CFB Game Guide Week 3: Can the Badgers cause unlikely upset over ‘Bama?
The College Football drama continues as we head into Week 3. With plenty of big-name teams facing their first real tests, we should better understand who the main players are in the playoff race. Let’s highlight the games we’ll be glued to on Saturday.
Friday Night Lights
Big Screen Billing: Arizona @ Kansas State (8 PM ET / 1AM GMT), FOX
This top-20 battle is set up to be a barnstorming affair. Both teams have exciting playmakers at quarterback, which could lead to a high-scoring game. Noah Fifita and co. will have to pull their socks up after making heavy weather of Northern Arizona last week. We’ve seen what he is capable of when he teamed up with Tetairoa McMillan in the first week for 304 yards and four touchdowns. Can they get things back in sync on Friday night?
It won’t be easy against a Kansas State side that has also spluttered early in the season. They needed a 60-yard fumble return to get themselves over the line against Tulane last Saturday, and QB Avery Johnson hasn’t lived up to the preseason hype. While he has been solid, he hasn’t injected the dynamism expected, given the flashes he had last year. Perhaps that changes here, and the Wildcats can begin thinking again about winning the Big 12.
Early Kickoff Window
Big Screen Billing: LSU @ South Carolina (12PM ET / 5PM GMT), ABC)
We kick off Week 2 with an all-SEC clash between LSU and South Carolina. The Tigers return to truly competitive action after a ‘get-right’ week against Nicholls State. Even though they didn’t perhaps get as “right” as hoped. Failing once more to assert themselves in the run game, something they only did against USC when John Emery Jr. was at running back. With Emery lost for the season, that is becoming a growing concern. Add to that the continued failings on defense, and it’s clear why the Gamecocks are a touchdown favourite.
South Carolina held Kentucky to under 200 yards of offense and only six points in a dominant display last week. Things haven’t clicked on offense yet, but if they can control Garrett Nussmeier and his talented receiver group, you would think they have a chance to put up points. I expect a close one here and give the Gamecocks the edge at home, which would further add to the pressure surrounding Brian Kelly in Baton Rouge.
Upset Potential: Alabama @ Wisconsin (12PM ET / 5PM GMT), FOX
Things got a little testy for Kalen De Boer and Alabama in Week 2. Just like in 2023, it was USF that nearly tripped them up. The most glaring issue appeared to be the offensive line. Right tackle Wilkin Formby had all sorts of trouble, leading to the Tide throwing around the possibility he may share duties with Elijah Pritchett this week. If that issue is remedied, expect a heavy dose of running back duo Jam Miller and Justice Haynes.
Those missteps bring in the possibility of an upset in Camp Randall. My problem is whether the Wisconsin offense has enough firepower to get ahead and stay there. The Luke Fickell project hasn’t taken off as of yet, and the Badgers haven’t achieved over 30 points in either of their first two games, even with the opposition being Western Michigan and South Dakota. They may keep it tight early, but I think it’s a big ask to expect them to down the Tide, given their current form.
Primetime Window
Big Screen Billing: Texas A&M @ Florida (3.30PM ET / 8.30PM GMT)
Let the DJ Lagway era begin in Florida—or maybe not. The experienced Graham Mertz is available, leaving Billy Napier with quite the decision to make. That decision feels like it will be symbolic of how the Napier era goes from here. Lagway should be the current coaching staff’s last throw of the dice. Backing the freshman, even with growing pains, is their last lifeline. Despite being against Samford, Lagway threw for 456 yards and 3 TDs. Now is the time to ride his confidence.
Texas A&M will be looking for some magic from their own young QB. Conner Weigman was everybody’s favourite pick for a QB to emerge this year and has yet to justify that billing. Losing to Notre Dame in the opener hasn’t stood the test of time, given they were downed by Northern Illinois last week. As conference play begins, we will see whether Mike Elko can get a tune from this talented bunch or if a more significant reset is needed.
Upset Potential: Oregon @ Oregon State (3.30PM ET / 8.30PM ET)
It was good news this week for Oregon State. The Pac 12 could slowly be rising from the ashes as four teams lined up to enter the conference at a later date. While they await that they will have to be content with trying to exact revenge on their former league mates. They certainly have a chance to do that against in-state rivals the Ducks.
Oregon was lucky to win over Boise last week with struggles along the offensive line and defensively. This matchup could be the tipping point in the season for head coach Dan Lanning. There were certainly flashes of a growing relationship between Dillon Gabriel and Evan Stewart, but a loss here would put serious doubts over their National title hopes. The scene is perfectly set for an exciting tear-up.
After Dark Window
Big Screen Billing: Georgia @ Kentucky (7.30PM ET / 12.30AM GMT)
The late slate isn’t packed with action, so we get to indulge in watching the best team in college football. Kentucky gets the pleasure of facing the Bulldogs after being soundly beaten by South Carolina. The phrase ‘things can only get better’ does not apply to this one. Mark Stoops is on dodgy ground, having courted perceived ‘bigger’ jobs in the offseason. A heavy loss to Georgia will not help.
The Bulldogs have been as metronomic as expected. Carson Beck is living up to the hype with his precise passing and game management. Meanwhile, his supporting cast is bursting with future NFL talent. You might get fed up by halftime in this one, but we all love watching the best, right? RIGHT?
Keep an eye on: Central Florida @ Texas Christian (7.30PM ET / 12.30AM GMT)
If you leave the Georgia game at halftime, this might be the game that ascends to the main screen. TCU are now slight underdogs, even though the game is in Fort Worth. Neither team has been tested so far, and this will be a good indicator of their true strength.
I’m leaning towards Central Florida in this one, purely because of their offensive talent. KJ Jefferson is a dual-threat quarterback, and RJ Harvey is a dynamic running back. This offense could be too much for TCU to handle, and should UCF show up in style, they would go firmly into the frame as a potential conference winner.
Rory-Joe Daniels
NFL & Cfb contributor
AS A LONG-SUFFERING CINCINNATI BENGALS FAN, RORY HAS FOLLOWED THE NFL FOR OVER 20 YEARS. HIS PASSION FOR THE DRAFT LED HIM TO GET ENTANGLED WITH COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND HE HAS BEEN WRITING ABOUT PROSPECTS AND THE CFB LANDSCAPE EVER SINCE.