**Editor’s Note: Time to take the 6-0 Challenge and make your Week 6 picks against “Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero.” Joseph Goodman’s popular college football picks feature, “Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero,” is adding readers to the action this season. Pick your Week 6 games here, and sign up for Joe’s newsletter to see how your picks compare to the experts (and Joe) as well as other readers.

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Celebrated from coast to coast by sports fans, bag men, bartenders, mafia kings and mathematicians, Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero is the greatest resource for college football shenanigans on the internet. This is the 14th season for Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero in its various forms.

This season, for the first time ever, readers are getting in on the action. Sign up for Joe’s newsletter, “Joe Goodman’s Sports Happy Hour,” to submit your picks each week and compare your wits against the experts (and Joe). The newsletter comes out every Thursday afternoon during the football season, so don’t procrastinate with your prognostications.

Joe subscribes to ol’ Billy Shakespeare’s philosophy of picking football games. “Jesters do oft prove prophets,” mused the Great Bard. What is Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero? Consider it a gift to society.

THE GRAND EXPERIMENT

Joseph Goodman is the lead sports columnist for AL.com. What happens when a sportswriter picks some of the toughest games of the week and goes head-to-head against a sharp and a football expert with a Harvard education? It’s a gift for college football fans every week in the state where college football is like a religion.

The Pro is Lee Sterling, a noted numbers man of national success. Sterling features his best picks on his website, ParamountSports.com, but The Pro fearlessly picks the most difficult college games of the week against Joe and the Hero. Joe is just a hack and a slacker who everyone loves to hate.

No one works harder than Hero Ben Abercrombie. Nobody. Ben played football at Hoover High School and Harvard, and he’s working every day to regain his ability to walk. He’s a student at Harvard, and an inspiration to all. To thank him, we want everyone to stand up for Ben and show him some love.

Show Joe no love at all. Besmirch his name at small dinner parties, and troll him on Twitter.

6-0 CHALLENGE

We went the first month of the season without someone hitting the 6-0 Challenge, but we had our first winner in Week 5. Josh Williams, take a bow. You, sir, are a college football genius. Josh nailed every game last week, including Auburn’s cover against Georgia and Colorado’s backdoor cover against Southern Cal.

We asked everyone last week who they thought should be Alabama’s next coach, and we got some interesting responses. We’ll list some of the funnier suggestions in this week’s newsletter, but Josh’s pick for the Tide’s next skipper also stood out from the crowd. Josh went with Sean Payton, who is the current coach of the Denver Broncos. We here at Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero hope that Nick Saban coaches for years to come, but dipping into the NFL ranks once again for Alabama’s next coach seems like a good idea to us.

Click the link here to make your picks for Week 6 (we promise the link works this week). Good luck and stay hydrated, America!

LAST WEEK

Joe: 2-4 straight up, 1-5 against the spread

Pro: 4-2 straight up,2-4 against the spread

Hero: 4-2 straight up, 3-3 against the spread

Notes: Nick the Greek is coming for Joe’s kidneys.

THIS SEASON

Joe: 18-12 straight up, 12-17-1 against the spread

Pro: 22-8 straight up, 14-15-1 against the spread

Hero: 19-11 straight up, 15-14-1 against the spread

Notes: We all know the expression by now: Fade Joe for dough!

No.12 Oklahoma (5-0, 2-0) vs. No.3 Texas (5-0, 2-0)

When: 11 a.m., Sat.

Where: Cotton Bowl, Dallas.

TV: ABC

Series: Texas leads 63-50-5.

Spread: Texas by 6.5

Trendy: Oklahoma is 5-0 against the spread this season.

SUPER STAT OF THE WEEK: Texas is ranked 17th nationally in total defense (290.8 yards per game), and sandwiched between No.16 Georgia (287.2) and No.18 Alabama (297.0).

Joe says: Adding to the super stat of the week, Texas is also ranked 17th nationally in total offense (47.8.4). Carrying that theme one step further, Georgia is also 16th nationally in total defense and offense (481.2). The point I’m trying to make here is that Texas is a complete team on par with the No.1 team in the country, and only one of those teams has already played Alabama. Not sure if Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel is ready for the pressure of Texas’ defensive line.

