College football schedule, games 2020: What to watch in Week 8, TV channels, Saturday kickoff times

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College football is back in action Saturday with a larger slate of games to enjoy. The Big Ten makes its 2020 season debut with seven games on its conference-only schedule. The Mountain West will also return to action this week, leaving just the Pac-12 and MAC to kick off their seasons over the next two weeks.

The day will kick off with No. 5 Ohio State starting its season against Scott Frost and Nebraska. Plus, many more ranked teams hit the field later in the day, including four games featuring teams ranked in the AP Top 25 poll. The most important of those maybe be a showdown in Big 12 country when No. 6 Oklahoma State takes on No. 17 Iowa State.

The important news is that there's plenty of games to keep your attention throughout a busy Saturday. As you try to figure out what to watch and when, check out this week's viewer's guide with kickoff times, tune-in information and storylines all below.

All times Eastern

The biggest games

Nebraska at No. 5 Ohio State -- noon, Fox and fuboTV (Try for free): How long will it take Ohio State to overtake Notre Dame or Georgia in the polls and move into the top four? If the Buckeyes cover this massive spread against Nebraska and Notre Dame continues to look unimpressive, it might happen Sunday.

No. 2 Alabama at Tennessee -- 3:30 p.m., CBS and CBSSports.com: Another week, another game against a former assistant for Nick Saban as he faces Jeremy Pruitt and the woebegone Vols. This one doesn't carry the hype of last week's showdown with Georgia, but Alabama's wide receivers are so good that this team is becoming appointment viewing just to see the ridiculous plays they make.

No. 17 Iowa State at No. 6 Oklahoma State -- 3:30 p.m., Fox and fuboTV (Try for free): After Iowa State lost to Louisiana and Oklahoma State struggled against Tulsa in their respective openers, it was hard to see this game meaning so much. But with Texas and Oklahoma each having two conference losses already, this game has big-time implications in the Big 12.

No. 18 Michigan at No. 21 Minnesota -- 7:30 p.m., ABC and fuboTV (Try for free): Speaking of games with big-time implications, can you imagine the mood around Ann Arbor if Jim Harbaugh's sixth season begins with a loss to Minnesota? The Gophers will feel pretty good about their chances of reaching the Big Ten Championship game with a victory here.

Other big games

No. 23 NC State at No. 14 North Carolina -- noon, ESPN and fuboTV (Try for free): North Carolina dropped nine spots in the AP Top 25 poll after losing to Florida State. That loss to the Seminoles reduced the national appeal of this week's showdown with the Wolfpack. But it should still be an impassioned meeting between rivals who are rarely good at the same time.

No. 3 Notre Dame at Pittsburgh -- 3:30, ABC and fuboTV (Try for free): With Ohio State joining the mix this week, Notre Dame needs to prove why it belongs in the playoff picture over the Buckeyes. The Panthers will be no pushover.

No. 8 Penn State at Indiana -- 3:30 p.m., FS1 and fuboTV (Try for free): The Nittany Lions are supposed to be the top Big Ten challenger to Ohio State. But how will they look without star linebacker Micah Parsons and leading returning rusher Journey Brown? Parsons opted out of the season, while Brown is expected to miss the year with an undisclosed medical condition.

No. 9 Cincinnati at No. 16 SMU -- 9 p.m., ESPN2 and fuboTV (Try for free): If there's going to be an undefeated team come from the AAC this year, it will be the winner of this game. Cincinnati's solid defense faces its toughest test yet against veteran SMU quarterback Shane Buechele.

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