KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Welcome to the Week 3 college football preview—Week 2 of the college football season gave us everything short of a halftime marching band fight. South Florida walked into The Swamp and made Florida look like they were auditioning for Big Sky membership. Oklahoma reminded Michigan that Sherrone Moore is the real “born on third base” coach. Army ground Kansas State into dust like it was 1945 again. And Clemson? Well, Dabo Swinney preached another Joel Osteen-like sermon about doing it “the Clemson way,” which apparently means spotting Sun Belt teams a two-score lead and then begging for miracles.
With all that chaos in the rearview, Week 3 is shaping up like a buffet—some sizzling main courses, a few mystery-meat appetizers, and the kind of late-night desserts you regret watching at 2 a.m. but stay up for anyway.
Alright, let’s do this. You know the drill by now.
In the words of the late great Vin Scully. Ah, who am I kidding. Let’s just spam some millennial coded GIFs to Toad from Mario.
Week 3, College Football. Here. We. Go.
Kirby Smart and “Little ‘Ole Georgia” start us off. Wait, that can’t be right? Georgia fans are saying they’re underdogs this week, at least.
Since when did the Dawgs became a cinderella story, you might ask? Ah, the delusional fantasies of message board junkies. Never change, DawgNation, never change.
The classic reverse jinx attempt is such a staple in Athens, even Tennessee fans have picked up on the trend and are utilizing the bit to their advantage!
Do both fanbases, dare I say it, respect one other?
Anywho, toe meets leather, for real this time!
Georgia and Tennessee highlight a loaded Week 3 slate, featuring a main course, plenty of scrumptious appetizers and a few of grandma’s famous desserts baked in!
Battle of the Banjos? Nope, ‘GameDay’ Comes to Knoxville for College Football
Georgia at Tennessee
Georgia (No. 6) heads to Neyland Stadium to face Tennessee (No. 15), and yes—it gets College GameDay. The Bulldogs have won eight straight in the series and open SEC play with a 4.5-point edge, although the line has been more active than the Atlanta airport this week.
Tennessee comes roaring off a 72–17 destruction of ETSU, lighting up the stat sheets with 717 total yards, Joey Aguilar tossing 3 TDs, and Thomas running for three more. The Vols aren’t just warm—they’re scorching. Can Kirby Smart’s crew survive? Or will the Vols’ offense turn the Dawgs into a smoky mess for the first time under Josh Heupel?
Don’t doubt the Dawgs! Despite what Georgia fans tell you on the internet, no one is overlooking Kirby Smart’s team. That ship has long sailed, quite frankly since the 2017 season with Nick Chubb and Sony Michel in the backfield.
The poor little us gimmick may be fun on the message boards, but no one truly believes it. Kirby’s well-oiled IBM-style machine is far from the program Dabo once built (and later crashed) an hour up I-85 on the other side of Lake Hartwell.
Georgia is still a monster that Josh Heupel has yet to figure out, but Tennessee looks better than expected through Week 2. Is this finally the year the Vols knock off the Cinderella Bulldogs?
Yes, that’s sarcasm, by the way. Bless your heart if it took a disclaimer to figure it out.
Nobody seems to be giving those poor Dawgs a chance on Saturday!
Anywho, back Kirby Smart until it backfires in this rivalry. For the only blemish on his record against Rocky Top came on a Josh Dobbs heave to NFL star Jauan Jennings.
Clemson’s Preaching, GT’s Praying
Clemson at Georgia Tech
Clemson limps into Atlanta coming off a sketchy win over Troy, while Georgia Tech looks like it might have something cooking on the Flats (and we don’t just mean Waffle House after a 2 am trip to the Cheetah)—if QB Haynes King climbs off the injury shelf, the Jackets are dangerous this weekend.
The Tigers are a 3.5-point favorite, but talk to any pollster and they’ll tell you GT could pull the upset if they find halftime adjustments…or a clutch prayer. We don’t know if it’s Haynes King or Aaron Philo at quarterback, perhaps maybe both? However, Buster Faulkner and company will have something in store for the Tigers.
This is a bellwether game for each program! What a treat, almost as good as a Frosted Orange at the Varsity!
It’s Brent Key and the upset-pulling Yellow Jackets against little ‘Ole Clemson and Cade Klubnik. The ever positive Dabo Swinney acknowledges it’s go time for Klubnik, who enters Year 4 hoping to finally meet expectations.
Can Clemson mount a mid-season comeback and return to relevance or is it Georgia Tech’s turn to play spoiler?
USF’s Wish List: Repeat the Miracle in Miami?
USF at Miami
South Florida climbs into the AP poll at No. 18 after back-to-back upsets over Boise State and Florida—their first ranking since 2018. Now comes the real test: a road trip to face No. 5 Miami, who host the Bulls as 16–17-point favorites. It’s like David vs. Goliath, except Goliath’s wearing hard-hitting linebacker pads and somehow got past the two guards at the gate, boosting its own confidence. Can USF cash in another Cinderella moment and put together the best 3-0 record in the country? A playoff spot may be in store for USF if they shock the world once more. Let’s find out!
Hotty Toddy vs. The Hogs: Lane Train or Bust
Arkansas at Ole Miss
Ole Miss is a solid 8.5-point favorite, fresh off a big road win at Kentucky, which avenged an embarrassing loss at home last year. Arkansas? Still waiting for their first real challenge after easy opens against Alabama A&M and the in-state foe, Arkansas State. History says this is a toss-up game—as Arkansas seems to always give the Rebels fits, but last year’s 63–31 Ole Miss blowout has the Razorbacks circling the wagon. Expect big offense, maybe bigger egos in Snowglobe City, USA.
