Week Three: the time of the year when trends start to become fact and the cream starts to rise to the top. It’s our first blockbuster slate, with four games between top-25 teams, It’s a three-mendous week to be a college football fan. Let’s jump in.
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GAME OF THE WEEK: BYU at UCLA
Think about how good both teams have looked so far in the young season, and remember that one has to lose. BYU seems to have an endless supply of hats to pull rabbits from, while Josh Rosen is setting the world on fire for the Bruins. BYU has thrived in situations where points are abundant. How will they handle a UCLA defense that has allowed only 19 points so far this season? This game kicks at 10:15 Eastern, but is worth the extra cup of coffee or can of Red Bull to stay up for.
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UPSET SPECIAL: FLORIDA STATE at BOSTON COLLEGE (Friday)
In a week where there are few upset-worthy games on paper, this one stands out as an opportunity to be something more. The Seminoles dealt with some growing pains last week against South Florida before finally putting the Bulls away late. Florida State is good, but I don’t buy the Seminoles as top-10 good just yet. Steve Addazio has done a marvelous job of putting the pieces in place for BC to be an ACC contender for years to come. BC crushed two FCS opponents to start the season by a combined margin of 100-3. Let’s see how the Eagles handle playing from the tips.
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NERDOUT OF THE WEEK: RUTGERS at PENN STATE
A game between two programs in varying stages of disarray adds a novelty factor to the Big Ten opener for both. Penn State beat Buffalo last week but looked pedestrian in doing so. Rutgers’ current state is akin to a dumpster fire. Arrests and suspensions dot the roster from top to bottom, and it was announced Wednesday that head coach Kyle Flood will be suspended for the next three games following an academic investigation. I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a bit of schadenfreude that has me interested in this one.
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UNIMPORTANT GAME OF IMPORTANCE: MEMPHIS at BOWLING GREEN
The moniker for this game is no slight against it, but it won’t move the national radar as much as it should. A game between two of the better Group of Five teams that have high-powered offenses is the type of game that shouldn’t be relegated to a web-only broadcast. Memphis has steamrolled past its first opponents, outscoring Missouri State and Kansas by a combined 118-30. The Tigers feature five players that already have 60 or more yards rushing this season.
Bowling Green opened the season with a chaotic 59-30 loss to Tennessee before putting the boots to Maryland, 48-27. Matt Johnson is one of the best Group of Five quarterbacks, and has already amassed 915 passing yards and eight touchdowns. Two of those touchdowns, and 249 of those yards, have landed in the hands of team-leading receiver Roger Lewis. Lots of energy. Lots of points. Expect a basketball score in this one.
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ODDITY OF THE WEEK: BUFFALO at FLORIDA ATLANTIC
Now in its 11th season of FBS competition, Florida Atlantic has come a long way. Once an independent, the Owls are now a member of Conference USA and just scored their first-ever sellout of FAU stadium last week against Miami. Another small piece of history will be made for the Owls this week as they play their first ever regular season game against a MAC opponent. The Owls beat Central Michigan in the 2008 Motor City Bowl. The Owls make the return trip to Buffalo in 2017.
