Here is a list of potential blockbuster college football games to look out for this week in prime time.
We’re officially three weeks into the 2016 college football season. To say things have been crazy would be a monumental understatement. The Top 25 will be tested this week, as several teams are working on improving their chances at a bid for the NCAA College Football Playoff.
That said, it’s time to turn our attention to Week 4 and the a list of prime time games to feed your college football fix. As a side note, all times will be listed as Eastern.
On Thursday night, NCAA takes center stage as unbeaten Georgia Tech takes aim at #5 Clemson. As much as this would seem like an uninteresting confrontation, the Yellow Jackets are within a whisper of the Top 25 after a big win over Vanderbilt last Saturday. With momentum on their side, the Tigers look to upend Georgia Tech in Atlanta for the first time since 2003. If Clemson can emerge victorious, they have a date with Louisville on October 1 that could very well be an elimination game for one of the four College Football Playoff spots. Coverage on ESPN will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday night, the SEC will send #18 LSU to Auburn (1-2, 0-1). Leonard Fournette came back from an injury to give LSU a 100-yard rushing performance. The Tigers seemed to have their act together, and will now take their first conference road trip. Auburn is still trying to figure things out, after getting served a home loss courtesy of Texas A&M. The have lost two of their first three, and their schedule will only get tougher as conference play gets underway. They’ll get the Saturday night ball rolling with an early 6:00 p.m. start time on ESPN.
Moving onto the Big 12, a big showdown goes down Saturday night in Waco. Oklahoma State, who was ousted from the Big 12 after the controversial ending against Central Michigan two weeks ago, heads south to face #16 Baylor. The Bears are the only undefeated team left in the Big 12, and carry a defense that ranks third in the nation in scoring defense. Their opponents have completed just 31 passes through the first three games. Mike Gundy saw his Cowboys respond last week with a close win over Pittsburgh. They carry a normally high-speed offense that can score quickly and without warning. A win for Oklahoma State would likely punch their ticket back into the rankings, while Baylor is trying to improve their current standing. FOX will carry the broadcast at 7:30 p.m.
Back to the SEC for a final look this week in prime time, as #17 Arkansas hits the road to face #10 Texas A&M. A battle of quarterbacks will be held, as this game will be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Graduate transfer Trevor Knight, who spent two years at Oklahoma, will lead the Aggies against Austin Allen and the Razorbacks. Knight won the starting job in January shortly after arriving in College Station. So far, he’s racked up 830 yards through the air and five touchdowns despite only completing half of his passes. Arkansas could benefit greatly with a win over the Aggies, as they try to move up the ladder. But A&M is aiming for national recognition, as most of the spotlight in the Lone Star State currently sits in Houston. ESPN gets things underway at 9:00 p.m.
Speaking of #6 Houston, they’re in action on Saturday as well, hitting the road to San Marcos to take on Texas State. Greg Ward Jr. is in the Heisman race after a tremendous showing in their upset of the Sooners earlier this month. The Cougars are listed as 34-point favorites, and could very well be one of the final four teams standing at the end of the season. Tom Herman has done an incredible job turning that team into a national contender. Staying undefeated is a big plan for his team, but they have a big date with Louisville in November that will test their strength. ESPNU will have Saturday’s broadcast at 7:00 p.m.
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Whatever your choice for college football, there will be PLENTY of action this weekend to follow. The NCAA website has a full list of games for the weekend, including the day games on Saturday for you to browse.