Previewing College Football’s Week 3 Marquee Matchups

Clemson has plenty of weapons on offense, but so far, they’ve underperformed to their standards. After being named as a team that could compete for the top spot in the country and a national championship, they’ve come out flat. Quarterback Cade Klubnik has struggled with only a 59.7 completion percentage and a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 2:2. Wide receiver Antonio Williams has missed time due to injury, which has affected how good this offense can be. Outside of Bryant Wesco Jr. , Tyler Brown, and T.J. Moore must step up for this team to be more successful. 

This week, Clemson’s offense will face a tough defensive front featuring Akelo Stone, Christian Garrett and Amontrae Bradford. This season, these three have combined to sack the quarterback five times. If the Tigers’ offensive line can keep Klubnik clean in the pocket, they can win. If not, It will be a long day for the Tigers’ offense.

On defense, the Tigers have gotten production from T.J. Parker, Peter Woods, Avieon Terrell, Ronan Hanafin, Wade Woodaz and Sammy Brown. If this defense has contributions from the Tigers’ offense, Clemson can get back on track. 

This week, the defense will have to take on quarterback Haynes King, who’s expected to make a return after missing last week’s game vs Gardner-Webb with a lower-body injury. Along with King, running backs Jamal Haynes and Malachi Hosley join him in the backfield, creating a dynamic duo. King’s mobility, along with Haynes and Hosley, will be a trio that keeps this Tigers defense on their toes. 

Pittsburgh Panthers vs West Virginia Mountaineers

Location: Milan Puskar Stadium

Time: 3:30 PM EST

Network: ESPN 

The 108th edition of the Backyard Brawl sets its sights on Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, West Virginia. Pitt leads the all-time series 63-41-3. 

After a disappointing 17-10 loss to the Ohio Bobcats, the West Virginia Mountaineers have an opportunity to bounce back against their biggest rival –the Pittsburgh Panthers. Though they’ll have to do it without junior Jahiem White and senior Jaden Bray, head coach Rich Rodriguez will have to rely on senior Preston Fox and running backs Clay Ash, Cyncir Bowers, and Diore Hubbard to step up and contribute.

 To succeed, quarterback Nicco Marchiol will have to execute the game plan and make plenty of big plays. The Panthers’ front seven features linebacker Kyle Louis and Rasheem Biles, along with Zach Crothers, Jimmy Scott, Joey Zelinsky and Blaine Spires. WVU’s offense vs Pitt’s front seven will be the key matchup to watch.

After last week’s 45-17 win vs Central Michigan, Pitt comes into this game on a higher note. In the past two weeks, Pitt has scored a combined 106 points, demonstrating its ability to put points on the board at a high rate. Although Duquesne and Central Michigan are considered “warm-up games,” Pitt has shown that it has found its groove and is operating efficiently. 

Pitt’s offense features dynamic running back Desmond Reid, who can kick return, catch, and rush. Along with Reid, he’s paired with quarterback Eli Holstien, making their backfield one to watch. This season, Pitt’s receivers have stepped up, including Raphael Williams Jr., who’s coming off a seven-reception, 186-yard, two-touchdown performance vs Central Michigan. 

WVU’s defensive coordinator Zac Alley will have his hands full, but he’s not new to facing well-rounded squads. Alley’s ability to dial up unique pressure and schemes will challenge Holstein to make the right read. WVU’s Hammond Russell and Chase Wilson will have to carry the load on defense. With Reid Carrico considered day-to-day, Wilson may have to lead the WVU defense into battle as the lead linebacker. 

No. 6 Georgia Bulldogs vs No. 15 Tennessee Volunteers

Location: Neyland Stadium

Time: 3:30 PM EST

Network: ABC 

A top 15 matchup is taking place in Knoxville TN, as the 15th ranked Vols welcome the 6th ranked Bulldogs into Neyland Stadium. Both teams are undefeated heading into the game with questions that remain to be answered. 

Georgia’s offense remains in question due to not scoring as much as expected to start the season. The run game has been the calling card early for the Bulldogs lead by sophomore running back Nate Frazier along with younger backs Dwight Phillips II and Chauncey Bowens. Defensively, the Bulldogs remain to be one of the best units in the country. The defensive line reloaded and will look to control the trenches against the Vols.

Tennessee enters this game with questions to be answered on both sides of the ball. The running game was exceptional in the first two games of the season but now its SEC play. With a newer offensive line, they will be put to test against one of the nation’s best defensive lines. Defensively, the Vols are playing without starting cornerbacks Jermod McCoy and Ricky Gibson. Replacing McCoy and Gibson are Colton Hood and true freshman Ty Redmond who are going to have to hold down the fort against the Bulldogs.

