Saban vs Jimbo, horned mascot battles

The College Football Week 4 schedule includes only two games, with both teams ranked in Alabama against Texas A & M and Stanford against Oregon.

But as Saturdays show us week after week, crazy things can happen in all parties, whether it's two big names that face each other or a team from the US Conference. who comes before a SEC. These moments, however, are almost impossible to predict.

So, looking at this week's schedule, here's why you should watch these four games on Saturday, from the master against a former apprentice to the battle of the horned mascots and eventual discontent.

1. No. 22/22 Texas A & M (2-1) at No. 1/1 Alabama (3-0) – 15:30 ET, CBS

As Crimson Tide prepares to make its way through the SEC West, Jimbo Fisher's Aggies is the hardest team Alabama has faced so far, and Nick Saban has said it himself . Via ESPN:

"The higher you go, the bigger the challenge, the more you have to concentrate and be more treacherous. This is the best team we have played so far, so we hope to continue to improve and have the right goal.

Saban also said he thought this attack – led by quarterback and Heisman trophy contender Tua Tagovailoa – is the best group he has ever coached.

Tagovailoa has not yet played a full match this season, which brings another question: will Saban play against Jalen Hurts? Alabama's debut in 2016 and 2017 have appeared in all three games so far, meaning there's only one game left to play before losing redshirt title. Will he take the field at one point against A & M, or could Saban keep this last game later in the season?

Against his leading opponent this year, the challenge for Alabama could be defense. After conceding a combined total of 28 points against Louisville, Arkansas State and Ole Miss, it has not been tested yet. Can Texas A & M be the team to give the Crimson Tide a run for their money early?

Aggies quarterback Kellen Mond had a 62.9% completion percentage and had moments of brilliance in A & M's second week's 28-26 loss to No. 2 Clemson. He has earned 430 yards and three touchdowns against the Tigers and how the Aggies attack and himself occur on Saturday can be a measure of how dominant Alabama is, if Fisher is already running the A & A program. M as good as everyone thinks.

Fisher – who coached Saban at the LSU in the early 2000s – may have an advantage over other Alabama opponents because he knows how the national coach thinks six times. But it will probably be necessary to get rid of the Crimson Tide lethal offensive – and even those – to allow them to lose at home, especially as 26-point favorites.

2. No. 7/7 Stanford (3-0) to 20/19 Oregon (3-0) – 20h ET, ABC

It's a chance for Bryce Love, a pre-season favorite, to re-enter the conversation. Love missed Stanford's 30-10 win over UC Davis last week because of an undisclosed injury, but he is expected to return to the field on Saturday. He did not live up to the expectations he set last year, but he will only need a single match with some explosive pieces signed to allow him to return to the top of the Heisman watch this year.

In this Pac-12 North game, the Cardinal will also have to silence quarterback Ducks Justin Herbert, who is currently tied in all three heats for the second-biggest touchdown of the season with 12. He also has a touchdown on the ground and could prove to be a real problem for Stanford.

Coach David Shaw said the quarterback is more like a mobile defensive end. Over there San Francisco Chronicle:

"You can not hit his balls," Shaw said. "He's 6-6 with a high slack. He sees everyone. He is so athletic, there are guys who support him, but he moves subtly. He does not have to escape because he knows he's faster than the guy chasing him, so he can keep his eyes on the ground.

With only OK defenses on both sides, this match has the potential to be a crazy offensive confrontation. Stanford is a 2.5 point favorite and you do not have to stay in the last hours of # Pac12AfterDark to watch this one.

3. No. 18/16 Wisconsin (2-1) to Iowa (3-0) – 20:30 ET, FOX

This game has upset written on it. BYU shocked the Badgers last week, 24-21, in their own home, virtually destroying any hope of playing in the playoffs. Although they are certainly looking to bounce back, if there is one thing that the Hawkeyes are known to do, it is to prevent a ranked opponent from Iowa City. Remember when they rocked the number 6 Ohio State last year and won by 31 points?

Iowa, however, has not been tested yet and it's a chance to prove that it really has the country's No. 7 defense. Wisconsin is a 3-point favorite, but does that contribute to the hostility of the Kinnick stadium?

4. No 17/17 TCU (2-1) Texas (2-1) – 4:30 pm ET, FOX

The Longhorns sail after hitting then-No. 22 USC last week, as the Horned Frogs attempt to recover from a tough loss to Ohio State. If Texas can win another ranked team, it will give hope to fans that it can do better than a 7-6 win. But after taking control in the first half and catching the second against the No. 4 Buckeyes, TCU could also be filled with anger and revenge and get caught by Texas.

In the horned mascot battle, TCU is a 3-point favorite.