Kansas State vs. No. 19 Oklahoma
- Saturday – 11 a.m. – FS1
Oklahoma is coming off a narrow 45-40 victory over Texas last Saturday, and is attempting to salvage its 1-2 start to the year. The Sooners offense, loaded with weapons like junior quarterback Baker Mayfield and junior running back Samaje Perine, averages a respectable 40.6 points per game, but the defense is burdened with issues.
The Sooners allow the 16th-most passing yards per game in the nation and have surrendered 40 points in each Big 12 contest. Their opponent, Kansas State, looks primed to take down any opponent with its stifling defense—80.8 rushing yards per game allowed. The Wildcats proved against Texas Tech that they participate in shootouts too, which may be a necessity against Oklahoma.
- No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 9 Tennessee
- Saturday – 2:30 p.m. – CBS
Tennessee was unable to pull off another miracle finish in College Station, earning its first loss in a double-overtime thriller to sixth-ranked Texas A&M.
But Joshua Dobbs and the Volunteers earn an opportunity to respond in Knoxville against the defending National Champion. Alabama defeated five of six opponents by at least 19 points this season, and this will be the Crimson Tide’s third ra
Sophomore cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick led the Tide in last week’s 49-30 victory at Arkansas with three interceptions for 114 yards and a touchdown. He will match up against Tennessee’s offense, which is notoriously sluggish until the second half of games.
- Stanford vs. Notre Dame
- Saturday – 6:30 p.m. – NBC
This matchup occurred in late-November last season. The winner stayed alive as a dark-horse playoff candidate. In 2016, a playoff appearance is an unrealistic goal for both programs, who have stumbled out of the rankings in recent weeks.
Stanford lost on The Farm to Washington State last week, 42-16. Junior running back Christian McCaffrey’s Heisman hopes have shriveled with 84 rushing yards and zero touchdowns over two weeks.
He is questionable for this matchup against the Fighting Irish, who lost to North Carolina State last Saturday 10-3. None of the four teams that have beaten the Irish are ranked, further tarnishing Notre Dame’s season. But this is a rivalry game with a reputation of close finishes and remains a must-see Saturday.
- No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 8 Wisconsin
- Saturday – 7 p.m. – ABC
The Buckeyes own the largest point differential in the nation with a plus-42.4 points per game. But Wisconsin proved in a 14-7 loss against Michigan that it can stop the most dominant offenses.
The Badgers’ fourth-ranked defense only yields 12.2 points per game, but Ohio State tops that with 10.8. Both teams have rolled through formidable opponents, combining for wins over LSU, Oklahoma and Michigan State. Ohio State’s offense, led by junior quarterback J.T. Barrett is more explosive than Wisconsin’s, but the Badgers have a shot in Madison if their defense can contain Barrett and his army of weapons.
