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Let last week be a reminder of why there are no dull Saturdays in college football. Not that anyone would levy that accusation about this weekend, with a trio of top-20 matchups, including a pleasant surprise in Florida, as well as a mix of conference and non-conference action and an old-school, couch-burning rivalry.
Here are the top 10 games of Week 3, starting with a few honorable mentions and counting down.
Honorable Mention: Colorado at Houston (Friday), No. 4 Oregon at Northwestern, USC at Purdue, Ohio at No. 1 Ohio State, ECU at Coastal Carolina, No. 20 Utah at Wyoming, Minnesota at Cal, Texas State at Arizona State.
(All point spreads are courtesy BetMGM. All kickoff times are Eastern and on Saturday unless otherwise noted.)
10. Duke (1-1) at Tulane (2-0), 8 p.m., ESPN2
It’s the Darian Mensah Bowl, as Duke’s pricey transfer quarterback returns to face his former team. Mensah has played well through two games, and the Blue Devils kept things close for a half before falling apart against Illinois last week, outscored 31-6 in the second half. Tulane (and the rest of the Group of 6) have been overshadowed by USF in the early going, but the Green Wave have a resounding win over Northwestern and held off a last-minute comeback effort by South Alabama. Tulane is the favorite here, and a win over Duke would keep it on the heels of USF in the G6 race for a College Football Playoff spot.
Line: Tulane -1.5
9. Arkansas (2-0) at No. 17 Ole Miss (2-0), 7 p.m., ESPN
Ole Miss, already playing its second league game, overcame a slow start on the road at Kentucky in a comeback victory, led by Mizzou running back transfer Kewan Lacy (138 rush yards) and quarterback Austin Simmons (235 pass yards, 44 rush yards). Simmons has already thrown four interceptions, but he has shown flashes of talent. This week, he goes head-to-head against another dynamic dual-threat quarterback in Arkansas’ Taylen Green, who is seventh in the country with 753 total yards and tied for first with 10 passing touchdowns.
Line: Ole Miss -7
8. Vanderbilt (2-0) at No. 11 South Carolina (2-0), 7:45 p.m., SEC Network
This game might be ranked too low since it has sneaky potential to be one of the best matchups of the weekend, with a stellar quarterback battle between South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers and Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia. Also adding to the intrigue is that both teams have a common opponent in Virginia Tech. The Gamecocks are the favorite, but they had to grind out a 24-11 neutral site win over VT in Week 1, followed by Vandy shredding the Hokies on the road in Week 2.
Line: South Carolina -4.5
7. Pitt (2-0) at West Virginia (1-1), 3:30 p.m., ESPN
West Virginia is coming off a road loss to the mighty Ohio Bobcats, but it won’t dampen the vibe in Morgantown for the Backyard Brawl. One of college football’s drunkest and most underrated rivalries usually delivers, thanks to a long history of animosity between the two schools, separated by just 75 miles. This one also features the return of Rich Rodriguez with the Mountaineers, coaching in his first Brawl since the famous “13-9” Pitt upset of No. 2 West Virginia in 2007 that knocked WVU out of the title race.
Line: Pitt -7
6. No. 12 Clemson (1-1) at Georgia Tech (2-0), 12 p.m., ESPN
The skeptics are circling Clemson after the opening loss to LSU and an uninspiring win over Troy. In the latter game, the Tigers fell behind 16-0 and left a lot to be desired on offense. Clemson, behind Heisman hopeful quarterback Cade Klubnik, was one of the most hyped teams entering the season but has thus far failed to live up to the billing, and now has to go on the road against a bruising Georgia Tech squad. The Yellow Jackets’ chances probably depend on getting quarterback Haynes King back healthy.
Line: Clemson -3.5
Badgers quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. was injured during Wisconsin’s Week 1 game against Miami (Ohio). (Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
5. Wisconsin (2-0) at No. 19 Alabama (1-1), 12 p.m., ABC
Ignore the point spread — this is a massive game for both programs, particularly the head coaches. Alabama bounced back with a cathartic 73-0 win over Louisiana Monroe, but the Week 1 loss to Florida State remains fresh for a fan base that’s still side-eyeing Kalen DeBoer. Wisconsin has logged a pair of wins over inferior opponents, but Luke Fickell has yet to quiet the doubters in Year 3 with the Badgers, who may have to face Bama without starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., who exited with an injury in Week 1. A win here would lift either team — Wisconsin more than Alabama — but a defeat will direct some serious fire toward the losing head coach.
Line: Alabama -20.5
4. Florida (1-1) at No. 3 LSU (2-0), 7:30 p.m., ABC
This remains a big-time matchup despite Florida’s “Bull spit” meltdown against USF last weekend. Coach Billy Napier is right back on the hot seat, and games against Miami, Texas and Texas A&M are up next. The schedule is brutal for the Gators, which is why a home loss to USF immediately put their backs against the wall. LSU and coach Brian Kelly finally got that season-opening win against Clemson, which, along with an improved defense, has them in the early championship conversation. The Tigers will look to avenge last year’s late-season road loss to Florida, a team that may have a hint of desperation about it.
Line: LSU -7.5
3. No. 18 USF (2-0) at No. 5 Miami (2-0), 4:30 p.m., The CW
Here come the Bulls! USF is the hottest G6 team in the country, and arguably in all of college football, after ranked wins over Boise State and in-state Florida to open the season. The Gators did their part to aid that effort, but credit coach Alex Golesh and quarterback Byrum Brown for putting this team in an early pole position for the G6 Playoff spot. They won’t sneak up on Miami, which had an impressive win of its own against Notre Dame and can suddenly give its resume an unexpected non-conference boost with a win. But if USF pulls another upset — and remember, it was an 18.5-point underdog against Florida — get ready for Cinderella overload in Tampa.
Line: Miami -17.5
2. No. 16 Texas A&M (2-0) at No. 8 Notre Dame (0-1), 7:30 p.m., NBC/Peacock
This is a rematch of last year’s season-opening win for Notre Dame, which hasn’t played since its Week 1 loss to Miami. The Aggies have looked great against inferior competition through two games, and coach Mike Elko said quarterback Marcel Reed will be good to go after an injury last week. The question is how Reed, with seven passing touchdowns and zero interceptions, handles a touted Irish secondary. A rested Notre Dame offense needs to get running back Jeremiyah Love going after just 33 rushing yards against the Hurricanes, and avoid the depths of an 0-2 hole to start the season.
Line: Notre Dame -6.5
1. No. 6 Georgia (2-0) at No. 15 Tennessee (2-0), 3:30 p.m., ABC
This should be a revealing matchup for both teams. Early returns suggest that Tennessee won its offseason QB trade with UCLA, but how will Joey Aguilar look against a Georgia defense that has had Josh Heupel’s number in recent years? Similarly, the Dawgs and QB Gunner Stockton need to get things cooking on offense to be considered a true title contender. The Vols have more to prove in this one, considering they’ve comfortably lost eight straight to Georgia, including four consecutive blowouts at Neyland Stadium. But from a season outlook, a win might be more important for a Georgia team with a tougher schedule.
Line: Georgia -3.5
(Top photo of Joey Aguilar: Caitie McMekin / News Sentinel / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
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