We have reached that point in the college football season that separates the wheat from the chaff, metaphorically speaking. A few teams (including our beloved Bulldogs) who haven’t faced any serious challenges yet step up in competition. And some teams that faced early season speed bumps get a chance to redeem themselves. Here’s your Week 3 TV Preview.
THURSDAY
NC State at Wake Forest ESPN 7:30pm EST
(6:30 CT)
In 1981, Mr. and Mrs. Wuf were married in a ceremony during halftime of a basketball game. The Demon Deacon of Wake Forest presided. Whenever these teams play, I imagine it is couple therapy for the two wolves. Staying married for 44 years is no joke, especially when you work together.
FRIDAY
Kansas State at Arizona FOX 9:00pm EST (8:00 CT)
Beat up and nursing an unlucky 1-2 record, the Kansas State Wildcats head to Tucson to face Arizona, also the Wildcats. The Arizona Wildcats, on the other hand, have hit a stride and open conference play 2-0 at home. It should be fun to see if Arizona’s momentum is enough to overcome a gut-check game for Kansas State. Coach Chris Klieman will look to Avery Johnson to connect flashes into consistency as the Wildcats of Manhattan’s success is tested early in the season.
SATURDAY
12 Clemson at Georgia Tech ESPN Noon EST (11:00 CT)
A great chance to hate-watch before the main course, Clemson’s trip to Atlanta is a win/win or lose/lose depending on the direction of your water glass. After a tough loss to LSU and playing with their food a bit too much with Troy, Clemson will seek to get back on track by squashing some bugs. Watching Georgia Tech lose is a celebrated pastime in my home, but if they must win, it’s better when it’s funny. How much better is the wreck, actually?
6 Georgia at 15 Tennessee ABC 3:30pm EST (2:30 CT)
College Gameday travels to Knoxville to watch the Dawgs in their first major test of the season. The Vols look confident after beating up on East TN St last week, and Joey Aguilar has so far been as advertised. In the away jerseys, the Dawgs have not been the offensive explosion we hoped for in the first two weeks, as miscues and injuries remain a concern. Tennessee has some injury concerns of its own as it will likely come down to who wants it more in Neyland. I’m hoping to see Zachariah Branch in a track meet with an already eroded secondary.
Ohio at 1 Ohio State University Peacock 7:00pm EST (6:00 CT)
The Bobcats have a chance to do something really funny here. I wonder if they’d take away the “The.” “THE Ohio University Bobcats.” I like it.
16 Texas A&M at 8 Notre Dame NBC 7:30pm EST(6:30 CT)
The cult goes to Mass for a prime time contest between the Aggies and the Fighting Irish. It’s revenge time for Mike Elko, since he lost his A&M debut to the Irish last year. Aggie wide receiver Mario Carver has put up over 100 receiving yards in both of his first two games this season and will be against a stout defense. Martin Freeman has something rolling in South Bend, and the national champion runners-up from last year look tough enough to do it again.
Boston College at Stanford ACC Network 10:30pm EST (9:30 CT)
It’s ACC after dark as Boston College travels to Pasadena, which is on the west coast, to play an Atlantic Coastal Conference game against the Stanford Cardinal (the color). Stanford is pre-Andrew Luck bad this year, so there’s a good chance for weird football late at night. The best kind.
Go ‘Dawgs!!!
