So, it's Saturday, January 17, 2026. If you're like me, your living room probably looks like a mission control center for sports right now. We are deep in the trenches of conference play for basketball, and the college football world is holding its collective breath for Monday's National Championship between No. 1 Indiana and No. 10 Miami.
But you aren't here for Monday. You're here for today.
Honestly, the slate is pretty wild. We've got top-ranked Arizona trying to hold onto that No. 1 spot on the road, and No. 2 Iowa State is basically in a "must-bounce-back" situation after their first loss of the season. It’s that January grind where the "heavyweights" start to look a little human.
College Games Are On Now: The Big Matchups
If you’re scrolling through channels trying to figure out what college games are on now, your first stop should probably be the blue-blood clash at noon. Kentucky at Tennessee on ESPN is the kind of game that usually decides who’s actually going to contend for the SEC title. Tennessee's freshman sensation, Nate Ament, has been playing like he’s already in the NBA, and Kentucky... well, Kentucky is always a problem when they're hitting their shots.
Simultaneously, the Big East is serving up UConn at Georgetown on FOX. UConn has been on an absolute tear—a 13-game winning streak—and the oddsmakers aren't giving the Hoyas much of a chance. They've got the Huskies as roughly 12.5-point favorites. Georgetown hasn't exactly been a fortress at home this year, covering the spread only once in ten home games.
📖 Related: Matthew Berry Positional Rankings: Why They Still Run the Fantasy Industry
Later this afternoon, things get even more interesting:
- Iowa State at Cincinnati (1 p.m. CT, Peacock/NBC): The No. 2 Cyclones just got humbled by Kansas. They were 16-0 and shooting like gods until they hit the Phog. Now they’re at Fifth Third Arena against a Bearcats team that finally found some rhythm against Colorado. This is a massive "vibe check" for Iowa State.
- Arizona at UCF (4 p.m. ET, ESPN): The No. 1 team in the country is traveling to Orlando. Arizona has been steady, but UCF has been one of those "trap" teams all year.
- Michigan at Oregon (4 p.m. ET, NBC): A classic Big Ten matchup... in Oregon. It still feels weird saying that, doesn't it? Michigan is sitting pretty at No. 4, but the Ducks are always tough when the crowd gets going.
- Purdue at USC (6 p.m. ET, Peacock): Another Big Ten-on-the-West-Coast special. Purdue is still Purdue—huge, disciplined, and annoyingly good at making you play their game.
Watching the Rankings Shift in Real Time
We’ve officially hit the point in the season where the AP Poll is basically a suggestion. Last week's rankings had Arizona at the top, but with Iowa State and UConn breathing down their necks, every single road game is a potential landmine.
The Big 12 is a literal gauntlet. You have teams like BYU, led by AJ Dybantsa, who are legitimate title contenders. If you haven't seen Dybantsa play yet, stop what you’re doing and find the BYU game against Texas Tech at 8 p.m. on ESPN. He’s averaging over 23 points a night and looks like a lock for the lottery.
Over in the ACC, Duke is heading to Stanford (6 p.m. ACCN). Stanford joined the conference and immediately realized life is harder when you’re playing the Blue Devils every year. Duke is currently ranked No. 6, and they’ve looked dominant, but the travel to the West Coast has been a weird equalizer for ACC teams this season.
👉 See also: What Time Did the Cubs Game End Today? The Truth About the Off-Season
Don't Sleep on the Women's Slate
The women's side is arguably more competitive right now. Texas Tech and Kansas State kicked things off early, but the game I'm keeping an eye on is UCLA at Ohio State (1 p.m. CBS).
The Buckeyes have been a nightmare for ranked teams lately. If you’re looking for high-scoring offense, keep an eye on Nebraska. Their sophomore guard Britt Prince is averaging over 18 points a game. They’ve had a rough patch lately after a 13-0 start, but they play with a pace that’s just fun to watch.
Beyond the Hardwood: Hockey and More
It’s not just hoops. If you’re a puck fan, Notre Dame at Penn State is on the Big Ten Network at 8 p.m. College hockey in January is basically a legal brawl on ice, and these two programs have a genuine dislike for each other.
Also, for those who need a break from the team sports, the Latin America Amateur Championship is in its third round in Lima, Peru. You can find that on ESPNEWS. It’s a nice change of pace if you need something a bit quieter while you wait for the late-night basketball tips.
✨ Don't miss: Jake Ehlinger Sign: The Real Story Behind the College GameDay Controversy
Final Betting and Viewing Tips
If you're looking to place a few small wagers or just want to sound smart at the sports bar, keep these trends in mind. UConn is a beast on the road against the spread (3-2) compared to their home record. Meanwhile, Georgetown has been struggling to find their identity under pressure.
In the Missouri State vs. Middle Tennessee matchup (5 p.m. ESPN+), we're looking at a dead heat in the series history (2-2). These are the "lunch pail" games that don't get the ESPN headlines but usually end up being three-point games in the final minute.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your local listings: Most of today's big games are split between ESPN, FOX, and Peacock. If you don't have a Peacock sub, you're going to miss the Purdue and Iowa State games.
- Set your DVR for Monday: No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 10 Miami for the football title. It’s the first time either program has been in the final. History is happening in 48 hours.
- Watch the Big 12: Between BYU, Iowa State, and Houston, this conference is the best product in sports right now. Any game featuring these three is worth your time.
Enjoy the madness. It's going to be a long, loud Saturday.