Somewhere, executives at Big Autumn clink their pumpkin-spiced martinis, before shouting non sequiturs about Big 12 expansion. Somewhere, Billie Joe Armstrong lets out a thundering snore and drools onto his Golden Bears pillow. September college football is upon us with another stacked weekend.
Saturday has three games between top-18 ranked teams, and SEC conference play ramps up in prime time. This strange, suspenseful sport gets its power from weekly blockbusters, like the Georgia Bulldogs in Knoxville and the Texas A&M Aggies in South Bend. But it also draws folks in with an uninhibited undercard (did anyone catch North Texas-Western Michigan last time out?).
Each week, we will use this space to celebrate the big FBS matchups … as well as a few pairings that could devolve into disorder. For what it’s worth, two of our four “chaos agent” picks last weekend were Baylor-SMU (48-45 in double overtime) and Arizona State-Mississippi State (a field-storming 24-20 upset).
All times ET, and all odds via BetMGM.
Week 3 viewing guide
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GameTime (ET)TVStream
NC State @ Wake Forest
7:30 p.m., Thu.
ESPN
Colorado @ Houston
7:30 p.m., Fri.
ESPN
Kansas State @ Arizona
9 p.m., Fri.
Fox
No. 12 Clemson @ Georgia Tech
Noon, Sat.
ESPN
Wisconsin @ No. 19 Alabama
Noon, Sat.
ABC
Memphis @ Troy
Noon, Sat.
ESPNU
No. 6 Georgia at No. 15 Tennessee
3:30 p.m., Sat.
ABC
Pittsburgh at West Virginia
3:30 p.m., Sat.
ESPN
No. 18 South Florida at No. 5 Miami
4:30 p.m., Sat.
The CW
No. 16 Texas A&M at No. 8 Notre Dame
7:30 p.m., Sat.
NBC
Florida at No. 3 LSU
7:30 p.m., Sat.
ABC
Texas State at Arizona State
10:30 p.m., Sat.
TNT
HBO Max
ABC, Fox and NBC are available for free over the air. Fox network broadcasts can also be streamed on Fox One. ESPN network broadcasts can also be streamed on ESPN Unlimited. NBC can be streamed on Peacock.
ThursdayBest on paper: NC State at Wake Forest, 7:30 p.m. on ESPN
The Wolfpack are 2-0 after topping Virginia 35-31 in Week 2. They pulled off that comeback win at home with three third-quarter rushing touchdowns. Running back Hollywood Smothers had two of them; he also has one of the coolest names in sports. Wake Forest is 2-0, too. Langston Hardy (son of Illinois All-American linebacker Kevin) had 2.5 sacks in last week’s blowout of Western Carolina.
Best potential chaos agent: … also NC State at Wake Forest
It’s Thursday’s only FBS game! The in-state rivalry dates back to 1895. SP+ rankings, Bill Connelly’s comparative metric that adjusts for tempo and opponent, has this game with a 0.7 projected point margin. Let it rip.
FridayBest on paper: Kansas State at Arizona, 9 p.m. on Fox
Narrow spread (1.5 points going to the hosts on BetMGM). High total (54.5 points, highest of the Friday lineup). Can’t lose. K-State is 1-2, but all three games have been sufficiently entertaining and decided by just a field goal. QB Avery Johnson is all over the place, but his best stuff earns the payoff. His counterpart, Arizona’s Noah Fifita, was a breakout in 2023 and has a cannon belying his 5-foot-10 frame.
Best potential chaos agent: Colorado at Houston, 7:30 p.m. on ESPN
The Fightin’ Primes have already called in their third-string quarterback. Ryan Staub may have forced the issue after shining in relief of Kaidon Salter last Saturday. As we’ve said in previous weeks, Colorado has a permanent reservation for a “chaos agent” spot. Houston is undefeated after beating up on Stephen F. Austin and Rice. Conner Weigman, the local transfer from Texas A&M, has a high ceiling under center.
Saturday, early windowBest on paper: No. 12 Clemson at Georgia Tech, noon on ESPN
The John Heisman heyday, where $2 bills abound. The Tigers have won this matchup nine consecutive times under Dabo Swinney, and Clemson is a narrow road favorite against 2-0 Tech. You better believe Atlanta’s North (Nawf) Avenue will be rocking for a rivalry game.
