2019 Week 3 Preview

Week three of the college football season looks to be the best weekend to do chores on Saturday. There are no ranked vs ranked matchups and not really any big games. Week two gave us some great games including LSU’s shootout win over Texas. Three ranked teams lost to unranked teams and Army nearly upset Michigan in double OT. This could be a week ranked teams look past, leading to upsets. I guess we’ll find out this weekend.

My Record: 3-3 last week, 8-4 overall

Notable Games
1Clemson at Syracuse
Syracuse got rocked by Maryland last weekend. We still don’t know if Maryland is that good or if Syracuse was just way over ranked. Clemson got a nice win over Texas A&M, but they didn’t look great. I am interested to see how both teams respond to lackluster games in week two. I doubt it will be very close, but Syracuse definitely has something to prove.
I am picking Clemson

9Florida at Kentucky
I think that Florida is over ranked. I also think they will get a good win over Kentucky in a revenge game of sorts. Last season Kentucky broke a 31-game losing streak against Florida. Kentucky has to deal with losing their starting QB for the season with a torn patellar tendon. Backup Sawyer Smith did well coming in against Eastern Michigan, but that was against Eastern Michigan. I think this game will be close early on, but I think the Gators will come out on top.
I am picking Florida

Stanford at 17UCF
Stanford did not look good last weekend without their starting QB KJ Costello. The good news is that he will be back for this game, the bad news is that this is the biggest regular season game UCF has had since they’ve been relevant. It seems that Brandon Wimbush will be available to start for the Knights. I doubt that the Cardinal will be able to score enough points to beat UCF.
I am picking UCF

19Iowa at Iowa State
The only reason this game should be close is because it is a rivalry game. Iowa has looked very strong in their first two games while Iowa State was taken to triple overtime against FCS Northern Iowa in their only game of the season. This will be the College GameDay location this weekend so that might give the Cyclones an extra boost. The Iowa defense has been strong as always so I don’t have a ton of faith in Iowa State in this game.
I am picking Iowa

Florida State at 25Virginia
Florida State has looked absolutely awful in their first two games of the season. They blew a big lead to Boise State then got lucky when ULM misses an extra point in overtime. Virginia has looked like the second best team in the ACC. This would be a huge win for the Cavaliers, even though Florida State is bad. Florida State has a lot to prove in this game and that could make this one a little competitive, but I have a lot of faith in UVA. I think they will get a nice win over a major conference foe.
I am picking Virginia

Kansas State at Mississippi State
I think this will be the most interesting game that doesn’t feature a ranked team. Mississippi State has been a little bit up and down in their two games, but they do have two wins. QB Tommy Stevens should be able to play this weekend and that will be very helpful. Kansas State has put up 49 and 42 points against Nicholls State and Bowling Green respectively. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Wildcats won this one, but I think SEC (and Cowbell) homefield advantage will be a difference maker.
I am picking Mississippi State

Colorado State at Arkansas
Arkansas is coming off a pretty embarrassing performance against Ole Miss. Something good may have come from the loss though. The Hogs seem to have found their QB in Nick Starkel. Colorado State has scored 31 and 38 points in their games this season, which is not good news for Arkansas. They have to get their offense figured out to even hope to be competitive this season. The defense is also having some major tackling issues. This game should really tell us a lot about what the Razorbacks can be.

Top 25
1Clemson at Syracuse
2Alabama at South Carolina
Arkansas State at 3Georgia
Northwestern State at 4LSU
5Oklahoma at UCLA
6Ohio State at Indiana
New Mexico at 7Notre Dame
Kent State at 8Auburn
9Florida at Kentucky
10Michigan BYE
Idaho State at 11Utah
Rice at 12Texas
Pittsburgh at 13Penn State
14Wisconsin BYE
Montana at 15Oregon
Lamar at 16Texas A&M
Stanford at 17 UCF
Arizona State at 18Michigan State
19Iowa at Iowa State
Houston at 20Washington State (Friday)
21Maryland at Temple
Portland State at 22Boise State
Hawaii at 23Washington
24USC at BYU
Florida State at 25Virginia