2018 Week 3 Preview

Week two featured a couple major streaks being broken. First, Kansas snapped a 46-game road losing streak by beating Central Michigan. Next, Kentucky finally beat Florida, snapping a 31-year losing streak. Herm Edwards’ Arizona State team upset 15th-ranked Michigan State, Eastern Michigan beat Purdue, and Colorado State pulled off a big fourth quarter comeback to beat Arkansas. Texas A&M came a 2-point conversion shy of OT with Clemson while Stanford and Bryce Love handled USC. Speaking of “handled USC”, that’s exactly what Georgia did, too. Week 3 looks pretty lame at the moment. There are only 3 ranked vs ranked games. I hope this week turns out more exciting than it looks.

My Record: 4-2 last week, 8-4 overall

Notable Games
1Alabama at Ole Miss
I don’t think this game will be close. I do think it will show us a couple things. Alabama has yet to face a real threat and I guess Ole Miss qualifies. The Rebels/Landsharks/Whatevers can score, but they don’t play defense. They have yet to face a team that really plays defense, so Alabama should be able to contain them. The Tide have scored 50+ points in both of their games so far this season, and that should terrify Ole Miss. The Bama team of the past that only scored what they needed to seems to be gone. I would definitely take the over in this one.
I am picking Alabama

4Ohio State vs 15TCU (Cowboys’ Stadium)
I am still not really sure how good Ohio State is. They have yet to play a good team but they have shown they can score. The 31 points they gave up to Oregon State is a little concerning, but I think they should handle the last game without Urban Meyer just fine. TCU struggled with SMU early but once they got going they took care of business. They haven’t seen anything like the Ohio State offense and I think they will be in for a rude awakening. Their defense looked decent against Southern and SMU, but I don’t think that trend will continue. I think the Buckeyes will win this game comfortably.
I am picking Ohio State

12LSU at 7Auburn
This is the game I am most interested in this weekend. Both teams started their seasons with big wins over ranked opponents. Auburn was able to take down Washington and LSU shocked Miami. Both then went on to win their FCS games in week 2. I am taking Auburn in this game because I have more faith in their offense (specifically their QB) and because they are the home team. LSU’s defense is scary and Auburn has a good one too. I think this will be a bit of a lower scoring game in which Auburn pulls away late. This should be one of the better games (if not the best game) of the weekend.
I am picking Auburn

17Boise State at 24Oklahoma State
This game in intriguing. Boise State has dominated in their first two games of the season and Oklahoma State handled business as well. It is hard for me to pick this game because I haven’t seen a ton from either team. I think the Cowboys have the upper hand because they are at home, but I think this will be a very good game. I expect a ton of points and optional defense. This one has the possibility to go down to the final possession. Keep an eye on this one when you are watching the LSU Auburn game. A win here would be a great playoff resume builder for the Broncos.
I am picking Oklahoma State

22USC at Texas
I feel like it should be really easy to pick USC in this game, but I’m not extremely confident. USC has really only played one good quarter this season. Texas has looked bad, but they tend to step up for big games. The Trojans only scored 3 points against Stanford last week while Texas only beat Tulsa by a touchdown. One of these teams will have to win this one, and I just haven’t seen enough out of Texas to warrant picking them. This has the potential to be an ugly game.
I am picking USC

Duke at Baylor
If I’m being honest, I’m only picking this game because there aren’t really any other good ones. I’ve barely seen any plays from either team, but it might be a good matchup. Baylor hasn’t looked great but they have two wins (one more than last year). Duke is receiving votes but their QB is out indefinitely and they had a couple other injuries in week 2. I am picking Baylor because they are at home but besides that I really have no idea what this game will look like.
I am picking Baylor

North Texas at Arkansas
It is hard to preview this game while the CSU loss is still fresh. (I am writing while in the Denver airport on 9/9.) Unfortunately, the Hogs did what they have been doing for awhile: blowing leads. I think the major turning point of the game was not going for it on 4th and 1 from the 50 to start the 4th quarter. Honestly, the team doesn’t look good. There are flashes of decency and talent, but not nearly enough to win games. With no real consistency at the QB position, the Razorbacks are in for a long year. I’m worried about a pass-heavy team like North Texas (nearly 500 passing yards last week) coming to DWRRS. It might be hard to find more than one more win on the schedule if they play the way they played in Fort Collins.

Top 25
1Alabama at Ole Miss
Georgia Southern at 2Clemson
Middle Tennessee at 3Georgia
4Ohio State vs 15TCU (Cowboys’ Stadium)
5Oklahoma at Iowa State
BYU at 6Wisconsin
12LSU at 7Auburn
Vanderbilt at 8Notre Dame
UC Davis at 9Stanford
10Washington at Utah
Kent State at 11Penn State
East Carolina at 13Virginia Tech Postponed due to Florence
14West Virginia at NC State Postponed due to Florence
Louisiana at 16Mississippi State
17Boise State at 24Oklahoma State
18UCF at North Carolina Postponed due to Florence
SMU at 19Michigan
San Jose State at 20Oregon
21Miami at Toledo
22USC at Texas
23Arizona State at San Diego State
25Michigan State BYE

Other Games
Boston College 41 Wake Forest 34 (Thursday)
Rutgers at Kansas
Colorado State at Florida
Houston at Texas Tech

Games Canceled By Hurricane Florence
Marshall at South Carolina
Southern Miss at Appalachian State
Norfolk at Liberty (moved to Dec. 1 unless Norfolk makes FCS playoffs)