What promises to be another eventful week in college football is at hand. Conference play is in full swing as we prepare to bring down the curtain on the month of October, so the potential is high for unexpected results that shake up the standings.
We’ve already had quite a few of those, giving us some Top 25 matchups that might not have looked as attractive on the preseason calendar but are suddenly quite important.
In all, five contests between ranked teams highlight our list of seven must-see games for the week. As always, keep that remote within reach and enjoy the show.
No. 7 LSU at No. 14 Texas A&M
Time/TV: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC.
Why watch: The winner of this prime-time contest in College Station will hold the outright lead in the SEC. That seemed more than a little unlikely after Week 1 when both teams were upended in non-conference play, but they now enter on respective six-game winning streaks and are the last two squads without a league loss. QB Conner Weigman has led the Aggies’ last two victories since returning from a shoulder injury, though he struggled to put away Mississippi State on the road a week ago. But the key to A&M’s success might be RB Le’Veon Moss, who will do his best to avoid hard-hitting LSU LB Whit Weeks. Tigers QB Garrett Nussmeier spreads the ball well among a variety of targets, but WR Kyren Lacy and TE Mason Taylor keep the chains moving most often. LSU has only surrendered two sacks all year, a total Aggies DE Nic Scourton will try to augment.
Why it could disappoint: A blowout in either direction seems unlikely as both teams have had difficulty closing, even during their current successful runs. LSU had an easier time with Arkansas than the Aggies did several weeks ago, but transitive results aren’t usually good predictors in this sport.
No. 17 Missouri at No. 15 Alabama
Time/TV: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC.
Why watch: The stakes don’t get much higher for these former top-10 clubs with fading championship hopes. Things are a little tense in Tuscaloosa, where the Crimson Tide’s playoff goals are hanging by a thread. The Tigers, who pulled their own lofty expectations out of the fire last week, look to take advantage of Alabama’s apparent loss of invincibility. Tide QB Jalen Milroe has had accuracy issues in his last few outings. His leaky protection hasn’t helped, and Mizzou DL Chris McClellan will lead the effort to continue that trend. Tigers QB Brady Cook endeared himself to fans forever with last week’s return from injury to direct the game-winning drive against Auburn. His availability this week is very much in doubt, however, and the offense hasn’t been as explosive as hoped even with Cook at the controls this season. Backup Drew Pyne has plenty of game experience from time at Notre Dame and Arizona State, and the Alabama secondary has also underperformed. The absence of Tide DB Keon Sabb with a foot injury is another setback, which could mean even more coverage responsibilities for Malachi Moore.
Why it could disappoint: There will be no shortage of intensity, but it’s certainly fair to wonder if the level of execution will enhance the experience. Mistakes often mean momentum swings though, and we’ll likely see a lot of those.
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No. 6 Texas at No. 25 Vanderbilt
Time/TV: Saturday, 4:15 p.m. ET, SECN.
Why watch: Yes, that’s Vanderbilt with a number before its name. The Commodores have managed to keep winning since their historic takedown of Alabama and have another chance to shake up the sport’s big picture. The Longhorns, however, will be a bit salty as they arrive in Nashville after Georgia knocked them from their perch atop the rankings. Neither starting QB Quinn Ewers nor touted backup Arch Manning were able to do much for Texas against the Georgia pass rush last week. Ewers and WR Isaiah Bond will look to jump start things more quickly this time, though Vandy LB Nick Rinaldi is an effective blitzer. QB Diego Pavia is the offensive catalyst for the Commodores with 11 TD passes, three more scores on the ground and just one INT on the season. He should become well acquainted with ubiquitous Longhorns LB Anthony Hill Jr.
Why it could disappoint: Vandy’s success with a ball-control approach this season has kept it in most games. A fast start from the Longhorns could cause matters to snowball, but these Commodores have been anything but pushovers.
No. 11 Notre Dame vs. No. 24 Navy
Time/TV: Saturday, noon ET, ABC.
