We have quality games on tap this weekend, but not a whole lot of them. A bunch are on the periphery of could-be-decent matchups for week 6 but didn’t make the cut for my weekly picks. I’m looking at Iowa State (+10.5) at BYU, USC (+1.5) at Penn State, and Boise State (-6.5) at Fresno as additional games worth keeping an eye on this weekend.
2026 Betting Record
Against the Spread: 16-24
Straight Up: 23-17
The tough days continue for 2026. Against the spread a poor 2-4 last week and a 3-3 record straight up isn’t much better.
Week 6 Games to Watch
All times are Eastern. Rankings are from the AP Poll.
#7 Indiana [-7.5] at Nebraska
Saturday, October 10, 12:00 PM, Fox
Big Noon Kickoff is in Lincoln this weekend for a fascinating game between the defending champs and a Nebraska team that has been TCOB so far this year and one of the more underappreciated feel good stories so far. Now, the competition ramps up. The modern history for the Cornhuskers against ranked teams, and top 10 teams especially, is downright abysmal and that hangs over the program. A quick bit of research shows it’s been 10 full seasons since Nebraska has beaten a top 10 team–you have to go back to Michigan State game in 2015 for their last win. Both teams (at Oregon for Nebraska and vs. Ohio State for Indiana) have big matchup next week too. That’s much more of a look ahead situation for Indiana and paired with a road game, this spread feels appropriate.
Indiana 27
Nebraska 21
#1 Texas [-8.5] vs. Oklahoma (Dallas, Texas)
Saturday, October 10, 3:30 PM, ABC
The Cotton Bowl takes center stage Saturday afternoon.
A few seasons ago this game was wild with Oklahoma winning 34-30 over then no. 3 Texas in 2023. However, in the 2022 and 2024-25 meetings the Sooners have scored a combined 9 points. Nine! And they still have John Mateer as their quarterback, last I checked. I appreciate a spread under 10 points for the fierceness of this rivalry but believe Texas ends up pulling away and isn’t sweating things out in the 4th quarter.
Texas 24
Oklahoma 6
#21 UCLA [+11.5] at #13 Oregon
Saturday, October 10, 3:30 PM, CBS
According to FEI, the lowest ranked undefeated teams in FBS right now are North Dakota State, James Madison, Duke, and the UCLA Bruins. Former James Madison head coach Bob Chesney hasn’t worked wonders in the passing game for UCLA but he has their ground game absolutely cooking so far. Both of their top 2 running backs are averaging over 7 yards per carry and JMU transfer Wayne Knight is averaging 9.08 YPC–that’s almost a full yard better than the next best P4 running back with at least 400 rushing yards this season.
It’s been all smiles for UCLA so far in 2026.
Dante Moore is back at practice this week for the Ducks following his concussion against USC, and Oregon had a bye week to get healthy. I think the home team takes care of business but gets a really, really good scare along the way. Defense may be optional at Auzten Stadium this weekend.
Oregon 48
UCLA 39
#10 LSU [-8.5] at Kentucky
Saturday, October 10, 7:00 PM, ESPN
Conference mates since 1932 this will be the first meeting in 5 years, and only the 4th matchup over the last 19 seasons. Isn’t that fun? Even though LSU holds a healthy lead in the series winning nearly 7 out of every 10 meetings, they’ve lost the last 2 in Lexington and 3 out of the last 5 on the road. This is one of those games where some may not be expecting much of a game but the Kentucky defense is highly rated by most metrics and Kenny Minchey looks like he’s developing into a solid SEC starter, or better. Let me pick an underdog this week.
Kentucky 32
LSU 27
#2 Georgia [+1.5] at #6 Alabama
Saturday, October 10, 7:30 PM, ABC
Once upon a time this would’ve been such a big regular season game. Last year, Alabama took home a surprising victory in Athens and then Georgia dominated the Tide in the SEC Championship to return the favor. Alabama made the playoffs anyway, controversially (barf). Will this be the coming out party for quarterback Keelon Russell? Or is this a “I’m still here” moment for Gunner Stockton? I lean toward the wily vet in this case, but sheesh Georgia hasn’t won in Tuscaloosa in a long, long time. My gut says take the road dogs, though.
Georgia 35
Alabama 32
It seems most of the talking heads have Geogia, Alabama as 2 of the top 4 teams as of now. So ya it’s big. Unless thinking both make the playoff no matter dims things a bit.
Ucla had a bye week too. It could get interesting in Eugene.
If you’re my age thinking Nebraska,at home, has no shot vs. Indiana, is still hard to fathom.
It would behoove Brent Venables, for job security, to score more than 7 vs. Texas.
I would like to see Minchey get it done, but not sure Kentucky has the depth to play with them all 4 quarters. They may cover, but skeptical of a win. We play all the ACC teams more regularly than they play a team actually in their conference. Seems logical.
If Venables scores only 6 this week, and I think that is possible unless Sarkisian takes pity on them (and he will play for style points and want to beat them at least as badly as Georgia did), he may join Kiffin as coaches fired on the tarmac. If they bus in for the game, maybe they drop him off at a Buccee’s on the way back. There are so many teams in the SEC, but I think it there is a strong argument that other than perhaps Arkansas, Oklahoma is the worst team in the SEC.
I think SEC Shorts will be fun on Monday.