SENATOBIA - With college football season now entering its fifth week, teams are beginning to establish themselves as contenders or pretenders heading into the meat of their conference schedules.

In all, a total of 44 former Northwest football student-athletes will suit up for FBS and FCS programs this weekend.

The week kicks off with New Mexico State and former Northwest defensive back Saveon Freeman taking on Sam Houston State in Thursday night football action on CBS Sports Network.

Friday night also sees a spotlight on multiple former Rangers when Charlotte travels to South Florida at 6:00 PM on ESPN2. Five Rangers will be in action in that contest for the 49ers.

The spotlight on Davion Carter and #11 Texas Tech rolls on when they make the trip to Houston to highlight a busy Saturday for the Ranger alumni with kickoff at 6:00 pm on ESPN and Mississippi State and the duo of Jakheem Shumpert-Perkins and Jykeveous "Red" Hibbler take on #6 Texas A&M at 6:30 on the SEC Network.

Austin Peay makes their debut in the FCS top 25, entering the polls this week at #21 with a road trip to West Georgia at 3:00 pm on ESPN+ with former Ranger offensive lineman Stratton Smith (OL).

A full list of upcoming games this weekend can be found below!

(*NOTE: All games, dates, times and channels are subject to change. Times listed are Central Standard Time.)
($) - Subscription required to watch

Thursday, October 2

New Mexico State vs Sam Houston - 8:00 P.M.
Former Rangers: NMSU - Saveon Freeman (DB)
Where to Watch: CBS Sports Network

Friday, October 3

Charlotte @ South Florida – 6:00 PM
Former Rangers: CHA - Zach Wilcke (QB), K.D. Gibson (WR), E. Jai Mason (WR), D.J. Burgess (DL), Jaylon Johnson (DL)
Where to Watch: ESPN2

Saturday, October 4

Ohio @ Ball State - 11:00 A.M.
Former Rangers: OHIO - Byron "Tank" Pearson (DB)
Where to Watch: CBS Sports Network

Bethune-Cookman @ Alabama State – 2:00 PM
Former Rangers: BCU - Jordan Johnson (DB)
Former Rangers: ASU - Derick Harden (TE/OL)
Where to Watch: SWAC TV
 
(#21 FCS) Austin Peay vs West Georgia – 3:00 PM
Former Rangers: APSU - Stratton Smith (OL)
Where to Watch: ESPN+ ($)

Samford @ (#22 FCS) Mercer – 3:00 PM
Former Rangers: SAM - Caulen Dunn (LB)
Where to Watch: ESPN+ ($)

Prairie View A&M @ Alcorn State - 3:00 P.M.
Former Rangers: ALCORN - Elijah Ruffin (DB)
Former Rangers: PVAMU - Dylan Spencer (OL), Cameron Pascal (OL)
Where to Watch: SWAC TV

Nicholls @ (#25 FCS) Lamar - 3:00 P.M.
Former Rangers: NU - William Stewart (LS)
Where to Watch: ESPN+ ($)

(#17 FCS) Jackson State @ Alabama A&M – 4:00 P.M.
Former Rangers: JSU - Dimonyai Lacey (DL), B.J. Washington (DB)
Where to Watch: SWAC TV

Central Arkansas vs Utah Tech - 4:00 P.M.
Former Rangers: UCA - Cam Young (RB), Rontavious "Dude" Person (DB), Jacorey Jones (LB)
Where to Watch: ESPN+ ($)

Coastal Carolina @ Old Dominion – 5:00 PM
Former Rangers: CCU - Joshua Humes (TE), Fredd Adams (DB), D'mariun Perteet (RB)
Where to Watch: ESPN+ ($)
 
#11 Texas Tech @ Houston – 6:00 PM
Former Rangers: TTU - Davion Carter (OL)
Where to Watch: ESPN
 
Indiana State @ (#11 FCS) Southern Illinois – 6:00 PM
Former Rangers: ISU - Keegan Patterson (QB)
Where to Watch: ESPN+ ($)
 
Texas Southern vs Arkansas Pine Bluff - 6:00 PM
Former Rangers: TXSO - Thurman Rayborn (DL)
Former Rangers: UAPB - Ja'Marlin Green (DB)
Where to Watch: SWAC TV

Southeastern Louisiana @ McNeese- 6:00 P.M.
Former Rangers: SELU - Khamron Ford (DB)
Where to Watch: ESPN+ ($)

Northwestern State vs East Texas A&M – 6:00 PM
Former Rangers: NWST - Xavier "Zay" Davis (RB)
Where to Watch: ESPN+

Mississippi State vs. #6 Texas A&M – 6:30 P.M.
Former Rangers: MSST - Jakheem Shumpert-Perkins (OL), Jykeveous "Red" Hibbler (DL)
Where to Watch: SEC Network+ ($)

Memphis vs Tulsa - 7:00 PM
Former Rangers: MEM - Rayyan Buell (DL), Sam Brumfield (LB), Tanner Gillis (P/K)
Where to Watch: ESPNU

#4 Ole Miss – BYE WEEK
Former Rangers: OM - Tavion Prather (DL), Macaleb Taylor (RB)

#19 Missouri – BYE WEEK
Former Rangers: MU - Stephen Hall (DB)

Arkansas – BYE WEEK
Former Rangers: ARK - Keshawn Davila (DB)

Rutgers – BYE WEEK
Former Rangers: RU - D.T. Sheffield (WR)

Kennesaw State – BYE WEEK
Former Rangers: KSU - Rod Daniels (DL)

Eastern Kentucky – BYE WEEK
Former Rangers: EKU - Kylan Robinson (LB)

Southeast Missouri State – BYE WEEK
Former Rangers: SEMO - Jalen Nettles (OL)

Southern Miss – BYE WEEK
Former Rangers: USM - Quinzavious Warren (DL), Zion Edwards (LB)