College Football TV Guide: How to Watch Today’s Games

LSU visits Mississippi State, which is 2-0 in its first season since the death of former coach Mike Leach. The Bulldogs had the ball 25.5 percent of the time in Leach’s three seasons, but have seemingly adopted a new offensive identity under coach Zach Arnett. I run it 60.5 percent of the time through two games. It’s not entirely clear whether this tactic will work: Mississippi State averaged 7.6 yards per carry in its opening game against Southeastern Louisiana of the Football Championship Subdivision, in last weekend’s overtime win against Arizona, which had one of the worst rushing teams last season numbers, just 3.7 per attempt defenses in the country (the Wildcats allowed 5.59 yards per carry in 2022, ranking 126th nationally). LSU’s rushing defense didn’t look great. Opponents have gained at least 10 yards on 13 rushing plays in two games (No. 112 nationally), and one of those games was against FCS Grambling, where eight carries gained 10 or more yards. Five of those came in the first half, when the game — an eventual 72-10 LSU win — was at least slightly in doubt. … Kansas State and Missouri Revisiting a rivalry forged in the old Big Eight. They played a 40-12 Wildcats win last year that was cut short by a significant weather delay. Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott appears to believe the Tigers used the weather as an excuse for their loss. “I heard the weather was to blame,” Sinnott told the Wichita Eagles this week. “I heard it was raining, we couldn’t warm up, we couldn’t get ready. I mean, the weather is not the one who plays on the field. It’s the actual players that are out there. Both teams are dealing with exactly the same environment, so it’s pretty funny to hear any excuses about the weather.”…

Two-time defending champion Georgia faces South Carolina and perhaps gets his first challenge of the season. The Bulldogs beat Tennessee Martin and Ball State by a combined score of 93-10, but both games featured slow starts. Georgia fumbled on three of its first four possessions against the FCS Skyhawks, missed a field goal and punted on its first two possessions against the Cardinals. But the Gamecocks also sleepwalked at the start of last Saturday’s win against FCS Furman, falling behind 14-7 in the second quarter and only taking the lead for good just before halftime. South Carolina has also allowed 23 tackles for a loss this season, which is more than just two FBS teams. Once again, one of the Gamecocks games was against an FCS team, and now they have to play Georgia? Not good! … Both Minnesota and North Carolina dispute with the NCAA over transfer eligibility. Tar Heels coach Mack Brown forcefully confronted the NCAA for denying eligibility to wide receiver Tez Walker, who transferred to North Carolina (the second transfer of his college career) to be near his ailing grandmother. Minnesota is appealing the NCAA’s decision to declare defenseman Craig McDonald ineligible after transferring from Auburn (he began his college career at Iowa State). …

Syracuse and Purdue meet again after the Orange’s 32-29 win last season, one of the more exciting games of 2022. There were a total of six lead changes and two touchdowns in the final 51 seconds, the last being a touchdown catch by Oronde Gadsden II With seven seconds left, the victory gave Syracuse the win. Gadsden set the Orange record for receptions and receiving yards by a tight end last season, but suffered a left foot injury on the second play of last weekend’s game against Western Michigan. It is unclear if he will play against the Boilermakers. … Ahead of the renewal of the Rocky Mountain rivalry between these weekends Colorado State and Colorado, Rams coach Jay Norvell appeared to take a shot at Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders. “When I talk to adults, I take off my hat and glasses,” Norvell said on his weekly coaching show. “That’s what my mom taught me.” The two in-state rivals haven’t played since 2019 and the Rams last beat the Buffaloes in 2014.