Big 12 runs through Red River Showdown
No. 6 Oklahoma (5-0) vs. No. 21 Texas (4-1)
Noon Saturday, ABC
Oklahoma enters the Red River Showdown hoping to extend its three-game winning streak over Texas. It’s been a close series with the last eight meetings decided by a combined 52 points. The Sooners haven’t been perfect but they’ve been better on defense, not allowing a 100-yard rusher. Texas running back Bijan Robinson, who’s second in the nation in rushing yards (652) and is coming off a careerhigh 216 yards against TCU, could test the defense.
No. 13 Arkansas (4-1) at No. 17 Ole Miss (3-1) Noon Saturday, ESPN
A week after being thrashed by No. 1 Alabama and
No. 2 Georgia, Arkansas and Ole Miss meet in what could decide the runner-up in the SEC West. This is the third straight game against a ranked opponent for Arkansas, which hopes to improve to 5-1 for the first time since 2011. The Razorbacks are second in the country in pass defense but face a test against Ole Miss and quarterback Matt Corral, who’s averaging 302 yards passing.
No. 2 Georgia (5-0) at No. 18 Auburn (4-1) 3:30 p.m. Saturday, CBS
The oldest rivalry in the South heats up as Georgia brings the top defense in the country to The Plains to take on an Auburn team fresh off a thrilling road win against LSU in Death Valley. Quarterback Bo Nix silenced critics after passing for 255 yards and a touchdown in the win for the Tigers, but he faces a Bulldogs defense that’s allowed one offensive touchdown through 20 quarters.
No. 4 Penn State (5-0) at No. 3 Iowa (5-0)
4 p.m. Saturday, FOX
This is the first top 5 matchup for Iowa since 2015 and the first for Penn State since 1999. Iowa features one of the top defenses in the country with the Hawkeyes ranked first in interceptions (12), second in scoring defense (11.6 points per game) and defensive touchdowns (4), and seventh in total defense (271.4 yards per game). Penn State, meanwhile, ranks second in red zone defense (. 533) and third in scoring defense (12 ppg). Iowa holds the third-longest winning streak in the country with 11 wins behind Alabama and Oklahoma (13) while Penn State is fifth (9).
LSU (3-2) at
No. 16 Kentucky (5-0) 7:30 p.m. Saturday, SEC Network
Kentucky hopes for a 6-0 start for the first time since 1950 but to do so the Wildcats must snap a two-game losing streak to LSU. This is the second of six straight games against ranked teams for the Tigers, who lost to Auburn, 24-19 at home in Death Valley. LSU has gone 8-7 since its undefeated national championship season in 2019. Kentucky running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. leads the SEC in rushing (612 yards) but he faces an LSU defense that’s allowed only one 100-yard rusher (UCLA’s Zach Charbonnet, 116).
Other Top 25 games of note No. 9 Michigan (5-0) at Nebraska (3-3):
Cornhuskers might be sneaky good, though they have lost 14 straight against ranked teams dating to 2016.
No. 14 Notre Dame (4-1) at Virginia Tech (3-1): Hokies are 14th in the country in sacks (3.25 per game); Irish are 126th in sacks allowed (4.4).