College football season continues this weekend. Here are some games outside of Texas and the Big 12 to watch on Saturday:
No.8 Oregon (6-1,3-1 in the PAC-12) at No.13 Utah (6-1,3-1 in the PAC-12), 2:30 p.m. CT, Fox
The PAC-12 is crowded at the top, with five teams with one or zero losses and six ranked in the Top 25. Oregon lost a barnburner to No.5 Washington earlier this season but has made relatively easy work of the rest of its schedule. At the same time, Utah has somehow overcome significant injuries to cling to a No.13 ranking and its PAC-12 title chances. The winner will stay in contention. The loser will face an uphill climb the rest of the way.
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No.20 Duke (5-2, 2-1 in the ACC ) at No.18 Louisville (6-1, 3-1 in the ACC). 2:30 p.m. CT, ESPN
Duke is one of those teams right on the cusp of becoming great. The Blue Devils have played well under Mike Elko but have yet to earn a signature win after falling to ranked opponents twice this season. Louisville is a surprise team, giving Duke another opportunity for a ranked win. Possibly without quarterback Riley Leonard, Duke will have to lean on its defense to stop a potent Louisville offense.
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No.21 Tennessee (5-2, 2-2 in the SEC) at Kentucky (5-2, 2-2 in the SEC), 6 p.m. CT, ESPN
These two teams have the unfortunate reality of being in the same division as No.1 Georgia. However, they have shown flashes of greatness this season and have plenty of positives. Whoever wins this one should be ranked (or stay ranked) in next week’s Top 25 and have some momentum to carry down the season’s final stretch.
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Colorado (4-3, 1-3 in the PAC-12) at No.23 UCLA (5-2, 2-2 in the PAC-12), 6:30 p.m. CT, ABC
Colorado’s fast start has turned to struggle with a 1-3 record in conference play, including a loss to 2-5 Stanford in overtime. The Buffaloes have been inconsistent and seem just a step behind the contenders in the PAC-12. Meanwhile, UCLA is undefeated against unranked teams and at home this season. Can Colorado change that, or will UCLA get a crucial win?