Joe’s pick: Texas 28, Oklahoma 25

Pro says: Both teams have top shelf signal callers with Quinn Ewers for the Longhorns and Dillon Gabriel under center for the Sooners. Texas has played the tougher schedule thus far and I can count on their defense more than the Sooners. Oklahoma’s ‘D’ hasn’t faced a top 50 quarterback yet this season and gave up 30 points per game last year.

Pro’s pick: Texas 34, Oklahoma 24

Hero says: Oklahoma and Texas look to be by far the best two teams in their last season in the Big 12 before moving to the SEC next year. Texas and coach Steve Sarkisian have already made a statement that Texas is back by beating Alabama earlier in the season. Oklahoma under second-year coach Brent Venables could make a strong statement that the Sooners are back if they can beat the Longhorns on Saturday. The Oklahoma offense, led by senior quarterback Dillon Gabriel, has averaged 510 yards per game and 47 points, but the competition has been very weak. They face a huge test this week going against a Longhorns’ defense only giving up 290 yards and 13 points per game. The Sooners are motivated to avenge last season’s 49-0 beat down by the Horns, but I think Texas is still the better team and will win the Red River Showdown in a much closer game.

Hero’s pick: Texas 34, Oklahoma 27

No.23 LSU (3-2, 2-1) at No.21 Missouri (5-0, 1-0)

When: 11 a.m., Sat.

Where: Faurot Field, Columbia, Mo.

TV: ESPN

Series: Missouri leads 2-1.

Spread: LSU by 6.5

Trendy: Missouri has covered the spread in three consecutive weeks.

SUPER STAT OF THE WEEK: Missouri’s Brady Cook is the only quarterback in the SEC who hasn’t thrown an interception this season.

Joe says: Mizzou passer Brady Cook has thrown 11 touchdowns without an interception. That stat feels like fool’s gold based on the opponents, but it’s still noteworthy. Cook passed for 395 yards and four touchdowns against Vanderbilt last week. I bring all this up because LSU has the ability to pile on points, but the Tigers’ defense has also proven this season to be below the Tigers’ recent standards. Another SEC shootout wouldn’t surprise me. I’ve been saying that LSU coach Brian Kelly is the SEC’s new Gus Malzahn. Based on that theory, the Tigers bounce back with an entertaining victory.

Joe’s pick: LSU 38, Missouri 34

Pro says: I keep hearing everyone brag about the LSU defensive line, but they don’t seem so tough at the point of attack and have already given up 45 points to Florida State and 55 to Mississippi. Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz in his fourth season seems to finally be opening up the offense and letting quarterback Brady Cook push the ball down the field to budding superstar receiver Luther Burden. Wrong team favored!

Pro’s pick: Missouri 30, LSU 27

Hero says: Not many people expected LSU to have two losses this early in the season or expected Eli Drinkwitz’s Missouri team to still be undefeated. This is setting up to be another scoring shootout for LSU because their defense is playing really bad right now and Mizzou, led by efficient quarterback Brady Cook and explosive receiver Luther Burden III, can move the football and score some points. Fortunately for the Bayou Bengals, they have an offense led by dual-threat quarterback Jayden Daniels that can match most teams score for score. I am tempted to call the upset in Columbia, but I guess I am still buying what LSU coach Brian Kelly is selling on the Finebaum show every week.

Hero’s pick: LSU 38, Missouri 34

No.20 Kentucky (5-0, 2-0) at No.1 Georgia (5-0, 2-0)

When: 6 p.m., Sat.

Where: Sanford Stadium, Athens, Ga.

TV: ESPN

Series: Georgia leads 62-12-2.

Spread: UGA by 14.5

Trendy: Kentucky is 4-0 against the spread this season against FBS opponents.

SUPER STAT OF THE WEEK: Georgia has just as many interceptions (eight) this season as tackles against quarterbacks behind the line. The Bulldogs are ranked first in the SEC in picks, and 13th in sacks.

