WEEK 6
PICK 'EM
The Observer is putting Dr. Bryant Morton on the hot seat this fall – and giving you a chance to Beat the Doc. Each week during the 2026 college football season, Morton – our Pigskin Prognosticator – will make his picks, explain the why behind them, and stack up his record against yours.
OCT. 10
INDIANA
AT NEBRASKA
On Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, the Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-0) are hosting the defending national champion Indiana Hoosiers (5-0) under bluebird skies at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. ... OK, raise your hand if you would have read that statement this time last year and said I’m sure there must be a typo! ... Hats off to the Cornhuskers; what a start to 2026! But here comes Cignetti, and he’s not gonna even have a smirk on his face. It’s all business as Indiana goes to 6-0.
• Indiana
OCT. 10
TEXAS A&M
AT MISSOURI
Will a lopsided win against the Razorbacks be enough to boost the Aggies' confidence? Will a huge win against an undefeated Florida be followed up by a flat game for the Tigers? The line is close. The game should be close. But I personally think the score will not be. Missouri fans are still riding that high after crushing the undefeated Gators at home, and I see that wave of confidence sinking any hopes of Texas A&M saving a season that was headlined by a humbling defeat to Kentucky.
• Missouri
OCT. 10
NORTH CAROLINA
AT pitt
The Heels haven’t won in a month by the time they lace 'em up in Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. (That personally gave me a warm feeling inside.) Pitt remains undefeated and sits strongly in the Top 25 after narrowly missing a field goal at Va. Tech last week. (Or was it a miss? Lots of controversy involving getting the calls right this year, especially at the end of some games.) Anyway, I don’t see this being anything more than three losses in a row for old Bill as the Heels slide into the basement of the ACC at 2-3 😄
• Pitt
OCT. 10
ARIZONA
AT WEST VIRGINIA
The Mountaineers are facing a possible third straight loss as the Wildcats come to town boasting a strong 4-1 record and a recent win over a weak Bearcats team. The Wildcats are a 3.5-point favorite and are only a close loss to BYU from being undefeated this year. But here’s my first upset prediction for the weekend. It’s an early game in Morgantown, and WVa. has to be hungry for a first conference win. I’m taking the Mountaineers.
• West Virginia
OCT. 10
WAKE FOREST
AT NC STATE
I swear the Observer does this on purpose. As long as CJ Bailey is the QB and Dave Doeren is the coach, the Pack has a great chance of snatching the agony of defeat right out of victory's hands. This will be close and will be a fun game to watch in Raleigh. Wake has only lost to a very tough Miami team, and they scored 20 against them. I see this as another great reason for NC State to punch the reset button and get a new coach and QB.
• Wake Forest
OCT. 10
TULANE
AT ARMY
This may be the least interesting game on this week's list, but it could go into 5 OTs. Either way, I’ll have to look it up to see who won. Guess I’ll be all-American and take the Black Knights.
• Army
OCT. 10
HOUSTON
AT K-STATE
A game of cats 🐱 Now, this may be worth tuning in to on FOX at 2:30. Both have only one loss and are playing very well. But K-State lost to another feline, the Bearcats, and I just find that hard to ignore, as Cincinnati isn’t as strong as they normally are. Plus, I think it’s hard to play hard games after a week off. I’m taking the meaner of the cats. Give me the visiting Cougars.
• Houston
OCT. 10
ILLINOIS
AT MICH. STATE
Michigan State hasn’t averaged 10 points a game in a month on a three-game slide. The Illini ain’t much better. I’m yawning, trying to find interest in the outcome of this game. Not sure why Alabama vs. Georgia wasn’t a better game to choose from 🤷🏼♂️ Just flipped a coin ...
• Illinois
OCT. 10
ND STATE
AT UNLV
Not sure if I’d call it an upset, as NDSU has the best record, but most of what I see has the Rebels favored to win. Oh no! I have my hopes on seeing the Bisons undefeated in late November and the committee having to defend their decision to leave them out of the playoffs.
• ND State
OCT. 10
USC
AT PENN STATE
6:30 Saturday night at Beaver Stadium on NBC! Is this the white-out game? Oh yeah! Vintage old school college football!. I love picking against the Trojans! But they may be about to spoil this barnburner. Oh well, I’ll take an L if I have to. I can afford one; I was 8-2 last week 😎 I simply can’t pick USC ...
• Penn State
HOW TO PLAY
Each week, the Observer will post a Beat the Doc Pick Sheet.
Pick the winner of each game and submit your sheet.
A valid email address is required to enter. We won’t share it with any third party.
• Week 7 Pick Sheet: noon Tuesday, Oct. 13.
LEADERBOARD
RANK
1
2
3
4
T-5
T-5
T-7
T-7
T-9
T-9
T-9
T-9
13
T-14
T-14
16
17
18
19
T-20
T-20
T-22
T-22
24
25
26
27
T-28
T-28
T-28
T-31
T-31
T-33
T-33
T-33
36
PLAYER
Will T.
Brad H.
Billy C.
Jason G.
Jacob Sain
Jeremy C.
Matt R.
Shelly M.
Doc Morton
Jordan S.
Shannon D.
Wendy M.
Chris J.
Jerry T.
William H.
Doug K.
Alex M.
Kevin M.
Levi B.
Jennifer P.
Kirsten A.
Bart M.
Jimmy W.
Amos T.
Mary T.
Craig T.
Will P.
Brittany H.
Buck C.
Phil O.
Avery G.
Chris E.
Amy L.
Dennis W.
Kenny C.
Courtney W.
WEEK 5
8-2
8-2
6-4
7-3
8-2
8-2
7-3
7-3
8-2
8-2
5-5
8-2
6-4
—
8-2
6-4
—
8-2
—
6-4
7-3
—
7-3
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
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OVERALL
34-16
33-17
32-18
31-19
30-10
30-20
29-21
29-21
28-22
28-22
28-22
28-22
27-23
26-14
26-24
24-16
22-18
18-12
16-14
15-15
15-15
13-7
13-7
12-8
11-9
10-10
9-11
7-3
7-3
7-3
6-4
6-4
5-5
5-5
5-5
3-7