College football gameday: Here are 9 regional matchups to watch Saturday

South Carolina quarterback Jake Bentley will return to the Gamecocks on Saturday against Texas A&M after missing last week against Missouri with a sprain in his left knee. Dwayne McLemore

DUKE (4-1, 0-1 ACC) at GEORGIA TECH (3-3, 1-2)

Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, 12:20 p.m., WBTV

The Blue Devils, off last week after a loss to Virginia Tech, are trying to avoid a repeat of last season, when they won their first four but then lost six straight. ...Georgia Tech’s offensive trademark is the triple option, but Clinton Lynch has reached the 1,000-yard mark in pass receptions.

VIRGINIA TECH (3-2, 2-0 ACC) at NORTH CAROLINA (1-3, 1-1)

Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill, 7 p.m. ESPNU

Virginia Tech quarterback Ryan Willis threw more interceptions than touchdowns when he played at Kansas, but he has only one pick this season. ... Passing has been the Tar Heels’ problem, as their QBs rank near the bottom of FBS in yards per pass attempt and in interceptions.

No. 22 TEXAS A&M (4-2, 2-1 SEC) at SOUTH CAROLINA (3-2, 2-2)

Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, 3:30 p.m., SEC Network

Scary stat for the Gamecocks: Texas A&M RB Trayveon Williams leads the SEC in rushing (720 yards). The Gamecocks rank 13th of 14 SEC teams in rushing defense. Jake Bentley (knee injury) will be back at QB for South Carolina but wearing a brace.

HOUSTON (4-1, 1-0 American Athletic) at EAST CAROLINA (2-3, 0-2)

Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, Greenville, 7 p.m. CBS Sports Network

Houston lost a starting defensive end and linebacker in its last game. ...East Carolina defensive end Nate Harvey leads the conference in sacks (7.5) and tackles for loss (14).

WESTERN KENTUCKY (1-4, 0-1 Conference USA) at CHARLOTTE (2-3, 1-1)

Richardson Stadium, Charlotte, 3:30 p.m.

Wide receiver Lucky Jackson is averaging 85 yards a game in receptions for Western Kentucky. ...Charlotte’s defense ranks among the top 35 in FBS in yards allowed per game (344.6). It’s homecoming for the 49ers, who have played Western Kentucky only once – a 45-14 loss last season.

LOUISIANA-MONROE (2-4, 0-2 Sun Belt) at COASTAL CAROLINA (3-2, 1-1)

Brooks Stadium, Conway, S.C., 6 p.m.

The visiting Warhawks allowed 826 yards in a 70-21 loss last week to Mississippi and have dropped four straight. ...This is the first home game since Hurricane Florence for Coastal Carolina, which ranked No. 1 in the conference in pass completion percentage and third in rushing yardage.

No. 2 (FCS) KENNESAW STATE (5-1, 1-0 Big South) at GARDNER-WEBB (1-5, 0-0)

Spangler Stadium, Boiling Springs, 1:30 p.m.

The visiting Owls have a balanced attack and average 46.8 points a game. ...Gardner-Webb is allowing 509.5 yards a contest, which is near the bottom of FCS. Runnin’ Bulldogs QB Jordan Smith is averaging nearly 160 passing yards.

MOREHEAD STATE (1-4, 0-2 Pioneer Football) at DAVIDSON (5-1, 2-1)

Richardson Stadium, Davidson, 1 p.m.

Morehead State QB Lawson Page has thrown touchdowns to seven receivers. ...Davidson, which has its most victories since the 2007 season (six), is led by RB Wesley Dugger (723 yards), but RB James Story had three touchdowns last week against Jacksonville.

JOHNSON C. SMITH (1-4, 1-2 CIAA) at FAYETTEVILLE STATE (3-1, 2-0)

Jeralds Stadium, Fayetteville, 1 p.m.

The visiting Golden Bulls were hurt by four turnovers in last week’s loss to Winston-Salem State. ...The Broncos are playing their first home game of the season, after two games in September were canceled because of flooding from Hurricane Florence. QB Collyn Anderson threw for 269 yards last week against Shaw.

Steve Lyttle