The game will be won based on which offense will be able to pass the ball efficiently and effectively down the field. Gunner Stockton for the Bulldogs, has flashed the ability to push the ball down the field but needs to be confident on the road. With weapons such as Zachariah Branch, Dillon Bell, Colbie Young, and Oscar Delp, the Bulldogs have plenty of guys who can make a play – it is up to Stockton to make those plays. Vols quarterback will be facing an SEC defense for the first time with a young receiver room. Limiting mistakes will be crucial for Aguilar. Redshirt freshman Braylon Staley will have to be a difference maker in the receiving game for the Vols to pull off the upset. 

No. 16 Texas A&M Aggies vs No. 8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 

Location: Notre Dame Stadium

Time: 7:30 PM EST

Network: NBC/Peacock

After Texas A&M lost to Notre Dame 24-14 last season, the two meet in primetime again. Under the lights at Notre Dame Stadium, Marcell Reed and C.J. Carr will face off to see which quarterback can lead their team to a win. Mike Elko and Marcus Freeman should deliver and give fans a game they deserve. 

After Texas A&M lost to Notre Dame 24-14 last season, the two meet in primetime again. Under the lights at Notre Dame Stadium, Marcel Reed and C.J. Carr will face off to see which quarterback can lead their team to a win. 

Notre Dame heads into this game 0-1 after a tough 27-24 loss against No. 5 Miami. Last week, they had a bye week, giving them extra time to prepare for Texas A&M. This week, Carr and the Fighting Irish offense will face a physical Aggies front led by Cashius Howell. Howell leads the team in sacks with three sacks on the season. Will Lee III and Marcus Ratcliffe are players to watch in the Aggies’ secondary. 

Luckily, the Notre Dame offense has plenty of options to combat the Texas A&M defense. At running back, the duo of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Love, known as the best back in college football, will look to bounce back and get back on pace towards a 1,000-yard season. At receiver, Jordan Faison and Malachi Fields will look to show that they’re the guys Carr can rely on. Tight end Eli Raridon, the team’s leading receiver, will show that he will continue to wreak havoc. 

On the other side of the ball, the Notre Dame defense will have to contain Reed and running backs Le’Veon Moss and Rueben Owens II. So far, Reed has started the season throwing for 509 yards and seven touchdowns, without throwing an interception. Receivers Mario Craver and Kevin Concepcion will look to continue their dominant seasons. Craver and Concepcion have combined for 381 of Texas A&M’s passing yards this season. 

On defense, Christian Grey and Leonard Moore will have to play their best against Concepcion and Craver. Gray was present last season and looks to step up after the departure of Benjamin Morrison. Linebackers Jaiden Ausberry and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa will look to control the middle of the field and make their impact known. Especially since Ausberry and Viliamu-Asa will have to worry about Moss and Owens. One defensive lineman to watch this game is Boubacar Traore. He’s the team’s sack leader with one sack. The team will have to creative ways to get pressure if they plan on stopping Reed. 

Florida Gators vs No. 3 LSU Tigers

Location: Tiger Stadium

Time: 7:30 PM EST

Network: ABC

While it’s still early, the SEC slate ahead for both Florida and LSU is brutal—making this game a must-have.

That urgency is especially true for Billy Napier and the Gators, coming off an upset loss to USF. Costly penalties and poor clock management doomed Florida, while DJ Lagway and the offense failed to find rhythm, managing just 355 yards. Lagway hasn’t yet met expectations, but his supporting cast has been equally inconsistent.

Slow starts are nothing new for the Gators under Napier. Florida has now dropped one of their first two games in four straight seasons. Last year’s team rebounded from a 1-2 start with a strong finish to the year, which included wins over playoff hopefuls Ole Miss and LSU. But a proud program in Gainesville is unlikely to settle for simply playing spoiler. Napier’s seat will continue to get hotter with every early-season loss. 

LSU, meanwhile, sits at 2-0 but is coming off a shaky performance against Louisiana Tech. The defense has been outstanding, holding the Bulldogs to 154 yards and continuing a dominant two-week stretch. Harold Perkins, West Weeks, and Mansoor Delane headline a unit that looks as strong as any LSU has fielded in years. 

On offense, Garrett Nussmeier and company have struggled to finish drives. Some wonder if his offseason patellar tendinitis is limiting him, though no clear signs have shown. Either way, LSU’s run game must do more to relieve pressure on its quarterback after ranking last in the SEC in rushing last season. Early flashes are encouraging, but consistency is still lacking.

One key player the Gators must watch is LSU running back Caden Durham. Durham’s versatility in the pass and run game adds to his status as a top 10 back in college football. If Durham gets going the Tigers should be a tough matchup come Saturday night.

