College football: Week 6 has some big conference battles coming up

New York, New York - Another action-packed weekend of college football awaits and the Week 6 schedule kicks off with some highly anticipating matchups across the country.

Cedric Tillman of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts after making a catch for 28-yard touchdown reception in overtime during the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium.
Cedric Tillman of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts after making a catch for 28-yard touchdown reception in overtime during the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium.  © Justin Berl / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

In the Pac-12, things are starting to get more interesting with UCLA’s rise in the conference and national rankings.

With their first perfect start of the season since 2013, the perfect Bruins will face Utah – who have lost once but are still nationally ranked higher – for what will be a make or break for UCLA this season.

Every week is a chance to make a statement in the SEC and this week, two big matchups include Tennessee’s return against LSU, and Texas A&M looking to rattle things in Alabama.

Coming off of a bye in Week 5, the Volunteers return with quarterback Henderson Hooker looking to make the same big plays that won over Florida and have the program poised to become the No. 1 offensive team in the nation. LSU, meanwhile, have won four straight games with their solid front seven and have arguably the greatest home field advantage in the country.

In the SEC’s other marquee match-up between the Aggies and the Crimson Tide, Alabama will be faced with one of their biggest tests of the season so far. With star quarterback Bryce Young nursing an injury, Texas A&M secondary will be the best Alabama’s offense is set to face since the start of the season.

The SEC taking the spotlight of matches in Week 6, here's what you need to know about the biggest matchup of the weekend.

Matchup of the week: The Red River Showdown

Casey Thompson of the Texas Longhorns throws a pass under pressure by Nik Bonitto of the Oklahoma Sooners in the first half during the 2021 AT&T Red River Showdown at Cotton Bowl.
Casey Thompson of the Texas Longhorns throws a pass under pressure by Nik Bonitto of the Oklahoma Sooners in the first half during the 2021 AT&T Red River Showdown at Cotton Bowl.  © Tim Warner / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

The Oklahoma – Texas football rivalry is one of the sport's oldest, dating back to the 1900s.

Known as the "Red River Showdown," the two teams will meet on Saturday at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas while shockingly being unranked for the first time since 1998.

Both teams have struggled early in the season for under new the guidance of their newer head coaches.

In Norman, Oklahoma started the season 3-0 but has since lost two straight games to unranked Big 12 opponents. The latest and most surprising loss came last week, when a 55-24 loss to TCU dropped the Sooners out of national rankings altogether.

Texas enters the Big 12 matchup on a four-game losing streak in this matchup.

With the standout running back Bijan Robinson most likely being the biggest offensive player for the team this weekend, the Longhorns are still unsure whether QB1 Quinn Ewers will take the field after suffering a shoulder injury Week 2 of the season.

In Ewers' absence, Texas will continue to be limited in their passing game and relying much on their rushing.

The Red River Showdown will kick off Saturday at 12 PM EDT.

Cover photo: Tim Warner / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

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