Joe says: Georgia’s offense isn’t flashy, but it’s dynamic and wears opponents down. Tight ends Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey create mismatches and they know how to find holes in defenses. In close games, the Bowers and McConkey are major weapons. A major liability? Maybe Kentucky’s quarterback. Devin Leary has thrown five interceptions this season and his completion percentage is way down at 57.3 percent (13th in the SEC). That’s not a good sign going into Georgia.

Joe’s pick: Georgia 28, Kentucky 18

Pro says: The Wildcats ran for 329 yards last week against Florida with running back Ray Davis accounting for 280 of that total. Most of it was accomplished while running downhill. Even though Georgia allowed Auburn to rush for 219 yards last week in a closer than anticipated seven-point win, the two Tigers’ quarterbacks had 125 yards of that total. Auburn and Kentucky and two different types of running games, and Georgia has held Kentucky to an average of just 8.7 points per game the last six meetings. Georgia flexes their muscles here!

Pro’s pick: Georgia 34, Kentucky 13

Hero says: Kentucky looked legit in controlling Florida in a big win last Saturday while Georgia continued their trend of playing closer than expected SEC games last week in Auburn. The Wildcats have the running game and defense to give the Bulldogs trouble. How Kentucky transfer quarterback Devin Leary performs in his first hostile environment in the SEC will determine if Kentucky has a real chance to upset the Dawgs in Athens. Georgia will eventually lose a football game but it is difficult to predict that loss to be at home on a Saturday night. It looked like Georgia first-year starting quarterback Carson Beck grew up some in the second half at Auburn last week so I think he will lead the Bulldogs to a close victory at home.

Hero’s pick: Georgia 31, Kentucky 24

Arkansas (2-3, 0-2) at No.16 Ole Miss (4-1, 1-1)

When: 6:30 p.m., Sat.

Where: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, Miss.

TV: SEC Network

Series: Arkansas leads 38-29-1.

Spread: Ole Miss by 11

Trendy: Arkansas has covered the spread in four of the last five years against Ole Miss.

SUPER STAT OF THE WEEK: Ole Miss is tied with Vanderbilt for 107th nationally in total defense. The Rebels and Commodores are both allowing 408.8 yards per game.

Joe says: Arkansas hammered Ole Miss last season while Lane Kiffin was flirting with the Auburn job. Ole Miss finally wins a game against an SEC opponent and suddenly the Rebels are double-digit favorites? Hmm … I’m skeptical. Arkansas might have lost its last three games, but the Hogs consistently play tough for coach Sam Pittman. This will be another wild one in Oxford. I’ll take the team with Quinshon Judkins after he rushed for over 177 yards last week against LSU but Arkansas isn’t far off. Arkansas running back Rahim Sanders struggled in his return against Texas A&M, but he’ll be better in his second game.

Joe’s pick: Ole Miss 33, Arkansas 31

Pro says: The Razorbacks can’t get a break. They played LSU in Baton Rouge and then faced off against the revitalized Aggies. It’s now or never for Sam Pitman’s squad as it doesn’t get any easier with Alabama on deck. I expect dual-threat quarterback KJ Jefferson should have more room to operate against a thinned-out Ole Miss defensive line rather than a deep Texas A&M front four that goes two-deep with almost every contributor being a five-star player. Hogs are also 7-3 against the spread as a road dog over the last 10 games. This should be a one-score game.

Pro’s pick: Ole Miss 37, Arkansas 30

Hero says: Arkansas coach Sam Pittman has to be feeling the heat after three consecutive losses for his Hogs. Lane Kiffin and his Rebels are flying high after their upset of LSU last week. The Arkansas offense, led by dual-threat quarterback KJ Jefferson, should have some success against the Ole Miss defense, but the Hogs’ defense will have trouble slowing down the Lane Train offense. I believe this game will be closer than projected but the Rebels will be singing Hotty Toddy late into the Oxford night!

Hero’s pick: Ole Miss 35, Arkansas 31

South Florida (3-2, 2-0) at UAB (1-4, 0-1)

When: 3 p.m., Sat.

Where: Protective Stadium, Birmingham, Ala.

