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SALT LAKE CITY — Clear your Saturday plans as Week 8 of college football is upon us. Here are five non-local games to check out.
No. 7 Penn State at No. 3 Ohio State
Saturday, Oct. 21 at 10 a.m. MDT (FOX)
A lot is riding on the line for these two top-10 teams in the Big Ten East. Both teams have maintained perfect records through wWeek 7, but this game will ruin that 6-0 record for either Penn State or Ohio State. With Michigan looking to be at the top of the Big Ten this season, a win here could determine which team will be the Wolverines' biggest challenger.
The Nittany Lions have not defeated a top-five team since 2016 when they beat a No. 2 ranked Ohio State. Is this the year for an upset? As for the Buckeyes, their defense remains one to fear as they have managed to hold opponents to just 9.7 points a game this season.
No. 17 Tennessee at No. 11 Alabama
Saturday, Oct. 21 at 1:30 p.m. MDT (CBS)
After last year's thrilling 52-49 victory for Tennessee, Alabama is looking to redeem the "Third Saturday in October" as theirs. With the Crimson Tide leading the rivalry 58-39-7, the Volunteers still have more victories over Alabama than any other team in college football.
Fans of both teams probably hoped for a slightly better start to the season; however, a win could help with either team's redemption arc for the 2023 season. Alabama's offense will have to be on their A-game as the Volunteers' defensive front ranks fourth nationally, averaging four sacks per game and 8.6 tackles for loss per game.
No. 16 Duke at No. 4 Florida State
Saturday, Oct. 21 at 5:30 p.m. MDT (ABC)
Duke is going into Week 8 with a 5-1 record — the best start they've had since 2018. In addition, Duke is ranked the highest it has been in the Associated Press Top 25 poll since 1994. Under the direction of head coach Mike Elko, the Blue Devils have been playing at a high level. Is it possible that Duke could be more than just a basketball school?
Florida State, on the other hand, leads the series 21-0 and gives reason to believe the winning trend will continue. The Seminoles are having their best season since 2015 and continue to look like a College Football Playoff contender.
Washington State at No. 9 Oregon
Saturday, Oct. 21 at 1:30 p.m. MDT (ABC)
With a rather tough loss for Oregon in Week 7 against Washington, the Ducks hope to bounce back with a high-scoring win over Washington State and to reinstate their dominance in the Pac-12.
Washington State is not to be overlooked, though. Even though they may be unranked this week because they dropped the last two games, the Cougars managed two wins against ranked teams in Wisconsin and Oregon State earlier this season.
No. 22 Air Force at Navy
Saturday, Oct. 21 at 10 a.m. MDT (CBS)
Air Force has surprised football fans this season with a 6-0 record and a top-25 ranking going into Week 8. They enter this game with the best record they have had since 2002 and are ranked for the first time since the end of the 2019 season. The Falcons have the sixth best rushing defense, but will need to be on high alert as they face Navy's No. 5 rushing attack. The Midshipmen have a 3-3 record for the season thus far.
