COLLEGE FOOTBALLL

This used to headline in basketball. Now the football programs are climbing and this meeting matters. Indiana runs with power and speed. Illinois brings a balanced plan and a defense that squeezes the air out of games.

Both SEC teams are 3 and 0. No. 11 Oklahoma hosts Auburn. Oklahoma’s defense has been the spotlight, holding opponents to 6.3 points a game with only 84 passing yards and 93.6 rushing allowed. Auburn leans on a 242 yards per game ground game that ranks 16th. This sets up clean strength on strength.

First major Big 12 matchup of the season is in Utah. No. 17 Texas Tech at No. 16 Utah at noon Eastern on Fox. Utah’s rushing game is the strength and the defense is allowing only 8.3 points per game. Texas Tech is scoring 58 a game and allowing 41 rushing yards. Utah is favored by 4.5.

Oklahoma handled the Saturday night primetime stage, Arch Manning quieted critics with a four touchdown performance, and Illinois proved it belongs. Here’s what stood out from a weekend of college football.

Arizona State rallied from 17 points down, but Mississippi State answered with a 58 yard touchdown in the final 30 seconds to seal the upset in Starkville.

Florida’s mistakes piled up in a stunning loss to South Florida, with undisciplined play and late-game stubbornness overshadowing any progress.

SMU looked set to finish the job in Dallas, but Baylor stayed alive, tied it late, traded scores in overtime, and walked off with a field goal. The story is poise, belief, and a quarterback who refused to blink.

North Carolina hosted TCU in Chapel Hill for Bill Belichick’s long-awaited college coaching debut. The primetime spotlight quickly turned into a one-sided affair.

Miami and Notre Dame delivered a spotlight matchup on Sunday night of opening weekend. The game carried intensity and late drama fitting for primetime.

Texas Tech opened its season in Lubbock with a non-conference matchup that turned into a showcase. The Red Raiders controlled every phase of the game under the lights.