College Football Week 4 preview: SEC returns, rivals duke it out and more
The SEC will begin its conference-only schedule this week
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The college football season rolls on with some added optimism coming into the fourth week.
The Pac-12 Conference joined the Big Ten in reversing its decision to have a football season despite insisting that continuing with a fall sports schedule was unsafe. On the heels of that announcement, the SEC begins its conference-only schedule with several of its top schools in action.
A handful of games, including one set to be played by Notre Dame, were canceled amid coronavirus outbreaks.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Here are some of the top games on the schedule this week:
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE COLLEGE FOOTBALL COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
**
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}(3) OKLAHOMA VS. KANSAS STATE
Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler throws during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Missouri State in Norman, Okla. Rattler passed for 290 yards and four touchdowns in his first career start as Oklahoma defeated Missouri State. Oklahoma faces Kansas State this week. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, Pool, File)
Oklahoma will come into its game against Kansas State as the No. 3 team in the nation. The Sooners are 1-0 and the Wildcats are 0-1 this season. Expect Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler to have another big game.
DATE: Sept. 26
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}TIME (ET): Noon
WATCH: FOX
**
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}OLE MISS VS. (5) FLORIDA
Florida head coach Dan Mullen watches his players warm up before an NCAA college football game against Florida State, in Gainesville, Fla. Mullen is still wary about what lies ahead as Florida prepares to open the season at Ole Miss on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020. “Obviously, all the COVID stuff makes you anxious,” Mullen said. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Florida starts its season on the road against Ole Miss. Coach Lane Kiffin will be making his Rebels debut. The Gators are the No. 5 team in the nation. Kyle Trask is expected to start at QB for Florida. Ole Miss is expected to go with Matt Corral.
DATE: Sept. 26
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}TIME (ET): Noon
WATCH: ESPN
**
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}(8) AUBURN VS. (23) KENTUCKY
In this Saturday, Nov. 30, 3019, file photo, Auburn quarterback Bo Nix throws against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
Auburn and Kentucky will be among the most interesting SEC matchups to watch. Both teams are ranked. The Tigers ended their 2019 season with a loss to Minnesota and the Wildcats ended with a win against Virginia Tech. Bo Nix will start at quarterback for Auburn and Terry Wilson will start for Kentucky.
DATE: Sept. 26
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}TIME (ET): Noon
WATCH: SEC Network
**
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}EAST CAROLINA VS. (13) CENTRAL FLORIDA
Central Florida quarterback Dillon Gabriel looks for a receiver during the second half of an NCAA college football game against East Carolina, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. Gabriel and the 13th-ranked Knights open American Athletic Conference play on the road Saturday at East Carolina. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
UCF’s Dillon Gabriel declared the Knights the best team in Florida. Quarterback Gabriel will have to put up or shut up, starting with East Carolina. It will be the Pirates’ first game of the season.
DATE: Sept. 26
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}TIME (ET): Noon
WATCH: ESPN Plus
**
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}(19) LOUISIANA VS. GEORGIA SOUTHERN
Louisiana-Lafayette quarterback Levi Lewis (1) runs from Iowa State defensive end JaQuan Bailey (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Louisiana was nearly knocked off last week against Georgia State. This time, it faces Georgia Southern. Levi Lewis and Elijah Mitchell will try to keep things rolling for the Ragin Cajuns. The Eagles’ game against Florida Atlantic last week was postponed because of positive COVID tests.
DATE: Sept. 26
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}TIME (ET): Noon
WATCH: ESPN 2
**
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}(21) PITTSBURGH VS. (24) LOUISVILLE
Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) passes as he is pressured by Austin Peay defensive end Terrell Lucas (10) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh and Louisville face off in an important ACC matchup. The Panthers are led by quarterback Kenny Pickett, who has had a few good games early in the season. The Cardinals will look to rectify a loss against Miami last week.
DATE: Sept. 26
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}TIME (ET): Noon
WATCH: ACC Network
**
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}(6) LSU VS. MISSISSIPPI STATE
Myles Brennan was named LSU's starting quarterback. (Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Quarterback Myles Brennan will look to start the defending national champions off on the right foot. LSU hosts Mississippi State in Mike Leach’s Bulldogs debut. It’s a new LSU team, but the Tigers still come in ranked No. 6 in the nation.
DATE: Sept. 26
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}TIME (ET): 3:30 pm
WATCH: CBS
**
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}TEXAS TECH VS. (8) TEXAS
Texas' Sam Ehlinger (11) looks to pass against UTEP during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
The Longhorns have been riding high under quarterback Sam Ehlinger. Texas looks to remain undefeated this season when they go to Lubbock, Texas, to play Texas Tech. QB Alan Bowman will hope to open up the offense for the Red Raiders.
