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College football today on TV delivers a packed Week 3 schedule featuring ranked matchups, rivalry showdowns and several games with early playoff implications. The action begins Friday night and continues through late Saturday, with coverage spread across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Fox, NBC, CBS, conference networks and streaming platforms.
College Football Today on TV: The Biggest Week 3 Games
The most anticipated game of the weekend takes place in Oxford, where No. 7 LSU visits No. 8 Ole Miss at 7:30 p.m. Eastern on ABC. The matchup carries plenty of tension after last season’s controversial developments involving Lane Kiffin and LSU.
LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt was listed as doubtful with a potential shoulder issue, creating uncertainty at the most important position. If he cannot play, Husan Longstreet could make his first career start, while transfer Landen Clark remains another possibility.
Ole Miss enters the contest with an efficient offense led by quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, running back Kewan Lacy and receivers Deuce Alexander and Horatio Fields. LSU, meanwhile, has one of the nation’s most efficient defenses. ESPN’s statistical projections favor the Tigers, but the Rebels will have home-field energy and a powerful revenge narrative behind them.
Critical ACC Battle: SMU at Louisville
At 3:30 p.m. Saturday on ESPN2, No. 16 SMU meets No. 23 Louisville in a game that could shape the ACC championship race. Since joining the conference, SMU has produced an impressive 15-2 record in league play, while Louisville has won at least nine games in three consecutive seasons under Jeff Brohm.
The game features two standout quarterbacks. SMU’s Kevin Jennings has posted outstanding yards-per-dropback numbers, while Louisville’s Lincoln Kienholz has combined accurate passing with dangerous mobility. Kienholz has thrown for 639 yards and added 130 rushing yards, excluding sack yardage. The matchup may ultimately be decided by which defense handles the opposing big-play attack.
Explosive Friday Night Matchup in Lubbock
Friday’s nationally televised schedule begins with Houston at No. 13 Texas Tech at 8 p.m. on Fox. The Cougars have been highly efficient on offense, with Conner Weigman completing 69% of his passes and the running game averaging 6.3 yards per carry.
Texas Tech is favored by more than a touchdown, but its defense has been aggressive and occasionally vulnerable. Quarterback Will Hammond may need to deliver a strong performance against a Houston defense that has been more effective against the run than through the air.
More Must-Watch College Football TV Games
- Florida at Auburn, 7 p.m., ESPN: Both teams are unbeaten, and Florida has dominated its opening opponents by a combined 118-24 score.
- Virginia Tech at Maryland, 7:30 p.m., FS1: Maryland has started 2-0, but Virginia Tech represents its first major test.
- Mississippi State at South Carolina, 4:15 p.m., SEC Network: Dual-threat quarterbacks Kamario Taylor and LaNorris Sellers headline this SEC matchup.
- West Virginia vs. No. 25 Virginia, 7:30 p.m., ACC Network: Virginia is projected to compete for a strong conference finish after a physical start.
- No. 11 BYU at Colorado State, 7:30 p.m., CBS: BYU’s defense faces a Colorado State team capable of producing explosive running plays.
- Michigan State at No. 3 Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m., NBC: Notre Dame has won 12 consecutive games and enters as a heavy favorite.
Saturday Afternoon and Evening Highlights
The national slate also includes several games with major ranking implications. No. 2 Georgia visits Arkansas at noon on ABC, while Florida State travels to No. 10 Alabama for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff. Kentucky faces No. 9 Texas A&M at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN.
Later, No. 24 Oklahoma hosts New Mexico at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2, No. 1 Texas meets UTSA at 8 p.m., and Colorado visits Northwestern at 7:30 p.m. on Fox. The late window includes Purdue at UCLA, James Madison at San Diego State and Montana at Oregon State.
Rivalry fans also have plenty to watch. Miami of Ohio faces Cincinnati in the Victory Bell at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN+, while Florida International battles Florida Atlantic in the Shula Bowl at 6 p.m. The schedule offers meaningful conference tests, historic rivalries and potential upset opportunities from afternoon through midnight.
Why Week 3 Matters
Week 3 is often when unbeaten teams begin separating themselves from the pack. LSU-Ole Miss could influence the SEC race, SMU-Louisville may identify a leading ACC challenger and Florida-Auburn will provide an important measure of both programs’ progress.
With 13 games featuring unbeaten teams, the college football schedule is unusually rich. Fans should check local listings because kickoff times and networks can vary by market, particularly for conference and streaming broadcasts.
What time is LSU versus Ole Miss on TV?
LSU at Ole Miss begins at 7:30 p.m. Eastern on Saturday and will air nationally on ABC.
Which college football game is on TV Friday night?
Houston visits Texas Tech at 8 p.m. Eastern on Fox. Miami at Wake Forest also begins at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.
What are the best college football games Saturday?
The top choices include LSU-Ole Miss, SMU-Louisville, Florida-Auburn, Michigan State-Notre Dame and Florida State-Alabama.
Are there late college football games this weekend?
Yes. Purdue at UCLA, James Madison at San Diego State and Montana at Oregon State are among the late Saturday games.
