This week has some interesting matchups, but I don’t want to get into that here. As I write this Wednesday evening, I feel that it’s worth noting the uncertainties that Hurricane Isaias brings to Mississippi and Alabama. One game in here has already been impacted by it and more could be. Still, there’s an entire country of football to watch this week.
Thursday
There are four games kicking at roughly the same time. None of them have particularly interesting things to talk about, so here’s what that quadbox
should look like.
6:00 p.m. on CBSSN: Missouri State at WKU
6:00 p.m. on ESPNU: Sam Houston at Liberty
6:30 p.m. on ESPN: South Florida at UTSA
6:30 p.m. on ESPN2: South Alabama at Arkansas State
Friday
Hurricane Isaiahs moved up one game super early, so I’m including it here as a bonus.
11:00 a.m. on SWAC TV (free): Florida A&M at Alabama State
This is ASU’s homecoming game, and it’s a massive shame that it had to get moved to a time when very few people are free. SWAC TV is a free streaming service that has an app for smart TVs.
6:00 p.m. on ESPN: Florida State at Louisville
Florida State might be okay after all, and Louisville might be a mess. Week 5 results from both teams made this game so much more intriguing than it already was.
8:00 p.m. on Fox: #20 Iowa at Washington
This game is on this network because of NLCS Game 5 not happening because the Brewers and Dodgers won last night. Washington is a total mess. Iowa is the same as they’ve been for decades. This could get weird.
9:15 p.m. on ESPN: Iowa State at #8 BYU
Iowa State may not have a defense, but they have a great QB. BYU might be the best team in the Big 12, by the way, not Texas Tech.
Saturday morning
Here are three 11 a.m. games and an 11:45 a.m. game.
CBSSN: Tulane at Army
Will Hall’s first few games as Tulane’s head coach have been underwhelming. Now they have to face an Army team that has questions of their own. This should be very interesting.
ABC: Texas A&M at #14 Missouri
I just want to see the Aggies suffer.
ESPN: UNC at #25 Pitt
Pitt lost their starting QB for the season in a thrilling game last week. Bill Belichick has UNC in position to play spoiler in this game if their defense can bow up. I’d have my eye on a potential upset here.
11:45 a.m. on SECN: South Carolina at #16 Florida
I have had this game circled since the offseason because it’s the Gamecocks’ last game before their bye week. Shane Beamer is as fireable as any coach in the country right now, and a big loss in The Swamp could be the final nail in his coffin.
Saturday afternoon
A classic rivalry and a ranked vs ranked game highlight the afternoon slate. All these games kick at 2:30 p.m.
ABC: Red River Rivalry
This year, the river will be red with the oil seeping from whatever dysfunctional machine Oklahoma calls an offense. Arch Manning isn’t a great QB, but if he can manage against Brent Venables’ defense, he should lead the Longhorns to victory.
CBS: #21 UCLA at #13 Oregon
UCLA is such a physical football team. They are a joy to watch, and most people haven’t gotten the chance to watch because they either played late at night or at Maryland. Now they get a test against a good Oregon team.
Fox: #22 Houston at Kansas State
Houston is still a dark-horse contender for the Big 12 Championship Game, and Kansas State is still confusing.
NBC: Stanford at #3 Notre Dame
This is the “Would You Like to See a Dead Body?” game of the week. Enjoy!
Saturday evening
LSU kicks off at 6:00 p.m. on ESPN. Here are three other games worth keeping an eye on around that time.
6:00 p.m. on ESPN2: UAB at Memphis
The Battle for the Bones has a pulse for the first time in a few years. If you can’t get up for a game where the winner gets a bronze rack of ribs, you don’t deserve the next game.
6:30 p.m. on ABC: #2 Georgia at #6 Alabama
All I can say is that I hope the hurricane doesn’t push this game.
6:30 p.m. on NBC: #19 USC at Penn State
Both of these teams enter with upset stomachs even though the Trojans pulled off the win last week. Penn State might’ve hired a worse James Franklin, by the way.
Robert Kekaula Memorial Shift
There are only three games kicking off after 7 p.m. Here are your choices.
9:15 p.m. on ESPN: Kansas at #12 Utah
Kansas is bleh, and Utah is good. It is a football game.
9:30 p.m. on FS1: Hawaii at Arizona State
Hawaii on the mainland tends to be a mess. Hopefully this isn’t another example of that.
9:30 p.m. on The CW: #23 Boise State at Fresno State
This has potential for being fun. Fresno State is decent and presents a meaningful challenge for Boise State as they look to claim the G6 spot in the CFP.
Tuesday
6:00 p.m. on CBSSN: Delaware at MTSU
7:00 p.m on ESPNU: FIU at Jacksonville State
Wednesday
6:30 p.m. on CBSSN: Kennesaw State at Missouri State
7:00 p.m. on ESPN2: WKU at Sam Houston
