- Week 3 of college football marks a transition as some major conferences begin league play.
- Several key matchups feature ranked teams, including No. 3 Georgia at No. 15 Tennessee.
- Teams like Florida and Clemson are looking to rebound from early-season struggles.
Week 3 in college football can be thought of as transitional. Some major conferences will start playing games that count in their respective standings, but there are still a few notable non-league contests on the docket. There are also some teams still in tune-up mode.
But, while admitting that on rare occasions those perceived mismatches produce crazy outcomes, our aim here as always is to try to identify the games most worthy of attention to help you plan your day of viewing.
With all that out of the way then, let’s dive into the Saturday schedule, beginning with what figures to be a busy day in the SEC.
No. 3 Georgia at No. 15 Tennessee
Time/TV: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC.
Why watch: Now things get real for the Bulldogs as they open SEC competition on the road after a pair of warm-up games. The Volunteers at least have a Power Four win on their ledger but are also facing a major uptick in degree of difficulty. QB Gunner Stockton and the Georgia offense haven’t had to use much of the playbook thus far, though RB Nate Frazier and WR Zachariah Branch have flashed their potential. LB Arion Carter and the Tennessee defense must keep the chunk plays to a minimum. Volunteers QB Joey Aguilar has quickly become a fan favorite in Knoxville, making good use of RB Star Thomas and WR Chris Brazzell II. He must beware of Bulldogs LB Raylen Wilson, the centerpiece of UGa’s typically active defense.
Why it could disappoint: We really don’t know much about these teams at this early juncture, so it’s possible one has a significant talent advantage. That seems unlikely though. This should be a four-quarter rollercoaster, so let’s enjoy the ride.
No. 17 Texas A&M at No. 8 Notre Dame
Time/TV: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC.
Why watch: The Aggies dropped their season opener last year to the Fighting Irish and now look to return the favor in South Bend, Indiana. But there might be even more on the line for Notre Dame, which already has an ‘L’ on its record and will now need every quality win it can muster to assemble a playoff-worthy resume without benefit of a conference championship. Fighting Irish QB C.J. Carr had a credible passing day in hostile environs in his starting debut, though many observers questioned why standout RB Jeremiyah Love wasn’t utilized more against Miami. They can both expect to see a lot of Aggies LB Scooby Williams. Veteran A&M QB Marcel Reed is off to a fast start, and WR/PR K.C. Concepcion is extremely dangerous in open space. DB Jalen Stroman is a dependable last line of defense for Notre Dame.
Why it could disappoint: This wasn’t exactly a track meet when these teams got together last year, so you aren’t likely to see a slew of explosive plays this time, either. But it’s sure to have maximum intensity, and the game-changing event could occur at any time.
No. 23 South Florida at No. 6 Miami (Fla.)
Time/TV: Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, The CW.
Why watch: Things couldn’t have gone much better to start the season for the Bulls, who look to take down a third consecutive ranked opponent. They will not catch the Hurricanes unaware, however, and Miami also has recorded one of the most notable results of the early season with that aforementioned takedown of Notre Dame. USF’s swarming defense, featuring LBs Jhalyn Shuler and Mac Harris, now turns its attention to Miami QB Carson Beck, who is benefiting from sure-handed targets like WRs Malachi Toney and C.J. Daniels. Bulls’ offensive catalyst QB Byrum Brown doesn’t have as many weapons, but WR Keshaun Singleton can make opponents pay for coverage mistakes. Miami DE Rueben Bain must be accounted for at all times by Brown’s protectors.
Why it could disappoint: The South Florida defense has effectively neutralized the first two quarterbacks it faced, but Beck might prove tougher to contain. If the Hurricanes can build a lead early, a multiple-score comeback could be difficult for the Bulls.
Florida at No. 4 LSU
Time/TV: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC.
Why watch: After surviving a hard-fought opener at Clemson, LSU can be forgiven for going through the motions at times against Louisiana Tech. But the Tigers will need to refocus quickly for the Gators, who will be in full desperation mode following that loss to South Florida. Tigers QB Garrett Nussmeier has a respectable 68.4% completion percentage through his two games, but that number could be even better as he and his receivers have been periodically out of sync. Florida QB D.J. Lagway has moved the ball as well, but inefficiency in the red zone and a costly special-teams miscue were the Gators’ undoing against South Florida. Tigers LB Whit Weeks and Florida LB Myles Graham figure to have their names called often.
