Top 10 College Football Games to Watch in Week 3
College football fans, get ready for an action-packed Week 3. This weekend’s loaded slate features a trio of top-20 matchups, a mix of conference and non-conference games, and an old-school rivalry that’ll keep you glued to your screens.
From the Darian Mensah Bowl to the Backyard Brawl, the stakes are high and the excitement is real. Here’s a closer look at the top 10 games of Week 3, plus a few honorable mentions, to help you plan your football Saturday.
Top Games to Watch
Week 3 brings a bunch of high-stakes games that should deliver some serious drama. Whether you’re into powerhouse programs or rooting for the underdogs, there’s something on tap for everyone.
Honorable Mentions
Before jumping into the top 10, let’s nod to a few games that deserve some attention:
- Colorado at Houston (Friday)
- No. 4 Oregon at Northwestern
- USC at Purdue
- Ohio at No. 1 Ohio State
- ECU at Coastal Carolina
- No. 20 Utah at Wyoming
- Minnesota at Cal
- Texas State at Arizona State
Key Matchups
Let’s get into the top 10 games of Week 3, starting with the Darian Mensah Bowl and rolling through the most anticipated matchups.
Duke vs. Tulane
The Darian Mensah Bowl features Duke’s transfer quarterback going back to face his old squad. Mensah has flashed some promise through two games, but the Blue Devils stumbled against Illinois last week, losing 31-6 in the second half.
Tulane’s coming in hot after beating Northwestern and edging out South Alabama. If Tulane wins here, they’ll stay in the College Football Playoff conversation.
Ole Miss vs. Arkansas
Ole Miss, already on its second league game, pulled off a comeback win against Kentucky. Kewan Lacy and Austin Simmons really stepped up.
Simmons threw four interceptions but still showed some serious upside. He’ll face Arkansas’ Taylen Green this week—Green ranks seventh nationally with 753 total yards and is tied for first with 10 passing touchdowns.
South Carolina vs. Vanderbilt
This one’s got a quarterback showdown: South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers versus Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia. Both teams have already played Virginia Tech.
South Carolina’s favored, but they didn’t look great against VT, while Vanderbilt handled the Hokies easily on the road.
West Virginia vs. Pitt
The Backyard Brawl is always one of the most intense rivalries in college football. West Virginia’s coming off a loss to Ohio, but Rich Rodriguez’s return adds some spice.
Pitt’s favored, but you can bet the Mountaineers will show up ready to fight for this one.
High-Stakes Showdowns
Several games this week could shape the season for these teams and their coaches.
Clemson vs. Georgia Tech
Clemson, led by Heisman hopeful Cade Klubnik, started the season with a loss to LSU and then barely got by Troy. Now they’ve got a tough test against Georgia Tech.
This game could really set the tone for Clemson’s season going forward.
Wisconsin vs. Alabama
Forget the point spread for a second—this game’s huge for both teams. Alabama bounced back with a 73-0 win over Louisiana Monroe, but that Week 1 loss to Florida State still stings.
Wisconsin hasn’t faced a real test yet, and they might have to go without their starting quarterback, Billy Edwards Jr.
Florida vs. LSU
Florida’s reeling after a meltdown against USF, and coach Billy Napier’s feeling the heat again. LSU, fresh off a win over Clemson, wants to get some payback after last year’s loss to Florida.
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Both teams need this win as they head into a brutal stretch of their schedules.
Underdog Stories
Every week brings a shot for underdogs to make some noise, and Week 3’s got a few chances.
USF vs. Miami
USF has become the hottest G6 team in the country, picking up ranked wins over Boise State and Florida. Now they’ll take on Miami, who just knocked off Notre Dame.
If USF pulls this off, their Cinderella run gets even more real.
Notre Dame vs. Texas A&M
This is a rematch from last year, and Notre Dame’s looking to bounce back after losing to Miami in Week 1. Texas A&M has looked strong, though they haven’t played anyone tough yet.
Quarterback Marcel Reed’s health will be key. Notre Dame really needs this win to avoid an ugly 0-2 start.
Georgia vs. Tennessee
Tennessee pulled off an offseason quarterback trade with UCLA, and honestly, it seems to be working out. Still, they’re up against a Georgia defense that’s pretty tough to crack.
The Dawgs really need to get their offense going if they want to be seen as real title contenders. A win matters a lot for both teams, but especially for Georgia, since their schedule doesn’t get any easier from here.
For a more detailed look at this weekend’s matchups, check out the New York Times.