College Football Week 6 Bold Predictions

1. Cal knocks off Utah to take lead in Pac-12 race

California and Utah enter this game as the last remaining undefeated teams in their conference.  They have both been surprises this year, but most people are pegging the Utes as the winner of this match-up after their dismantling of Oregon two weeks ago.  But the Golden Bears have some nice victories to their name as well, including a win over a Washington team that just upset USC in the Coliseum.  Utah shone bright as the underdog, but how will they fare when the pressure's on, in the spotlight with a number 5 ranking?  I think they falter, as Cal leaves Salt Lake City still perfect, with a huge 35 - 34 upset over Utah.

2. Georgia Tech stuns Clemson in Death Valley

The Tigers appear to be on the rise, while the Yellow Jackets have just lost their third straight game.  But Georgia Tech was in a similar place last year, after dropping back-to-back games to Duke and North Carolina before ripping off 5 straight wins, including a dominating 28 - 6 victory over Clemson.  A lot will depend on how focused the Tigers will be after their big win over Notre Dame.  I think history repeats itself, as the Tigers struggle to contain Tech's triple-option attack, falling 24 - 17 to the Yellow Jackets.

3. Ohio State wins the turnover battle vs Maryland

One of the biggest problems plaguing the Buckeyes this year has been turnovers.  They are ranked 117th in the nation in the category, with 13 total giveaways, and lost the turnover battle in every game but one (against Hawaii - a team among the worst in the country in turnover margin at -7).  But there's hope for OSU on Saturday, as the Terrapins mosey into Columbus with an abysmal 127th ranking in the same category, with 17 total turnovers.  And Meyer admitted that he was a "raving lunatic" in practice this week when it came to ball security.  The Buckeyes hold on to the ball, and their undefeated season, as they finally look like a championship football team against Maryland, winning 42 - 10.

4. Less than four offensive touchdowns scored in battle between Michigan and Northwestern

Points will be in high demand in Ann Arbor this weekend, as these teams boast the top two scoring defenses in the country.  I expect more field goals than touchdowns in a hard fought, physical match-up that should be very close throughout.  The Wolverines have the edge, though, in my opinion, despite the Wildcats' perfect 5 - 0 record.  Michigan wins this showdown of ranked teams, 19 - 13, to send the Harbaugh hype train full steam ahead.

5. UConn gets UCF coach to recognize totally real rivalry

This summer, UConn announced that they have a rivalry with Central Florida, whether the Knights like it (or know about it) or not.  And the Huskies are sticking to their word, bringing the trophy for this not-made-up rivalry to the game on Saturday.  The history between these two teams goes back all the way to 2013, and the series remains dead even with both teams notching a win.  But will UCF coach George O'Leary recognize the Civil Conflict ConFLiCT or see this as just another game?  It might depend on how the 0 - 5 Knights do against the Huskies, who have won games this year.  Everyone Someone will be watching this epic duel between UConn and UCF (which might not be meaningless in the AAC conference race) and wondering whether or not UCF even cares enough to try to win.  I think the Central Florida players will be fueled by their everlasting brand new hatred for UConn and come away with the upset, 22 - 14, as O'Leary proclaims: "WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF THE GREATEST RIVALRY THE WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN!"