Today's Schedule of Games

It’s October in college football land.  This is when teams start to separate themselves into title contenders and fall-by-the-wayside illusions.  And there are several games today that will do just that.

Here are some of today’s highlights:

At Noon on ABC: #12 Oklahoma at #3 Texas.  The big game of the day.  The winner has the inside track to the CFP given the remaining schedules, although there could be a rematch in the division-less Big 12’s title game.  If Texas wins, they will likely become ranked #1 and they will have deserved it.  I’m cool with that, I don’t want Michigan to be ranked #1 during the regular season.  Let somebody else deal with that circus while we stay focused and hungry.  So, who do I think will win?  Let me put it this way, we’ll all wake up on Monday morning with #1 ranked Texas in college football. 

Also at Noon on FOX: Maryland at #4 Ohio State.  Time to find out which of these teams is for real (if either).  Maryland usually gives Ohio State fits, and they are built to do it again.  They will be chasing Taulia ghosts all over the field today.  But unfortunately, I don’t think that Maryland has enough defense to cash in on that.  Ohio State will outrace the Terps to the finish line.       

In the Afternoon at 3:30 PM on CBS: #11 Alabama at Texas A&M.  This would make an awesome night game, but alas it’s not to be.  Nonetheless, it will be a crazy environment at College Station.  Jimbo Fisher has pulled off the upset before in College Station over Alabama (the first Saban former assistant to do it).  Can he do it again in a game that will determine the SEC West leader?  I hope so, but I don’t think so.  Alabama has not looked like Alabama, but overlook them and their ocean of 5-stars at your own risk.  Jalen Milroe will be the difference maker in a 4th quarter win.              

In the Evening at 7:00 PM on ESPN: #20 Kentucky at #1 Georgia.  Pssssst Kentucky: Double-cover Brock Bowers at all times, all game long.  No charge for that incisive, cutting-edge coaching advice.  It’s what I do, I give back to college football.  You’re welcome.  Despite that expert advice, it probably still won’t be enough.  I think that Georgia has an extra gear they have not been showing.  It will turn up tonight and Georgia will win.        

At 7:30 PM on NBC/Peacock: #2 Michigan at Minnesota.  A lot of people thought that Nebraska would be a trap game for Michigan (Hi Urban! Oh, and suck it.)  But I didn’t think so due to it being our first road game, against a Big Ten foe with a tricky offensive and defensive scheme to prepare for.  They had our undivided attention.  But this Minnesota game does feel like a trap game.  There is just nothing to get excited about against this Gophers team.  I am actually glad it is a night game, at least the lively environment will help keep the team awake.  Defense travels (and a strong running game too), and we’ll be glad we have both after Minnesota gives us a punch in the mouth early.  But then wake up we will, and take the Jug back into hiding.            

At 7:30 PM on ABC: #10 Notre Dame at #25 Louisville.  I gotta feel sorry for Notre Dame having to go on the road again at night to face a talented, motivated, dangerous team after the nail-biting emotional wringer they have just been through against Duke, and against Ohio State the week before that.   Hah!  Just kidding.  The hell with Notre Dame.  Their luck runs out tonight against Louisville.              

Finally, your Pac-12 After Dark Special - meaningless crazy football just for the fun of it:       

At 10:30 PM on ESPN: Arizona at #9 USC.  If you just watch USC’s offensive drives, they look like the best team in college football by far.  But then, hoo boy, you watch their defense.  How can a team that can collect that much talent on offense have that much deficiency on defense?  It boggles the mind.  They are the anti-matter Iowa.  When USC and Iowa meet for the first time in 2025 it could be an extinction-level event for the entire planet the first time Iowa is on offense and USC is on defense.  However, none of that will matter late tonight because Arizona isn’t out-scoring USC’s offense no matter what USC’s defense does.                      

SATURDAY OCTOBER 7, 2023:

AWAY                     HOME        TIME         TV

NOON:

12 Oklahoma  @  3 Texas   12:00 PM   ABC

Maryland  @  4 Ohio State   12:00 PM   FOX

23 LSU  @  21 Missouri   12:00 PM   ESPN

Boston College  @  Army   12:00 PM   CBSSN

Western Michigan  @  Mississippi State   12:00 PM   SECN

Rutgers  @  Wisconsin   12:00 PM   Peacock

William & Mary  @  Virginia   12:00 PM   ACCN

Toledo  @  Massachusetts   12:00 PM   ESPNU

AFTERNOON:

Marshall  @  NC State   2:00 PM   CW NETWORK

UTSA  @  Temple   2:00 PM   ESPN+

Central Michigan  @  Buffalo   2:00 PM   ESPN+

13 Washington State  @  UCLA   3:00 PM   PAC12

Howard  @  Northwestern   3:00 PM   BTN

Virginia Tech  @  5 Florida State   3:30 PM   ABC

11 Alabama  @  Texas A&M   3:30 PM   CBS

Syracuse  @  14 North Carolina   3:30 PM   ESPN

Purdue  @  Iowa   3:30 PM   Peacock

Wake Forest  @  Clemson   3:30 PM   ACCN

North Texas  @  Navy   3:30 PM   CBSSN

Texas State  @  Louisiana   3:30 PM   ESPNU

Ball State  @  Eastern Michigan   3:30 PM   ESPN+

Bowling Green  @  Miami (OH)   3:30 PM   ESPN+

Kent State  @  Ohio   3:30 PM   ESPN+

Northern Illinois  @  Akron   3:30 PM   ESPN+

Vanderbilt  @  Florida   4:00 PM   SECN

UCF  @  Kansas   4:00 PM   FOX

South Florida  @  UAB   4:00 PM   ESPN2

Arkansas State  @  Troy   4:00 PM   ESPN+

UConn  @  Rice   5:00 PM   ESPN+

EVENING:

Tulsa  @  Florida Atlantic   6:00 PM   ESPN+

Colorado  @  Arizona State   6:30 PM   PAC12

20 Kentucky  @  1 Georgia   7:00 PM   ESPN

South Alabama  @  UL Monroe   7:00 PM   ESPN+

Old Dominion  @  Southern Miss   7:00 PM   ESPN+

2 Michigan  @  Minnesota   7:30 PM   NBC|Peacock

10 Notre Dame  @  25 Louisville   7:30 PM   ABC

Arkansas  @  16 Ole Miss   7:30 PM   SECN

Georgia Tech  @  17 Miami   8:00 PM   ACCN

24 Fresno State  @  Wyoming   8:00 PM   FOX

Texas Tech  @  Baylor   8:00 PM   ESPN2

TCU  @  Iowa State   8:00 PM   FS2

Colorado State  @  Utah State   8:00 PM    -

San José State  @  Boise State   8:00 PM   CBSSN

LATE NIGHT:

15 Oregon State  @  California   10:00 PM   PAC12

Arizona  @  9 USC   10:30 PM   ESPN