We’re nearing the midpoint of the 2023 college football season, and it’s feeling like a season with no clear frontrunners and no obvious upper echelon of contenders.
No. 1 Georgia was on the ropes late last week against a seemingly helpless Auburn team. Ole Miss rebounded from a loss to Alabama with a spectacular offensive performance against LSU. Colorado made USC sweat through the entire fourth quarter.
The season hasn’t been fully thrust into chaos just yet, but each week it feels like we may be just on the brink of anarchy. What will Week 6 bring? Well, plenty of exciting matchups, for one, and that’s why we’re here yet again with our list of the five games we think you’ll have the best time watching this weekend.
5
No. 21 Missouri vs. No. 23 LSU (Saturday, noon ET on ESPN)
Favorite: LSU (-6)
These two SEC teams have defied expectations this season, in opposite directions. Mizzou has gotten off to an undefeated start, thanks to some spectacular placekicking and an admittedly soft schedule, while LSU’s preseason hype has given way to disappointed and even outright angry fans following two ugly losses. LSU is easily the more talented team, but it’s clear there are some internal issues that have kept it from reaching its full potential thus far.
4
Texas A&M vs. No. 11 Alabama (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS)
Favorite: Alabama (-2.5)
The loss of Conner Weigman was a tough blow for Texas A&M, but when Max Johnson entered the game to replace the injured starting quarterback, A&M’s offense suddenly seemed to find its rhythm. Johnson and the Aggie offense will face easily their steepest challenge of the season this week when they face off against an Alabama defense that is suddenly playing like one of Nick Saban’s vintage “joyless murderball” teams.
3
No. 25 Louisville vs. No. 10 Notre Dame (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC)
Favorite: Notre Dame (-7)
Jeff Brohm’s transfer-heavy Louisville squad has been one of the Cinderella stories of the 2023 season so far, but we may be quickly approaching midnight. Notre Dame hasn’t exactly been the most explosive offense in the country, but it showed against both Ohio State and Duke that it can make crucial plays under pressure.
2
No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 20 Kentucky (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET on ESPN)
Favorite: Georgia (-14)
It’s hard to convince yourself that Kentucky really has a chance against Georgia in any year, regardless of the records of both teams. But there are reasons to be excited about this game. The Bulldogs looked far less than dominant last week against a hapless Auburn team, struggling to move the ball with any player not named Brock Bowers. On the other side of the coin, Kentucky has looked downright impressive throughout the season so far, but… but they haven’t yet had to face Brock Bowers.
1
No. 3 Texas vs. No. 12 Oklahoma (Saturday, Noon ET on ABC)
Favorite: Texas (-6.5)
I might be hyperbolizing a bit here, but I’m going to say it: This is the biggest game of the year in college football so far.
The Texas hype machine is in full effect but it feels like everyone’s waiting to see Texas perform in the spotlight against another elite team after its road win over Alabama. A Red River Rivalry victory would leave no doubt that the Longhorns are on a collision course with the College Football Playoff. That’s a lot easier said than done against this Oklahoma team, which is finally playing at the level everyone expected when Brent Venables was hired.
