Last week saw several unranked teams knock off ranked teams, and that could be in order again this week as only three games are taking place between ranked teams.
Conference play is now in full swing, and this week will also play host to several rivalries games including Oklahoma/Texas. Here’s a full look at this week’s slate set to kick off at noon across several networks.
No. 8 Tennessee at No. 25 LSU (12 p.m., ESPN): One of just three ranked matchups this week, the Volunteers will travel to Death Valley for a noon kickoff looking to keep their undefeated season going.
Led by Heisman-contending quarterback Hendon Hooker (81 of 113, 1,193 yards, 8 TD), Tennessee is 4-0 for the first time since 2016 as has one of the nation’s top offenses, averaging 48.5 points and 559.3 yards per game.
While LSU’s offense is not particularly comparable, the defense – allowing just 14.8 points and 184.6 passing yards per game – could keep the 4-1 Tigers competitive against the Volunteers in one of the week’s premier matchups.
No. 17 TCU at No. 19 Kansas (12 p.m., FS1): Would anyone have guessed entering the season that the Red River Showdown between Oklahoma and Texas would feature two unranked teams, while TCU traveling to Kansas the same week would have two ranked teams? It’s clear now that Lance Leipold has turned the Jayhawks around, and for his effort, they are hosting College GameDay for the first time in school history this Saturday.
Those that make their way from the GameDay set to Memorial Stadium will get to watch one of the most interesting offenses in college football, one that is averaging 41.6 points per game behind quarterback Jalon Daniels, who has accounted for 16 touchdowns this season, and three rushers – Devin Neal, Daniels and Daniel Hishaw Jr. – all over 250 yards and averaging at least six yards per carry this year.
Of course, the other side of the matchup features an even high-scoring offense, as the Horned Frogs are averaging 48.5 points per game, tied with Tennessee for second in the country and slightly behind Ohio State’s 48.8 average.
Quarterback Max Duggan has been one of the most efficient in the country this season, completing 74.5 percent of his passes for 997 yards and 11 touchdowns with no interceptions. His quarterback rating of 202.2 leads the country, and he’s tied with Hooker with 10.6 yards per attempt. In conclusion, sparks could fly in this Big 12 matchup.
No. 11 Utah at No. 18 UCLA (3:30 p.m., FOX): Utah, the preseason favorite in the Pac-12, enters this game with a loss – a Week One defeat to Florida – while UCLA, who jumped into the AP Top 25 this week, is undefeated. Just how every predicted.
The Bruins possess one of the most exciting offenses in the country this season led by quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who has 1,211 passing yards and 11 touchdowns while completing 74.3 percent of his passes. Running back Zach Charbonnet, a former Michigan transfer, is averaging over six yards per carry with five rushing touchdowns.
They will face some stiff competition against Utah’s defense that is allowing just 14.4 points and 155.4 passing yards per game, both top-15 marks in the country. The Utes have a high-scoring offense in their own right, averaging 42 points per game, so it should be an exciting matchup between two of the conference’s best teams.
Texas A&M at No. 1 Alabama (8 p.m., CBS): The aforementioned games are the only games between ranked opponents this week, leaving Texas A&M’s trip to Tuscaloosa as the highest-profile matchup left on the schedule.
It’s been tough sledding this season for the Aggies, with an anemic offense averaging just 21.8 points per game that has led to a 3-2 record, including losses to unranked Appalachian State and Mississippi State.
Alabama has not been without its own problems, including an injury to quarterback Bryce Young that has left him as a game-time decision, but the Crimson Tide are still undefeated and averaging 48.4 points per game and allowing just 11 points per game. The Aggies took a win last year, but that result will be tough to repeat a second time around.
Other notable games on the schedule include:
- Arkansas at No. 23 Mississippi State (12 p.m., SECN)
- Texas at Oklahoma (12 p.m., ABC)
- No. 4 Michigan at Indiana (12 p.m., FOX)
- Purdue at Maryland (12 p.m., BTN)
- Texas Tech at No. 7 Oklahoma State (3:30 p.m., FS1)
- Auburn at No. 2 Georgia (3:30 p.m., CBS)
- No. 21 Washington at Arizona State (4 p.m., P12N)
- No. 3 Ohio State at Michigan State (4 p.m., ABC)
- South Carolina at No. 13 Kentucky (7:30 p.m., SECN)
- No. 20 Kansas State at Iowa State (7:30 p.m., ESPNU)
- Washington State at No. 6 USC (7:30 p.m., FOX)
- No. 5 Clemson at Boston College (7:30 p.m., ABC)
- No. 16 BYU vs. Notre Dame in Las Vegas (7:30 p.m., NBC)
- Florida State at No. 14 NC State (8 p.m., ACCN)
- No. 12 Oregon at Arizona (9 p.m., P12N)
