College football Week 4 — Arkansas-Texas A&M in the Southwest Classic, Notre Dame-Wisconsin and more

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In what is shaping up to be just one of the weirder seasons in new memory, make it possible for us to introduce you to the weirdest a person-sided matchup in the past 10 years.

No. 7 Texas A&M and No. 16 Arkansas fulfill on Saturday possessing played each and every other 77 instances courting back to 1903. The two previous Southwest Convention rivals now enjoy every year at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in a contest branded as the Southwest Classic.

They took a break subsequent the Hogs’ departure for the SEC in 1991 and failed to resume enjoy right until 2009, with Arkansas profitable a few straight. In 2011, they satisfied just six times immediately after A&M introduced it was leaving the Huge 12 for the SEC. The Aggies blew a 35-17 2nd-50 percent guide and lost 42-38.

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But considering that 2012, when the Aggies officially rejoined the Hogs in the SEC West, it has been all A&M, with the Aggies likely 9- against Arkansas in that span.

But that streak does not notify the total story of how wild the online games have been, no make any difference the quality of possibly group. A few of the game titles — in 2014, 2015 and 2017 — went into additional time. In 2014, Arkansas blew a 14-level fourth-quarter lead. In 2015, they dropped an 8-issue guide with three minutes remaining. In 2017, the Aggies received a 50-43 thriller soon after Christian Kirk scored his third touchdown of the game in OT and the Aggies picked off Austin Allen to conclude the game. In all, 5 of the past seven showdowns were being resolved by a one score, which include the 2019 recreation featuring a historically lousy Arkansas group that dropped its 13th straight SEC video game beneath mentor Chad Morris.

Also of note: The Aggies knocked beginning Arkansas quarterback Nick Starkel out of that match. The similar Nick Starkel who entered the 2017 season as A&M’s starting off quarterback right before having injured in the opener towards UCLA and giving way to Kellen Mond. Starkel opted to transfer, then transferred again to San Jose Condition, where he is now commencing.

Texas A&M has nonetheless to drop to Arkansas given that becoming a member of the SEC in 2012. Jerome Miron-United states Right now Sports activities

Last year, the video game was performed in School Station simply because of the pandemic, with the Aggies cruising to a 42-31 acquire.

Now the game returns to Arlington on Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS) and this year’s twist is that each teams are ranked for just the 3rd time in the heritage of their rivalry. Immediately after the Hogs flattened Texas two months ago, plenty of information-board bragging rights are on the line — possibly Arkansas can declare a condition championship in Texas, or the Aggies can confirm their SEC mettle about the incoming Longhorns. Meanwhile, in the actual standings, the winner results in being the most important threat to Alabama’s West chokehold.

The significant game titles

No. 18 Wisconsin at No. 12 Notre Dame (at Soldier Subject in Chicago, midday ET, FOX): Here’s Notre Dame’s probability to show it truly is superior than what it has proven the to start with few months. Close wins against Florida Condition and Toledo are nothing at all to come to feel fantastic about, and a two-landing acquire in excess of Purdue isn’t really a glowing endorsement for a staff that expects to contend amid college or university football’s best just about every 12 months. For Wisconsin, they can incorporate a non-meeting rated earn to their resume. It will not likely necessarily make up for the reduction in opposition to Penn Point out earlier in the time, but if that remains their only reduction and they get out, they are in Playoff company.

No. 9 Clemson at NC Condition (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN Application): The Tigers occur into this game off a 14-8 acquire versus a Ga Tech staff that was a substantial underdog. Clemson’s offense has not arrive near to living up to the buzz it gained in advance of the period, and will be going from an NC Condition defense that is presently 23rd in Invoice Connelly’s SP+. The Tigers should really and will be favored in this game, but they are likely to have to show some form of life on offense prior to individuals seriously start out smashing the stress button with this staff. It definitely aids that their defense has not permitted a solitary offensive touchdown this period.

