Oktoberfest and fall leaves can wait. Matt Murschel of the Orlando Sentinel offers these five college football games worthy of your viewership Saturday.
No. 14 Iowa (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) at No. 19 Michigan (3-1, 1-1), noon ET Saturday, FOX
Iowa is off to its best start since 2015, with the team relying on a stout defense that is allowing less than nine points per game. The Hawkeyes have not allowed a rushing touchdown. Michigan has been tough on pass defense, with the team allowing just two touchdowns through the air. This one could come down to who can take care of the ball. Iowa has turned the ball over once; Michigan has turned it over 10 times.
No. 7 Auburn (5-0, 2-0 SEC) at No. 10 Florida (5-0, 2-0), 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, CBS
It’s the first meeting between the Tigers and the Gators since 2011. The Gators have lost three straight and four of the last five games. Auburn and freshman QB Bo Nix, shown here, are looking to go 6-0 for the first time since 2010, the year the Tigers went undefeated and won a national championship.
No. 11 Texas (3-1, 1-0 Big 12) at West Virginia (3-1, 1-0), 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, ABC
Texas is enjoying an offensive renaissance, with the Longhorns averaging more than 40 points and close to 500 yards. Quarterback Sam Ehlinger is third in the Big 12 in total offense with 1,428 yards while averaging 357 yards per game. West Virginia features an experienced defense led by linemen Dante Stills and Darius Stills, who have combined for 7.0 sacks and 12 tackles for loss.
No. 25 Michigan State (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten) at No. 4 Ohio State (5-0, 2-0), 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, ABC
Ohio State football coach Ryan Day and his Buckeyes will be in all black Saturday night as they play host to Michigan State. Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields has accounted for 23 touchdowns this season, but the defense has been more impressive, allowing 8.6 points and 223 yards per game. The Buckeyes are 60-5 against Big Ten teams since 2012, with two of those losses coming against Michigan State. Spartans quarterback Brian Lewerke leads the Big Ten in passing yards (1,325).
California (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12) at No. 13 Oregon (3-1, 1-0), 8 p.m. ET Saturday, FOX
Oregon has won nine of its last 10 meetings with Cal, including two straight. Ducks quarterback Justin Herbert, shown here, leads the nation in consecutive games with a touchdown pass (32) and attempts without an interception (174). Cal, which is looking to bounce back from its first loss of the season, will have to do so without quarterback Chase Garbers. He’s out indefinitely after suffering a shoulder injury against Arizona State.
