Nine more ranked teams saw defeat to continue to trend of a roller coaster ride inside the top 25. Week six gives four more ranked vs ranked matchups with the Red River Shootout headlining the action. But, what ranked teams could be on upset alert this weekend as we are nearly at the mid-point of the season? Now, let’s get into it as we look at the best matchups in college football with our 2021 week six college football watch guide.
Note: All game times are in central standard time
2021 Week Six College Football Watch Guide
Saturday
11:00 AM
(13) Arkansas at (17) Ole Miss
We open our 2021 week six college football watch guide with two teams that suffered road losses against the best two teams in the country. However, Ole Miss was a little more competitive and has the benefit of playing this one at home. After trailing 35-0, Ole Miss outscored Alabama 21-7 late and can build off that against the Hogs. For Arkansas, not much went right in their 37-0 loss to Georgia. However, now that the Razorbacks have a taste of what a big-time road matchup in the SEC looks like, they should play much better on Saturday.
(6) Oklahoma vs (21) Texas 
One of the best rivalries in all of college football resumes as the Red River Shootout kicks off in Dallas. The Sooners still are not able to get everything clicking at once. The offense played much better in a 37-31 victory over Kansas State. However, the defense struggled to get off the field on 3rd and 4th downs. For Texas, they are leaning on their Heisman candidate running back Bijan Robinson who ran for over 200 yards in their victory over TCU. Although it might be difficult to match last year’s four-overtime classic, this game never disappoints.
(11) Michigan State at Rutgers
The Spartans might be the biggest surprise story of the season ranked 11th and 5-0 on the season. The good news is that Kenneth Walker III continues in his quest to become the best back in the country with three more touchdowns. However, the defensive secondary was torched for 488 yards through the air by Western Kentucky on Saturday. Rutgers has been a much-improved team this season but took a huge step back in a 52-13 loss to Ohio State. Here’s their chance for a mulligan in front of the home fans looking for another big upset.
2:30 PM
(2) Georgia at (18) Auburn 
What a week it was for both of these teams. Georgia laid their claim for the best team in the country with a dominating 37-0 victory over Arkansas. However, there’s little debate they are the most dominant defense in the country. They have not allowed a point in two weeks and are giving up an incredible 4.6 points per game this season. For Auburn, after a tumultuous week where the wide receivers coach was fired and a quarterback controversy was brewing they came up with a gutsy win over LSU. Bo Nix will need to have the game of his life for the Tigers to have a chance in this one.
Boise State at (10) BYU 
The Cougars look like a team that has plans on making a run towards the College Football Playoffs. They haven’t been dominant, but they have been impressive in starting 5-0. Even more impressive is their victory against Utah State with the third-string quarterback playing in the second half. It’s been a struggle for Boise State this season going 2-3 in the short season. Having said that, they are close in losing those games by a total of 16 points. The defense has been the problem, particularly last week giving up 41 points against Nevada but can they put it together for a huge upset?
3:00 PM
(4) Penn State at (3) Iowa 
Probably the biggest game in the country in terms of ranking for our 2021 week six college football watch guide happens at Kinnick Stadium as Iowa hosts Penn State. After their dismantling of Maryland on Friday night where they forced seven turnovers the Hawkeyes looked like the best team not named Alabama or Georgia. Penn State was equally as impressive on the defensive ball in a 24-0 victory over Indiana on Saturday. With Iowa giving up 11.6 points per game and Penn State nearly identical with 12 expect a typical Big 10 game where 17 points might win this one for you.
6:30 PM
(9) Michigan at Nebraska 
Michigan looked awfully impressive in a pounding of Wisconsin at Camp Randall on Saturday. This team is typical Jim Harbaugh with a really solid running game behind Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins as well as a not great, but a solid quarterback in Cade McNamara. But, can the formula continue for another tough road test? For Nebraska, after three one-possession losses they put it all together for an impressive 56-7 win over Northwestern. Perhaps, most impressive was the running game that ran for 427 yards and seven touchdowns. Can Scott Frost get a monumental win for his program?
(14) Notre Dame at Virginia Tech 
Heads are being scratched all over South Bend after what appeared to be somewhat of an uninspired performance against Cincinnati. Be that as it may, there’s no rest for the weary as they travel to one of the most hostile environments in all of college football at Lane Stadium. The biggest question for Notre Dame will be who is the quarterback for the Irish on Saturday. Comparatively, the Hokies were afforded with a week to prepare for this game looking to score their second top-15 upset of the season at home. The defense has seemed to return to form giving up only 15 points per game.
LSU at (16) Kentucky 
Oh, how the roles have reversed. It is Kentucky, not LSU coming into this game favored, undefeated, and ranked in the top 25. The formula has been pretty simple for the Wildcats. Stingy defense, a strong running game, and a quarterback that doesn’t beat you. That theory will be tested here against LSU, at Georgia, and at Mississippi State the following week. For the Tigers and Ed Orgeron, things went from bad to worse against Auburn. Not only did they lose at home, but many believe that he is firmly on the hot seat. With games against Florida, Ole Miss, Alabama, and Arkansas upcoming this feels like a must-win.
7:00 PM
(1) Alabama at Texas A&M 
Before the season began, this game looked like a place where Alabama could possibly trip up. However, after back-to-back losses, the Aggies have slipped from a top 10 team to an unranked disappointment in terms of their expectations for the season. Quarterback play has been a big issue for Texas A&M as Zach Calzada has only completed 54% of his passes with five touchdowns and four interceptions. Comparatively, quarterback play has not been an issue for Alabama as Bryce Young is firmly entrenched as the Heisman frontrunner. However, the loss of Jace McClellan could introduce some running back depth that could be a cause for concern.