Both programs enter Week 3 looking for statement performances. With daunting schedules ahead, this matchup could shape more than just their SEC fates. Playoff hopes, and coaching job securities are on the line already. 

No. 18 South Florida Bulls vs No. 5 Miami Hurricanes

Location: Hard Rock Stadium

Time: 4:30 PM EST

Network: The CW

After beating No. 25 Boise State in Week 1 and then No.13 Florida last week, the USF Bulls are carrying a lot of momentum into Week 3. This week, USF will be heading to Hard Rock Stadium to face No. 5 Miami. Alex Golesh and Mario Cristobal will try and see who out-strategies whom. 

After a 45-3 win vs Bethune-Cookman, quarterback Carson Beck will enter his second top-25 matchup in three weeks. Luckily, playing in the SEC has prepared him to play in big-time games. Beck’s surrounded by a plethora of options on offense. At running back, Mark Fletcher Jr. and CharMar Brown provide a 1-2 punch. Fletcher leads the team with 152 rushing yards and provides a sound No. 1 option.  At the receiver, the duo of Malachi Toney and CJ Daniels challenges defensive backs to be at their best. Toney and Daniels have combined for 281 of Miami’s 549 passing yards. 

USF’s defense has plenty of guys who can defend against Miami’s defense. Linebacker Jhayln Shuler will be a guy the Canes must circle. Complementing Shuler is Mac Harris, another backer who can make his impact on the game. The Bulls’ secondary features a quartet of defensive backs in De’Shawn Rucker, Tavin Ward, Jarvis Lee and James Chenault. If Beck is not smart with the ball, this secondary could capitalize on his mistakes.  

On offense, USF is a team that has an offense that could hang with Miami. Dual threat Byrum Brown can kill defenses through the air and on the ground. Running backs Alvon Isaac and Cartevious Norton also provide another threat in the run game. Isaac can also come out of the backfield and catch passes, adding another element to his game. The receiver room features two players in Keshaun Singleton and Chas Nimrod.  These two receivers have combined for almost 300 receiving yards. 

The Canes’ defense has the options that defend the Bulls’ offense. Defensive lineman Reuben Bain Jr. is a game-wrecker and a player the Bulls must zone in on. This season, Bain has 1.5 sacks, one interception, and one forced fumble. Pairing with him on that defensive front are Akheem Mesidor and Ahmad Moten Sr., two players who can impact the game as well. Brown vs the Canes’ defensive line will be the matchup that makes or breaks who wins the game. Linebackers Mohamed Toure and Raul Aguirre Jr. are going to be key in containing Brown and stopping the run game featuring Isaac.

Duke Blue Devils vs Tulane Green Wave

Location: Yulman Stadium

Time: 8 PM EST

Network:  ESPN 2

After a 45-19 blowout loss against Illinois featuring five Blue Devil turnovers, Darian Mensah returns to Tulane. This time, he comes into Yulman Stadium as an opposing quarterback. On the other side is BYU transfer Jake Retzlaff, looking to show he’s the perfect replacement for Mensah.

Duke has the offense built to bounce back after an unlucky day against Luke Altmyer and Illinois. At running back, the duo of Jaquez Moore and Anderson Castle can help control the clock and take pressure off Mensah. In the receiving game, the Blue Devils have a trio of receivers who get the job done. Senior Cooper Barkate, senior Andrel Anthony and sophomore Que’Sean Brown have combined for 424 of the 745 reception yards for Duke.  

On defense, the Blue Devils have plenty of talent. Starting with defensive end Vincent Anthony Jr., who leads the team with 3.5 sacks. 2.5 of the 3.5 sacks came against No. 9 Illinois, unveiling just how good Anthony is. In the secondary, senior Chandler Rivers is a standout corner who leads a young secondary. Rivers’ ball-hawking ability can create turnovers and allow this defense to be more opportunistic on defense. Senior Tre Freeman and Jaiden Francois anchor the linebacker room and make impacts in pressuring quarterbacks. 

The Tulane Green Wave is coming off a 33-31 win against South Alabama, showing Retzlaff and the team can win close contests. After losing running back Makhi Hughes to Oregon, the duo of freshman Javin Gordon and senior Zuberi Mobley has replaced his production well. Gordon and Mobley have combined for 204 of 510 rushing yards. Omari Huges, a sophomore transfer from Florida Atlantic, is a player to keep an eye on. Last season, he had 590 receiving yards.

On defense, Tulane’s secondary is a fierce one. So far, they’ve created a total of four interceptions from the contributions of sophomore Jahiem Johnson, sophomore Kevin Adams III and sophomore Javion White. Other Green Wave defenders to watch for are safety Jack Tchienchou, defensive lineman Kameron Hamilton, Gerrod Henderson, Santana Hopper, and linebackers Sam Howard and Dickson Agu.