The 2026 college football season rolls into Week 3, with a number of exciting games on the docket. After Week 2 gave us some interesting results and plenty of drama, there's sure to be more of both this weekend.
More and more conference games are on the slate this week, as we've already made it to the middle of September. After last weekend dispelled some of what we thought we learned after Week 1, get ready for more twists and turns this week.
Here at Sooners Wire, we'll certainly have our eyes on the final non-league game of the year for the Oklahoma Sooners, as New Mexico comes to Norman on Saturday night for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff. This matchup is more intriguing than it looks, as the Lobos look like one of the best Group of Six teams early in the year.
Still, a full slate of great games keeps your eyes on college football this week.
Here are the top five games to watch in Week 3
1. LSU at Ole Miss, Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT
The Magnolia Bowl is one of the most anticipated games of the season, and it's sure to deliver drama and storylines when LSU and Ole Miss meet in Oxford. It helps that these are two really good teams as well. LSU head coach Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss mid-playoff run to become the new head coach of the Tigers. After a drama-filled offseason, the often-controversial coach has led his team to an undefeated start, including a shellacking of Clemson in Week 1. Quarterback Sam Leavitt is new to this rivalry, but he's a player to watch on Saturday night.
On the other side, the Rebels are also undefeated, with a thrilling win over Louisville in Week 1. Head coach Pete Golding took over when Kiffin left, and he led the Rebs to two wins in the CFP. Now, he's off to a strong start in his first full season as the head coach, and he might have the nation's best quarterback in Trinidad Chambliss. Yes, this game will be all about Kiffin's homecoming and all of the headlines that follow him wherever he goes, but these are two teams that are extremely talented and have CFP aspirations in 2026. It's an early-season battle that will mean a lot in the SEC race.
2. Houston at Texas Tech, Friday at 7:00 p.m. CT
Houston and Texas Tech both have aspirations of winning the Big 12, and this game will likely go a long way in determining who will play in the league's title game at the end of the year. The Cougars were knocking on the door last year, but they lost a few key games that kept them out of the title game. Head coach Willie Fritz has a talented team this year, and a veteran quarterback in Conner Weigman. They'll be the underdogs, but they're capable of pulling off the upset.
The Red Raiders are the most talent-laden team in the conference by a wide margin, and head coach Joey McGuire's team won the Big 12 last year. However, they've put a target on their backs with the way they operated this offseason, and they'll get everyone's best shot this year. Will Hammond is the new quarterback in Lubbock, and he hasn't been tested this year like he will be this week. One of the biggest games for the Big 12 happens very early in the season.
3. SMU at Louisville, Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
SMU and Louisville play in the ACC's most important game of the week, as everyone in that league is trying to figure out where they fall in the pecking order in the season's early stages. The Mustangs already have a conference win, one of just four ACC teams who can say that right now. Head coach Rhett Lashlee and quarterback Kevin Jennings have been together for a few years now, and they're looking to get back into 2024 form, when they made the ACC title game and made the CFP.
The Cardinals showed a lot of toughness and explosiveness in their Week 1 loss to Ole Miss, and they'll have to be dealt with in the ACC this year. Head coach Jeff Brohm's team is seemingly always good for an upset or two, and they'll look to make a statement on Saturday afternoon. Quarterback Lincoln Kienholz has had a strong start to the season, and with two dynamic offenses, this one could turn into a shootout.
4. Mississippi State at South Carolina, Saturday at 3:15 p.m. CT
Mississippi State and South Carolina will face off in an underrated matchup, as both teams have been red-hot to begin the new season. The Bulldogs have a high-powered offense led by a dual-threat sensation at quarterback in Kamario Taylor. In his first full season as a starter, he's made head coach Jeff Lebby's team an offensive machine in advance of their first conference game. Two strong wins have MSU believing they can do big things this year.
The Gamecocks also have two good wins, but they haven't been tested yet. Head coach Shane Beamer has his own dual-threat quarterback in LaNorris Sellers, as the veteran is one of the league's most talented signal-callers. He leads a revamped offense that has been good so far, and this is another game that could turn into a shootout on Saturday afternoon. Though it's flying under the radar, this should be a fun game in Columbia.
5. Florida at Auburn, Saturday at 6:00 p.m. CT
Florida and Auburn will face off on Saturday night in the first battle of brand-new SEC head coaches. Two programs that are starting over this year will get a good measuring stick in Week 3. The Gators have been very impressive in their first two games under new head coach Jon Sumrall, but this is his first test as the head man. The offense has been on fire, with quarterback Aaron Philo running the show. However, they'll be on the road for the first time this year, playing in a hostile environment.
The Tigers passed their first test of the year by sneaking past Baylor in Week 1, but now it's time for the first SEC game for new head coach Alex Golesh. His high-speed offense is led by veteran quarterback Byrum Brown, and that duo came to The Plains together this offseason. It's another underrated SEC game this week, but Jordan-Hare Stadium will be rocking on Saturday night.
- Week 0 - Featured Game: North Carolina vs. TCU (in Dublin, Ireland)
- Week 1 - Featured Game: Louisville vs. Ole Miss (in Nashville, Tennessee)
- Week 2 - Featured Game: Ohio State at Texas
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: 5 college football games you need to be watching in Week 3
