Before we take a look back at Week 6, let's glance ahead to a Week 7 slate that features a whopping six games between ranked teams, including three between undefeated opponents. Kicking off at noon, #5 Michigan hosts #10 Penn St. in Ann Arbor. The winner will still have to contend with #2 Ohio St. for division supremacy, but it would go a long way in the race for postseason positioning.
The afternoon window will see all three of these kicking off at 3:30pm Eastern:
- #3 Alabama @ #6 Tennessee
- #8 Oklahoma St. @ #13 TCU
- #15 NC State @ #18 Syracuse
Hendon Hooker and the Tennessee offense have been rolling this season. Coach Josh Heupel's offensive system has consistently put up plenty of points, but Alabama's defense is a different beast. In their 2021 matchup, the Vols only managed 347 total yards in a 52-24 loss in Tuscaloosa but were only down 24-17 entering the 4th quarter before running out of steam. This appears to be a different Tennessee team. They don't play many underclassmen - thus, no love in this column so far - but most major contributors are now in their second year in the system, and the increased comfort level has been evident on the field. Tennessee's biggest question mark is a secondary that has given up 307.4 passing yards per game this year. Alabama expects to have Heisman-winning quarterback Bryce Young back to bring a sense of normalcy to an offense that was led by backup Jalen Milroe last week. Milroe showed a lot with his legs but is clearly not the same passer that Young is and the offense sputtered.
In a battle of two teams headed in opposite directions, #16 Mississippi St. will travel to Lexington to take on a #22 Kentucky team that has lost two in a row while dealing with an injury to starting quarterback Will Levis. And lest we forget about our friends out west, #7 USC will play a #20 Utah team that is coming off a loss to UCLA.
Kiss your spouse. Send the kids outside. Pick out your favorite beverage and a nice spot on the couch. Saturday is going to be a good day.
Top Week 6 Performances
Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Ohio St, Sophomore - 7 receptions for 131 yards and 3 touchdowns
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio St, Sophomore - 5 receptions for 143 yards and 1 touchdown
The sophomore wide receiver duo once again stepped up in the absence of Jaxon Smith-Njigba to combine for 274 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns. The Michigan St. secondary was outmatched from the start on Saturday as both had touchdowns by the halfway mark in the first quarter. Buckeye Wide Receivers coach Brian Hartline has helped make Ohio St. the premier destination for wideouts with NFL aspirations, as evidenced by the way Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave have begun their rookie seasons. Both Harrison Jr. and Egbuka should be early picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas, Redshirt Freshman - 21/31 for 289 passing yards and 4 touchdowns
Ja'Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas, Sophomore - 5 receptions for 71 yards and 2 touchdowns
It was awesome to see Quinn Ewers back in action for the first time in 4 weeks against arch rival Oklahoma in the Red River Showdown. He clearly needed no reacclimation period as he led the Longhorns to a 49-0 beatdown over the Sooners. Keep in mind Ewers is supposed to be a month into his true freshman season right now, but he reclassified to skip his senior year of high school and join the college ranks early in 2021. The kid is so smooth on his throws and poised in the pocket that it's clear to me that much-hyped 2023 commit Arch Manning will get a season to learn before he's thrown into the fire. This is Ewers's starting job until he leaves.
Sanders was a 5-star athlete, according to Rivals. Having grown to 6-foot-4 and 242 pounds, he landed at tight end where his speed and acceleration stand out. Early in the game against Oklahoma, he had me laughing to myself when he turned a short reception into a big gain by reaching the sideline and taking off. With just a 51.4 run-blocking grade, according to PFF, he has room to develop as a blocker if he wants an every-down role in the NFL, but his 82.6 receiving grade ranks fourth among FBS tight ends. Through six games, he has 25 receptions and 5 touchdowns.
In case it's not clear yet, the Longhorns' program is on the rise. They're recruiting at an elite level and coming off a statement win against their biggest rival. College football as a whole will be better for it.
Evan Stewart, WR, Texas A&M, Freshman - 8 receptions for 106 yards
Stewart was a consensus 5-star receiver in the 2022 class. While not the biggest player in the room, he has elite speed and quickness that pairs well with his natural receiving skills. He's already earned a starting role and is leading Aggie receivers in snaps by a mile. Unfortunately, this A&M offense has struggled and already undergone a quarterback change. Stewart has been a bright spot and saved his best performance for their biggest competition in Alabama, including a ridiculous catch over two defenders that drew shock and awe from the commentators. He's certainly a name to know for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Who to Watch in Week 7
Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn St, Freshman
Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn St, Freshman
I'm pairing these two together this week as they've overtaken the Nittany Lions backfield of late. As noted above, this week, they'll take on a Michigan defense that ranks 7th in the country in rushing yards allowed at only 81.7 yards per game. Both Allen and Singleton came in with high expectation, but returning started Keyvone Lee figured to stand in the way of either carrying the load early. In last week's slog of a game against Northwestern, both freshman running backs carried the ball 21 times compared to Lee's 10 attempts. Through five games, these two have accounted for 788 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns. I'll be looking for what kind of difference this two-headed monster can make against the Wolverines.
You can find me on Twitter @craiglakins or by email at lakins@footballguys.com.