Why it could disappoint: While there is no transitive property in football, it is fair to wonder just how strong LSU’ Week 1 win really is given Clemson’s subsequent issues (more on that below). But it’s equally fair to question the Gators’ staying power in the extremely crowded SEC. It wouldn’t be surprising to see sloppy execution on both sides early.
Vanderbilt at No. 10 South Carolina
Time/TV: Saturday, 77:45 p.m. ET, SECN.
Why watch: In a Week 3 rarity, the Gamecocks and Commodores kick off SEC play having already faced a common opponent. Both picked up non-league victories at the expense of Virginia Tech, and both did so largely by taking charge in the second half. Vanderbilt’s performance was arguably more impressive, as they scored the last 34 points of the game against the Hokies. WR Tre Richardson has stepped up to provide a complementary outside target to TE Eli Stowers on the inside for Vandy QB Diego Pavia. Gamecocks QB LaNorris Sellers hasn’t been quite as accurate thus far, but Vicari Swain has provided a scoring boost with three TDs on punt returns.
Why it could disappoint: It shouldn’t. This is a game both participants would really like to win given the many challenges ahead. The Gamecocks might still have the edge at the line of scrimmage, but Vandy cannot be dismissed as the SEC’s perennial doormat.
No. 11 Clemson at Georgia Tech
Time/TV: Saturday, noon ET, ESPN.
Why watch: The ACC favorite Tigers are in an odd place as they embark on league play, following up that tough loss to LSU with a near disaster against Troy. Georgia Tech fans might actually feel better about their team’s position with a road victory at Colorado and a tune-up in hand. The Clemson passing game has been unexpectedly pedestrian, with WR Bryant Wesco providing most of the downfield presence for QB Cade Klubnik thus far. The Yellow Jackets’ air defense, backed by DB Omar Daniels, has been sound despite still looking for its first interception of the season. Georgia Tech standout dual-threat QB Haynes King sat out the Gardner-Webb game with a lower body injury but should be ready to go. DE T.J. Parker and the rest of Clemson’s star-studded front line will try to keep him contained.
Why it could disappoint: This might be yet another defensive slog for the Tigers, and points might be at even more of a premium if King isn’t at full speed for Tech. That said, the Tigers did go for 40-plus points in their last two encounters with the Yellow Jackets, so a one-sided affair can’t be entirely ruled out.
Arkansas at No. 13 Mississippi
Time/TV: Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN.
Why watch: Ole Miss got the win it needed at Kentucky last week to kick off its SEC slate, even if it wasn’t particularly pretty. The Rebels now return home to take on the Razorbacks, who took care of their pre-conference business and now hope to make more noise in the league after some down years. Ole Miss QB Austin Simmons has been a bit too free with the ball at times, but RB Kewan Lacy and WR Harrison Wallace III are constant big-play threats. Arkansas counters with veteran QB Taylen Green, who has already accounted for 11 total TDs against overmatched competition.
Why it could disappoint: Again, there are a lot of uncertainties here. The Rebels’ offense hasn’t fired on all cylinders yet, but the Razorbacks’ defense hasn’t really been challenged either. If Ole Miss does make it a runaway, Arkansas fans can probably brace for a long year.
Wisconsin at No. 18 Alabama
Time/TV: Saturday, noon ET, ABC.
Why watch: Hanging 73 on Louisiana-Monroe might have been therapeutic for the Crimson Tide, but it couldn’t erase the Florida State loss. They’ll need a strong showing in this one before diving into SEC play, but the Badgers hope to send a message that the Big Ten is just as competitive. WR Germie Bernard has emerged as Alabama QB Ty Simpson’s most reliable target. The Badgers’ active LB tandem of Christian Alliegro and Sebastian Cheeks will lead the effort to disrupt their timing. Wisconsin QB Bily Edwards Jr. is unlikely to return from an ankle injury, which would leave the offense in the hands of Danny O’Neil. In either case, the Badgers will rely on their ground game to control the clock. It will be up to DE L.T. Overton and the Tide front to secure the line of scrimmage.
Why it could disappoint: Seeing the usually immovable Tide defense getting pushed around by the Seminoles was the most disconcerting aspect of the opening loss for Alabama fans. The Badgers might not have the speed weapons to take advantage, but if Alabama doesn’t remove the suspense from this one quickly, the temperature in Tuscaloosa will be dialed up even further.