DATE: Sept. 26
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}TIME (ET): 3:30 pm
WATCH: FOX
**
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}(14) CINCINNATI VS. (22) ARMY
Cincinnati quarterback Ben Bryant, right, breaks away from the Austin Peay defense to score a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati beat Austin Peay 55-20. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Cincinnati and Army face off in a battle of ranked teams. The Bearcats defeated Austin Peay last week. Army has started the season 2-0, defeating Middle Tennessee State and Louisiana-Monroe. A win for either team could mean bigger things come late December or early January.
DATE: Sept. 26
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}TIME (ET): 3:30 pm
WATCH: ESPN
**
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}(15) OKLAHOMA STATE VS. WEST VIRGINIA
Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders (3) hands the ball off to running back Chuba Hubbard (30) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tulsa, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Stillwater, Okla. (AP Photo/Brody Schmidt)
Oklahoma State will hope to keep pace with Oklahoma and Texas in the Big 12. The Cowboys face off against West Virginia. The Mountaineers are also 1-0 and a win could mean a move into the Top 25 come Sunday.
DATE: Sept. 26
TIME (ET): 3:30 pm
WATCH: ABC
**
(4) GEORGIA VS. ARKANSAS
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart is back for another season. Georgia won 26-14. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
Kirby Smart leads the Bulldogs into the 2020 season. Georgia has a conundrum at quarterback after transfer Jamie Newman opted out and J.T. Daniels may not be ready to go. The question marks might open up Arkansas to an upset in the first game of the season.
DATE: Sept. 26
TIME (ET): 4 pm
WATCH: SEC Network
**
MISSOURI VS. (2) ALABAMA
Alabama defensive back Patrick Surtain II waits for a play during the team's NCAA college football game against Southern Miss in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Two of the Alabama defense's big names -- Surtain and linebacker Dylan Moses -- are back, along with potential stars like Ray and linebacker Christian Harris. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
Alabama is back. Mac Jones and the Crimson Tide start their season on the road against Missouri. Alabama will hope its season gets started off right with a win over the Tigers. Missouri will either start redshirt freshman Connor Bazelak or redshirt junior Shawn Robinson.at QB.
DATE: Sept. 26
TIME (ET): 7 pm
WATCH: ESPN
**
(10) TEXAS A&M VS. VANDERBILT
In this Nov. 30, 2019, file photo, Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond throws a pass during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La. Mond will lead No. 10 Texas A&M in the opener against Vanderbilt on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
Texas A&M begins its SEC schedule against Vanderbilt. The Aggies are the No. 10 ranked team in the nation. QB Kellen Mond will get one more shot to lead the team to the College Football Playoff.
DATE: Sept. 26
TIME (ET): 7:30 pm
WATCH: SEC Alternate
**
(12) MIAMI VS. FLORIDA STATE
Seminoles coach Mike Norvell said this week he's asymptomatic for the coronavirus and planned to help with preparation and monitor practices remotely. Deputy head coach Chris Thomsen will fill in for him Saturday. (AP Photo/Phil Sears, File)
The coronavirus is not stopping the rivalry game between Miami and Florida State. The Hurricanes, fresh off a win against Louisville, will host Florida State. The Seminole will have Mike Norvell coaching virtually as he contracted the coronavirus.
DATE: Sept. 26
TIME (ET): 7:30 pm
WATCH: ABC
**
SOUTH CAROLINA VS. (16) TENNESSEE
Jarrett Guarantano and the 16th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers are about to find out how much having the same offensive coordinator for consecutive seasons can help a quarterback. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)
Tennessee is starting the season as the No. 16 team in the nation. Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano and the Vols will host South Carolina and his counterpart Collin Hill. It’s the first game of the season for both schools.
DATE: Sept. 26
TIME (ET): 7:30 pm
WATCH: SEC Network
**
(20) VIRGINIA TECH VS. NC STATE
In this Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, file photo, Virginia Tech quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) runs as Miami linebacker Michael Pinckney (56) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Miami Gardens, Fla. Virginia Tech plays North Carolina State on Saturday, Sept. 26. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Virginia Tech will finally get to showcase what it’s about on Saturday. The Hokies get set to play N.C. State. Virginia Tech had to move games around thanks to the coronavirus but will finally get to step onto the field. N.C. State is coming off a three-point victory over Wake Forest.
DATE: Sept. 26
TIME (ET): 8 pm
WATCH: ACC Network
**
(18) BYU VS. TROY
BYU's Lopini Katoa (4) and Tyler Allgeier (25) celebrate during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Navy, Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Tommy Gilligan)
BYU and Troy will close out a big Saturday in college football. BYU destroyed Navy for its first win of the season. Troy beat Middle Tennessee State for its first win. One team will leave the field undefeated.
DATE: Sept. 26
TIME (ET): 10:15 pm
WATCH: ESPN
**