College football schedule, 2024 games: What to watch in Week 6, TV channels, Saturday kickoff times

The arrival of October means conference play across college football is picking up steam again after a tumultuous September that featured numerous non-conference games. These games have helped shape narratives across the country and now it’s time to capture what we think we’ve learned from the opening salvo of the season.

We think we’ve learned that No. 3 Ohio State is every bit as good as advertised, as the Buckeyes defeated four overpowering opponents by an average margin of 42 points. However, they could face their toughest test yet when Iowa visits CBS for a Big Ten showdown on Saturday afternoon.

No. 4 Tennessee is another team that performed elitely in September, as the Volunteers beat NC State 51-10 before methodically tying Oklahoma 25-15 on the road. But the Volunteers’ defense may face its biggest challenge Saturday, during a trip to Arkansas to face the Razorbacks and mobile quarterback Taylen Green.

Then there’s No. 11 USC, which looked physically tougher in September than it has in 2023. But the Trojans are in the middle of a seven-week series of games against Big Ten opponents and travel to Minnesota for another tough test. Are the Trojans really ready to handle the rigors of life in their new league?

Once the Week 6 action begins, here’s a viewer’s guide to help you navigate all of Saturday’s action.

Always east

The best games

No. 9 Missouri at No. 25 Texas A&M – Noon on ABC, fuboTV (Try it free): Missouri goes on the road for the first time this season and will have the validity of its top-10 ranking tested against a Texas A&M team that is off to a 2-0 start in the league. With a road win against Florida and a neutral win against Arkansas, the Aggies proved that they are no pushovers in their first year under coach Mike Elko. Mizzou narrowly edged Boston College and Vanderbilt and needs to do a better job of finishing its drives with touchdowns after hitting a total of seven field goals in those two wins.

Navy at Air Force – Noon on CBS, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (free), Paramount+ with Showtime: The first leg of the battle for the Commander in Chief’s Trophy holds some excitement as Navy gets off to a 4-0 start with four double-digit wins. The Midshipmen are more dynamic offensively than a typical service academy squad and appear to be a legitimate contender for the playoff spot in the Group of Five. But the Falcons have won four straight in the series and would be happy to end their rival’s hot start.

Auburn at No. 5 Georgia – starting at 3:30 p.m ABC, fuboTV (Try it free): Both teams desperately need a win in the Deep South’s oldest rivalry after suffering heartbreaking league losses last week. This is the first in a difficult stretch of three road games in October for a shaky Auburn team that appears to have made no progress in its second year under coach Hugh Freeze. Georgia still has some important tests ahead of them and could use a stress-free win to get back on track.

Iowa at No. 3 Ohio State – 3:30 p.m. on CBS, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (free), Paramount+ with Showtime After facing little resistance in a 4-0 start, Ohio State’s offense will need to be strong against Iowa. The Hawkeyes are entering a bye week, boast one of the best rushing attacks in the country, led by Kaleb Johnson, and are strong defensively – although perhaps not elite. If the Buckeyes are caught looking ahead to next week’s showdown at No. 6 Oregon, Iowa, things could get interesting.

No. 10 Michigan at Washington – 7:30 p.m. on NBC, fuboTV (Try it free): Despite being a rematch of last season’s national championship game, the teams are virtually unrecognizable with different coaches, different quarterbacks and heavily revamped rosters. Michigan is completely one-dimensional offensively and will play its first road game. The Huskies could use a decisive win under first-year coach Jedd Fisch after narrow losses to Washington State and Rutgers in September.

No. 8 Miami at Cal – 10:30 p.m. on ESPN, fuboTV (Try for free): Miami was the class of the ACC in September, getting off to a 5-0 start behind the play of star quarterback Cam Ward. But after a narrow home win against Virginia Tech last week, the Hurricanes find themselves in a tough spot heading into October. Cal is a formidable opponent and the Hurricanes travel three time zones away for a game that, according to their internal clock, doesn’t end until around 2 a.m.

The best of the rest

• SMU at No. 22 Louisville – Noon on ESPN, fuboTV (try for free)
• UMass at Northern Illinois – Noon on CBS Sports Network, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free)
• UCLA at No. 7 Penn State – Noon on Fox, fuboTV (try for free)
• No. 23 Indiana at Northwestern – 3:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network, fuboTV (try for free)
• San Diego State at Central Michigan – 3:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free)
• No. 12 Ole Miss at South Carolina – 3:30 p.m. on ESPN, fuboTV (try for free)
• No. 1 Alabama at Vanderbilt – 4:15 p.m. on SEC Network, fuboTV (try for free)
• No. 15 Clemson at Florida State – 7 p.m. on ESPN, fuboTV (try for free)
• Utah State at No. 21 Boise State – 7 p.m. on FS2, fuboTV (try free)
• Baylor at No. 16 Iowa State – 7:30 p.m. on Fox, fuboTV (try for free)
• No. 4 Tennessee at Arkansas – 7:30 p.m. on ABC, fuboTV (try for free)
• No. 11 USC at Minnesota – 7:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network, fuboTV (try for free)
• Hawaii at San Diego State – 8 p.m. on CBS Sports Network, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (free)