Florida football should put on a good show for its HBO close-up on Saturday against Towson. On the surface, there are only a few big-time games this weekend, but if you dig deeper, each time-slot has its share of intriguing matchups.
Mississippi State’s visit to The Plains to take on Auburn is the highlight of a weak SEC slate of games.
The Big 12 has plenty to offer between Jalen Hurts, Les Miles, and two solid games that will help determine the biggest threats to OU and Texas (Iowa State-Baylor and Kansas State-Oklahoma State).
12:00 PM ET
#23 Texas A&M vs Arkansas (ESPN) – The neutral site game in Cowboys Stadium has yet to take off thanks to the Razorbacks’ decline in recent years, however, Arkansas was a scrappy out in this one last season.
Northern Illinois at Vanderbilt (SECN) – The ‘Dores should notch their first win of the season after a tough opening stretch.
Texas Tech at #6 Oklahoma (FOX) – Boomer Sooner should roll in this one, but Texas Tech has been known to give OU fits…however, those fits are typically in Lubbock. If the Red Raiders can jump out to an early lead, the improved defense could give them a chance to stick around.
Kansas at TCU (FS1) – Purely interested in this game because Les Miles is piquing my interest in Jayhawks football after Kansas’ upset blowout win at Boston College a couple of weeks back. TCU should win this game handily, but the Frogs lost to SMU last week. It’s not like we’re talking bowl bid in Lawrence with an upset since the Jayhawks face a stretch of Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Iowa State, and Baylor to close out the year, but I expect Miles to keep things interesting in some weeks where competitive a Kansas football showing is unexpected.
BYU at Toledo (ESPN+) – The Cougars looked worn down against Washington after back-to-back wins over Tennessee and USC. A trip to the Glass Bowl to face Toledo is not the best place to get back on their feet.
3:30 PM ET
Ole Miss at #2 Alabama (CBS) – Doesn’t it feel like a lifetime ago since the Rebels pulled off of their two (one according to the NCAA) upsets? In the last two seasons, Bama has won 66-3 and 62-7.
#1 Clemson at North Carolina (ABC) – UNC fell victim to Appalachian State last week and Clemson is rolling. The Tigers haven’t suffered any surprise losses against a mid-level ACC team in recent years, right?
Florida Gators Football
#18 Virginia at #10 Notre Dame (NBC) – Fresh off of a respectable performance in Athens, Notre Dame welcomes pretender Virginia into South Bend. If my instincts are wrong and the Cavs pull an upset, UVA should be favored in the rest of their games: at Miami, vs Duke, at Louisville, at UNC, vs Georgia Tech, vs Liberty and vs Virginia Tech.
#21 USC at #17 Washington (FOX) – We’ll learn more about Washington than USC in this one. The Trojans have proven to be a somewhat erratic bunch capable of scoring enough to keep it interesting. Washington needs to take care of business at home to win some national respect.
Iowa State at Baylor (ESPN) – Two programs looking to make a run in the Big 12 this season. Winner will likely serve as the greatest threat to Texas for the second spot in the conference title game against Oklahoma.
4:00 PM ET
The Game of the Day
Towson at #9 Florida (SECN) – Yes, it’s another FCS game and won’t be the most entertaining game on the schedule for Florida football, but the Tigers should serve as a nice tune-up before another set of Tigers come to Gainesville next week. QB Emory Jones could be in for some significant playing time as Mullen will likely rest the starters by the third quarter.
5:00 PM ET
Cincinnati at Marshall (Facebook Live) – These schools are separated by a little over a 2.5-hour road trip and, yet, they’ve only met five times. This has the potential to be a strong regional rivalry game – how is it not played more often? The Bearcats took care of Miami (OH) last week after a 42-0 beatdown at Ohio State. A convincing win in this one would give Cincy some positive momentum heading into next week’s massive AAC home game against UCF.
7:00 PM ET
Mississippi State at #7 Auburn (ESPN) – QB Bo Nix has the fans and media excited about the Tigers after leading them to a 4-0 start with two big-time wins in the state of Texas. However, Mississippi State should not be overlooked despite their status as double-digit dogs.
#24 Kansas State at Oklahoma State (ESPN+) – K-State went into Starkville and walked out with a win, but they’ll need more offensive fire-power against OSU. After a close loss in Austin last week, this is a must-win for the Cowboys to have any shot at the Big 12 Championship.
7:30 PM ET
Kentucky at South Carolina (SECN) – Kentucky comes to Columbia in hopes of continuing their recent dominance over South Carolina. Usually, when the phrase “win-streak” is associated with Kentucky football, it is not a positive. A sixth-straight Wildcats win would effectively crater the Gamecocks’ season. Carolina faces Georgia, Florida, Appalachian State, Texas A&M, and Clemson down the stretch.
Win a ball game please
— Hack Jarlow (@Cowboysfan42069) September 27, 2019
#5 Ohio State at Nebraska (ABC) – Frost and the Huskers gave the Buckeyes a good fight last year in Columbus. This looked to be Ohio State’s first real test when the 2019 schedule was released, but a blown lead at Colorado and a struggling performance last week at Illinois have significantly lowered the expectations for this game despite what College GameDay would lead you to believe.
NC State at Florida State (ACCN) – Monitor for Taggart troubles. Luckily, for FSU, the Noles don’t have to travel the program’s house of horrors in Raleigh. If FSU jumps out to an early lead, just check back at some point in the second half to see NC State post a big comeback.
10:00 PM ET
Washington State at #19 Utah (FS1) – Both teams are coming off of disappointing losses to a school from L.A. Last Friday night, USC shredded Utah’s secondary for 368 yards passing. Washington State passed for 570 yards last week against UCLA. If the Utes can run the ball effectively and control the clock, it should be enough to slow down the Cougars vaunted passing attack.
10:30 PM ET
UCLA at Arizona (ESPN) – The Bruins secured a miraculous comeback victory last week in Pullman, but what kind of a follow up can we expect? This has the makings of another offensive explosion.
No. 9 Florida will host Towson at 4 p.m. today at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.