College Football Watching Guide: Return of Power Five leads Week 4

By Sherry Milliken

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Dave Campbell's Texas Football is taking you through all the matchups you need to watch  in Week 4 of the college football season.

Friday Game

Marquee Game: UTSA vs. Middle Tennessee, 7 p.m. on CBS Sports Network

The Blue Raiders have struggled mightily to start the year, so this is a big opportunity for UTSA to impose its will in its first game against a Conference USA opponent. 

Sincere McCormick and Frank Harris have been electric to start the season. In fact, McComrick leads the nation in rushing yards through three weeks. Seeing the dynamic backfield against a struggling MTSU team is worth the price of admission. 

Early Window

Marquee Game: TCU vs. Iowa State, 12:30 p.m. on FS1

At long last, the TCU Horned Frogs will take the field. Matthew Downing is expected to start at quarterback, but Max Duggan is expected to play as well after recovering from a heart procedure. 

On the other side, Iowa State is hoping to recover from a brutal loss to Louisiana to begin the season. TCU has all the defensive firepower to cause Brock Purdy major problems, but what will the offense look like? 

Afternoon Window

Marquee Game: Texas Tech vs. No. 8 Texas, 2:30 p.m. on FOX

It’s been a few years since Texas Tech has been able to beat Texas in Lubbock, but the games have 

Other Games:

  • UTEP at ULM, 2:30 p.m. on ESPN2: The Miners are off to a 2-1 start for the first time in years, and they have a chance to confirm that progress against an FBS opponent. ULM isn’t playing well, and the Miners are starting to find their identity.

  • Texas State at Boston College, 5 p.m. on ESPN3: The Bobcats have thrown the ball on everyone to start the year, but former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is the new man in charge at BC. There’s nothing to lose for Jake Spavital and company. 

Evening Window

Marquee Game: Texas A&M vs. Vanderbilt, 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network alternate

The Aggies open the 2020 conference-only season with their most winnable game of the year. However, there’s still plenty of questions surrounding this team, especially which players are ready to step into major receiving roles after Jhamon Ausbon opted out for the NFL draft. 

However, a matchup with defense-first Vanderbilt will be a great opportunity for the Aggies to test their new weapons against a well-positioned defense. Plus, it will be interesting to see whether the Aggies look dominant enough to compete in the SEC West like we projected. 

Other Games:

  • Houston Baptist at Louisiana Tech, 6 p.m. on ESPN3: Bailey Zappe is the FBS killer with more than 1,000 yards through two FBS games. Louisiana Tech will be the toughest test of the season.

  • SMU vs. Stephen F. Austin, 6 p.m. on ESPN+: Shane Buechele leads the nation in passing yards, Ulysses Bentley ranks No. 2 in rushing yards and both Rashee Rice and Reggie Roberson rank top 10 in receiving yards. The Mustangs are fun as heck to watch. 

  • Baylor vs. Kansas, 6:30 p.m. on ESPNU: The Bears are finally playing for the first time in 2020, and they have a useful tune-up game against a woeful Kansas squad. The most interesting storyline: What does the new offense under Larry Fedora look like? 

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