Week 3 — Thursday, September 17
4:30 PM PT — ESPN
Syracuse (1–1) at Pittsburgh (2–0)
Location: Acrisure Stadium — Pittsburgh, PA
Prediction: Pittsburgh 28–21
Week 3 — Friday, September 18
4:30 PM PT — ESPN
No. 5 Miami (2–0) at Wake Forest (2–0)
Location: Allegacy Financial Stadium — Winston-Salem, NC
Prediction: Miami 45–17
5:00 PM PT — FOX
No. 22 Houston (2–0) at No. 13 Texas Tech (2–0)
Location: Galaxy Stadium — Lubbock, TX
Prediction: Texas Tech 28–24
Expect a tight game in this Big 12 matchup between two teams vying for the top of the conference. Houston’s offense has been effective to start the year, led by Conner Weigman and a strong rushing attack. The defense is coming off a strong showing against an FCS opponent and should have an extra level of confidence heading into this one. Texas Tech not only has home-field advantage, but is a balanced team that can win in a variety of ways. The Red Raiders can apply pressure through the air and on the ground with a spread-out offense and cause havoc on defense. Interestingly enough, both teams play a common opponent already in Oregon State, and both teams gave up a ton of yards through the air. I would not be surprised if this turned into a Wild West-style shootout in Texas Tech’s favor.
7:30 PM PT — Big Ten Network
Portland State at No. 21 Oregon (1–1)
Location: Autzen Stadium — Eugene, OR
Prediction: Oregon 56–10
Week 3 — Saturday, September 19 — Morning
8:30 AM PT — CBSSN
Coastal Carolina (1–1) at Delaware (1–1)
Location: Tubby Raymond Field at Delaware Stadium — Newark, DE
Prediction: Coastal Carolina 27–24
9:00 AM PT — FOX
Kent State (1–1) at No. 6 Ohio State (1–1)
Location: Ohio Stadium — Columbus, OH
Prediction: Ohio State 63–7
9:00 AM PT — Big Ten Network
Akron (1–1) at Minnesota (1–1)
Location: Huntington Bank Stadium — Minneapolis, MN
Prediction: Minnesota 38–14
9:00 AM PT — FS1
Arizona State (1–1) vs. Kansas (1–1)
Location: Wembley Stadium — London, England
Prediction: Arizona State 31–27
9:00 AM PT — ESPNU
Bowling Green (0–2) at Iowa State (1–1)
Location: Jack Trice Stadium — Ames, IA
Prediction: Iowa State 34–17
9:00 AM PT — Big Ten Network
Buffalo (1–1) at No. 14 Penn State (2–0)
Location: West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium — University Park, PA
Prediction: Penn State 45–14
9:00 AM PT — ESPN2
Tulane (1–1) at Kansas State (2–0)
Location: Bill Snyder Family Stadium — Manhattan, KS
Prediction: Kansas State 31–14
9:00 AM PT — ACC Network
Mercer at Georgia Tech (0–2)
Location: Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field — Atlanta, GA
Prediction: Georgia Tech 42–7
9:00 AM PT — USA Network
North Texas (1–1) at Texas State (0–2)
Location: UFCU Stadium — San Marcos, TX
Prediction: North Texas 38–17
9:00 AM PT — ABC
No. 2 Georgia (2–0) at Arkansas (1–1)
Location: Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium — Fayetteville, AR
Prediction: Georgia 45–21
9:00 AM PT — ESPN
North Carolina (2–0) at Clemson (1–1)
Location: Memorial Stadium — Clemson, SC
Prediction: Clemson 27–21
9:30 AM PT — Peacock
Eastern Michigan (1–1) at Wisconsin (1–1)
Location: Camp Randall Stadium — Madison, WI
Prediction: Wisconsin 35–24
9:45 AM PT — SEC Network
NC State (1–1) at Vanderbilt (2–0)
Location: FirstBank Stadium — Nashville, TN
Prediction: Vanderbilt 27–20
Nashville will be buzzing on Saturday as Vanderbilt will be starting the highest-rated recruit in school history. Jared Curtis is from the Nashville area and should expect a warm welcome in front of the home crowd. However, he is not the only highly touted quarterback, as the Wolfpack have C.J. Bailey. These two will be crucial to their respective teams’ chances. Both squads have been suspect on defense this year, aside from NC State’s most recent game. Vanderbilt has faced a weak schedule to start the season, while NC State’s defensive numbers are skewed by the Richmond game. In what should be a hostile environment, whoever can get their nerves under control first will win this game. I think Jared Curtis will lead the Commodores to victory in his first start in front of the home crowd.