Back Lane here, big. The only thing appetizing is that 2-0 beside Arkansas’ name. Oh, and the catering delivered to tailgating’s cathedral, otherwise known as The Grove.
Showdown in South Bend: Catholics vs. Cultists
Texas A&M at Notre Dame
Texas A&M (No. 16) heads north for their first road test, looking to go 3–0. QB Marcel Reed and LT Trey Zuhn III are cleared to play—good news for A&M. The Aggies want revenge for 2024’s home loss to Notre Dame (No. 8), who enters with freshman QB C.J. Carr and All-American RB Jeremiyah Love, coming off a bye week after getting bounced from South Beach. Expect trench warfare, emotional coaching faces, and one of those referee replay reviews to decide this one. It’s Catholics vs. Cultists in a meeting of two very, very good head coaches still getting to know their respective campuses.
What a win this could be for Mike Elko, looking to jolt the Aggie cult back to national prominence. Notre Dame, fresh off a national championship appearance, starting the year 0-2 would be unprecendeted. Ah, well, not really. They just did it in 2023 and lost to NIU at home last year. Safe to say the Irish are more of a late-season riser, eh? Not the worst thing to be, right?
Alas, this game is going to have more stakes than a Texas Roadhouse put on it when we look back at Halloween time.
Bayou Brawl: LSU Wants Payback
Florida at LSU
Florida rolls into Baton Rouge as a 9.5-point underdog—the kind of line that suggests LSU believes the Gators’ offense is allergic to the end zone, as it was at home against USF. Expect a grind-it-out, SEC slugfest. For Florida, it might feel like going to culinary school only to realize you’re left with raw ingredients. For LSU, well…cooking on a gas flame this Saturday is kind of the Tiger faithful’s forte.
LSU looks to build off its massive Week 1 win in Clemson by, escaping September without a loss for a Brian Kelly coached team?
Man, you don’t get to say that every year.
The 1-0 mindset Kelly so proudly boasted to the media looks to be paying off in the Big Red Stick!
GEAUX TIGAHS, big this week. Billy Napier might have some family time for Epcot’s Oktoberfest if this trend keeps up.
Cocky vs. Cautious: Columbia’s Throw-Down
Vanderbilt at South Carolina
USC lays a modest 5.5-point edge on Vanderbilt. It should be a tight SEC showdown—USC defending home turf, Vandy trying not to embarrass itself like the days of old. Word is a one-score game, and if local fans talk betting lines, you’ll hear “Vanderbilt covers” tossed around in frat houses across Nashville and amongst the skyscrapers of Josh Pate’s podcasting studio.
Dora’s long lost cousin Diego just slayed another dragon in Blacksburg. Maybe that natty or bust talk at media days was actually meant to be taken serious, after all?
In Clark Lea we trust. This one has the upset meter at sizzling levels, folks. We’re talking on-track temperatures at one of those June NASCAR races FOX likes to run at 3 pm.
Appetizers & Late-Night Snacks
Appetizer: Flashy and Fast—USC vs. Purdue, NC State vs. Wake, Tulane vs. Duke, Pitt vs. West Virginia, Maryland vs. Towson
Cycle through the appetizer table: USC rolls big vs. Purdue in West Lafayette, or so we think. Jeff Brohm’s magic is long gone and the only thing appealing here is the record by the Boilermakers’ name.
NC State travels to Wake Forest Thursday night—lots of ACC intrigue there despite the early hour, but expect the Pack to finally put the Demon Deacons in their place in the home of NASCAR’s late great title sponsor, Winston. Nowadays, the only thing you’ll find in Winston are short track brawls at Bowman-Gray and bad football. Alas…
Tulane and Duke do the non-conference dance in the Big Easy, as former Green Wave quarterback Darian Mensah makes his return to campus.
Pitt and West Virginia rekindle regional smoke in Morgantown, but a shocking loss to Ohio keeps College Gameday out and away from West Virginia. Maryland takes on local FCS side Towson—likely nothing but a highlight reel for the Terrapins, although EasySportz columnist James O’Donnell looks forward to the hometown throwdown. This ain’t the Ravens football he’s come to know and love, but it could get a little interesting. Although, it’s hard to see this game being as eventful as that fourth quarter in Orchard Park on Sunday!
Ravens Flock, baby!
Dessert—Late Night Feature: Cal vs. Minnesota
Our midnight snack of Week 3 serves up Cal vs. Minnesota under the lights—think a slow roast, not flash-fry. Not much chatter on betting lines, but suffice to say, it’s one for night owls and Midwest fans craving a deep dive beyond the marquee and maybe a little Bryan Harsin hate watching, if you’re an Auburn fan. The Auburn Family plays early in the afternoon, so we’re sure to see a couple diehards staying up for this one, like our good pal Frank. Parker has us covered on all things WarTigerPlainsmen, so make sure to check out his SEC columns this week.
Alright, that does it for the Week 3 First Glance! Check back Wednesday for our Expert Predictions!
Goodnight, San Diego (hey, did we mention the Aztecs have a bye this week?) Okay, for real this time.
Get those bets in early! Goodnight!
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Georgia Tech Cruises Past Gardner-Webb!
