College Football Week 3 Roundtable

Photo: Bob Donnan, USA Today Sports

Week two gave an early candidate for game of the year, with Alabama narrowly surviving a road test against Texas 20-19. Elsewhere top teams were not as lucky, with the Sun Belt emerging as an early storyline with Appalachian St. upsetting #6 Texas A&M and Marshall upending Notre Dame to make Marcus Freeman the first coach in school history to start 0-3. In another upset, BYU positioned itself as a darkhorse playoff team with a win over #10 Baylor behind their dynamic quarterback Jaren Hall.

In week three, two games featuring ranked teams hit the schedule. #12 BYU looks to add to what could end up an impressive resume when they travel to #25 Oregon; meanwhile, #24 Texas A&M looks to stop the bleeding when they host #13 Miami. The Footballguys staff brings you a look ahead to week three.

What Game Are You Looking Forward To?

#12 BYU at #25 Oregon

Jonathan Morris: The game I will be tuning into this week is #12 BYU at #25 Oregon. BYU had a massive win over Baylor last week despite being without their two best wide receivers, Puka Nacua and Gunner Romney. This week the Cougars travel to Eugene, Oregon, to take on a Ducks team that was able to get back on track last week after getting blown out in Week 1 by Georgia. Oregon will be hungry to prove that they are a top team in the country and get a marquee win under their belt as they prepare to head into Pac-12 play. If BYU can win on Saturday, this immediately vaults them into the CFB Playoff conversation. They will still have to play at Notre Dame (which looks like an easier game than anticipated) and Arkansas at home. But, on the road at Oregon may be the toughest test left on their schedule. Oregon's season could begin to spiral with a loss, and BYU, with a win, could be in store for their best season in decades.

#13 Miami at #24 Texas A&M

Jason Wood: There aren't many marquee matchups this week, at least in highly ranked teams facing off. Jonathan touched on one such matchup, and I agree with his stance. My choice, though, is Texas A&M heading to Miami. A&M signed arguably the best recruiting class in college history this year and has the nation's fifth-most 4-star and 5-star recruits, behind only Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, and Oklahoma. Yet, A&M has sputtered offensively under Jimbo Fisher and inexcusably lost to App State 17-14 last week. Meanwhile, Miami's boosters have infused massive capital into the program, luring Mario Cristobal away from Oregon. Is Miami for real after a 2-0 start? Or are they still a year away? A&M can't lose to Miami at home and credibly consider itself a contender, not after losing to App State.

#11 Michigan St. at Washington

Christian Williams: #11 Michigan State is traveling west to play the Washington Huskies and the new-look offense. The Huskies haven't faced off against a difficult opponent yet, but quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is impressive thus far. Michigan State beat Akron 52-0 in Week 2, but starter Payton Thorne threw two interceptions. Washington has a chance to establish itself as more than a mediocre Pac-12 team with another impressive performance on both sides of the ball, and an upset is not out of the question this week.

#22 Penn St. at Auburn

Kevin Coleman: #22 Penn State travels to Jordan-Hare Stadium to take on the Auburn Tigers in a rematch of last year's matchup. Last year, Penn State took down the Tigers in a much more hyped game. Both teams are 2-0 heading into the game this year, and this game feels like a program-defining moment for Auburn coach Bryan Harsin. Auburn hasn't played any tough opponents this season, and Harsin desperately needs a big win after his off-season. Auburn will rely on their star running back, Tank Bigsby, who has performed well enough to make a case for RB4 of the 2023 class. We also see freshman running back Nick Singleton from Penn State, who has 210 yards and two touchdowns on just twenty carries this season. He looks like the next great running back prospect to play for the Nittany Lions.

Matt Bitonti: As a Pennsylvania resident, I'm legally required to watch Penn State at Auburn (3:30 ET). Penn State always has these insane NFL-level athletes like Saquon Barkley and Micah Parsons, not just good players but elite blue-chip prospects. S Ja'yir Brown (#16) and TE Tyler Warren (#44) are examples this year. The sky is the limit if this team can figure out the quarterback position. Fun fact, oddsmakers are giving Drew Allar, the freshman QB who made his debut in garbage time last week against Ohio, better Heisman odds than the sixth-year senior, Sean Clifford. While the Nittany Lions have a small quarterback controversy brewing, the Auburn Tigers seem to have no quarterback at all; hence Penn State's favored by three points in what should be a very hostile road situation.

What Player Are You Watching?

RB Sean Tucker, Syracuse

Jonathan Morris: Sean Tucker, the running back from Syracuse, is who I will be the most interested in watching this weekend as the Orangemen host Purdue. Tucker is arguably a top 5 running back for next year's draft. Due to playing in the ACC and for Syracuse, he doesn't get the national attention he deserves. For two weeks, he has been a workhorse. Already amassing 58 touches for 313 total yards and three touchdowns. He is a dynamic back who has excellent hands and vision. Purdue should pose a tough test for him, and I'm excited to see how he fares.