Good morning, Tide fans! How are we feeling today?!

There’s a game that you know is happening a little later in the evening. But we still have a long day of football ahead of us before tonight’s main event begins.

Here’s today’s grid schedule (as always from CFBgrid.com), as well as what we’re looking at and why.

All times are in God’s right and proper central time zone (although I could do without Daylight Savings Time).

Kentucky at OIe Miss – This is the first football-like stuff Ole Miss has played, after a month with a schedule that was literally softer than seven teams in the FCS Missouri Valley Conference. Still, it’s a 2-2 Kentucky team that can’t throw the ball and got blown out at home by South Carolina. Still, the Wildcats have some decent players on the line, and the Rebels will have to play at least something that resembles football. I’ll see how both teams respond. This rivalry (and yes, it is one of them) has been known over the years for its crazy finishes and weird shootouts.

Maryland in Indiana — Sneaky good play in the B1G between two offenses that can light it up quickly. Maryland appears to be in the middle of the Big Ten this year. But IE? The Hoosiers were excellent. They’ve had a soft schedule, and UCLA isn’t panting as bad as the Bruins, but it’s still a B1G W on the road. Are the Hoosiers as good as they looked? Is this Maryland offense poised to expose an Indiana defense that no one has really weaponized on the outside?

Oklahoma in Auburn — Half of the Sooners offense is on the triage list, but will they even need a lot of points against a Barn passing attack that likes to throw interceptions? Auburn ranks second to last in turnovers nationally, and Payton Thorne is back under center after Hank Brown at least looked like the three-star talent he was recruited to be. How many ducks will the Tigers have? Can the Sooners bounce back from the Vols, aided by a new (seemingly competent) QB, and claim their first-ever SEC victory? Whose meltdown will be more glorious after the L?

Colorado at UCF — One team can’t run and can’t stop the run. One team can’t pass and can’t stop the pass. This should be a lot of fun. High shooting potential in Orlando.

Illinois at Penn State — This game is everything UCF-Colorado is not. These two defenses are excellent. The spread is quite large, but should it be? The Nittany Lions haven’t played anyone of note. The Illini have been road tested and have also recorded three wins over FBS teams. Surprisingly for a Bielema team, they are led by their passing attack. Both secondaries are phenomenal.

Okie Lite at K State — Which of these 3-1 teams is real? Are or one of them really? The Cowboys’ defense is awful, and the Wildcats’ passing game may be even worse. Considering Utah’s dominance after a month of play, and each with a B12 loss apiece, this is an elimination game… and I don’t think either expected to be here before October. Will the real contender please stand up? It’s Fraud Sort Day in Manhattan.

Arkansas vs. Texas A&M — The annual Jerrydome rivalry is always full of unlikely endings and hurt feelings. The Aggies have been sluggish after their loss to the Domers. Arkansas, meanwhile, is 3-1 and should be undefeated. They’ve had two tough roadies to Auburn and Stillwater, so the trip won’t bother them. Will this impact the Aggies, who haven’t left College Station all season?

Wisconsin at USC — Another game of contrasts. The Trojans’ new and improved defense was exposed last week when the Wolverines rushed for more than 300 yards at USC in a game that wasn’t as close as the final score. The Badgers, meanwhile, have some issues in the secondary. Can the Men of Troy exploit that?

Wazzu, Boise State -The Cougars are an 8-point underdog on the Smurf Grass because their ground defense is terrible and BSU has the best (or second-best) running back in the country. The Broncos looked good this year and were already eliminated after a win in Eugene. Can they derail the Cougars’ perfect start?

Short

• LSU vs. South Alabama – The Tigers have four straight rivalry games after this, they have a lot of injuries, they have a terrible rushing defense… and the US has a frighteningly good ground attack.
• Fresno State at UNLV – How will the Rebs (and their Cinderella season) react after losing their starting QB to a penny ante NIL dispute? What a little woman.
• FSU at SMU – Just how bad can things get in Tallahassee? The Ponies aren’t bad at all… and their secondary and running game could spell trouble for the Noles
• Cincy at TTU – Like OSU/KSU, this is another battle of 3-1 B12 teams where you get the sense that both are pretty good, but how good is anyone’s guess. The Bearcats are led by their defense; the Red Raiders through their frenetic passing attack. Something has to give.

So that’s what we have today and why.

It’s your turn. Join us. This is your topic for that day’s action. What are you looking at? What will be a hyped game that ultimately flops? Besides ‘Bama’, what is the most meaningful game of the day?