The college football slate on CBS Sports Network in Week 5 of the season will be bringing more loads of action featuring two ranked teams along with heavyweights from three different conferences and the independent ranks. No. 13 BYU and Utah State kick things off Friday night with an in-state showdown that will be followed by four games spanning the length of the day on Saturday as we begin creeping near the midway point of the 2021 season.
Buffalo and Western Michigan kick things off at noon ET Saturday in a cross-division MAC meeting between teams with conference title aspirations. Then, in the afternoon, coach Gus Malzahn and the UCF Knights will play their first game without injured star quarterback Dillon Gabriel as they go on the road to play Navy and its option attack. In the evening, two strong programs with 3-1 records will square off when UAB and Liberty meet. Finally, in the late-night in window, No. 18 Fresno State makes the trip to Hawaii, where the Bulldogs will try and improve to 2-0 in the Mountain West after a tight win against UNLV last week.
Here is the full rundown of all the Week 5 action on CBS Sports Network with all times Eastern.
Buffalo vs. vs. Western Michigan
Date: Saturday, Oct. 2 | Time: Noon
Location: UB Stadium — Buffalo, New York
TV: CBS Sports Network [Channel finder]
Live stream: CBSSports.com | Mobile: CBS Sports App
Storylines: The last time these teams met back in 2017, Western Michigan outlasted Buffalo 71-68 in seven overtimes after they were tied at 31 following regulation. These are two of the MAC’s better teams, so don’t be surprised if it’s another good game. Western Michigan boasts an excellent backfield with an efficient veteran quarterback in Kaleb Eleby along with running backs La’Darius Jefferson and Sean Tyler. Buffalo also has a stable of good backs and a budding star at receiver in Quian Williams, who paced the Bulls with nine receptions for 134 yards in a win over Old Dominion last week.
Navy vs. UCF
Date: Saturday, Oct. 2 | Time: 3:30 p.m.
Location: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium — Annapolis, Maryland
TV: CBS Sports Network [Channel finder]
Live stream: CBSSports.com | Mobile: CBS Sports App
Storylines: The Knights own a 2-0 record in this series between AAC foes with contrasting offensive styles. UCF is typically a fast-paced, pass-based offense, though it will be interesting to see how it plays with freshman quarterback Mikey Keene in for the injured Dillon Gabriel. Navy’s option attack is always a challenge to defend, but the Midshipmen are off to an 0-3 start and struggling to consistently provide the type of productivity they have typically enjoyed under 14th-year head coach Ken Niumatalolo.
UAB vs. Liberty
Date: Saturday, Oct. 2 | Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Protective Stadium — Birmingham, Alabama
TV: CBS Sports Network [Channel finder]
Live stream: CBSSports.com | Mobile: CBS Sports App
Storylines: The first-ever meeting between Liberty and UAB pits two of the better teams from the Group of Five sphere in the first game in the Blazers’ new stadium. Liberty is technically an independent program, but the Flames play a schedule consisting primarily of Group of Five teams and other independents. This will be a meeting of the minds as Liberty and its offensive guru coach Hugh Freeze armed with NFL prospect quarterback Malik Willis goes up against defensive-oriented UAB coach Bill Clark and a stout Blazers defense. Both teams are 3-1 and would count a win here as a quality victory.
Hawaii vs. Fresno State
Date: Saturday, Oct. 2 | Time: 11 p.m.
Location: Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex — Honolulu, Hawaii
TV: CBS Sports Network [Channel finder]
Live stream: CBSSports.com | Mobile: CBS Sports App
Storylines: The early-season darlings of the Mountain West will cap a stretch of six games in six weeks when No. 18 Fresno State travels to the Pacific to play Hawaii. The Bulldogs could use a bye after starting out in Week 0 and playing on the road against two Pac-12 teams early, and they will get one next week. But first they will have to handle business against a Hawaii team coming off a win at New Mexico State. The Warriors also played a good San Jose State team close at home two weeks ago and won’t be intimidated by the fact that Fresno State has a win over UCLA under its belt.
