It’s that time of year again—the air is thick with humidity, oyster roasts are right around the corner, and Saturdays are officially spoken for. College football is back, and this weekend, August 30th, delivers a full slate of can’t-miss matchups across the SEC, ACC, and SoCon. Whether you’re tailgating, watching from your screened porch, or streaming from your dock between boat rides, the Lowcountry has its eyes on the gridiron.
SEC Showdowns
The SEC opens strong, with powerhouse programs stepping onto the field and a few marquee cross-conference matchups that could shake up the playoff picture before Labor Day.
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Alabama vs. Florida State – The headliner of the weekend, kicking off at 3:30 p.m. on ABC. Two storied programs collide, and bragging rights are on the line.
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Marshall at Georgia – The Bulldogs host in Athens at 3:30 p.m. Expect the reigning powerhouse to flex its muscle early.
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Mississippi State vs. Southern Miss – A Southern battle at noon that always carries pride and grit.
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UTSA at Texas A&M – An evening matchup under the lights at Kyle Field.
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Georgia State at Ole Miss, Toledo at Kentucky, LIU at Florida, Charleston Southern at Vanderbilt – Warm-up games with a chance to see some breakout talent in action.
ACC Highlights
The ACC counters with a strong weekend lineup of both regional rivalries and heavyweight clashes:
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LSU at Clemson – Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. on ABC. Expect Death Valley to be electric for one of the biggest games of the season.
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Syracuse vs. Tennessee – Kicking off at noon in Atlanta, the Orange face the Vols in a neutral-site clash.
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Duquesne at Pitt, Fordham at Boston College, Eastern Kentucky at Louisville, Coastal Carolina at Virginia – Early tests for programs across the conference.
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Florida State vs. Alabama – The other half of the weekend’s biggest battle.
SoCon Spotlight: The Citadel
Closer to home, all eyes are on The Citadel Bulldogs as they host No. 1 North Dakota State at Johnson Hagood Stadium in Charleston. Kickoff is at 12:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+, and it’s the program’s annual “White Out Game.” It’s a tall task, but the Bulldogs have a chance to shock the FCS world in front of a home crowd.
Football and the Lowcountry Lifestyle
If you’ve spent any time in the Lowcountry, you know that Saturdays in the fall are as much about community as they are about football. From backyard oyster roasts in Bluffton to game-day gatherings on Hilton Head porches, the spirit of college football is woven into the fabric of Lowcountry living.
It’s one more reason families and fans alike fall in love with life here: you don’t have to choose between big-time sports and laid-back coastal charm—you can have both.
Final Whistle
Whether you’re wearing red and black, garnet and gold, orange and purple, or Citadel blue, this weekend is a reminder of how much football connects us to place, tradition, and home. And when you’re ready to find your own “home field advantage” in the Lowcountry, our team is here to help.
Kickoff, community, and coastal living—it doesn’t get much better.
| Conference | Matchups (*) | Kickoff Times & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SEC | Mississippi State vs Southern Miss | Noon, various networks |
| Toledo @ Kentucky | 12:45 p.m. ET | |
| Marshall @ Georgia | 3:30 p.m. ET | |
| Alabama vs Florida State (vs ACC) | 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC | |
| LIU @ Florida, Charleston Southern @ Vanderbilt | 7:00 p.m. ET – SECN+ | |
| UTSA @ Texas A&M, Georgia State @ Ole Miss | Evening kicks, ESPN & grid listing | |
| ACC | Duquesne @ Pitt, Syracuse @ Tennessee | Noon ET (ACCN & ABC) |
| Fordham @ BC | 2:00 p.m. ET (ACCNX) | |
| Eastern Kentucky @ Louisville | 3:00 p.m. ET (ACCN) | |
| Alabama vs FSU (SEC crossover) | 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC) | |
| Coastal Carolina @ Virginia | 6:00 p.m. ET (ACCNX) | |
| LSU @ Clemson | 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC) | |
| Texas A&M–Commerce @ SMU | 9:00 p.m. ET (ACCNX) | |
| SoCon | The Citadel vs. No. 1 North Dakota State | 12:00 p.m. ET, ESPN+ |