Why watch: The Fighting Irish and Midshipmen have squared off annually for decades. This encounter in East Rutherford, New Jersey, however, is among the most important in the recent history of the series as both teams are ranked for just the second time since 1978 and each could enhance their case for playoff inclusion with a win. Navy still runs an option-based attack, but that in no way implies it does not have explosive potential. QB Blake Horvath has already accounted for 20 TDs, 10 each by land and air. His playmakers include SB Eli Heidenreich and FB Alex Tecza. The Fighting Irish have the personnel to limit the big gainers, but LBs Drayk Bowen and Jack Kiser must make their reads quickly. Seeing Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard in practice on a daily basis could help their preparation, as he, too, is a threat to keep the ball. His passing can be erratic, however, and Navy DBs Dashaun Peele and Rayuan Lane could make him pay for mistakes.
Why it could disappoint: Navy has yet to encounter a team of this caliber, and it’s possible Notre Dame’s physical advantage at the line of scrimmage will manifest itself from the outset. But the Midshipmen look forward to this challenge every year and will be as prepared and emotionally invested as possible.
No. 21 Illinois at No. 1 Oregon
Time/TV: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS.
Why watch: The Ducks’ first defense of their top ranking will be on their home field as they host the Fighting Illini, who are still very much in the Big Ten hunt themselves despite a setback at Penn State a few weeks ago. Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel took a few games to find his rhythm but now has the offense humming, making excellent use of WRs Tez Johnson and Evan Stewart. But the Illinois defensive front, featuring LBs Gabe Jacas and Seth Coleman, can be disruptive. Illini QB Luke Altmyer isn’t quite as prolific, but he has only been picked off once this season and has a big-play threat of his own in WR Pat Bryant. Expect to find LB Bryce Boettcher, Oregon’s defensive centerpiece, around the ball often.
Why it could disappoint: The Ducks seem to have found that extra gear that was missing from their earliest outings of the campaign. If they again get it kicked in immediately, the Illini could be overwhelmed with their lack of explosiveness on offense.
No. 19 Boise State at UNLV
Time/TV: Friday, 10:30 p.m. ET, CBSSN.
Why watch: The weekend gets off to a late early start as it were with this important Mountain West showdown that could be worth losing a little sleep over. The Broncos would have a convincing argument for playoff inclusion should they run the table in the league, but the Rebels, also still unscathed in MWC play, could have something to say about that. The headliner is Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty, who is averaging 208 rushing yards a game and has 18 total TDs on the season. His QB Maddux Madsen has other weapons at his disposal like WR Cam Camper and TE Matt Lauter, all of whom will keep UNLV LB Jackson Woodard and DB Jalen Catalon busy. The Rebels’ offense hasn’t missed a beat since Hajj-Malik Williams took over at QB in the wake of Matt Sluka’s well-publicized departure. Having All-American-caliber WR Ricky White III certainly helps, and Broncos DB Ty Benefield will lead the effort to keep him contained.
Why it could disappoint: It shouldn’t. It might actually be among the weekend’s most entertaining contests. Some big plays early by the Broncos could neutralize UNLV’s home crowd, but the Rebels should have the firepower to keep up if the game becomes a track meet.
No. 22 SMU at Duke
Time/TV: Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ACCN.
Why watch: If you predicted prior to the season that this game and not Miami-Florida State would be the week’s most important showdown on the ACC slate, congratulations on that time machine patent. This matchup features the most successful to date of the conference’s three new members taking on a school better known for its prowess on the hardwood continuing to make inroads on the gridiron despite a coaching change. The hire of Manny Diaz has paid dividends for the Duke defense, with LBs Alex Howard and Tre Freeman leading a unit surrendering just 17.3 points a game. They’ll get a challenge from QB Kevin Jennings and the Mustangs, who have produced 34 points or more against their first three ACC opponents and hung 66 on Iron Skillet rival TCU for good measure. The Blue Devils haven’t been quite as successful on the other side of the ball, but QB Maalik Murphy has made plays when needed. SMU DL Isaiah Smith will look to make his job difficult.
Why it could disappoint: Even with Duke’s relative success in football of late, its home advantage hasn’t quite reached the level of what the Cameron Crazies bring to the basketball side of things. Given the Blue Devils’ offensive limitations, a few quick scores by the Mustangs could prove insurmountable.