Rutgers at No. 19 Michigan (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN App): This activity has an intrigue about it that we are not guaranteed anybody anticipated coming into the year. Rutgers is 3-, and Michigan, also undefeated, has been arguably the best team in the Significant Ten East. The Scarlet Knights will be without two cornerbacks, Max Melton and Chris Prolonged, who are suspended immediately after staying taken into police custody simply because of a paintball gun incident. Melton, who is a starter, has two interceptions, a blocked punt, a fumble recovery and 8 tackles this period. That will certainly be beneficial for Michigan and Cade McNamara, who is proving to be a person of Jim Harbaugh’s greatest quarterbacks considering the fact that he turned the head mentor in Ann Arbor.

Southern Skip at No. 1 Alabama (7:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network/ESPN App): Another benchmark for greatness is the only serious intrigue in this a person. Nick Saban can win his 100th straight video game in opposition to an unranked opponent. That is for a longer time than the upcoming 3 longest lively streaks combined (Clemson with 36, Notre Dame with 35 and Cincinnati with 24).

Akron at No. 10 Ohio Point out (7:30 p.m. ET, BTN): If you are seriously into assessing the teams we believe to be Playoff contenders, you must basically maintain tabs on this match. Ohio State’s defense has been giving up yards at a clip we only usually are not made use of to. The Buckeyes gave up 408 yards versus Minnesota, 505 towards Oregon and 501 against Tulsa. They can not preserve up that sort of tempo and hope to be in the Playoff in January. Ryan Working day switched defensive playcallers last week against the Golden Hurricane from Kerry Coombs to Matt Barnes, and when the transform failed to make much of a variation, it’s going to be a condition well worth watching as the Buckeyes’ year progresses. Ohio Point out has not missing to a staff in the condition because 1921, and that likely would not adjust on Saturday. But hold an eye on the box score right here.

West Virginia at No. 4 Oklahoma (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN Application): The genuine intrigue listed here is looking at if Oklahoma’s offense can return to kind and show they belong at this lofty rating. Very last 7 days, Nebraska held the Sooners to the fewest details (23) since Lincoln Riley arrived in Norman. Spencer Rattler, the preseason favored for the Heisman, appears to be like to have fallen from contention. But none of that will issue if the Sooners can maintain winning, no subject the margin or range of fireworks. West Virginia is -25 all time on the highway in opposition to top rated-5 teams.

Arizona at No. 3 Oregon (10:30 p.m. ET ESPN/ESPN Application): UCLA shed to Fresno Condition past weekend. USC has currently fired its mentor. It seems the Ducks have to survive the time to be the conference’s only hope for a playoff location. This game appears to be like a safe bet: The Wildcats are -3, 28-stage underdogs and coming off a decline to Northern Arizona.

A gentleman of his term

Final week, Portland Point out coach Bruce Barnum provided to purchase anyone’s beer (and as several as they required) at his namesake Barny’s Beer Garden at Hillsboro Stadium to motivate supporters to arrive out and enjoy his Vikings. On Tuesday, the mentor had the receipts: a $14,448 bar tab.

pic.twitter.com/ZaITIqPffG

— Bruce Barnum (@CoachBarnum69) September 21, 2021

The finest jerseys of the 7 days

UTEP is taking part in New Mexico on Saturday, and whilst we typically wouldn’t advocate you observe this recreation, we’d like to current to you the Miners’ Texas Western uniforms:

???? ???????? ✅#FlyinMiners • #PicksUp • #TWC pic.twitter.com/TZ5eNpHGyz

— UTEP Soccer (@UTEPFB) September 20, 2021

The greatest NIL shirt nevertheless

https://t.co/Q0pHuBM78X get your shirt now !! pic.twitter.com/K1aSBd4MPt

— DJ Graham (@djgraham_) September 21, 2021

One particular of the highlights of 7 days 3 is now one of the highlights of the name, picture and likeness period, with Oklahoma’s D.J. Graham marketing T-shirts with his Odell Beckham Jr.-permitted interception featured.