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Can you believe we're about to wrap up Week 6 (!) of the college football season?
Before we get to that point, our staff has multiple spots to target and capitalize on during the night slate of Week 6.
So, dive in below for four college football predictions and picks for the night games on Saturday, October 10.
Be sure to download the Action Network app for more expert picks and analysis!
College Football Predictions for Week 6 Night Slate
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 6 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 10:30 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NCAAF Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
San Diego State vs. Oregon State
By Kyle Hunter
The San Diego State Aztecs picked up one of the most misleading wins of the season last weekend against Texas State. The Bobcats rolled up 565 yards of offense compared to only 239 yards for San Diego State, but the Aztecs still won the game.
Oregon State plays at an above-average pace. The Beavers are also one of the best-kept secrets in college football.
Head coach JaMarcus Shephard is doing a tremendous job leading this team.
Quarterback Braden Atkinson is putting up video game numbers as well, with 10 big-time throws and just four turnover-worthy plays, per PFF.
Jesse Legree is also a top-five-rated PFF wide receiver. Legree has 339 yards after catch this season, which is the second-most of any receiver in the country.
San Diego State had an elite secondary in the past under defensive coordinator Rob Aurich, but Aurich went to Nebraska, and a bunch of the Aztecs' most talented defenders went along with him.
San Diego State ranks 113th in passing yards per game allowed. The secondary has really struggled with tackling, and Oregon State is the type of offense that can make it pay for those missed tackles in open field.
Pick: Oregon State Team Total Over 34.5
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Air Force vs. Northern Illinois
We've seen signs of life from the Huskies lately, and most of it runs through quarterback Taron Dickens. Over the last two games, he has completed 67% of his passes for 548 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. That volume is real.
The bigger issue has been protection. Dickens has been sacked eight times in the last eight quarters.
That would matter a ton in most games, but Air Force doesn’t rush the passer. The Falcons rank 124th in pass rush, per PFF, and they’ve managed only five sacks against FBS opponents all season. That means Dickens should have time to pick them apart.
On the other side, Air Force is suddenly a lot thinner offensively. Quarterback Liam Szarka isn’t available, and this offense looks toothless without him.
Evan Medders will make his first career start, but he has only seven career pass attempts. This isn’t a proven QB1 stepping into a rhythm; it’s a guy asked to keep the engine running after a Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy win, in a pretty sleepy spot against a winless team.
Service academies are disciplined, but that setup screams "letdown."
So, what do we get from that matchup? A Huskies QB who’s hot and will likely have time in the pocket against an Air Force team missing its key playmaker and going with an inexperienced passer in a classic trap spot.
I wouldn’t sleep on the passing attack here, and I’d be wary of expecting too much out of Air Force’s offense.
Pick: Northern Illinois ML +215
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Georgia vs. Alabama
The hot topic of this game will be Hurricane Isaias, which is expected to make landfall Friday night in the Gulf as a Category 3 hurricane.
While the precipitation is expected to move out of the area on Saturday night at kickoff, lingering wind gusts and potential tornadoes aren't out of the question.
The market has been quick to move the total lower, making 51 and 48 become the next key numbers for an under.
Both teams may be limited to a heavy ground attack because of the expected winds and potential slow surface conditions.
Georgia is a heavy inside zone read team with a small mixture of man-blocking concepts between the tackles. Alabama's defense has a moderate Success Rate of 52% against inside zone this season.
On the other side, the Crimson Tide offense is also heavy with inside zone, with a mix of man and power concepts. The Bulldogs have dominated inside zone and man blocking on defense but have produced a weak 30% Success Rate against 22 opponent attempts with power concepts.
Alabama's best chance for success will come through linemen blocking downhill with a pulling tight end to create a hole for the ball-carrier.
Action Network's Betting Power Ratings call for Georgia to be favored by 1.5, the opposite of a market that slightly favors Alabama.
There are variables on both sides that make the winner tough to predict. On one hand, Georgia has played one of the softest schedules, but on the other, Russell's deep shots will have to come in heavy wind gusts.
Look to take the under, but keep an eye on the live number for both teams. Alabama has dominated in the second quarter this season, while Georgia has won the second half in all three meetings between Kalen DeBoer and Kirby Smart over the past two seasons.
Pick: Under 50.5
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Boise State vs. Fresno State
By Evan Abrams
A battle between 4-1 teams takes center stage in Fresno as the Broncos of Boise State take on the Bulldogs of Fresno State.
Boise State has been on an offensive explosion over the last four games, as it's averaging 36.3 points per game.
The Broncos' lone loss came against Oregon, in a game that was played in Eugene. They'll take that road game experience into this affair against a Bulldogs team whose lone loss came in a shutout against USC.
I have a Bet Labs Sports Insight system — "Road Favs, Low Totals" — that says the Broncos on the spread is the proper play, despite the fact that they're playing on the road against a legitimate opponent.
This system has a strong all-time return on investment (ROI) of 9%, with a 8% ROI this season alone (12-9-1 record in 2026).
"Road Favs, Low Totals" is a college football system that identifies profitable spots where road favorites thrive in lower scoring environments.
During the regular season, when the visiting team is favored and the closing total is set at fifty two and a half or lower, the expectation is that points will be harder to come by.
In these settings, the stronger road team is more likely to control tempo and dictate the outcome, as lower totals reduce variance and make it difficult for weaker opponents to keep games close.
The spread range ensures the road team is laying points, and when public betting percentages lean heavily toward that side, the market is signaling confidence in the matchup.
Moderate weather conditions, with temperatures between thirty two and seventy four, further support consistent play without extreme disruptions.
By combining controlled scoring, clear road favoritism, and stable conditions, this system shows that laying points with road favorites in low total games delivers steady long term value.
Pick: Boise State -6.5
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