1) No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Texas A&M
The pundits are coming around on Tennessee (5-0) as a threat to win the SEC, but color us skeptical. Last week’s win over a hobbled Georgia was the textbook definition of luck, and the Vols have trailed in four of their five wins. But hey, it’s better to be lucky than good – and the Vols might get lucky again today because all-everything Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett is still injured. If the Aggies’ excellent pass rush isn’t up to par, then Tennessee QB Joshua Dobbs can take advantage of a questionable secondary. Texas A&M will try to go 6-0 for the first time in 22 years, led by a typically crazy offense that’s averaging almost 40 points a game. 3:30 p.m. Saturday, WTKR
2) Texas at No. 20 Oklahoma
If you believe the ominous internet reports from Austin and Norman, this game may have a lot in common with professional wrestling: The loser might have to leave town. Texas’ win over Notre Dame looks much less impressive now, its defense has done its best impression of a pasta colander in two straight ugly losses, and powerful people in Texas are starting to use the words “coach Charlie Strong” and “fired” in the same sentence. Oklahoma (2-2, 1-0 Big 12) was touted as a playoff contender, but that was two losses ago. Coach Bob Stoops is considered more safe after last week’s win over TCU, but his defense still allows 35 points per game. Noon Saturday, Fox Sports 1
3) No. 23 Florida State at No. 10 Miami
Speaking of playoff contenders whose seasons have imploded, here’s Florida State. The Seminoles are 3-2 overall, 0-2 in ACC play and it’s easy to see why: The defense is allowing 35 points and 438 yards per game. After a fairly easy schedule, this is Miami’s chance to prove it deserves that top-10 ranking. The aptly-named Hurricanes (4-0, 1-0) are allowing 11 points per game but they haven’t faced an offense like this. 8 p.m. Saturday, WVEC
4) No. 1 Alabama at No. 16 Arkansas
The people who think someone in the SEC actually might beat Alabama (5-0, 2-0 SEC) believe this is the part of the Tide’s schedule where it can happen. Maybe they’re right, but Arkansas’ leaky defense allows 163 rushing yards per game and gave up 45 points in a loss to Texas A&M. Even with a freshman QB, Alabama’s offense is eerily balanced and productive – 253 passing yards, 232 rushing yards per game. 7 p.m. Saturday, ESPN
5) No. 5 Washington at Oregon
The pundits wondered whether Washington (5-0, 2-0 Pac-12) is for real until the Huskies humiliated Stanford. Now the Pac-12’s only remaining hope for a playoff spot will travel to Oregon for what looks like a trap game against the Ducks, who have one last chance to right a sinking ship. Oregon’s defense is a dumpster fire – Washington State has 651 yards against the Ducks last week – but the offense is still productive. Oregon (2-3, 0-2) has beaten Washington 12 straight times, but for the first time in years the Ducks will play as a distinct underdog (9 points). 7:30 p.m. Saturday, WVBT
Also on the air
Cincinnati at UConn, 11:30 a.m., CBSSN
Iowa at Minnesota, noon, ESPN2
Maryland at Penn State, noon, BTN
ECU at South Florida, noon, ESPNEWS
TCU at Kansas, noon, ESPNU
Notre Dame at N.C. State, noon, WVEC
Auburn at Mississippi State, noon, SEC
Rhode Island at Villanova, noon, CSN, WTVZ
Georgia Tech at Pittsburgh, 12:30 p.m., WGNT
No. 6 Houston at Navy, 1 p.m., CBSSN, 102.1FM
ETSU at VMI, 1:30 p.m., 1650AM
BYU at Michigan State, 3:30 p.m., ESPN2
Indiana at No. 2 Ohio State, 3:30 p.m., ESPN
Iowa State at Oklahoma St., 3:30 p.m., ESPNU
Purdue at Illinois, 3:30 p.m., BTN
William & Mary at JMU, 3:30 p.m., CSN
Vanderbilt at Kentucky, 4 p.m., SEC
N. Illinois at W. Michigan, 6:30 p.m., CBSSN
No. 4 Michigan at Rutgers, 7 p.m., ESPN2
Texas Tech at Kansas State, 7 p.m., ESPNU
Arizona at Utah, 7 p.m., FS1
Stony Brook at Towson, 7 p.m., CSN
Marshall at North Texas, 7 p.m., WTVZ
Utah State at Colorado State, 10 p.m., CBSSN
UCLA at Arizona State, 10:30 p.m., ESPN2
Wash. St. at No. 15 Stanford, 10:30 p.m., ESPN
UNLV at San Diego State, 10:30 p.m., ESPNU
Bethune-Cookman at South Carolina State, 2:30 a.m., Sunday, ESPNU (tape-delayed)
Georgia at South Carolina, 2:30 p.m,. Sunday, SEC
Also in the top 25
No. 21 Colorado at Southern Cal, 4 p.m.
No. 24 Utah vs. Arizona, 10 p.m.
?Brian Root, 757-446-2368, brian.root@pilotonline.com
