The Morning Call

Vols have chance to prove viability

- By C.J. Doon Baltimore Sun

Here’s what to know for Week 6:

5 games to watch No. 8 Tennessee at No. 25 LSU (Noon, Saturday, ESPN):

Since a season-opening loss to Florida State on a blocked extra-point attempt, LSU has won four straight under first-year coach Brian Kelly. Tennessee’s offense has been nearly impossible to stop with quarterbac­k Hendon Hooker leading the way, but the Tigers defense ranks 13th in efficiency, according to ESPN’s SP+. If the undefeated Volunteers are truly a threat to win the SEC, they need to show it here.

No. 17 TCU at No. 19 Kansas (Noon, Saturday, FS1):

How big is this game for the undefeated Jayhawks? “College GameDay” will be in Lawrence for the first time in the show’s nearly 30-year history. Kansas has been more than just a feel-good story, building a legitimate case to win the Big 12 title behind breakout star Jalon Daniels. TCU, coming off a 55-24 throttling of Oklahoma, could spoil the fun if it gets another big game from quarterbac­k Max Duggan.

Texas at Oklahoma (Noon, Saturday, ABC):

The Red River Rivalry isn’t as enticing as it could have been if both teams had managed to stay undefeated, but it’s still one of the best rivalries in the sport. The Longhorns get quarterbac­k Quinn Ewers back from his shoulder injury, giving them the edge in a matchup that should feature plenty of points.

No. 11 Utah at No. 18 UCLA (3:30 p.m. Saturday, Fox):

Utah’s playoff hopes were written off after a disappoint­ing season-opening loss at Florida, but the Utes responded by outscoring their next three FBS opponents by an average margin of 25 points per game. UCLA is averaging 41.4 points per game behind quarterbac­k Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who ranks seventh in the country in Total QBR. That’s one spot behind Utah’s Cameron Rising.

No. 16 BYU at Notre Dame (7:30 p.m. Saturday, NBC): The Irish have bounced back from their 0-2 start with wins over California and North Carolina and are talented enough on defense to make things difficult for QB Jaren Hall and the Cougars offense.

5 players to watch

James Madison QB Todd Centeio (at Arkansas State): Now in his sixth season after stops at Colorado State and Temple, Centeio has been one of the nation’s most efficient QBs, ranking 11th in raw QBR (80.7), 14th in passer rating (169.63) and fourth in Pro Football Focus’ passing grade (90.6).

UTSA QB Frank Harris (vs. Western Kentucky): The lefthanded Harris produced one of the most thrilling stat lines of the season in last week’s 45-30 win over Middle Tennessee State: 414 passing yards, four total TDs (two passing, two rushing) and three intercepti­ons.

Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs (vs. Texas A&M): The Georgia Tech transfer had 18 carries for 206 yards in last week’s 49-26 win over Arkansas, including touchdown runs of 72 and 76 yards in the fourth quarter.

Kent State RB Marquez Cooper and WR Dante Cephas (at Miami (Ohio)):

Cooper had 40 carries for 240 yards and two TDs in last week’s 31-24 win over Ohio, while Cephas caught 13 passes for 246 yards and a score.

East Carolina WR C.J. Johnson (at Tulane): Johnson tied the single-game American Athletic Conference record with four TD receptions in last week’s 48-28 win over Central Florida.

5 teams flying under the radar

Illinois (4-1): The Illini not only have one of the nation’s best running backs in Chase Brown, but a truly dominant defense that ranks ninth in efficiency. That might be enough to win the Big Ten West.

Tulane (4-1): The Green Wave beat Houston 27-24 in overtime last week on a TD pass by their third-string QB.

James Madison (5-0): They rank 34th in SP+, a tempo- and opponent-adjusted measure of efficiency, while ranking top 10 nationally in scoring offense (44.8 points per game) and scoring defense (13.8 points per game).

UNLV(4-1): The Rebels have beaten up on some light competitio­n, but they’re just two wins away from becoming bowl eligible for the first time since 2013.

South Alabama (4-1): The Jaguars nearly upset UCLA at the Rose Bowl and now sit comfortabl­y in first place in the Sun Belt West.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States