10:00 AM PT — ESPN+
Wyoming (1–1) at Central Michigan (1–1)
Location: Kelly/Shorts Stadium — Mount Pleasant, MI
Prediction: Central Michigan 31–24
11:00 AM PT — ACC Network Extra
Maine at Boston College (1–1)
Location: Alumni Stadium — Chestnut Hill, MA
Prediction: Boston College 42–17
11:00 AM PT — Peacock
Southern Illinois at Illinois (1–1)
Location: Memorial Stadium — Champaign, IL
Prediction: Illinois 49–10
Week 3 — Saturday, September 19 — Afternoon
12:00 PM PT — CBSSN
Temple (1–1) at Toledo (1–1)
Location: Glass Bowl — Toledo, OH
Prediction: Toledo 27–21
12:30 PM PT — ESPN
Kentucky (1–1) at No. 9 Texas A&M (2–0)
Location: Kyle Field — College Station, TX
Prediction: Texas A&M 38–14
12:30 PM PT — ABC
Florida State (1–1) at No. 10 Alabama (2–0)
Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium — Tuscaloosa, AL
Prediction: Alabama 38–21
12:30 PM PT — CBS
No. 12 USC (3–0) at Rutgers (0–2)
Location: SHI Stadium — Piscataway, NJ
Prediction: USC 42–17
12:30 PM PT — ESPN2
No. 16 SMU (2–0) at No. 23 Louisville (1–1)
Location: L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium — Louisville, KY
Prediction: Louisville 38–35
The first thought that comes to mind when looking at this matchup is that fans are in for an exciting matchup between quarterbacks. Kevin Jennings of SMU has been throwing it all over the yard as the ACC passing yards leader. Lincoln Kienholz has been electric, demonstrating a dual-threat ability that can cause anyone problems. With two explosive offenses on the field, the respective defenses will have a tall task ahead of them to step up and become the difference between a win or loss. The Cardinals have home-field advantage, which should help light a fire under them. Though both teams have been tested early, Louisville is the only one to play another ranked team. This experience should help them win a tough game against another ACC contender.
12:30 PM PT — FOX
Utah State (0–2) at No. 17 Utah (2–0)
Location: Rice-Eccles Stadium — Salt Lake City, UT
Prediction: Utah 45–14
12:30 PM PT — Big Ten Network
UTEP (1–1) at No. 19 Michigan (2–0)
Location: Michigan Stadium — Ann Arbor, MI
Prediction: Michigan 38–7
12:30 PM PT — ESPN+
Miami (OH) (1–1) at Cincinnati (2–0)
Location: TQL Stadium — Cincinnati, OH
Prediction: Cincinnati 27–17
12:30 PM PT — ACC Network
Wagner at California (1–1)
Location: California Memorial Stadium — Berkeley, CA
Prediction: Cal 45–10
12:30 PM PT — USA Network
Duquesne at Washington State (0–2)
Location: Gesa Field — Pullman, WA
Prediction: Washington State 49–7
12:30 PM PT — ESPN+
Stonehill at UMass (2–0)
Location: Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium — Amherst, MA
Prediction: UMass 45–20
1:00 PM PT — Peacock
Western Kentucky (0–2) at No. 4 Indiana (2–0)
Location: Memorial Stadium — Bloomington, IN
Prediction: Indiana 56–10
1:00 PM PT — FS1
Northern Iowa at No. 18 Iowa (2–0)
Location: Kinnick Stadium — Iowa City, IA
Prediction: Iowa 35–7
1:00 PM PT — The CW
Stanford (1–1) at Duke (2–0)
Location: Wallace Wade Stadium — Durham, NC
Prediction: Duke 38–21
1:00 PM PT — ESPN+
Ball State (1–1) at Liberty (1–1)
Location: Williams Stadium — Lynchburg, VA
Prediction: Liberty 28–14
1:00 PM PT — ESPNU
Louisiana Tech (1–1) at Baylor (1–1)
Location: McLane Stadium — Waco, TX
Prediction: Baylor 31–13
1:15 PM PT — SEC Network
Mississippi State (2–0) at South Carolina (2–0)
Location: Williams-Brice Stadium — Columbia, SC
Prediction: South Carolina 35–31
South Carolina and Mississippi State are comparable to the analogy of the shield vs. the spear. The shield is South Carolina’s tenacious defense, allowing less than 5 PPG in their first two games, while Mississippi State represents the spear, averaging 50 points a game. Expect this game to be a measuring stick for where both teams fall in the SEC. Bulldog quarterback Kamario Taylor has been great this year, producing big numbers and showing leadership thus far. The key pieces toward a Gamecock victory are their quarterback LaNorris Sellers and defensive end Dylan Stewart, assuming Stewart plays. Whoever wins this game will potentially be ranked next week, and I think that will be South Carolina.
