The Most Interesting College Football Games Minnesotans Should Watch

This weekend’s college football schedule has some intriguing games around the country.  For some teams it will be another chance to become bowl eligible and for others this Saturday is another weekend to make a case for them to be one of the final 12 teams who make the college football playoff.  

We will start with the Minnesota Golden Gophers who play host to the Michigan State Spartans at 2:30. Last week got ugly quick for Minnesota on the road at Iowa, so a win this week makes them bowl eligible, and they can exercise some demons after a dismal outing a week ago.  

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Michigan State is winless in conference play for second year head coach Jonathan Smith, and they are allowing almost 33 points per game. Their stats aren’t horrible, but in the last three games they’ve allowed an average of 35.6 points per game while only scoring 15.  

The Gophers are 5-0 at home and a win Saturday would equal the 6-0 start at home they had in 2019. More importantly, two of the three final games are on the road after this week at two of the better teams, Oregon and Northwestern, so this week is very important. Watch it on the Big Ten Network.  

#1 Ohio State (7-0/4-0) vs Penn State (3-4/0-4) 

Normally this game would be a game that would peak everyone’s interest, but after Penn State’s three-game losing streak and firing former Head Coach James Franklin, this one has lost its luster.  

I only mention it because we’ve seen teams play really well after firing their coach this year, and Penn State had a bye week last week. Expect Ohio State to do to the Nittany Lions what they did to Minnesota earlier this year, or will they? 

This one starts at 11am on Fox.  

#9 Vanderbilt (7-1/3-1) at #20 Texas (6-2/3-1) 

This SEC match-up is interesting because Vandy is trying to prove that they deserve to be one of the final Top 12 teams in college football. Texas’ record isn’t bad, but not what they were expecting. Plus, a loss practically eliminates them from playoff contention, and the best they can hope for is a good bowl game.  

This one starts at 11am on ABC. 

#5 Georgia (6-1 / 4-1) vs Florida (3-4/2-2) 

This one still carries the nickname of the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party even though it’s been discouraged to use that term. Georgia needs to avoid a second loss, especially with three games left to play as they’re trying to make another appearance in the SEC Championship game. 

For the Gators, who fired Coach Billy Napier after their last game, this is a chance to have something to hold onto during the off season. Florida has talent; can this makeshift coaching staff find enough magic to pull off the upset? 

Watch this one on ABC at 2:30. 

Other games to put your eyes on this Saturday include: 

#18 Oklahoma (6-2/2-2) at #14 Tennessee (6-2/3-2) 

This SEC Clash will see one team's hopes for making the playoff vanish.  

See it at 6:30 on ABC. 

#23 USC (5-2) at Nebraska (3-1) 

The Cornhuskers are playing for a good bowl game appearance while USC, with a win, is holding on to small hopes of being one of the Top 12 teams. 

This one will be played under the lights at 6:30 on NBC. 

#17 Cincinnati (7-1/5-0) at #24 Utah (6-2/3-2) 

The Bearcats have been much better this year as their record indicates, and they are currently tied for first place in the conference. A win keeps them on pace with BYU. Utah is a difficult place to play, and like other teams I’ve mentioned, they are playing for the best bowl game possible.  

This late game starts at 9:15 and could be worth the watch as we transition into Sunday. See this game on ESPN.