I won’t lie to you: After a sizzling slate of games in Week 2, there are plenty of clunks in Week 3. The most interesting matchups are aimed more at die-hard and card-carrying members of the Sickos Committee. No glittering headliners like Texas vs. Alabama and no duels between two ranked teams. But we’ve done our best to flesh out some storylines for another power ranking of the top 10 matchups this weekend.
And in bold defiance of pregame TV shows, we even named Colorado an honorable mention this week. One can only assume that Coach Prime will use this little detail as additional motivation.
Award: San Diego State at No. 16 Oregon State, South Alabama at Oklahoma State, James Madison at Troy, TCU at Houston, Colorado State at No. 18 Colorado
Note: All times ET
10. Northern Illinois (1-1) at Nebraska (0-2), 7 p.m., FS1
I admit to being fascinated by the early crisis among Nebraska fans, which I think Mitch Sherman captured well after the loss to Colorado. NIU also got off to a strange start, picking up a Power 5 win on the road against Boston College in its opener before losing to FCS foe Southern Illinois last weekend. I suspect Nebraska can do this, but quarterback Jeff Sims – who has six turnovers and just two total touchdowns so far – will have to take care of the football and play much better to give his team a chance.
9. No. 7 Penn State (2-0) at Illinois (1-1), Noon, Fox
A year after winning eight games, the Illini were chastened somewhat in 2023 with a narrow win over Toledo and a road loss to Kansas last Friday night. The defense, which was the second-best in the Big Ten in 2022, is being held up for 6.28 yards per play, something a potentially high-octane Penn State will look to take advantage of. It’s also the first real test for Drew Allar and should provide further insight into whether the Nittany Lions have what it takes to compete with Ohio State and Michigan in the Big Ten.
8. BYU (2-0) at Arkansas (2-0), 7:30 p.m., ESPN2
Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson is one of my favorite players, and the Razorbacks usually have weapons around them, but the offense hasn’t found a groove yet. It’s a similar story at BYU, where veteran quarterback Kedon Slovis looked pretty good, but he’ll have to overcome his biggest challenge yet in Fayetteville. A pair of linebackers worth watching: Ben Bywater for BYU and Jaheim Thomas for Arkansas.
After Florida State’s loss in the opening game, the bloom is outside the bayou. But LSU’s running game got a nice spark last week from Notre Dame transfer Logan Diggs, who missed the first game due to injury and could get another as fellow running back John Emery Jr. is expected to play for the first time this season Season will be available. Mississippi State will be a 9.5-point underdog after an overtime loss to Arizona, although quarterback Will Rogers looks solid and linebacker Jett Johnson is a game-wrecker.
6. No. 15 Kansas State (2-0) at Missouri (2-0), Noon, SEC Network
Isn’t there a name for this rivalry? I realize it’s not on the level of Border War, but these two schools have played each other almost 100 times since 1909, including last year’s 40-12 rout at the hands of K-State. The Wildcats are just five-point favorites on the road heading into this 11 a.m. CT kickoff against a Mizzou team that looked strong on defense against inferior competition. We’ll see if history and last year’s blowout prompt the Tigers to keep this Colombia game close (or at least sharp). And let’s try to find a name.
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Top 12 Thoughts: Texas provides proof of concept, don’t forget Kansas State
5. Pitt (1-1) at West Virginia (1-1), 7:30 p.m., ABC
To be honest, the name plays a big role here. It may not be the most star-studded Backyard Brawl, but this rivalry is great and the sport was happy to return after a long break last season when Pitt won 38-31 with a pick six in the final minutes. Both teams need a big win before they can venture into conference play, and the night kickoff in Morgantown means the crowd will have their knees up for this one.
While a Washington offense led by quarterback and Heisman Trophy candidate Michael Penix Jr. is reason enough to tune in, there’s also the Mel Tucker subplot in this game. Michigan State’s head coach was suspended indefinitely this week after sexual harassment allegations against him came to light. Defensive line coach Harlon Barnett took over as interim coach and former coach Mark Dantonio served as assistant coach. The Spartans boast a top-five defense after wins over Central Michigan and Richmond, but this game has the potential for disaster with the black cloud hanging over Michigan State and the sport’s second-ranked offense arriving in East Lansing.
3. South Carolina (1-1) at No. 1 Georgia (2-0), 3:30 p.m., CBS
The fact that this is such a lackluster list gives me a strange feeling about this game. I’m not picking the Gamecocks, but something unexpected is bound to happen on Saturday while everyone is stocking up on yards, and I’m cautious about whether the Bulldogs can cover the 27.5-point spread. South Carolina was disappointing in the loss to North Carolina and got off to a slow start last week against Furman, but Shane Beamer had his team ready to rock in big games last season, including upsets against Kentucky, Texas A&M, Tennessee and Clemson. (The only exception, of course, was a 48-7 loss to Georgia.)
2. Minnesota (2-0) at No. 20 North Carolina (2-0), 3:30 p.m., ESPN
The Tar Heels are one of the ranked teams I’m still not sold on. Appalachian State took them to double overtime, and quarterback Drake Maye was good, but not “Pac-12 QB” good. Styles make fights, and Minnesota should be a compelling sparring partner, having allowed just 16 total points and having his way on the floor with the alliterative surname duo of Darius Taylor and Sean Tyler. North Carolina has an advantageous path to the ACC title game with Miami at home, Clemson coming late and no Florida State on the schedule, but I could use more convincing.
1. No. 11 Tennessee (2-0) at Florida (1-1), 7 p.m., ESPN
After watching the Florida documentary “Swamp Kings” on Netflix, I’m probably feeling a little nostalgic, but something about the third Saturday in September feels like the college football of my childhood in some deep, indescribable way. (I’m already missing the CBS theme music here.) I’m not sure how good Tennessee is after letting Austin Peay hang around for a while, although I’m pretty sure the Gators have come a long way from the Swamp Kings days , so a clear victory for the Volunteers wouldn’t shock me. But on a weekend where there are no certified bangers, I’ll happily take a big-brand conference competition for first place.
(Photo of Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt and Florida’s Rashad Torrence II from last season’s game: Donald Page / Getty Images)