Yo. The college football season is chugging right along through September. I am very excited for the Miami vs USF game Saturday afternoon. It’s on the CW network. I don’t know what’s more of a surprise, USF beating two top 25 teams to start this season, or CW having college football as part of their programming in 2025. Either way.
Week 3 bye teams: #10 FSU, Louisville
Let’s do some rooting.
NC State @ Wake Forest – 9/11 at 7:30 PM EST, TV – ESPN
This game will have already happened by the time this article is up. Sorry everyone, I had a busy Thursday and
am writing this while I watch the Packers vs Redskins game. I saw a stat retweeted by SOTU that NC State quarterback CJ Bailey has taken 118 career snaps in the red zone with 19 total touchdowns with zero turnovers. Unless something goes terribly wrong against Wake, that zero-red-zone-turnover-streak should continue. Let’s go NC State.
Colgate @ Syracuse – 9/12 at 7:00 PM EST, TV – ACCN
Oh man did the Orange pull one out of their butts last Saturday at home against UConn. Apparently current NFL analyst and former Miami Hurricane Greg Olsen called Syracuse’s running after the game ordered by their coach Fran Brown “performative”. I like it. Syracuse will probably crush the non-NFL Raiders tonight, but I don’t care. This is an easy one for me. Let’s go Colgate.
Matchup of the week
#12 Clemson @ Georgia Tech – 9/13 at 12:00 PM EST, TV – ESPN
Should Clemson be ranked #12 after their first two games? I would say no. Preseason rankings are dumb get it wrong way too often. But, #6 Notre Dame vs #10 Miami looks better and more important than just Notre Dame vs Miami. Whatever. I doubt it will change anytime soon. Because of the preseason rankings system, Georgia Tech is unranked, when they are most likely one of the best 25 teams in the country after two weeks. But no, Alabama has to still be ranked in the 20s after getting smoked at FSU. Like I said, dumb. This is a tough one for me, as Miami doesn’t play either of these teams this season. Let’s go Clemson.
William & Mary @ Virginia – 9/13 at 12:00 PM EST, TV – ACCN
Tony Elliott’s squad put up a good fight against NC State in Raleigh last weekend. I still find it odd that it wasn’t considered a conference game. I assume it was due to scheduling, but I am too lazy to look it up. William & Mary’s team name is the Tribe. Okay. They are coming off a 28-27 win over Maine and looking to take it to the ACC! At least that is what the William & Mary coach should be saying. I’m all for it. Let’s go William & Mary.
SMU @ Missouri State – 9/13 at 3:30 PM EST, TV – CBSS
Coach Lashlee cost me money last Saturday. SMU was up 14 points and looking good at home against Baylor. Then they collapsed and lost by three points in overtime. Ugh. It appears the Mustangs are not the same team they were a year ago. They would have put that game away in 2024. More specifically, their defense would have made a play when it mattered. All that said, SMU will probably play their best game of the season against Miami. Let’s go Missouri State.
Richmond @ UNC – 9/13 at 3:30 PM EST, TV – ACCN
I wish there was a mumble font, so I could write this paragraph sounding like Bill Belichick. The Tar Heels righted the ship last week against Charlotte. That was a necessity considering how bad the non-NFL 49ers are. Belichick should have his team prepared against yet another inferior opponent. Would it be funny if the greatest NFL coach ever lost a home game to Richmond? Yes, yes it would. Let’s go Richmond.
Pittsburgh @ West Virginia – 9/13 at 3:30 PM EST, TV – ESPN
The Backyard Brawl! I heard several times in the offseason that Mountaineers coach Rich Rodriguez has 70 new players on his roster this season. 70! Every college football head then deduced that it would take some time for the players to jell. Umm, duh. That is an incredibly obvious observation. For this week, I would have to imagine Rodriguez will have his team ready to go at home against their biggest rival. This could be the win that galvanizes and unites the team! Let’s go West Virginia.
Old Dominion @ Virginia Tech – 9/13 at 7:00 PM EST, TV – ACCN
I lost money in 2018 when the Monarchs beat the Hokies, 49-35. Not one of my prouder sports betting moments. ODU then pulled off the upset again in 2022. That is a rough look for Virginia Tech. Frank Beamer was a great coach, but I am surprised Hokies football hasn’t been more nationally relevant in the years since his retirement. They were highly ranked in 2017 when they played Miami. Since then, I can’t think of many important Virginia Tech football moments. Let’s go Old Dominion.
Duke @ Tulane – 9/13 at 8:00 PM EST, TV – ESPN2
The Blue Devils fell short in a home test against #11 Illinois last Saturday. The Fighting Illini are good this year, but giving up 45 points is bad for a Manny Diaz-coached defense. It doesn’t get any easier in Week 3, with a road trip to New Orleans to face a 2-0 Tulane team. Tulane is also the school that current Duke quarterback Darian Mensah left. I can’t imagine how motivated the Green Wave will be for this matchup. It wouldn’t technically be an upset though, as Tulane is favored. Let’s go Tulane.
Minnesota @ Cal – 9/13 at 10:30 PM EST, TV – ESPN
The Golden Bears get their first true test of this season with the Gophers coming to town for a late night kickoff tomorrow night. I had no idea Minnesota was 2-0 until I looked up their record. They have outscored their opponents 89-10 so far. Who did they play you ask? Buffalo and Northwestern State. Northwestern State is in Louisiana and their team name is the Demons. What the hell is going on there? I am now far more interested in Northwestern State than Minnesota or Cal. Back to the game. This is B1G vs ACC. I don’t care. Cal is annoying. Let’s go Minnesota.
Boston College @ Stanford – 9/13 at 10:30 PM EST, TV – ACCN
The boys from Chestnut Hill head out to Palo Alto for the second late night Saturday kickoff of Week 3. Despite the crazy travel, (I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, having Stanford, Cal, and SMU in the Atlantic Coast Conference is insane) I think Bill O’Brien will have his boys ready to go in NorCal. Also, Stanford is terrible this season. Let’s go Boston College.
See you next week!
