The Locksmith's Pick 6: Week 6

Alabama, Notre Dame -- with no margin for error now -- face tricky road tests on Saturday

There are few college football atmospheres and rivalry games that equal Texas-Oklahoma, with the game serving as the centerpiece for the Texas State Fair in the old Cotton Bowl.

It's a bucket list item if you're a true college football fan.

This year's version shapes up as potentially a good one, with both teams 5-0 and with Texas acting like a playoff team. This will be the first true test the Sooners have had.

Not far away, Alabama travels to Texas A&M while Notre Dame visits Louisville. Both Alabama and Notre Dame have already incurred a loss, and in both cases it qualifies as a good loss. But another loss almost certainly eliminates both marquee programs from the playoff discussion.

On to the games after a week that saw two tough losses vs. the spread, turning a winning week into a losing one

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Texas over Oklahoma, giving 5 1/2 (at the Cotton Bowl) 

It won't be a 49-0 Texas rout the way it was last year, but doesn't it look like -- hate to say it at the risk of being proven wrong yet again -- that Texas is back? Longhorns' defense is exceptional and QB Quinn Ewers is developing into an top-notch college QB. Curious to see how much Oklahoma has really improved and how the Sooners handle a tough test outside of Norman.

Alabama over TEXAS A&M, giving 1

You know 'Bama is still stinging from the loss to the Aggies two years ago in this setting. But it's still Nick Saban on one sideline and Jimbo Fisher on the other. Like the way QB Jalen Milroe is progressing, and the defense can carry this team for a while. Tide's D completely throttled Mississippi State and QB Will Rogers last week. A&M is stuck with Max Johnson at QB for the rest of the year -- which means anything can happen, though more often than not it is not good.

NORTH CAROLINA over Syracuse, giving 9 1/2

Cue the annual Syracuse free fall after a fast start against a cushy early schedule. Orange were no match at home against Clemson and generally have trouble against quality QBs like Drake Maye. Though Maye isn't having a great year he does get star WR Tez Walker back for this, making Carolina's already explosive offense even more dangerous.

 Notre Dame over LOUISVILLE, giving 6 1/2 

Irish could easily be unbeaten now if not for some suspect coaching against Ohio State. And they managed to bounce back with a hard-fought win against a good Duke team last week. Sam Hartman continues to excel at QB for Notre Dame while Louisville never seems to know for sure what it will get from turnover-prone Jake Plummer. Have seen the Cards a few times. They're not quite ready for prime time.

Washington State over UCLA, taking 3

Two words here: Cameron Ward. Cougars' QB is having a sensational under-the-radar year with 13 TDs, no interceptions, a completion rate of 74.6 percent and three rushing TDs. That gives WSU a big advantage at the position in this game. Bruins' defense is solid but their offense has struggled too often this year.

Fresno State over WYOMING, giving 6

Have people been paying attention to Fresno's bid to land that Group of 5 playoff spot? They should be. Bulldogs are 5-0, have allowed 19 points combined the past three games and are allowing opponents an average of just 282 yards per game. QB Mikey Keene has been solid but this dominant defense is fueling this season for Fresno. Cowboys struggle to score at times as it is, so this matchup looks to be a little too daunting for them, even at home. The only chance Wyoming has is to run the ball successfully, control the clock and limit Fresno's scoring chances. Wyoming is not beating anyone with its mediocre-at-best passing game.

Home team in CAPS

Last week vs. spread: 2-4

Season to date vs. spread: 12-16-2