DCTF's FBS Watchability Rankings for Week Five

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In the world of cord-cutting and streaming, it's difficult to know where you can watch your favorite Texas college football team on Saturday. Here's a Texas-centric TV guide, and watchability ranking, so you can spend less time finding that gosh-darned channel and more time watching football.

Note: UTSA is on a bye and Sam Houston lost on Thursday to Jacksonville State 35-28 in OT.

1. No .3 Texas vs. No. 24 Kansas (2:30 p.m., ABC)

Normally, this game would strike ice-cole fear in Texas fans. The Longhorns have historically played dangerously close games with the Big 12's cellar dwellars, losing in 2016 (the final straw in the Charlie Strong tenure), winning on a last-second field goal in 2019 and losing in overtime in Sark's first season in 2021. But this Texas team is different in 2023, and so is Kansas. Led by third-year coach Lance Leipold and electric quarterback Jalon Daniels, the Jayhawks are 4–0 and in a three-way tie atop the conference with Texas and Oklahoma. Texas and Kansas is the game of the week. Who woulda thunk it?

Prediction: Texas 35, Kansas 24. Longhorns stay unblemished ahead of Red River Rivalry.

2. Texas A&M vs. Arkansas (11 a.m., SEC Network)

These two former Southwest Conference rivals always play a crazy game in Jerry World. The fact Texas A&M has won 10 of the last 11 hides all the overtime and one-score games laced in the seemingly dominant stretch. Saturday will be the first test for the Aggies in life after quarterback Conner Weigman, who is likely out for the season with an ankle injury. Backup Max Johnson was terrific in relief during the Auburn game, but now he'll face an Arkansas team with a full week to gameplan for him. 

Prediction: Texas A&M 42, Arkansas 35 OT. Max Johnson balls out, gives Aggies a dose of confidence heading into Alabama.

3. Texas Tech vs. Houston (2:30 p.m., FS2)

It's been a rocky start in Lubbock to say the least. Texas Tech is 1–3, and now quarterback Tyler Shough is most likely out for the year with a broken fibula. Behren Morton steps in and looks to knock off former quarterback buddy Donovan Smith, who's leading Houston this season after throwing for 1,505 yards and 12 touchdowns as a spot starter at Texas Tech last season. But if the Red Raiders can't shore up an offensive line ranked 112th in the nation in sacks allowed, it won't matter who's playing QB.

Prediction: Texas Tech 24, Houston 13. Houston's offense isn't strong enough to capitalize on a Tech team in transition.

4. TCU vs. West Virginia (7 p.m., ESPN 2)

After getting shocked by Colorado in Week One, TCU has rebounded nicely. The Horned Frogs have reeled off three-straight wins. The defense has buckled down, surrendering just 12 points per game in that span. And Chandler Morris has blossomed just in time for the meat of Big 12 play. West Virginia, predicted to finish last in the Big 12 preseason poll, shocked Texas Tech last week and is seeking another upset.

Prediction: TCU 27, West Virginia 14. WVU slows down TCU's offense slightly, but doesn't have the offensive firepower to steal the victory.

5. Baylor at UCF (2:30 p.m., FS1)

Baylor's season is on the ropes, and UCF is plenty capable of sending the Bears to 1–5. Baylor was supposed to be one of the premier teams to lead the Big 12 after Texas and OU's departure, but now they're in danger of losing to a conference newcomer. Gus Malzahn's offense is third in the nation with 260 yards per game, and Baylor's defensive line has been porous, ranking 104th in the nation in yards allowed. 

Prediction: UCF 38, Baylor 17. The Golden Knights send Baylor to the bottom of the Big 12 standings

6. Texas State at Southern Miss (6 p.m., ESPN+)

G.J. Kinne has Texas State at 3–1 in his inaugural season, and they've won games in every which way. They've gone into a Power Five stadium and pulled an upset, endured a defensive slugfest against a rival, put up 77 points in an offensive shootout and had to overcome a 17-point halftime deficit last week against Nevada. The only thing that hasn't gone Texas State's way is on the injury front. Three captains, safety Tory Spears, offensive tackle Nash Jones and defensive end Jordan Revels, are all sidelined for significant time.

Prediction:  Texas State 45, Southern Miss 28. Bobcats outpace a powerful Southern Miss rushing attack.

7. Rice vs. East Carolina (6 p.m., ESPN+)

All eyes are on the health of quarterback JT Daniels, because while Rice is 2–2, they haven't been stellar outside of the passing game. The Owls are 124th in the nation with just 82 rushing yards a game, and the defense has taken a step back this season giving up 31.8 points per game. East Carolina is a chaotic team. They've forced eight turnovers in four games, but have also piled up 37 penalties. 

Prediction:  East Carolina 35, Rice 27. JT Daniels tries to gut it out but is too hobbled for Rice to win.

8. SMU vs Charlotte (6:30 p.m., ESPNU)

A dark-horse New Year's Six Bowl pick preseason, SMU has showed flashes of a much-improved defense in a 2–2 start, but the offense hasn't capitalized on long drives. They get a nice ramp-up into American Athletic Conference play with a game against Charlotte, who's lost three-consecutive games under first-year head coach Biff Poggi. SMU can go on a run, but the passing game will need to show it can replace last year's No.1 wide receiver Rashee Rice.

Prediction: SMU 49, Charlotte 21. SMU flexes in this game to get back on track.

9. North Texas vs. Abilene Christian (6 p.m., ESPN+)

North Texas enjoyed some rest last week and now ease back into the rest of its schedule with FCS opponent Abilene Christian. Quarterback Chandler Rogers led the Mean Green to its first win over Louisiana Tech, and it looks like he'll be the full-time starter going forward. The defense pivoted from a three-man front in the first two games to a four-man front two weeks ago, and they should continue to work out the kinks of that shift Saturday.

Prediction:  North Texas 45, Abilene Christian 14. North Texas gets to .500, gains momentum in first year under Eric Morris.

10. UTEP vs. Louisiana Tech (Friday night 8 p.m., CBS Sports Network)

UTEP's season-opening loss to Jacksonville State, and its inability to put up points, looks worse in retrospect now that Sam Houston, who'd averaged just over three points per game, put up 28 points on them. At 1–4, UTEP badly needs a win to get it's season back on track and get to .500 in Conference USA play. 

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