Welcome to Week 6!
What a wacky college football season we’re having. Overtime games galore. Upsets all across the country. All while the ACC looks like a snake eating its own tail.
The Courier Journal has another entertaining slate of picks for y’all this week. Louisville, one of three undefeated teams left in the ACC, hosts Virginia — fresh off a huge victory over previously unbeaten Florida State. Kentucky travels to Georgia for a tough road game. Western Kentucky heads to Delaware. No. 3 Miami and No. 19 FSU battle for Sunshine State supremacy. And No. 17 Vanderbilt looks to beat No. 11 Alabama for a second year in a row.
Advertisement
Here’s a look at this week’s picks. As is our custom, predictions are straight-up winners and losers (not against the spread), with rankings based on the latest US LBM Coaches Poll. All times listed are ET, and all odds listed are per DraftKings as of Tuesday.
Virginia at Louisville
How to watch: 3:30 p.m. Saturday, ESPN2
The picks: Eight for Louisville
Betting line: Louisville -7.5, over/under 62.5
Louisville is one of 20 undefeated teams left in major college football after making a 17-point comeback at Pitt last weekend. But Virginia is coming off a double-overtime win over ranked Florida State. This game (which didn’t seem all that eye-popping back in August) feels like it could go either way, especially considering how banged up the Cards are in the backfield.
Advertisement
Kentucky at No. 10 Georgia
How to watch: noon Saturday, ABC
The picks: Eight for Georgia
Betting line: Georgia -20.5, over/under 48.5
Things don’t look great for UK after losing 35-13 at South Carolina last week. Now 0-2 in the SEC, Kentucky will face a vengeful Georgia team — aggravated by another loss to Alabama — in Athens. ESPN’s Football Power Index gives the Wildcats (2-2) an 18.7% chance of achieving bowl eligibility by winning six games this season.
Western Kentucky at Delaware
How to watch: 7 p.m. Friday, CBSSN
The picks: Five for Western Kentucky, and three for Delaware (Jason Frakes, Ryan Black and Rich Barak)
Advertisement
Betting line: Delaware -3, over/under 61.5
WKU quarterback Maverick McIvor has been stellar this season with 1,474 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and two interceptions. He should lead the Hilltoppers to a fifth victory this weekend over the Delaware Blue Hens.
No. 3 Miami at No. 19 Florida State
How to watch: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, ABC
The picks: Seven for Miami, and one for Florida State (Natalie Pierre)
Betting line: Miami -4.5, over/under 54.5
It would be very on brand for the ACC if Florida State were to beat undefeated Miami after losing to Virginia last week. Last time both teams met as ranked opponents was Oct. 8, 2016, when No. 23 FSU upset No. 10 UM at Hard Rock Stadium. The Hurricanes have three ranked wins so far this season. Can they add a fourth and proclaim themselves the state’s best team?
Advertisement
No. 17 Vanderbilt at No. 11 Alabama
How to watch: 3:30 p.m. Saturday, ABC
The picks: Eight for Alabama
Betting line: Alabama -10.5, over/under 56.5
Vanderbilt shocked the world last year when it upset No. 1 Alabama. While the Crimson Tide is favored this weekend, the Commodores are on a six-game win streak (and 5-0 for the first time since 2008). Undefeated and having defied its underdog status twice this season, Vandy looks to leave Tuscaloosa with a statement win after the first of four straight ranked matchups.
The standings
1st (tie) – C.L. Brown and Natalie Pierre, 25-5
3rd – Ryan Black, 22-8
4th (tie) – Brooks Holton and Rich Barak, 21-9
Advertisement
6th (tie) – Payton Titus and Jason Frakes, 20-10
8th – Alexis Cubit, 18-12
Reach college sports enterprise reporter Payton Titus at ptitus@gannett.com and follow her on X @petitus25. Subscribe to her “Full-court Press” newsletter here for a behind-the-scenes look at how college sports’ biggest stories are impacting Louisville and Kentucky athletics.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville-Virginia prediction, Kentucky-Georgia picks