TV: ESPN2

Series: Tied 1-1.

Spread: USF by 3.5

Trendy: UAB is 0-4 straight up against FBS opponents this season.

SUPER STAT OF THE WEEK: UAB’s defense is ranked 125th nationally in yards per play (6.65).

Joe says: This is the first meeting between UAB and USF since 2004. We knew this was going to be a tough season for UAB. Trent Dilfer doesn’t have a victory against an FBS opponent, but at least the Blazers have covered the spread over the last two weeks against Georgia and Tulane. It’s something. Hopefully that’s a sign of improvement for the defense. We’ll see against USF, which is no longer the worst team in college football after back-to-back victories against Rice and Navy. USF gave Alabama fits. The Bulls are a team on the rise behind quarterback Byrum Brown.

Joe’s pick: USF 49, UAB 38

Pro says: Trent Dilfer is clearly frustrated by his Blazers 1-4 start this season, but UAB does seem to be getting better. The Bulls have so far exceeded expectations at 3-2 under first-year coach Alex Golesh. This should be an entertaining game at Protective Stadium with the offenses of both teams being able to sustain drives and put up points. I think junior UAB quarterback Jacob Zeno and the Blazers’ offense make one more play than the Bulls offense led by freshman quarterback Byrum Brown.

Pro’s pick: UAB 38, USF 35

Hero says: Both teams are improving quicker than expected. UAB QB Jacob Zeno is a dual-threat but the defense allowed 35, 49, 41 and 49 points over the last month. It makes them hard to back even at home and getting points. Over the last four weeks USF has won three of four games and gave Alabama a scare. Sometimes you gotta lay it if you want to play it!

Hero’s pick: USF 35, UAB 30

No.11 Alabama (4-1, 1-0) at Texas A&M (4-1, 1-0)

When: 2:30 p.m., Sat.

Where: Kyle Field, College Station, Texas.

TV: CBS

Series: Alabama leads 12-3.

Spread: Alabama by 2.5

Trendy: Texas A&M is 4-1 against the spread this season.

SUPER STAT OF THE WEEK: Aggies had seven sacks against Auburn and then seven last week against Arkansas. According to A&M, that’s the most sacks in consecutive games since leaving the Big 12 for the SEC in 2012.

Joe says: Alabama’s shaky start against Mississippi State caused Nick Saban to come unglued on the sidelines. I felt the same way. Alabama’s apathy to begin games is a trend at this point. Saban got things straightened out against the Bulldogs, but Texas A&M is a far better team. The Aggies have rushed for over 200 yards in back-to-back conference games and the offense actually looks better with back-up quarterback Max Johnson. Can Alabama’s offense keep up? We already know that Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe doesn’t handle pressure in the pocket very well.

Joe’s pick: Texas A&M 24, Alabama 21

Pro says: I can guarantee you Jimbo Fisher and Nick Saban, when they see each other before the game, won’t be making plans to have their families meet up for a summer vacation together. Two different quarterbacks match up here, but I’ll take Max Johnson who might be the better passer with more experience against the more dynamic runner in Jalen Milroe. Texas A&M’s star-studded defensive line seems to also be improving weekly since the Miami loss. Tough call, but home field has to also count for something.

Pro’s pick: Texas A&M 24, Alabama 20

Hero says: In a huge SEC West showdown in College Station, the Aggies are coming into this game confident based on their home win over Alabama in 2021 and the current play of their impressive defense. Alabama also leans on its defense to win games and the Alabama ‘D’ actually limits their opponents to fewer points per game (14.2 versus 19.6 for Texas A&M) and generates more turnovers per game (1.6 versus 0.6 for Texas A&M). This game will probably come down to which quarterback, Jalen Milroe for Alabama or Max Johnson for Texas A&M, protects the football better and makes fewer mistakes. Special teams will also be key to victory with Texas A&M having an advantage in punt and kickoff returns while Alabama seems to have the edge in kicking and punting specialists. It may come down to a last-second field goal by senior Alabama kicker and former Hoover Buc Will Reichard.

Hero’s pick: Alabama 23, Texas A&M 20