College Football Week 3: Games to Watch

Thursday, September 15

#6 Houston Cougars 2-0 at Cincinnati Bearcats 2-0 @ 6:30 p.m. (CT) on ESPN

Can Houston’s championship dreams continue on the road against a quality Cincinnati squad?

Friday, September 16

#21 Baylor Bears 2-0 at Rice Owls 0-2 @ 7 p.m. (CT) on ESPN

This dog of a match-up is actually the best of the three Friday night games. For Baylor, it’s the second straight Southwest Conference throwback in a row (last Saturday they faced SMU). Rice is on the final list of potential Big 12 expansion schools.

Saturday, September 17

#2 Florida State Seminoles 2-0 at #10 Louisville Cardinals 2-0 (1-0 ACC) @ 11 a.m. (CT) on ABC

The biggest game in Louisville Cardinals football history may ultimately decide the winner of the ACC Atlantic division. It’s just a shame it comes so early in the day and so early in the season. Cardinals QB Lamar Jackson continues his superhuman piling up of stats and Tds more appropriate for some created player in an EA Sports NCAA Football video game.

Kansas Jayhawks 1-1 at Memphis Tigers 1-0 @ 11 a.m. (CT) on ESPN U

The Jayhawks road ineptitude is in its seventh year and riding a streak of 35 consecutive losses.

#1 (FCS) North Dakota State Bison 2-0 at #13 Iowa Hawkeyes 2-0 @ 11 a.m. (CT) on ESPN 2

If you find the North Dakota State Bison on your FBS school’s non-con schedule, ask your school what the hell it was thinking. NDSU has won the FCS National Title five straight times (2011-15). In addition to this, since 2010, NDSU has made a habit of taking down FBS schools on their home fields. The Turner Hillery Gill era of KU football started with a loss to NDSU in 2010. In 2011, Minnesota lost to them. In 2012, it was Colorado State. In 2013, it was Kansas State’s turn. In 2014, it was Iowa State. Kirk Ferentz’ 13^th ranked Hawkeyes are better than all those teams, but still, don’t sleep on this FCS juggernaut.

Colorado Buffaloes 2-0 at #4 Michigan Wolverines 2-0 @ 2:30 p.m. (CT) on the Big Ten Network

It’s almost 22 years ago to the day that Kordell Stewart hit Michael Westbrook on a Hail Mary as #7 Colorado shocked the #4 Wolverines on their home field in one of the greatest games of the 1990s.

#22 Oregon Ducks 2-0 at Nebraska Cornhuskers 2-0 @ 2:30 p.m. (CT) on ABC

A home win over the Ducks may propel the Huskers back into the Top 25.

#1 Alabama Crimson Tide at #19 Ole Miss Rebels @ 2:30 p.m. (CT) on CBS

Over the last two regular seasons, Bama has posted a 22-2 record. Both of those losses came against Ole Miss. Do the Rebels have what it takes to knock off the Tide again?

Pitt Panthers 2-0 at Oklahoma State Cowboys 1-1 @ 2:30 p.m. (CT) on ESPN

The Panthers are coming off a victory over Penn State in one of the best games of the season so far. The Cowboys are coming off a loss to Central Michigan by way of one of the most insane endings of the season so far.

Mississippi State Bulldogs 1-1 (1-0 SEC) at #20 LSU Tigers 1-1 @ 6 p.m. (CT) on ESPN 2

The Bulldogs and Tigers are both searching for consistency. Leonard Fournette returns after taking a week off due to injury.

#17 Texas A&M Aggies 2-0 at Auburn Tigers 1-1 @ 6 p.m. (CT) on ESPN

Oklahoma transfer, and 2014 Sugar Bowl MVP, Trevor Knight has fit in nicely down in College Station. He gives the Aggies consistency and play making ability at the QB position the likes of which they haven’t seen since the days of Johnny Football.

#12 Michigan State Spartans 1-0 at #18 Notre Dame Fightin’ Irish 1-1 @ 6:30 p.m. (CT) on NBC

Classic match-up of old school college football rivals in South Bend.

#16 Georgia Bulldogs 2-0 at Missouri Tigers 1-1 @ 6:30 p.m. (CT) on SEC Network

Barry Odom earned his first victory as Mizzou head coach and his Tigers looked good in doing so. A week after Georgia scored a big win over North Carolina, the Bulldogs looked like garbage in squeaking by Nicholls State in Athens. A win for either of these schools in this game could go a long way in determining the quality of their season.

#3 Ohio State Buckeyes 2-0 at #14 Oklahoma Sooners @ 6:30 p.m. (CT) on FOX

A win here by the Sooners will move them right back into the College Football Playoff discussion. A loss may all but eliminate them, making this essentially a playoff game in week 3 for Oklahoma.

USC Trojans 1-1 at #7 Stanford Cardinal 2-0 @ 7 p.m. (CT) on ABC

Stanford has won three of the last four PAC 12 titles. Overall, the PAC 12 North Division has owned the title game, winning every contest since 2008. The last South Division team to win a PAC 12 title? The USC Trojans.

UCLA Bruins 1-1 at BYU Cougars 1-1 @ 9:15 p.m. (CT) on ESPN 2

Like the Oakland Raiders last weekend, BYU decided to go for a two point conversion instead of playing for overtime. Unlike the Raiders, BYU’s attempt was stuffed.

#11 Texas Longhorns 2-0 at Cal Golden Bears 1-1 @ 9:30 p.m. (CT) on ESPN

Before you head to bed, tune into this shootout. Last weekend Cal and San Diego State gave viewers a 45-40 score fest that ended around 1 a.m. central time. The Bears don’t play a lick of defense, but Sonny Dykes’ Bear Raid offense is pretty lethal. This is a tough road test for the resurgent Longhorns.