EARLY SLATE

Tune in For: College GameDay

When: 8 a.m. on ESPN in Memphis, Tenn. 

There aren’t many quality early games this week, so simply tune in to watch SMU get featured live on ESPN’s College GameDay. The Mustangs rank in the top 15 and will be on College GameDay for only the second time ever, and the first since serving as a sacrificial lamb in 2011 against Houston. We’ll get to why this game is such a huge one later on.

Check Your Phone

• Houston at UCF (11 a.m. on ESPN2): If this game is close in the second quarter, flip right over, but it’s hard to see Houston keep it close against a tremendously dominant UCF squad on the road. 

• Texas A&M vs. UTSA (11 a.m. on SEC Network): The Aggies have a tune-up game against a bad Roadrunners squad. Tune in for the first quarter and then enjoy the rest of your Saturday morning. 

MIDDAY SLATE

Tune in For: TCU at Oklahoma State

When: 2:30 p.m. on ESPN in Stillwater, Okla.

The most unpredictable game in the midday slot comes between two teams coming off of tremendous victories. TCU beat Texas a week ago to give themselves a second lease on the season. 

Oklahoma State moved closer to bowl eligibility with a big win over ranked Iowa State, but will have to play its first game without star wide receiver Tylan Wallace. We have no idea what to think about this game – watch it happen in real time.

Check Your Phone

• North Texas vs. UTEP (2:30 p.m. on NFL Network): These are two teams both in desperate need of a win. Obviously, the Mean Green should be able to run away with this one. Like we said last week before the Charlotte game, if that doesn’t happen, something is terribly wrong. 

• Rice vs. Marshall (2:30 p.m. on Facebook): The Owls host a C-USA contender on Saturday, still looking for their first one. Could Rice sneak up on them? Sure, maybe. That seems to be less likely every single week. 

EVENING SLATE

Tune in For: SMU at Memphis

When: 6:30 p.m. on ABC in Memphis, Tenn.

If you watch a single college football game this weekend, make it this one. SMU is in the midst of one of the most unlikely turnarounds in recent memory, jumping from a forgettable 5-7 team to an 8-0 one with plenty to play for. 

Memphis, led by running back Kenneth Gainwell, will be easily the toughest test of the season. Can the Mustangs keep things under control and generate enough offense to keep their New Year’s Six goals alive?

Check Your Phone

• Texas State at Louisiana (4 p.m. on ESPN+): The Bobcats have no real shot on the road against a tremendously good Louisiana-Lafayette squad, and there’s not much reason to turn it on for any period of time. 

Wild Card Games

UIW vs. Nicholls (4 p.m. on ESPN3): This game brings together the reigning Southland Conference champions in a battle of teams trying to get back into the conference title hunt. Nicholls is a ranked opponent, but the Cardinals can move into a great position to repeat with a win on Saturday.

Tarleton State vs. Midwestern State (2 p.m.): The Texans have one last big game in the regular season against one of the most successful Lone Star Conference coaches in recent memory at MSU. The Mustangs would love to ruin Tarleton State’s perfect campaign, but Tarleton State can all but clinch its second straight undefeated season with a win.

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