There are just two games between ranked teams in Week 2 of the college football season, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’ll be a low-key Saturday. The slate is brimming with upset potential as nonconference play continues around the country with a handful of potentially dicey matchups for highly ranked teams.
Action begins with a bang as No. 3 Texas travels to No. 10 Michigan for a game that will shape the narratives surrounding both teams in 2024. In that same early window of games, No. 16 Oklahoma State hosts Arkansas as the border foes renew what used to be a regular series for the first time since 1980.
The afternoon is highlighted by a major rivalry clash on CBS as No. 21 Iowa hosts Iowa State in what figures to be a defensive slugfest between a pair of well-established programs expecting successful seasons. Highlighting the evening wave is the day’s second meeting between ranked teams as No. 14 Tennessee and No. 24 NC State clash in Charlotte.
But the action will go late into the night with No. 7 Oregon and No. 13 USC hosting Mountain West foes in what could unofficially be called “Big Ten After Dark.”
Here’s a viewer’s guide to help you navigate through all of Saturday’s action.
All times Eastern
The best games
No. 3 Texas vs. No. 10 Michigan — noon on Fox, fuboTV (try for free): It’s just the second time ever that Michigan and Texas have met, and it’s the first time the historical powers have played in an on-campus venue. Michigan Stadium should be in peak form with the high-powered Longhorns entering as road favorites against a Wolverines team that has something to prove following an underwhelming Week 1 performance. Texas won the only prior meeting 38-37 with a last-second field goal on Jan. 1, 2005, in the Rose Bowl. Hopefully, the second meeting is just as thrilling.
No. 16 Oklahoma State vs. Arkansas — noon on ABC, fuboTV (try for free): Arkansas is expected to be one of the SEC’s bottom-feeders in 2024, but the Razorbacks can alter that perception with an upset win over Big 12 power Oklahoma State. The Cowboys are favored for a reason, though. With ample returning production from a 10-win team, coach Mike Gundy’s club looks capable of challenging for a College Football Playoff bid. An authoritative win over a visiting SEC team would also give the Big 12 some solid bragging rights.
No. 21 Iowa vs. Iowa State — 3:30 on CBS, fuboTV (try for free): This one is always a fun, bitterly contested and usually crazy game, even when neither team is particularly good. This season, both are expected to be good. The Hawkeyes are coming off a 10-win season, and the early returns from this year suggest their offense is improved under new coordinator Tim Lester. The Cyclones are loaded with returning production and will be eager to avenge a 20-13 loss from last season. It may not be pretty, but you can bank on this matchup embodying the essence of college football.
Colorado vs. Nebraska — 7:30 on NBC, fuboTV (try for free): The reception that Deion Sanders and Colorado receive on the road against rival Nebraska will likely be hostile, to say the least. It was clear leading up to the Buffaloes’ 36-14 home win over Nebraska last year that this rivalry is still hot, even though it’s not a Big 12 game like it used to be. The Cornhuskers will be eager to try to secure some revenge on their home field in a matchup between teams that are seeking to gain momentum under second-year coaches.
No. 14 Tennessee vs. No. 24 NC State (in Charlotte) — 7:30 on ABC, fuboTV (try for free): Based on their Week 1 performances against FCS opposition, Tennessee should cruise. The Volunteers looked elite offensively in a 69-3 drubbing of Chattanooga, while NC State needed a big fourth quarter to get past Western Carolina. But the old cliché is that teams improve the most between Week 1 and Week 2. If that’s true for the Wolfpack, then we could be in for an ACC vs. SEC thriller.
No. 7 Oregon vs. Boise State — 10 p.m. on Peacock: Oregon messed around with Idaho last week and found itself in a tight game before squeaking out an ugly 24-14 win. The Ducks dropped from No. 3 to No. 7 in the AP Top 25 as a result and now face a tougher test with Group of Five power Boise State coming to town. The Broncos beat Georgia Southern 56-45 in Week 1. If the Ducks’ potentially high-powered offense finds its gear, there could be a ton of points in this one.
Best of the rest
- No. 23 Georgia Tech vs. Syracuse — noon on ACC Network, fuboTV (try for free)
- No 17 Kansas State vs. Tulane — noon on ESPN, fuboTV (try for free)
- Army vs. FAU — noon on CBS Sports Network, on CBS Sports Network, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free)
- No. 1 Georgia vs. Tennessee Tech — 2 p.m. on ESPN+
- No. 11 Utah vs. Baylor — 3:30 p.m. on Fox, fuboTV (try for free)
- No. 22 Louisville vs. Jacksonville State — 3:30 p.m. on ESPN+
- Navy vs. Temple — 3:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free)
- No. 6 Ole Miss vs. Middle Tennessee — 4:15 p.m. on SEC Network, fuboTV (try for free)
- No. 12 Miami vs. Florida A&M — 6 p.m. on ESPN+
- No. 9 Missouri vs. Buffalo — 7 p.m. on ESPN+
- No. 19 Kansas vs. Illinois — 7 p.m. on FS1, fuboTV (try for free)
- No. 4 Alabama vs. South Florida — 7 p.m. on ESPN, fuboTV (try for free)
- Air Force vs. San Jose State — 7 p.m. on CBS Sports Network, on CBS Sports Network, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free)
- No. 18 LSU vs. Nicholls State — 7:30 p.m. on ESPN+
- No. 2 Ohio State vs. Western Michigan — 7:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network, fuboTV (try for free)
- No. 15 Oklahoma vs. Houston — 7:45 p.m. on SEC Network, fuboTV (try for free)
- No. 25 Clemson vs. Appalachian State — 8 p.m. on ACC Network, fuboTV (try for free)
- No. 20 Arizona vs. Northern Arizona — 10 p.m. on ESPN+
- San Diego State vs. Oregon State — 10:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free)
- No. 13 USC vs. Utah State — 11 p.m. on Big Ten Network, fuboTV (try for free)