NCAA Week 6 Early Games

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3:30 pm Virginia Tech at North Carolina (-2 1/2, 57 1/2) - This may be the game that determines the ultimate champion of the Coastal division of the ACC and the right to likely meet Clemson for the conference championship. The Tar Heels are fresh off a huge, 37-35, win over Florida State and have won four straight.

For their part of the argument, the Hokies will rely on a ferocious defense which has allowed just 18.8 points per game, tying them with Memphis at #25. Classic offense vs. defense game favors the invaders.

Coin Flip: Virginia Tech

Prediction: Hokies 31 Tar Heels 28

3:30 pm Tennessee at Texas A&M (-7, 58) - Following their thrilling, last-play, 34-31 win over Georgia last week, the #9 Vols will have to earn their chops on the road against the 8th-ranked Aggies, who are likewise 5-0 after handling their duties at South Carolina last week, 24-13.

Both teams may have been looking ahead to this meeting, so there is very little separating the two emerging SEC powerhouses. A&M may be more experienced, but the Tennessee defense is likely to keep this one close, so the temptation to take the points is warranted.

Coin Flip: Tennessee

Prediction: Volunteers 27 Aggies 21

7:00 pm Alabama (-14, 48 1/2) at Arkansas - The Razorbacks defensive holes were exposed two weeks back in their 45-24 loss to Texas A&M, but they can make amends at home against Alabama, which sleepwalked through a 34-6 home win over Kentucky last week.

The Tide has a rugged road ahead, with Tennessee next week and then A&M, so call this one a gut check. Arkansas can score points, but whether their defense will hold up is very questionable. Hard not to like the Tide, but last year, Alabama prevailed over visiting Arkansas, 27-14, at home, so this one may be closer.

Coin Flip: Alabama

Prediction: Crimson Tide 30 Razorbacks 24

7:30 Washington (-8 1/2, 70) at Oregon - In what could be the best prospective game of the week, #5 Washington, fresh off a 44-6 stomping of Stanford, heads to a place they've rarely won over the past decade. However, this is not the Ducks one fondly remembers, as they've lost three straight and are a woe some 2-3 on the season, losing last week at Washington State, 51-33.

The line here should be more like 18 or 28. The Ducks will take a licking from the Huskies.

Coin Flip: Oregon

Prediction: Huskies 45 Ducks 21

8:00 pm Florida State at Miami (-3, 66) - Let's not get too complex in analyzing this classic match-up between natural rivals. The 3-2 Seminoles have been proven beatable; the 4-0 Hurricanes have not. Done deal.

Coin Flip: Miami

Prediction: Hurricanes 38 Seminoles 28

10:30 pm Washington State at Stanford (-7, 58 1/2) - As has been said before, not so fast, my friend. Sure, everybody and their brother-in-law would think that Stanford should rebound after that ugly, 44-6 hammer job by Washington last week with a win over the lowly Cougars, but this is a team that can score in bunches and likely will if they can penetrate the Stanford defense early.

The Cougars have put up 107 points in their last two games, home wins over Idaho and Oregon, so the question is whether they can maintain the momentum on the road. Stanford will be ready to rock, though one has to wonder how much confidence was beaten out of them last week. Stanford won at Washington St. last season, 30-28, so the history points toward an upset. The points may be your best friend here.

Coin Flip: Stanford

Prediction: Cougars 38 Cardinal 36