The Saturday Watchlist: 9-13-2025
Georgia-Tennessee headlines a loaded Week 3 slate packed with playoff implications.
There are some days when sports are more important than they usually are. Today is one of those days.
There’s a little bit of everything for anybody who loves college football in Week 3. If you’re a fan of marquee matchups only, then Georgia plays Tennessee, Texas A&M goes on the road to face Notre Dame, and Florida looks to bounce back in Death Valley against a tough LSU squad.
On the other hand, if you’re more interested in some of the lower-key games on the table, then Arkansas is heading to Oxford looking to surprise Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and South Carolina are squaring off in a game that could quietly carry some playoff implications, and the Darian Mensah Bowl between Duke and Tulane will take place in New Orleans. What’s not to love about Week 3?
Last Saturday was pure chaos. Favored teams seemed to drop like flies. The consequences of last weekend’s shenanigans played out in the latest D Poll, which illustrates how crazy this season could potentially be if early returns are to be believed. While there isn’t any indication that Week 3 will provide the same level of chaos as Week 2, I’d guess we all need to be on the lookout for some wild results. Only God knows where those will come from.
With so many games this week, it can be hard to pin down exactly what to watch and where to watch it. That’s where The Saturday Watchlist comes in to save the day. Below is every game I deem worthy of watching this Saturday and where to find it. To gain the full college football experience (at least in my opinion), it helps to have multiple screens, but if you prefer to sit down and watch one game at a time, this list can be just as useful.
Also, and this is important, this is what I’m watching today. So, if you’re surprised to see a game higher up in priority than you’d usually expect, it’s most likely because I have a rooting interest in that matchup.
Here’s The Saturday Watchlist for September 13, 2025.
Note: All rankings are from the D Poll for Week 3, and all times are CT.
Early Window
Primary Screen: Clemson at Georgia Tech - 11 AM - ESPN
Secondary Screen: Wisconsin at Alabama - 11 AM - ABC
Tertiary Screen: No. 1 Oregon at Northwestern - 11 AM - FOX
Also worth tracking:
No. 11 Oklahoma at Temple - 11 AM - ESPN2
If there was a window of time to take a nap during a college football Saturday (I’d never actually advise this), it would be during the early slate. Clemson’s “prove it” matchup on the road in Atlanta against Georgia Tech is definitely appointment viewing, but beyond that, I’m not sure. Maybe Wisconsin will pull off a stunner in Tuscaloosa? Maybe Northwestern will have a pulse against Oregon? I doubt it. Just put on Clemson-Georgia Tech and forget about the rest—unless some shenanigans begin to occur, and then it’s definitely time to start paying attention.
Afternoon Window
Primary Screen: No. 7 Georgia at No. 17 Tennessee - 2:30 PM - ABC
Secondary Screen: No. 10 South Florida at No. 3 Miami - 3:30 PM - The CW Network
Tertiary Screen: Washington State at North Texas - 2:30 PM - ESPNU
Also worth tracking:
Oregon State at No. 21 Texas Tech - 2:30 PM - FOX
No. 16 USC at Purdue - 2:30 PM - CBS
Storylines abound in the afternoon window. Georgia has beaten Tennessee eight times in a row, all by multiple scores. Can the Volunteers finally overcome the giant, or will Kirby Smart continue to have the upper hand? Then there’s South Florida, which has pulled off two impressive wins over ranked opponents in Boise State and Florida. Now the Bulls get a chance at a third, this time against the No. 3 Miami Hurricanes. The odds say they can’t do it, but I’m one to believe anything is possible. Finally, for both personal and entertainment reasons, turn on Washington State-North Texas on your phone or laptop. UNT head coach Eric Morris was once the offensive coordinator at Washington State, and now the two meet again in Denton. Should be a fun one.
Evening Window
Primary Screen: No. 18 Texas A&M at No. 12 Notre Dame - 6:30 PM - NBC
Secondary Screen: Arkansas at Ole Miss - 6 PM - ESPN
Tertiary Screen: Florida at No. 4 LSU - 6:30 PM - ABC
Quaternary Screen: No. 22 Vanderbilt at No. 15 South Carolina - 6:45 PM - SEC Network
Also worth tracking:
Duke at Tulane - 7 PM - ESPN2
Abilene Christian at TCU - 7 PM - ESPN+
For the first time in the history of The Saturday Watchlist, the evening window features a quaternary viewing option. With a slate this jam-packed, how could it not? Notre Dame’s playoff hopes are potentially on the line against Texas A&M, which is wild to say in Week 3. Kentucky gave Ole Miss problems—how will the Rebels handle Arkansas? Do you remember when Florida lost to USF last weekend? Yeah, it’s officially “bounce-back Saturday” for the Gators on the road in Death Valley. Then there’s the intriguing matchup between Vanderbilt and South Carolina. Once bottom dwellers in the SEC, both are now ranked in the D Poll and looking for a statement win.
Late Window
Primary Screen: Minnesota at California - 9:30 PM - ESPN
Secondary Screen: Texas State at Arizona State - 9:30 PM - TNT
Tertiary Screen: Boston College at Stanford - 9:30 PM - ACC Network
There’s not a lot to say about these games other than that it’s fun to watch football—and these are football games, so watch them. If there’s any narrative significance, it’s that Texas State could potentially give Arizona State some trouble. The Bobcats nearly pulled off the upset last season and could be poised for another attempt tonight. And, for the third straight weekend, it’s time to see just how bad Stanford could possibly be. This time that exercise will be carried out by Boston College. I’m sure that’ll be a blast.