1:30 PM PT — ESPN+
SE Louisiana at ULM (0–2)
Location: Malone Stadium — Monroe, LA
Prediction: ULM 28–10
3:00 PM PT — ESPN+
East Carolina (0–2) at Old Dominion (1–1)
Location: S.B. Ballard Stadium — Norfolk, VA
Prediction: Old Dominion 24–17
3:00 PM PT — ESPN+
FIU (1–1) at Florida Atlantic (1–1)
Location: Flagler Credit Union Stadium — Boca Raton, FL
Prediction: Florida Atlantic 24–21
3:00 PM PT — ESPN+
Charlotte (0–2) at Appalachian State (2–0)
Location: Kidd Brewer Stadium — Boone, NC
Prediction: Appalachian State 35–21
3:30 PM PT — CBSSN
Marshall (1–1) at Missouri State (1–1)
Location: Robert W. Plaster Stadium — Springfield, MO
Prediction: Marshall 30–17
Week 3 — Saturday, September 19 — Evening
4:00 PM PT — SEC Network+
Troy (2–0) at No. 20 Missouri (2–0)
Location: Memorial Stadium at Faurot Field — Columbia, MO
Prediction: Missouri 49–13
4:00 PM PT — ESPN
Florida (2–0) at Auburn (2–0)
Location: Jordan-Hare Stadium — Auburn, AL
Prediction: Auburn 28–24
In another matchup between two undefeated teams from the SEC, there is a lot riding on this for each team. Thus far, both teams have been winning early with their new coaching staffs. Many of the transfers have played Florida before at USF, and none played a bigger role in that game than Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown. Though he has started a bit slow, I expect him and his team to play well and win a close one at home. If Florida has a chance to win this, they will need to rely on Jadan Baugh. He is one of the best running backs in the country and can go off at any time. I believe that Auburn can limit his impact and earn some respect as a potential sleeper in the SEC.
4:00 PM PT — ESPN+
Georgia State (2–0) at UCF (1–1)
Location: Acrisure Bounce House — Orlando, FL
Prediction: UCF 21–14
4:00 PM PT — ESPN+
Murray State at Oklahoma State (1–1)
Location: Boone Pickens Stadium — Stillwater, OK
Prediction: Oklahoma State 52–7
4:00 PM PT — ESPN+
UConn (1–1) at Southern Miss (1–1)
Location: M.M. Roberts Stadium — Hattiesburg, MS
Prediction: Southern Miss 27–20
4:00 PM PT — ESPN+
UT Martin at Memphis (2–1)
Location: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium — Memphis, TN
Prediction: Memphis 45–14
4:00 PM PT — ESPN+
Western Michigan (1–1) at Rice (1–1)
Location: Rice Stadium — Houston, TX
Prediction: Western Michigan 30–24
4:00 PM PT — ESPN+
Delaware State at South Florida (2–0)
Location: Raymond James Stadium — Tampa, FL
Prediction: South Florida 45–14
4:00 PM PT — ESPN+
Nevada (1–1) at Middle Tennessee (1–1)
Location: Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium — Murfreesboro, TN
Prediction: Middle Tennessee 27–13
4:00 PM PT — ESPN+
Ohio (1–1) at South Alabama (1–1)
Location: Hancock Whitney Stadium — Mobile, AL
Prediction: Ohio 24–20
4:00 PM PT — ESPN+
Georgia Southern (1–1) at Jacksonville State (1–2)
Location: AmFirst Stadium — Jacksonville, AL
Prediction: Georgia Southern 24–21
4:00 PM PT — ESPN+
Nicholls State at Sam Houston State (0–2)
Location: Elliott T. Bowers Stadium — Huntsville, TX
Prediction: Sam Houston State 35–21
4:15 PM PT — Big Ten Network
North Dakota at Nebraska (2–0)
Location: Memorial Stadium — Lincoln, NE
Prediction: Nebraska 42–7
4:15 PM PT — Big Ten Network
Eastern Washington at Washington (2–0)
Location: Husky Stadium — Seattle, WA
Prediction: Washington 45–10
4:30 PM PT — NBC
Michigan State (2–0) at No. 3 Notre Dame (2–0)
Location: Notre Dame Stadium — Notre Dame, IN
Prediction: Notre Dame 42–14
4:30 PM PT — ABC
No. 7 LSU (2–0) at No. 8 Ole Miss (2–0)
Location: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium — Oxford, MS
Prediction: Ole Miss 31–24
This is one of the most highly anticipated games of the season. With all the off-field drama, the rankings, and talent on the field, fans should be in for a treat with Lane Kiffin returning to Oxford. The crowd will be hostile and incredibly difficult for the road team to handle. LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt is currently doubtful, and his availability will greatly impact this game. If he can go, this will be close; if he cannot play, expect Ole Miss to win by more than I predicted. Along with the fans, Ole Miss will be heading into this with plenty of emotions. If Chambliss and Lacy set the tone on offense and both sides avoid emotionally charged penalties, they should win this unbelievable game.
