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All on ESPN+ unless noted)

1 p.m.: Mercer at Furman, Nexstar

Four SoCon teams are off to 2-1 starts, and two of them tussle in Greenville in the league’s first major showdown of the season.

Mercer is ranked 21st and Furman No. 7/8 when they kick off to get a leg up on conference play. Defending champ Samford already has a loss, and battles Chattanooga in another key battle of favorites.

The teams are 2-3 in the SoCon in rushing defene, and Mercer’s No. 6 pass offense will go after Furman’s No. 9 pass defense. The Bears and Paladins are pretty close in most stat categories, though Furman has a solid edge in punting and the Bears are the most penalized team in the conference.

Mercer’s Devron Harper is first with 181.3 all-puprose yards, and Furman’s Hugh Ryan is second with 9.3 tackles a game.

Bears take on SoCon favorite

Mercer’s Central Georgia alums: 21 WR Brayden Smith, Tattnall; 23 WR Travion Solomon, Northeast; 54 OL Justin Brett, Washington County; 57 OL Jose Gonzalez, Warner Robins; OL 68 Nate Howard, Mary Persons; 81 WR Scooter Risper, Westside; WR Tucker Mix, Jones County
Furman’s Central Georgians: None

1 p.m.: Fort Valley State at Kentucky State (no ESPN+)

Wildcats look for two in a row

FVSU’s Central Georgians: 5 LB Tim Alderman, Peach County, Jr.; 10 WR Jaren Lawson, Westside, Grad; 10 DE Cedric Hillsman, Jr., Peach County, Jr.; 15 WR Jonathan Williams, Perry, Jr.; 22 DB Justin Harris, Peach County, Jr.; 25 DB Landon Austin, Macon County, So.; 28 LB Cameron Johnson, Perry, Sr.; 53 DL Josh Burney, Jones County, Jr.; 63 OL Rodrick Smith, Northeast, So.; 82 TE De'Andre King, Warner Robins, So.; 84 TE Alex Henton, Peach County, Jr.; 87 TE Manny Thompson, Warner Robins, So.; 90 DT DJ Wilson, Veterans, So.; 91 DL Quentel Jones, Peach County, Fr.; 99 DL Caleb Thomas, Houston County, Sr.; RB T.J. Miles, Northeast, Fr.
Kentucky State’s Central Georgians: 21 LB Jaylen Johnson, Perry, Sr.; 0 DB Brandon Wade, grad, Perry

1 p.m.: Monroe College at GMC (Jock Jive)

2 p.m., Georgia Southern at Ball State
Turnover battle key for Eagles on the road

Key factors in the rematch

Georgia Southern game notes

Ball State game notes

Georgia Southern’s Central Georgians: 1 WR Jaylon Barden, Westside; 35 LB Nigel Manns, Peach County; 57 OL, Houston County; 64 OL Caelan Williams, Trinity Christian; 79 OL Weston Wallace, Gatewood; 86 WR Graeme Williams, Jasper County
Ball State’s Central Georgians: None

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6 p.m., Georgia Tech at Wake Forest, The CW
Wake Forest goes for a 4-0 start when it hosts Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech game notes

Wake Forest game notes

Georgia Tech’s Central Georgians: 21 RB Daylon Gordon, Dodge County
Wake Forest’s Central Georgians: None

7 p.m., Kennesaw State at Tennessee Tech
Owls aim for .500, and staying undefeated vs. Golden Eagles

Kennesaw State game notes

Tennessee State game notes

KSU’s Central Georgians: 2 TE Preston Daniels, Washington County; 30 RB Qua Ashley, Dublin; 63 DL Ramontei Dardy, Dublin; 64 OL Trey Butts, Mount de Sales; 78 LS Ronnie Thomas, Houston County
Tennessee Tech’s Central Georgians: 1 DB Gerald Kilgore, Putnam County, Fr. Kilgore has played in two games and has five tackles and a tackle for loss.

7:30 p.m., UAB at Georgia, ESPN2

Breaking down Blazers and Bulldogs

UAB game notes

Georgia game notes

UAB’s Central Georgians: None
Georgia’s Central Georgians: 22 DB Javon Bullard, Baldwin; 46 WR George Vining, Tattnall; 65 OL Amarius Mims, Bleckley County

Saturday’s FBS schedule

Saturday’s FCS schedule

Around the Southeast (SEC/ACC)

Auburn Tigers look to improve to 4-0 for first time since 2019 when they visit Texas A&M

Wildcats visit skidding Vanderbilt looking to stay undefeated

LSU to pay tribute to teammate Brooks

Missouri tries to build on upset of K-State with a game against Memphis in St. Louis

Syracuse hosts Army with a shot at opening the season with four straight wins

Louisville hosts Boston College in return to ACC play, aiming to retain share of first place

Around the South (SEC/ACC states)

No. 12 LSU prepared for typically tough, tight game against Arkansas

No. 25 Florida looks to continue defensive turnaround when it hosts Charlotte in the Swamp