Most Impactful College Football Games of the Weekend
#9 Missouri @ #25 Texas A&M 12:00 P.M.
Missouri enters Kyle Field on Saturday an undefeated ball club in the most anticipated game of Saturday’s college football slate. Despite not losing a game yet, Missouri is an underdog against the Aggies and their 12th Man. While their offense has been the catalyst to this 4-0 start, Missouri’s defense has also stepped up and made some important plays. Quarterback Brady Cook has thrown for more than 225 yards in each game so far, and star wideout Luther Burden has caught three touchdowns in that past two games. As for the Aggies, they’ve bounced back nicely and won four straight after their season-opening loss to Notre Dame. A major reason for the Aggies’ resurgence has been freshman quarterback Marcel Reed, who has been starting the past three weeks. Reed has accounted for eight touchdowns and zero interceptions in his three starts, giving Aggie fans a glimpse into the future and showing why he is the guy at quarterback. He will look to continue his hot stretch and turn Texas A&M into a legitimate SEC contender on Saturday afternoon.
Rutgers @ Nebraska 4:00 P.M.
After an impressive win at home against Washington last week, Rutgers will head to Lincoln, Nebraska to take on the Cornhuskers. Rutgers’ 4-0 start is the program’s best since 2012, as Greg Schiano continues to move the program in the right direction. Running back Kyle Monangai is the Scarlet Knights’ best player and one of the most underrated halfbacks in the country, rushing for 589 yards through the first four games. Athan Kaliakmanis has been able to keep Rutgers in the game the first four weeks, but he’s going to have to throw the ball down the field and make some plays against this Nebraska defense. Kaliakmanis does do a good job of limiting turnovers though, as he’s thrown only one interception this season. Dylan Raiola has been the superstar that Husker fans were hoping for this season, throwing for 1,224 yards through his first five collegiate games. It will be interesting to see if Nebraska can establish a run game against this strong Rutgers front, as it would make things much easier for Raiola across the middle and down the field. Whichever team wins this game will most likely find themselves in the AP Top 25 next week, making it an important matchup in Lincoln.
#10 Michigan @ Washington 7:30 P.M.
It will be the first Big Ten home game in Seattle on Saturday, as the Huskers play host to the 10th ranked Michigan Wolverines. Despite losing two close games to Washington State and Rutgers, Washington has shown plenty of fight led by veteran quarterback Will Rogers. Rogers has thrown ten touchdowns this year and zero interceptions, while running back Jonah Coleman has ran for 521 yards and four touchdowns. On the other side, Michigan running backs Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards have led the offense so far this season. This Michigan team has been even more reliant on the run then in past years under Jim Harbaugh, as young quarterbacks Alex Orji and Davis Warren try to find their footing. The key to this game will be the atmosphere in Seattle Saturday night, as I believe Washington fans are going to bring the energy with a ranked team in town. If this crowd can provide the noise and the Huskies can establish a run game, Washington can knock off Michigan and shake up the Big Ten standings.