A loaded slate in CFB this week is headlined by matchups with CFP implications in the BIG-12, PAC-12, and SEC. Below are this week’s top ten games along with where and when to watch. (Odds via Caesars Sportsbook)
23 Kansas State @ No.7 Texas (-4): 12 ET FOX
Quinn Ewers will miss his second straight start for Texas as the K-State Wildcats head into Austin to take on the Horns. Redshirt freshman Maalik Murphy was solid but not great in Texas’s 35-6 win over BYU throwing for just 176 yards on 16-25 passing with two touchdowns. He lean on the big play ability of Xavier Worthy and star Georgia transfer Adonai Mitchell. Mitchell has been incredible in his first year at Texas, and will need to continue his dominance Saturday.
On the Kansas State side, an experienced trio of Will Howard, DJ Giddens, and Phillip Brooks leads the way. Howard and the 5-8 Brooks have connected 39 times this season for 437 yards and three touchdowns. FSU transfer Treshaun Ward has provided an excellent change of pace in the backfield, rushing for 466 and 3 touchdowns. Look for a defensive struggle in Austin Saturday.
15 Notre Dame @ Clemson (+3): 12 ET ABC
A Clemson team that seemingly refuses to use the portal is nearing desperation time as they have gotten off to a 4-4 start. On the other hand, Wake Forest transfer Sam Hartman has been excellent for the Irish this season. The senior has incredible experience, and has used that to rack up 2,126 yards, 18 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. A team that rarely loses at home in Clemson will have to figure it out on the offensive end if they want to avoid falling below .500.
Texas A&M @ No.10 Ole Miss (-3): 12 ET ESPN
A showdown in Oxford has huge implications for both teams, with Jimbo Fisher’s crew trying to pull a top ten upset and get back into the top 25, and Kiffin and co. looking to get closer and closer to an SEC championship berth. LSU transfer Max Johnson leads the Aggies into the Vaught with 1,147 yards and 8 touchdowns under his belt to start the year.
Meanwhile, USC transfer Jaxson Dart has put up great numbers for the Rebs, with 2,080 and 14 through the air along with 326 and seven touchdowns on the ground. Look for big play threat Tre Harris, transfer from La Tech, to have a huge game Saturday.
12 Missouri @ No.2 Georgia (-15.5): 3:30 ET CBS
The CFP committee gave Georgia HC Kirby Smart bulletin board material heading into this week’s matchup by dropping the Dawgs from the No.1 spot. Georgia is the back-to-back reigning champion, and a demotion from the top spot will give them even more motivation. Dominic Lovett will look to have a huge game for UGA in a revenge game vs his former squad.
It is time to prove it for the Tigers. Getting out to a 7-1 start has been incredible led by Brady Cook and star receiver Luther Burden III. Cook has thrown for 2259 and 15 touchdowns, with Burden III hauling in 905 of those yards and six touchdowns. The duo has been unstoppable, but they face their toughest test yet in Athens Saturday. If the Tigers can put some pressure on Carson Beck, the absence of Brock Bowers may make Dawgs fans sweat.
9 Oklahoma @ No.22 Oklahoma State (+6)
Two-time transfer QB Alan Bowman has helped lead the Pokes to an impressive turnaround. After an early 33-7 home loss to South Alabama, things were looking gloomy in Stillwater. However, under the leadership of the former Texas Tech and Michigan QB, the offense has exploded, rattling off four consecutive wins including ranked opponents Kansas and Kansas State.
UCF transfer Dillon Gabriel and the Sooners are looking to bounce back after a heartbreaking loss in Lawrence last weekend. Oklahoma controls it’s own destiny in making it to the BIG-12 title game still, and a Bedlam victory would erase the sting of last Saturday’s defeat in no time.
11 Penn State @ Maryland (+8.5): 3:30 ET FOX
Penn State has been struggling to find rhythm on the offensive end under first time starter Drew Allar. After a 20-12 loss in The Shoe, Allar and the Nittany Lions struggled most of the game against a 2-6 Indiana squad before getting a 33-24 win.
Younger brother of Tua, Taulia Tagovailoa has shined for the Terps with 2,200 yards and 19 touchdowns. However, Maryland has stumbled to three straight losses including against Northwestern and Illinois. Allar and co. will need to be sharp to avoid the upset at College Park.
5 Washington @ No.20 USC (+3): 7:30 ET ABC
Two superstar transfer QBs headline this primetime PAC-12 showdown. Michael Penix Jr. (Indiana) and Caleb Williams (Oklahoma) have put up unbelievable numbers to start the season. Penix Jr. has thrown for 2,945 yads and 24 touchdowns while Williams has 2,646 through the air and 25 TDs. Williams adds a rushing threat that Penix lacks however, with 130 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.
On the defensive end, UGA transfer Bear Alexander is looking for a bounce back performance after two costly penalties ended USC’s game in the loss to Utah. Oklahoma State transfer Jabbar Muhammad will try to help slow down the explosive Trojans pass offense for the Huskies. Look for a shootout in this PAC-12 clash.
14 LSU @ No.8 Alabama (-3): 7:45 ET (CBS)
ASU transfer Jayden Daniels is the favorite to win the Heisman. Malik Nabers is maybe the best receiver in the country with 981 yards and 9 touchdowns. Transfer running back Logan Diggs followed Coach Brian Kelly from Notre Dame and has been a stud, rushing for 611 yards and six touchdowns so far.
The only thing that stands in their way is the Tide. A team led by Nick Saban who has not lost to the same quarterback two years in a row since Drew Brees when Saban was with Michigan State. An impressive Tide defense has been helped by the additions of UAB DB Jaylen Key and Georgia LB Trezmen Marshall. Fellow UGA transfer Jermaine Burton has been the most consistent piece for Bama’s offense hauling in 23 catches for 508 and 5 TDs. A showdown with SEC title game implications goes down in primetime in Tuscaloosa.
16 Oregon State @ Colorado (+13.5): 10 ET ESPN
DJ Uiagalelei leads his Beavers into Boulder to take on Coach Prime’s Colorado Buffaloes. The Clemson transfer has been a steady presence for an Oregon State team that has lacked consistent QB play. A balanced attack with Uiagalelei throwing for 1,791 and 17 touchdowns and Damien Martinez rushing for 763 and three touchdowns has the Beavs off to a 6-2 start.
Meanwhile for Coach Prime, his son Shedeur and fellow Jackson State transfer Travis Hunter have had an incredible start to their Colorado careers. Sanders has thrown for 2,637 and 22 touchdowns while Hunter has 360 and two touchdowns, along with 18 tackles and three interceptions. However, Sanders has taken a whopping 41 sacks in just eight games. Prime will need to get his line ready for the ferocious OSU defense, or the Buffs will continue to struggle against good defenses.
19 UCLA @ Arizona (+3): 7:30 FS1
PAC-12 After Dark is a perfect way to end a loaded CFB Saturday, and UCLA taking on the Wildcats should be a great show. The Bruins are led by a steady diet of Ball State transfer running back Carson Steele. The junior has been incredible in his first season with UCLA, rushing for 674 yards and six touchdowns. A stout defensive line has led to a 6-2 start for the Bruins.
For Arizona, freshman QB Noah Fifita was just the spark they needed. Fifita has been incredible in his four starts throwing for 1,221 and 11 touchdowns including 275 and three in a huge win vs Oregon State. A revamped Arizona defense has put on a show the last two weeks, led by transfer linebackers Taylor Upshaw (Colorado) and Justin Flowe (Oregon). Prepare for a thrilling finish to the week with this late night PAC-12 showdown.