Best potential chaos agent: Wisconsin at No. 19 Alabama, noon on ABC
Just imagine the fervor if Alabama loses again. The L from FSU was seismic, forcing Kalen DeBoer to address his job security in August. Tide wideout Ryan Williams, who was on the heels of Jeremiah Smith not too long ago, is primed for a star turn on the national stage. Wisconsin will certainly try to junk the rhythm and slop up proceedings through defense-oriented coach Luke Fickell.
Saturday sleeper: Memphis at Troy, noon on ESPNU
The second-closest spread in this noon window at -4.5, behind the Tigers and Yellow Jackets at -3.5. Troy gave Clemson a run for its money, jumping out to a 16-0 lead before slipping in the second half. Memphis pounds the rock, and SP+ likes an offense-heavy outcome.
Saturday, afternoon windowBest on paper: No. 6 Georgia at No. 15 Tennessee, 3:30 p.m. on ABC
A marquee banger that earns the network’s lead broadcast team of Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Holly Rowe. This is the fourth consecutive time that Georgia and Tennessee are both ranked for their annual animosities. The Bulldogs have won eight in a row over the Volunteers, which means Knoxville will be knocking in pursuit of catharsis. Each defense is stocked with pro-level talents. Vols QB Joey Aguilar has a quick release and a palpable energy. The Bulldogs’ Gunner Stockton (from a town called Tiger, Georgia, population 422) hangs tough in the pocket.
Best potential chaos agent: No. 18 South Florida at No. 5 Miami, 4:30 p.m. on The CW
The Hurricanes have Carson Beck, a captain of chaos and a most compelling watch. South Florida is ranked for the first time in seven seasons, and it is the early front-runner for 2025’s Team of Destiny. Alex Golesh coached his upstart Bulls to a 34-7 silencing of then-No. 25 Boise State, then stunned Florida in The Swamp last Saturday: an 18-16 win on a walk-off kick from Nico Gramatica, son of Martin.
Saturday sleeper: Pittsburgh at West Virginia, 3:30 on ESPN
“Sleeper” is used lightly here, though West Virginia limps into the rivalry after an anemic 17-10 loss to Ohio. “The Backyard Brawl” still means everything to those on either side of Interstate 79. This year’s version of the Appalachian all-timer features the return of Rich Rodriguez on WVU’s sideline, while Pat Narduzzi’s Panthers are paced by NFL hopeful LB Kyle Louis and air-it-out QB Eli Holstein. Mark Jones and Roddy Jones will be in the booth.
Saturday, evening windowBest on paper: No. 16 Texas A&M at No. 8 Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m. on NBC
The Irish really need a boost after their three-point Week 1 loss to Miami and their awkward early bye last Saturday. The Aggies look alive on offense, thanks to Marcel Reed’s arm and legs (seven passing TDs and a rushing score so far). Much will change between now and November, but A&M is currently the only ranked opponent left on Notre Dame’s independent schedule. There are some nascent College Football Playoff implications here.
Best potential chaos agent: Florida at No. 3 LSU, 7:30 p.m. on ABC
We wonder how Florida might follow up its deflating home loss to an in-state “little brother.” How about an upset of its enemy in Death Valley? The Gators pulled it off at home last fall, and quarterback DJ Lagway is back with another year of experience and confidence. In each of the four previous losing efforts before that, Florida put up least 34 points against LSU. Sean McDonough, Greg McElroy and Molly McGrath are set to call this over-the-air SEC showcase.
Saturday sleeper, Night Moves edition*: Texas State at Arizona State, 10:30 p.m. on TNT
*Presented by Bob Seger and Skatteboost, the unofficial caffeinated drink of late-night football that we just made up.
Vanderbilt-South Carolina should also be a strong SEC offering. But this one is for those partial to staying up late, or those who miss this TNT college football bumper. The 2-0 Bobcats have scored 95 points in their opening two games. The Sun Devils were 2024’s lead chaos creators, blazing a surprise path into the Playoff. They just lost to Mississippi State on a 58-yard touchdown pass with 30 seconds left. Midnight in the desert sounds like a good time for those who can hang.
Updated Week 3 college football odds
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(Photo of Gunner Stockton: Todd Kirkland / Getty Images)