AL.com college football staff picks for Week 6 of 2023
It’s a new month, and perhaps time to turn over a new leaf in the AL.com college football staff picks.
It’s been a bit of a struggle here for all of your local prognosticators, as perhaps we’re beginning to experience widespread parity in college football. Perhaps it’s best to move on from what was an unmemorable September.
The first weekend of October brings with it some interesting games in the state, in the SEC and around the country. Auburn has a bye, while Jacksonville State’s Wednesday night game vs. Middle Tennessee was played too early in the week to make the picks.
Scroll along below to find out how various AL.com sports staffers see this week’s games playing out. We’ve also given predicted scores for this week’s Alabama and Auburn games.
A reminder that these picks are AGAINST THE SPREAD. That means that each person’s selection doesn’t necessarily mean he or she thinks that team will win outright, just that it will cover the point spread.
On with this week’s picks (all times Central and all games Saturday unless noted):
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) runs for a touchdown against Kansas during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)AP
Oklahoma (+5.5) vs. Texas (at Dallas), 11 a.m., ABC
Michael Casagrande: Texas
Matt Cohen: Oklahoma
Evan Dudley: Texas
Ben Flanagan: Texas
Patrick Greenfield: Texas
Andrew Hammond: Texas
Mark Inabinett: Oklahoma
Ainslee Lee: Texas
Creg Stephenson: Oklahoma
Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson (32) runs the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)AP
Maryland (+18.5) at Ohio State, 11 a.m., Fox
Michael Casagrande: Ohio State
Matt Cohen: Ohio State
Evan Dudley: Maryland
Ben Flanagan: Ohio State
Patrick Greenfield: Maryland
Andrew Hammond: Ohio State
Mark Inabinett: Ohio State
Ainslee Lee: Ohio State
Creg Stephenson: Maryland
UCLA head coach Chip Kelly stands on the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina Central Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)AP
Washington State (+3.5) at UCLA, 2 p.m., Pac-12 Network
Michael Casagrande: Washington State
Matt Cohen: Washington State
Evan Dudley: Washington State
Ben Flanagan: UCLA
Patrick Greenfield: Washington State
Andrew Hammond: Washington State
Mark Inabinett: UCLA
Ainslee Lee: Washington State
Creg Stephenson: Washington State
UAB running back Isaiah Jacobs (20) scores a touchdown in the first half of the Blazers’ 35-23 loss to Tulane, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans, La. (UAB Athletics)
South Florida (-3.5) at UAB, 3 p.m., ESPN2
Michael Casagrande: UAB
Matt Cohen: South Florida
Evan Dudley: UAB
Ben Flanagan: South Florida
Patrick Greenfield: South Florida
Andrew Hammond: South Florida
Mark Inabinett: South Florida
Ainslee Lee: South Florida
Creg Stephenson: UAB
Troy football coach Jon Sumrall is shown during a game vs. Georgia State on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta. (Joey Meredith/Troy athletics)
Arkansas State (+16.5) at Troy, 3 p.m., ESPN+
Michael Casagrande: Troy
Matt Cohen: Arkansas State
Evan Dudley: Arkansas State
Ben Flanagan: Arkansas State
Patrick Greenfield: Arkansas State
Andrew Hammond: Arkansas State
Mark Inabinett: Troy
Ainslee Lee: Troy
Creg Stephenson: Arkansas State
South Alabama’s Caullin Lacy (5) runs with the ball during a game at James Madison, Saturday, September 30, 2023, in Harrisonburg, Va. (Scott Donaldson/South Alabama athletics)Scott Donaldson/South Alabama At
South Alabama (-12.5) at Louisiana-Monroe, 6 p.m., ESPN+
Michael Casagrande: South Alabama
Matt Cohen: Louisiana-Monroe
Evan Dudley: Louisiana-Monroe
Ben Flanagan: South Alabama
Patrick Greenfield: Louisiana-Monroe
Andrew Hammond: Louisiana-Monroe
Mark Inabinett: Louisiana-Monroe
Ainslee Lee: South Alabama
Creg Stephenson: Louisiana-Monroe
LSU running back Logan Diggs (3) dives for a touchdown through the arms of Mississippi defensive back Trey Washington (25) during the second half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Oxford, Miss. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)AP
LSU (-6.5) at Missouri, 11 a.m., ESPN
Michael Casagrande: LSU
Matt Cohen: LSU
Evan Dudley: LSU
Ben Flanagan: LSU
Patrick Greenfield: Missouri
Andrew Hammond: LSU
Mark Inabinett: Missouri
Ainslee Lee: LSU
Creg Stephenson: Missouri
Georgia tight end Brock Bowers carries the ball after a reception during the second half of an NCAA football game against Auburn, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill )AP
Kentucky (+14.5) at Georgia, 6 p.m., ESPN
Michael Casagrande: Kentucky
Matt Cohen: Georgia
Evan Dudley: Kentucky
Ben Flanagan: Kentucky
Patrick Greenfield: Georgia
Andrew Hammond: Kentucky
Mark Inabinett: Georgia
Ainslee Lee: Kentucky
Creg Stephenson: Kentucky
Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) looks to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)AP
Arkansas (+11.5) at Ole Miss, 6:30 p.m., SEC Network
Michael Casagrande: Ole Miss
Matt Cohen: Arkansas
Evan Dudley: Arkansas
Ben Flanagan: Ole Miss
Patrick Greenfield: Ole Miss
Andrew Hammond: Ole Miss
Mark Inabinett: Ole Miss
Ainslee Lee: Ole Miss
Creg Stephenson: Arkansas
Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) scrambles for a touchdown run past Mississippi State cornerback Decamerion Richardson (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)AP
Alabama (-2.5) at Texas A&M, 2:30 p.m., CBS
Michael Casagrande: Alabama 28, Texas A&M 17
Matt Cohen: Alabama 27, Texas A&M 20
Evan Dudley: Alabama 34, Texas A&M 28
Ben Flanagan: Alabama 25, Texas A&M 21
Patrick Greenfield: Alabama 34, Texas A&M 21
Andrew Hammond: Alabama 29, Texas A&M 21
Mark Inabinett: Alabama 27, Texas A&M 25
Ainslee Lee: Alabama 28, Texas A&M 20
Creg Stephenson: Alabama 23, Texas A&M 20
The Red River Rivalry game between the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners will take place at the Cotton Bowl, located inside the fairgrounds at the State Fair of Texas.
Standings after Week 5
| Name | Record |
|---|---|
| Mark Inabinett | 26-24 |
| Ainslee Lee | 24-26 |
| Evan Dudley | 23-27 |
| Patrick Greenfield | 23-27 |
| Creg Stephenson | 22-28 |
| Michael Casagrande | 19-31 |
| Ben Flanagan | 18-32 |
| Andrew Hammond | 17-33 |
| Matt Cohen | 15-35 |