Gone are the days of easy nonconference matchups; teams must now face opponents of similar caliber. For enthusiasts, The Six Pack offers intriguing games to watch this month, hoping for a better performance after a mixed 3-3 record last week.

One game to watch is No. 9 Missouri at No. 25 Texas A&M. This matchup promises to reveal much about these teams. Texas A&M has shown improvement since their first game against Notre Dame, partly due to a change at quarterback. Mike Elko’s strategic depth chart decisions are anticipated to keep Marcel Reed as the Aggies’ starter, enhancing the offense's performance compared to the earlier games led by Conner Weigman.

In another high-stakes game, Iowa travels to face No. 3 Ohio State. Despite the game being at Iowa, which boasts a strong defense and an improving offense, there's skepticism about their true capabilities. The question remains: what is the strongest opponent Iowa has faced so far? Comparisons to Iowa State and Minnesota leave much to be desired in testing the Hawkeyes' mettle.

A compelling matchup between Navy and Air Force presents another layer of intrigue. Historical data points to a strong trend: since 2005, games between service academies tend to go under, with a 46-10-1 record. This is largely due to their run-heavy option offenses that keep the clock running, resulting in fewer possessions and scoring opportunities.

Another game fueled by "vibes" rather than purely statistics is No. 4 Tennessee’s clash with Arkansas. As a team that often keeps things interesting against slightly superior opponents, Arkansas becomes unpredictable when the spread falls within a specific range. If favored, they might falter; as underdogs, they're more likely to shine without the points.

With Houston set against TCU on Friday, attention turns to the Cougars' struggle. Houston's slower tempo, averaging 117.6 snaps per game, points to their strategy of leaning heavily on solid defense despite their subpar overall performance.

Lastly, South Alabama's visit to Arkansas State allows a look at the promising Jaguars. With the impressive offensive duo of quarterback Gio Lopez and running back Fluff Bothwell, South Alabama is seen as a strong contender for the Sun Belt title, demonstrating efficiency and explosiveness on the field.

October’s matchups will clarify the landscape of college football, showing which teams are legitimate challengers and which are not. Fans can expect an exciting month filled with revealing games.