense.

On the defensive side of the ball they are led by the best defensive player in the country in Myles Garrett. He is an unstoppable force at the defensive end position and will set the tone from the first snap. He’ll be tasked with containing quarterback Joshua Dobbs. If he does that, then the Aggies should take down Tennessee.

Nov 29, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Josh Dobbs (11) drops back to pass during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Staff Predictions:

David: Texas A&M

Eric: Texas A&M

Brady: Tennessee

George: Tennessee

Shawn: Texas A&M

Sep 10, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya (15) throws a pass during the second half against Florida Atlantic Owls at Hard Rock Stadium. Miami won 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

#23 Florida State at #10 Miami

This college football season has not gone as planned for Florida State. At the beginning of the year they were expected to be contenders for the College Football Playoff and provide a true test for Clemson as they fought for ACC superiority. As the season has progressed the Seminoles have suffered two losses to Louisville and North Carolina, which have all but ruined their hopes of contending in the College Football Playoff. Under Jimbo Fisher the Seminoles are 6-0 against the Hurricanes. This game may not matter in terms of the Playoff, but a win over the Hurricanes would provide them with a confidence boost they are in need of.

The Miami Hurricanes have quietly enjoyed a 4-0 season under new head coach Mark Richt. They  are currently a top-10 team, and just this past week they have earned their first win over a Power Five opponent. Quarterback Brad Kaaya has looked far more comfortable under Richt’s system, and with plenty of offensive weapons he should continue to improve his draft stock.

Their matchup against Florida State marks the beginning of a tough stretch of games for the Hurricanes. If they want to remain a threat for the College Football Playoff a win against the Seminoles would be a significant step in the right direction.

Sep 24, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Deondre Francois (12) throws the ball in the first quarter against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

Staff Predictions:

David: Florida State

Eric: Miami

Brady: Miami

George: Miami

Shawn: Florida State

Sep 17, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Chidobe Awuzie (4) rushes on Michigan Wolverines quarterback Wilton Speight (3) and causes a fumble in the first quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

More from NFL Mocks

Breakout Performer

Eric: Miami freshman linebackers Shaq Quarterman & Mike Pinckney – A defense that starts three freshman linebackers will be tested with a top RB in Dalvin Cook. The two freshman linebackers answers the call and has breakout parties against a heated rival.

Brady:  Mitch Trubisky, QB, UNC…. Trubisky is the quarterback many are not talking about, despite his high-level production thus far. With a win against a solid V-Tech team, this could finally be the time Trubisky gets the attention he deserves.

George: Mitch Trubisky, QB, UNC

Shawn: Breakout player is Colorado CB Chidobe Awuzie. Awuzie has played extremely well early on this season despite not seeing many passes thrown in his direction. He has a golden opportunity to enhance his draft stock against JuJu Smith-Schuster and the USC receiving corps.

Upsets of the Week

Eric: USC over Colorado

Brady: Arkansas over Alabama

George: USC over Colorado

Shawn: Notre Dame over NC State

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