NCAAF · 1 year ago

Ranking the 5 College Football Games I’m Most Excited for in Week 3

TJ Inman

Host · Writer

5. Indiana (-3) at UCLA - Saturday at 7:30 EST
This week is light on marquee games, but that does not mean there are no critical and potentially consequential matchups. The Indiana Hoosiers have begun the Curt Cignetti era with a pair of significant wins against FIU and Western Illinois. There is a lot of optimism and hope, but they now travel to the Rose Bowl for a road Big Ten game against the UCLA Bruins. The Bruins are 1-0 after an off week as they begin the DeShaun Foster era and host their first game in a new conference. The setting is likely to be beautiful as kick-off occurs at 4:30 local time, and the sun should be setting towards the end of this contest. Both teams have a talented crop of receivers and veteran quarterbacks. Still, the game will probably depend on which offensive line can help establish the running game and create offensive balance. A victory for the Hoosiers would get IU halfway to bowl eligibility, while a UCLA victory would get the Foster era started on a bright note.

IU (-3) at UCLA - Saturday at 7:30 on NBC
1. Arizona at Kansas State (-7) - Friday at 8:00 PM EST
The race for a spot in the Big 12 Championship is expected to be wide open, and head-to-head battles between contenders will go a long way toward deciding who gets a chance to play for an automatic bye in the College Football Playoff. On Friday night, the Kansas State Wildcats (2-0) square off with the Arizona Wildcats (2-0) in the conference opener for both sides. Kansas State survived at Tulane last week, while Arizona had an uncomfortably close game against Northern Arizona. This game is a showdown between a pair of outstanding young quarterbacks, and both teams have exciting skill players. The dual between Avery Johnson and Noah Fifita makes this a must-watch, and the stakes of the crowded Big 12 add to the intrigue. The Wildcats are favored by a touchdown in Manhattan.

Arizona at Kansas State (-7) - Friday, 8:00 PM on FOX
2. LSU (-7) at South Carolina - Saturday at Noon EST
If you did not know already, you are about to find out. Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina, is one of the coolest atmospheres in college football. South Carolina hosting a big game with Sandstorm blasting through the stadium’s speakers before the Gamecocks take the field is a great way to start a Saturday of action. LSU is 1-1 with a disappointing loss to USC, while South Carolina is 2-0 after an emphatic defensive performance against Kentucky. The prime matchup to watch is the LSU offensive line, one of the best in the country, against fabulous freshman defensive lineman Dylan Stewart. The Tigers are favored by a touchdown, but this is a tricky spot against young LaNorris Sellers and the Gamecocks.

LSU (-7) at South Carolina - Saturday at Noon on ABC
3. Memphis at Florida State (-6.5) - Saturday at Noon EST
The contest between Memphis and Florida State in Tallahassee has taken on a different feeling than nearly everyone anticipated. Florida State is 0-2 after a pair of disheartening performances. They had a bye week last weekend and a chance to refocus and get the season back on track before even a chance at a decent bowl game disappears. Head coach Mike Norvell is welcoming his former program to Doak Campbell Stadium, and the Memphis Tigers are one of a few teams that have a real shot at the Group of Five’s automatic playoff spot. Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan is not a mobile threat, and that should be a welcome sight for the Seminoles' defense, but the Tigers’ offense can light up the scoreboard through the air. Even if the Seminoles end up around .500, a win at Florida State would be a significant boon for the American Athletic Conference favorite.

Memphis at Florida State (-7) - Saturday at Noon on ESPN
4. Boston College at Missouri (-16) - Saturday at 12:45 EST
Boston College is 2-0 after dominant wins at Florida State and against Duquesne. The Eagles have a new coach, an exciting young quarterback, a good stable of running backs, and what appears to be a better-than-expected defensive line. We still don’t have a good grip on whether or not Boston College is a legitimate threat to win eight or nine games and possibly contend for a spot in the ACC Championship Game. This game will show us if they are ready to be a dark horse. The Missouri Tigers get a good test at home after a pair of blowout wins against overmatched opponents. Missouri is now a real College Football Playoff challenger, and they have a schedule that allows them to challenge for a place in the SEC Championship Game. Think of this as a “prove it” game for both teams, and while Missouri is a heavy favorite, Boston College can run the ball and control the clock, and that could make this an exciting game.

Boston College at Missouri (-16) - Saturday at 12:45 PM on SEC Network
5. Indiana (-3) at UCLA - Saturday at 7:30 EST
This week is light on marquee games, but that does not mean there are no critical and potentially consequential matchups. The Indiana Hoosiers have begun the Curt Cignetti era with a pair of significant wins against FIU and Western Illinois. There is a lot of optimism and hope, but they now travel to the Rose Bowl for a road Big Ten game against the UCLA Bruins. The Bruins are 1-0 after an off week as they begin the DeShaun Foster era and host their first game in a new conference. The setting is likely to be beautiful as kick-off occurs at 4:30 local time, and the sun should be setting towards the end of this contest. Both teams have a talented crop of receivers and veteran quarterbacks. Still, the game will probably depend on which offensive line can help establish the running game and create offensive balance. A victory for the Hoosiers would get IU halfway to bowl eligibility, while a UCLA victory would get the Foster era started on a bright note.

IU (-3) at UCLA - Saturday at 7:30 on NBC
1. Arizona at Kansas State (-7) - Friday at 8:00 PM EST
The race for a spot in the Big 12 Championship is expected to be wide open, and head-to-head battles between contenders will go a long way toward deciding who gets a chance to play for an automatic bye in the College Football Playoff. On Friday night, the Kansas State Wildcats (2-0) square off with the Arizona Wildcats (2-0) in the conference opener for both sides. Kansas State survived at Tulane last week, while Arizona had an uncomfortably close game against Northern Arizona. This game is a showdown between a pair of outstanding young quarterbacks, and both teams have exciting skill players. The dual between Avery Johnson and Noah Fifita makes this a must-watch, and the stakes of the crowded Big 12 add to the intrigue. The Wildcats are favored by a touchdown in Manhattan.

Arizona at Kansas State (-7) - Friday, 8:00 PM on FOX

Ranking the 5 College Football Games I’m Most Excited for in Week 3

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