The 2023 college football season continues to barrel toward one of the most dramatic finales in the sport’s history, as so many of the top teams competing for those precious four College Football Playoff spots continue to win. The closer we get to the end of the season without any major upsets, the more it appears that at least one Power Five conference champion with no more than one loss will be left out.
The playoff race isn’t the only thing that makes for great viewing, of course. In our weekly list of the most watchable games in college football, we’ve got a couple of games featuring teams that aren’t involved in the playoff chase but feel incredibly high stakes nonetheless.
5
Maryland vs. No. 3 Michigan (Saturday, Noon ET on Fox)
Favorite: Michigan (-19)
While there’s not much reason to believe Maryland is a real threat to win this game, Michigan remains a must-watch during this extraordinarily bizarre episode. Depending on how Friday’s court proceedings go down, Jim Harbaugh may be missing his second game in a row for the Wolverines, and while it didn’t matter much last week against Penn State, Maryland has plenty of offensive explosiveness to make this one interesting for a while.
4
Miami vs. No. 10 Louisville (Saturday, Noon ET on ABC)
Favorite: Miami (-0.5)
The ACC has been truly ON ONE this season with one clear playoff contender at the top in Florida State and a huge group of teams that haven’t quite managed to distinguish themselves from one another. Louisville has the chance to set itself apart and lock up a spot in the ACC title game if it comes away with a road win against a rapidly improving Miami.
3
No. 25 Kansas vs. No. 21 Kansas State (Saturday, 6:30 p.m. ET on ABC)
Favorite: Kansas State (-7.5)
Two incredibly dramatic, volatile seasons have setup what could be a really fun Sunflower Showdown between two of the most dangerous teams in the Big 12. Kansas is optimistic that quarterback Jason Bean will be healthy for Saturday’s game, and it’ll need him because Kansas State’s offense absolutely caught fire in October and shows no signs of slowing down.
2
No. 18 Tennessee vs. No. 1 Georgia (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS)
Favorite: Georgia (-10)
The two-time defending champs faced down the first two teams in its brutal four-game season-ending stretch at home and came away winners. Now the Bulldogs have to go on the road to face a Tennessee team that will be picking itself up off the dirt after getting brutalized by Missouri a week ago. Can the home atmosphere in Knoxville give Tennessee a fighting chance at an upset?
1
No. 11 Oregon State vs. No. 5 Washington (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC)
Favorite: Oregon State (-2.5)
Washington started out the week favored in this game but the line has quickly swung the way of the Beavers. Quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei has led Oregon State to one of its best seasons in modern history, and while Washington remains undefeated and in line for a spot in the College Football Playoff, a road trip to Corvallis may be its toughest test to date.
