As the college football season moves along we’re starting to get into conference play. However, that’s not the big story in the college football world this week. The big story is that a number of games have been cancelled, postponed or relocated due to the approach of Hurricane Florence.
But we here at Lazy Fan Sports are dedicated to staying on top of all the changes and will update this article as it becomes necessary. For now anyway, here are the best games to watch in Week 3. All games are listed in chronological order and all times listed are Central Time. All rankings reflect the most recent AP College Football Poll. And remember, if you’re team doesn’t make this list, it’s only because I hate them.
College football to watch in week 3
Thursday September 13
Boston College @ Wake Forest
BB&T Field – Winston-Salem, NC
Kickoff: 4:30pm
TV: ESPN
Why you should watch: It’s the only game of the night but it is one of the games affected by Hurricane Florence (it was originally scheduled for a 7:30pm ET kickoff). Both teams have been an impressive 2-0 this season so something has to give. Both Steve Addazio at Boston College and Dave Clawson at Wake Forest could be on the verge of a big breakthrough with their team this year.
Friday September 14
Georgia State @ Memphis
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium – Memphis, TN
Kickoff: 6:00pm
TV: ESPN
Why you should watch: It’s the only game of the night. And while this game is not affected by a hurricane this year, it was last year as the meeting between the two at the new Georgia State Stadium (formerly known as Turner Field) was cancelled to allow Memphis to make up their missed game against UCF. No such concerns this year. Memphis looks to rebound off a disappointing road loss to Navy while Georgia State is 1-1 with a win against an FCS team and a loss to a Power 5 team.
Saturday September 15
#5 Oklahoma @ Iowa State
Jack Trice Stadium – Ames, IA
Kickoff: 11:00am
TV: ABC
Why you should watch: Oklahoma looks really good this year. Some experts are saying that this Oklahoma team might be better than last year’s Oklahoma team. Last year, one of Oklahoma’s two losses was at home against none other than Iowa State. Games in Ames are always tough to navigate but if Oklahoma can get out with the win, watch out for the Sooners.
Vanderbilt @ #8 Notre Dame
Notre Dame Stadium – South Bend, IN
Kickoff: 1:30pm
TV: NBC
Why you should watch: NERD BOWL!!!!!!! Two of the more prestigious academic institutions in the country meeting on the gridiron. Notre Dame has been making a point to schedule more SEC competition (Georgia last year, Vandy this year, Georgia in 2019, Arkansas in 2020 and 2025, Texas A&M in 2024 and 2025, as well as two bowl games against LSU in 2014 and 2017.) The Irish looked awful in an ugly 8 point win over Ball State while Vandy has been crushing their competition this year. Commodores head coach Derek Mason made some headlines at SEC Media Days by saying he’s not worried about having to play at Notre Dame Stadium.
Before Irish fans lose their minds look at two things: A) Mason came to Vandy after being the DC at Stanford so he is familiar with Notre Dame Stadium and B) he’s right because Notre Dame Stadium is not a loud place like some the SEC venues that Vandy goes to every year like The Swamp in Gainesville or Sanford Stadium in Athens or Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. Those places are all loud, raucous venues. Notre Dame Stadium is more for the wine and cheese crowd where you get thrown out of the stadium for standing to cheer.
#12 LSU @ #7 Auburn
Jordan-Hare Stadium – Auburn, AL
Kickoff: 2:30pm
TV: CBS
Why you should watch: Early trendsetting game in the SEC West. The SEC West is attempting to reclaim the title of the toughest division in college football. LSU pulled off a surprising win over Auburn last year and that may have been what saved Ed Orgeron’s job. LSU did smash and overrated Miami team this year while Auburn went toe to toe with and beat a very good Washington team to start the season. Whoever loses this game is really behind the 8 ball with Alabama still looming on both schedules.
#17 Boise State @ #24 Oklahoma State
Boone Pickens Stadium – Stillwater, OK
Kickoff: 2:30pm
TV: ESPN
Why you should watch: Two ranked teams playing each other. Boise State is arguably the premier Group of 5 team and they haven’t had too many marquee matchups against Power 5 competition the last few years. Oklahoma State is trying to replace Mason Rudolph but they are 2-0 and have been scoring points in bunches so they seem to be doing alright in that department. We might also get to see Boise State’s new Turnover Throne.
#1 Alabama @ Ole Miss
Vaught-Hemingway Stadium – Oxford, MS
Kickoff: 6:00pm
TV: ESPN
Why you should watch: For whatever reason, Nick Saban has had some issues with Ole Miss since the inception of the College Football Playoff. They lost in Oxford in 2014, lost in Tuscaloosa in 2015, and squeaked out a wild win in Oxford in 2016. Last year however they got back to business and crushed the Rebels 66-3. Ole Miss has an offense that can score at will but so does Bama and their defense is better than anything Ole Miss has seen this year.
#4 Ohio State vs. #15 TCU*
AT&T Stadium – Arlington, TX
Kickoff: 7:00pm
TV: ABC
Why you should watch: Another marquee non-conference battle that would be so much better in an on-campus stadium instead of a neutral NFL site. But the game is at Jerry World. Both teams have been blowing people out (Ohio State has 77-31 and 52-3 wins while TCU has 55-7 and 42-12 wins). This is the last game of Urban Meyer’s three game suspension to start the season.
#22 USC @ Texas
Darrell K Royal Memorial Stadium – Austin, TX
Kickoff: 7:00pm
TV: FOX
Why you should watch: Two blue bloods of the sport. These two teams played a thriller in LA last year, their first meeting since the 2005 national title game. This hype for this game took a pair of huge hits early in the year when Texas lost to Maryland (again) and USC lost to Stanford. But there’s still talent all over the field for both teams so it should still be a pretty fun one (especially with Gus Johnson on the call).
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