After three weeks of mostly non-conference games, the college football schedule is beginning to shift into conference play as October nears. Sure, there are still several games that will be lopsided on the scoreboard and a few more games where FCS opponents travel to a Power 5 school only to be blown out on national television. But the slate of games in the SEC, Big Ten, and Big 12 should be more than enough to make up for those snooze fests.
As a reminder, the games to watch are broken down into four tiers. The “headliners” category consists of the marquee games of the week. When two ranked teams square off, particularly if it’s a conference game or rivalry game, the matchup is a definite must-watch. I also included a section of “Solid TV” games, featuring games that may not get the most media attention but should certainly be entertaining. Next, we have “under the radar” games, which will highlight games that could be more entertaining than expected, either because of an upset possibility, two underrated teams facing off, or an intriguing battle between some of the most talented players in the nation. Finally, I also chose one game in which an AP top 25 team could be facing an upset.
Headliners
Sept. 24, 3:30 ET on CBS
After a tremendous Week 1 performance in the Gators’ win over Utah, Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson has been inconsistent over the last two games. Last week, Richardson was 10-18 and threw two interceptions as the Gators narrowly beat South Florida at home. Richardson will need to be much better against a 3-0 Tennessee team that comes into Week 4 averaging over 50 points per game behind standout senior quarterback Hendon Hooker.
Wisconsin @ #3 Ohio State
Sept. 24, 7:30 ET on ABC
The Week 1 win over Notre Dame was too close for comfort for Ryan Day and the Buckeyes, but their last two games over Arkansas State and Toledo have Ohio State rolling again. C.J. Stroud was 38-51 with 718 yards and a 9-0 TD: INT ratio in the two blowout victories, cementing his status as the Heisman frontrunner. The Badgers come into Columbus with a loss on their ledger already (Washington State in Week 2), but with one of the best running backs in the country in Braelon Allen, they have the skill talent to compete with Ohio State on the national stage.
Sept. 24, 12:00 ET on ABC
This will be the first real test for the fifth-ranked Tigers as they play their first true road game against Wake Forest. Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei looks slightly improved, but it’s the running game and defense that have carried the Tigers to their 3-0 start. For the Demon Deacons, junior quarterback Sam Hartman will be playing his third game of the season after missing the opener with a non-football injury, though he will need to be much crisper following a two-interception game last week against Liberty.
The Aggies hold perhaps the worst loss of any AP top 25 team this season when they were picked off by Appalachian State in Week 2, but the Razorbacks nearly vaulted them last Saturday. Down double digits in the fourth quarter against FCS Missouri State, Arkansas rallied behind running back Raheim Sanders and the defense to win 38-27. Texas A&M bounced back with a win over No. 13 Miami last week and will begin a stretch of seven consecutive games against SEC foes.
Solid TV
Maryland @ #4 Michigan
Sept. 24, 12:00 ET on FOX
After three non-conference home games against Colorado State, Hawaii and UConn, the Wolverines battle their first Power 5 opponent of the season in their Big Ten opener against Maryland. J.J. McCarthy looks comfortable as the quarterback for Michigan, earning the starting nod over Cade McNamara with 30-34 passing for 473 yards and three touchdowns in his first two games. On the other side, the Terrapins and their own talented quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa will be looking for their first win over Michigan since 2014.
Kansas State @ #6 Oklahoma
Sept. 24, 8:00 ET on FOX
A preseason sleeper to knock off the Sooners and claim the Big 12 conference title, Kansas State will be looking to avoid a 2-2 record after last week’s upset from Tulane. K-State’s rushing duo of running back Deuce Vaughn and quarterback Adrian Martinez is lethal, but the Sooners are riding high after last week’s demolition of Nebraska. Saturday night’s game will be the first Big 12 game for Oklahoma’s first-year head coach Brent Venables, two weeks before a huge showdown with Texas.
#22 Texas @ Texas Tech
Sept. 24, 3:30 ET on ESPN
Speaking of the Longhorns, the team avoided a letdown following their emotional loss to Alabama in Week 2, dispatching a solid UTSA team at home to remain in the AP Top 25. Texas will now hit the road for the first time in what will surely be a hostile Texas Tech environment. Texas Tech’s defense has been stout against the run so far this season, but the Red Raiders have yet to face a running back as talented as Texas’ Bijan Robinson, who has accounted for over 400 yards of offense and six touchdowns through three weeks.
#15 Oregon @ Washington State
Sept. 24, 4:00 ET on FOX
The college football world wasn’t entirely sure what to make of Oregon after their 49-3 loss to Georgia in the season opener, but the Ducks have bounced back since, putting up 70 points against FCS Eastern Washington before a massive home win over No. 12 BYU at home last weekend. Now back inside the AP Top 15, Dan Lanning and Oregon will travel to Washington State to face Cameron Ward and the Cougars, who are 3-0 for the first time since 2019 and have already defeated one ranked team with their Week 2 road win over Wisconsin.
Under-the-Radar
Duke @ Kansas
Sept. 24, 12:00 ET on FS1
Nope, this isn’t an early basketball preview for the Champions Classic in November. Both the Blue Devils and Jayhawks are 3-0 in football and having resurgent seasons. The two will collide on Saturday in Lawrence in one of the biggest Kansas football games in years. The Jayhawks are led by one of the most underrated stars in the nation in quarterback Jalon Daniels, who has passed for 566 yards and seven touchdowns while rushing for 237 yards and three scores. With the victory, Kansas will have their first four-win season since 2009 and the inside track to a Bowl game for the first time in 14 years.
Minnesota @ Michigan State
Sept. 24, 3:30 ET on BTN
Minnesota has serious aspirations for a Big Ten West title this season and has cruised in its’ first three games against New Mexico State, Western Illinois, and Colorado. On Saturday, the Golden Gophers will have their first opportunity to earn a Big Ten win when they play a Spartans team coming off a loss at Washington. Michigan State’s defense will be looking to improve upon the 39 points allowed last week and will face a Minnesota offense without star receiver Chris Autman-Bell, who sustained a lower leg injury in Week 3 and will be out for the rest of the season.
Upset Alert
#17 Baylor @ Iowa State
Sept. 24, 12:00 ET on ESPN2
There doesn’t seem to be a lot of upset possibilities on the Week 4 schedule at first glance, so when in doubt, we will turn to a team playing their first conference game of the season on the road. The Bears have looked tremendous in their two wins over Albany and Texas State, but they did suffer a defeat to BYU while quarterback Blake Shapen and the Bears’ offense had trouble on third down and in the passing game. Iowa State has a solid pocket passer in Hunter Dekkers and a defense that has given up just 27 points this season in their three victories. Expect a very entertaining game to kick off Big 12 play that could ultimately shift toward the Cyclones at home late in the contest.
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