KTCK-AM (Dallas, TX)

Kansas will aim to break its 17-game losing streak against in-state rival Kansas State on Saturday afternoon when the Jayhawks travel to Manhattan, Kan., for the Big 12 Conference matchup. In the 124th edition of the Sunflower Showdown, the Jayhawks (2-3, 0-2) will face the Wildcats (3-2, 0-2) as both teams search for their first conference win. Both sides lost last Saturday in their most recent game, as then-No. 22 Houston defeated the Wildcats 35-16, while then-No. 12 Utah beat Kansas 41-24.

After a pair of one-sided losses, host Stanford will try to bounce back against FCS opponent Elon on Saturday. The Cardinal (2-4) lost 57-3 at Wake Forest on Oct. 3 and 58-7 at then-No. 3 Notre Dame on Saturday. All four of Stanford’s losses this season have been by 28 points or more. “We have to find a way to stop helping the other team,” coach Tavita Pritchard said. “Whether it’s penalties or mental errors (or) missed assignments.” Returning home should help.

West Virginia and Cincinnati will look to shake off recent defeats to Arizona when the Mountaineers and Bearcats meet in Big 12 Conference play on Saturday afternoon in Morgantown, W.Va. The Mountaineers (3-3, 0-3) were picked apart for 341 passing yards as they fell 52-31 to the Wildcats last Saturday. West Virginia has given up more than 40 points in all three of its conference games this season.

Virginia Tech will look to snap its two-game losing streak on Saturday afternoon when Georgia Tech visits Blacksburg, Va., for an Atlantic Coast Conference matchup. For the second straight week, the Hokies (4-2, 1-2) lost a close game. Ethan Grunkemeyer gave Virginia Tech a 20-19 lead over Cal on a 1-yard touchdown run with 1:15 remaining on Saturday, but Ashten Emory’s 2-yard TD run with 18 seconds left lifted the Golden Bears to a 25-20 victory. Virginia Tech fell to Pitt 35-33 the previous week.

Baylor will aim to remain unbeaten in Big 12 play and win its fifth straight game overall when it battles TCU on Saturday night in Waco, Texas. The Bears (4-1, 2-0) are one of five teams that haven’t lost in conference play, while TCU (2-3, 0-2) has fallen in its past two games. Plus, Baylor has outscored its opponents 158-54 during its four-game winning streak. “We’re not done becoming who we can become yet,” Bears coach Dave Aranda said.

Coaches generally do not care for bye weeks, but Clemson’s Dabo Swinney feels his team’s first one came about at the right time. Following their weekend off, the Tigers will face an in-state opponent Saturday when Charleston Southern pays a visit. The previous game for the Tigers (3-2) was their second-worst defeat this season, a 41-13 pummeling by then-No. 4 Miami on their home turf. In the season opener at LSU, the Tigers drilled them 51-10 in new coach Lane Kiffin’s debut.

After righting the ship in its last game, Louisville will try to prevent Syracuse from doing the same Saturday when the Cardinals visit the Orange. The Cardinals (3-3, 2-2 ACC) suffered back-to-back three-point losses to Wake Forest and North Carolina State before facing Florida State on a short week. However, Louisville pulled itself together in time to secure a comfortable 44-20 victory against the Seminoles despite trailing 14-0 early in the contest.

Two of the Big 12’s early-season surprises will clash Saturday when No. 18 Oklahoma State visits No. 20 Houston in a matchup with significant conference championship implications. The Cowboys (4-1, 2-0 Big 12) have won four straight games under first-year coach Eric Morris, while the Cougars (5-1, 2-1) are coming off a 35-16 road victory over Kansas State.

The undefeated run is over, but Pitt’s Atlantic Coast Conference journey continues with a Saturday test at Boston College. The Panthers (5-1, 2-1) trek north to Chestnut Hill, Mass., in search of their sixth straight ACC road win dating back to last season after suffering a 21-17 defeat at home against North Carolina last week. Fifth-year quarterback Holden Geriner will continue to start after sophomore Mason Heintschel tore his ACL at Virginia Tech two weeks ago.

Wake Forest will be nationally ranked for the first time since 2022 when it takes on California on Saturday night in Berkeley, Calif. The No. 21 Demon Deacons are riding a three-game winning streak, including road victories over then-No. 16 Louisville and North Carolina State. Their 38-14 win at NC State last week moved them into second place in the Atlantic Coast Conference. “Our players continue to show a high passion in getting better and learning,” Wake Forest coach Jake Dickert said.