Saturday Predictions: Week 3

Clemson must play on the road after only four days of rest;
their opponents have their backs against the wall and won't let
the Tigers leave Louisville with an easy win.
Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

This week's football begins tonight at 7:30 when Clemson kicks off against Louisville. The Cardinals have had a rough start, losing close games against Auburn and Houston. Meanwhile, the Tigers have outscored two overmatched Carolinian teams (Wofford and Appalachian State) 90 to 20. Despite their opponent's 0-2 record, a visit to Louisville should still be the toughest test for Clemson this season. Friday night's first game is also between two ACC schools. Florida State takes their biennial trip to New England to face Boston College. BC was originally scheduled to play New Mexico State this season; however, due to conference re-alignment, that game was cancelled and replaced with a game against Howard. Consequently, the Eagles have only played against FCS competition this season (they opened against Maine) and have outscored their opponents 100-3. FSU's had a solid start to the season even if they've struggled somewhat in the first half. However, expect FSU's short week and long trip to play to Boston College's advantage. The Eagles might not have enough to win, but should be able to keep the game close for some time.

Action begins at noon this Saturday when South Florida kicks off against Maryland. The Bulls are 1-1, but have reason to be optimistic after playing close against Florida State for a little more than one half. Maryland was blown out last week by Bowling Green, shocking many, but still have plenty of Big Ten talent. If the Bull defense keeps this game close, USF has a good chance at stealing a win from the Terrapins. Looking for their first win of the season, Florida Atlantic hosts Buffalo in Boca Raton. Not a program prone to good luck, FAU will have a tough but possible challenge to earn their first win of the season.

Also at midday, Illinois takes on North Carolina in Chapel Hill. The Illini have struggled greatly for the better part of the last decade, but appear to be improving over the last few seasons. An out-of-conference win would be a big step for Illinois, but UNC won't make it easy. The Tar Heels need this home victory before entering what could be a difficult conference schedule. Down the road in Durham, at half past the hour, Duke begins their game against now-ranked Northwestern. Both teams are undefeated and have looked better than expected to start the year. Home-field advantage may be what decides this match-up.

Are the Yellow Jackets playoff contenders? They could make
a statement this week in South Bend.
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Two of the week's premier games start at 3:30. Georgia Tech plays Notre Dame for the 35th time, looking to pick up just their seventh win all-time against the Irish. Notre Dame hopes their new quarterback can stand up to what may be the ACC's best team. The Yellow Jackets can step into the national conversation with a win over a top-10 team on the road. Simultaneously, the Auburn Tigers visit the LSU Tigers in a battle of SEC West hopefuls. Auburn looks vulnerable after a close call against Jacksonville State, but can regain their reputation quickly with a good outing against LSU. LSU will look to affirm their legitimacy with a dominant win at home. Auburn can improve their chances if they find some way to limit LSU's potent ground attack.

Miami hosts Nebraska Saturday afternoon, seeking their first statement win of the year. Miami's talent hasn't often translated to on-field success in recent years; they must play a good game to beat Nebraska. A few hours later, South Carolina plays Georgia in Athens. Although the Gamecocks have won four of the series' last five, they are bigger underdogs this year than usual. The Cocks need to limit Georgia's rushing attack to have any hope at pulling the upset.

UCF hasn't looked very good this season, but should still win easily against Furman (who look to be their weakest remaining opponent). FIU should also handle their opponent, North Carolina Central, with little difficulty. Texas Tech and Arkansas resume their border-rivalry when the clock strikes seven. Texas Tech's offense has been hard to stop (against admittedly weak competition), though their defense has looked mediocre. Mediocre also describes Arkansas's performance against Toledo last week. If Arkansas can convert in the redzone, they should hold off the Red Raiders.

The Gators escaped with a win last week but have an
even tougher challenge ahead of them in Lexington.
Gator Country/David Bowie

Eastwards in the SEC, Florida and Kentucky play an important early-season conference game. Kentucky has survived two consecutive second-half comebacks from Louisiana-Lafayette and South Carolina. Florida's crushed what may be the worst FBS team (New Mexico State) and was lucky to win against East Carolina (though they should have won more convincingly). An improved Kentucky team is poised to end Florida's long winning streak against them, although Florida has all they need to beat the Wildcats yet again. Victory could come more easily to the Gators if only one quarterback plays as a true starter (though who that quarterback is may not be known); the dual-quarterback system the Gators have previously utilized rarely works well against the best competition.

Two teams named after our nation's largest states meet for the sixth time in history Saturday night. A hopeful California team visits a Texas team in peril of another disappointing season. For what its worth, the Longhorns have the home field advantage, but must find some way to move the ball consistently in order to keep up with the Golden Bears. Cal is seeking their first win ever against Texas. Later that night, Ole Miss travels to Tuscaloosa to face the Crimson Tide of Alabama. Last year, Alabama's only regular season loss was to the Rebels and this year they're looking at another tremendous hurdle. Ole Miss leads the nation in scoring offense but haven't faced an opponent anywhere near the level of Alabama. All signs point to another epic clash of SEC West powers between the two border-rivals.

As the clock creeps towards midnight on the East Coast, UCLA and BYU will go to battle in Pasadena. BYU has won two consecutive games on last minute Hail Marys. UCLA's looked every bit the West Coast power that they're suspected to be. The Bruins should get revenge for 2008, the year of their last meeting against the Cougars (a 59-0 beat-down in Provo).

State of Florida:

• 9 Florida State (2-0) over Boston College (2-0), 37-30
• Florida Atlantic (0-2) over Buffalo (1-1), 27-24
• South Florida (1-1) over Maryland (1-1), 17-13
• Nebraska (1-1) over Miami (2-0), 34-27
• FIU (1-1) over North Carolina Central (1-1), 38-6
• UCF (0-2) over Furman (0-2), 31-10
• Florida (2-0) over Kentucky (2-0), 27-20

Southeastern Conference:

• 22 Missouri (2-0) over Connecticut (2-0), 34-10
• 17 Texas A&M (2-0) over Nevada (1-1), 38-13
• 13 LSU (1-0) over 18 Auburn (2-0), 45-17
• Mississippi State (1-1) over Northwestern State (0-2), 58-7
• Vanderbilt (0-2) over Austin Peay (0-2), 45-6
• 7 Georgia (2-0) over South Carolina (1-1), 31-28
• Arkansas (1-1) over Texas Tech (2-0), 38-35
• Tennessee (1-1) over Western Carolina (1-1), 52-3
• 2 Alabama (2-0) over 15 Mississippi (2-0), 37-31

Top 25:

• 1 Ohio State (2-0) over Northern Illinois (2-0), 45-14
• 3 TCU (2-0) over SMU (1-1), 31-10
• 4 Michigan State (2-0) over Air Force (2-0), 38-17
• 6 USC (2-0) over Stanford (1-1), 28-14
• 14 Georgia Tech (2-0) over 8 Notre Dame (2-0), 37-20
• 10 UCLA (2-0) over 19 BYU (2-0), 27-17
• 11 Clemson (2-0) over Louisville (0-2), 38-24
• 12 Oregon (1-1) over Georgia State (1-1), 77-14
• 16 Oklahoma (2-0) over Tulsa (2-0), 44-21
• 20 Arizona (2-0) over Northern Arizona (2-0), 52-17
• 21 Utah (2-0) over Fresno State (1-1), 24-7
• Duke (2-0) over 23 Northwestern (2-0), 20-17
• 24 Wisconsin (1-1) over Troy (1-1), 45-21
• 25 Oklahoma State (2-0) over UTSA (0-2), 31-20
• 5 Baylor (2-0), BYE