4:30 PM PT — CBS
No. 11 BYU (2–0) at Colorado State (2–0)
Location: Canvas Stadium — Fort Collins, CO
Prediction: BYU 42–13
4:30 PM PT — ESPN2
New Mexico (2–0) at No. 24 Oklahoma (1–1)
Location: Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium — Norman, OK
Prediction: Oklahoma 45–9
4:30 PM PT — ACC Network
West Virginia (2–0) vs. No. 25 Virginia (2–0)
Location: Bank of America Stadium — Charlotte, NC
Prediction: Virginia 38–27
In a matchup between West Virginia and Virginia, fans should expect to see some stellar athletes in the backfield. Both teams love to run the ball and find creative ways to get their play makers the ball. West Virginia will rely on Michael Hawkins and Cam Cook if they have any chance of winning. Luckily for Virginia, their experience should make life difficult for the Mountaineers on both sides of the ball. The Cavaliers are one of the most experienced teams in the country. They have been tested early in the season and rose to the occasion in their 34-8 victory over NC State. I anticipate Virginia quarterback Beau Pribula to lead them to a victory in this neutral-site game.
4:30 PM PT — FOX
Colorado (2–0) at Northwestern (1–0)
Location: Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium — Evanston, IL
Prediction: Northwestern 31–24
4:30 PM PT — FS1
Virginia Tech (2–0) at Maryland (2–0)
Location: SECU Stadium — College Park, MD
Prediction: Virginia Tech 30–28
This will be a good benchmark for where both teams stand, as this will be their first test of the season. Malik Washington of Maryland is looking to continue his strong sophomore campaign against a stingy Virginia Tech defense. Luckily for him and the Terrapins, the ground game has been productive, which helps keep the defense on their toes. Virginia Tech has capitalized on its Penn State transfers who have followed their head coach. Ethan Grunkemeyer and Luke Reynolds have been a dangerous duo so far this year. Look for them to connect early and often if the Hokies have a chance. With that being said, James Franklin and the Hokies will win this game and continue what could be a massive turnaround this season.
4:45 PM PT — SEC Network
Kennesaw State (1–1) at No. 15 Tennessee (2–0)
Location: Neyland Stadium — Knoxville, TN
Prediction: Tennessee 49–10
5:00 PM PT — SEC Network+
UTSA (2–0) at No. 1 Texas (2–0)
Location: Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium — Austin, TX
Prediction: Texas 52–14
5:00 PM PT — ESPNU
Arkansas State (1–1) at TCU (1–1)
Location: Amon G. Carter Stadium — Fort Worth, TX
Prediction: TCU 38–14
5:00 PM PT — ESPN+
East Texas A&M at Tulsa (2–0)
Location: H. A. Chapman Stadium — Tulsa, OK
Prediction: Tulsa 42–14
5:00 PM PT — ESPN+
UAB (1–1) at Louisiana (1–1)
Location: Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium — Lafayette, LA
Prediction: UAB 28–20
Week 3 — Saturday, September 19 — Night
7:00 PM PT — CBS Sports Network
South Dakota at Boise State (1–1)
Location: Albertsons Stadium — Boise, ID
Prediction: Boise State 45–14
7:00 PM PT — The CW
James Madison (2–0) at San Diego State (1–1)
Location: Snapdragon Stadium — San Diego, CA
Prediction: San Diego State 34–28
7:30 PM PT — TNT
Northern Illinois (0–2) at Arizona (1–1)
Location: Casino Del Sol Stadium — Tucson, AZ
Prediction: Arizona 45–7
7:30 PM PT — ESPN
North Dakota State (3–0) at Sacramento State (1–2)
Location: Hornet Stadium — Sacramento, CA
Prediction: North Dakota State 38–24
8:00 PM PT — USA Network
Montana at Oregon State (0–2)
Location: Reser Stadium — Corvallis, OR
Prediction: Oregon State 42–10
8:00 PM PT — FS1
Fresno State (1–1) at San José State (2–1)
Location: CEFCU Stadium — San Jose, CA
Prediction: San José State 31–27
8:00 PM PT — Big Ten Network
Purdue (1–1) at UCLA (2–0)
Location: Rose Bowl — Pasadena, CA
Prediction: UCLA 35–24
