College football’s most important people in Week 3

The picture is becoming clearer after two weeks of college football.

Who is for real? Who is a pretender? Which players are Heisman contenders? All of the offseason bluster is over, and games are providing answers. 

Yardbarker highlights the 10 most important people leading into the weekend in college football each week. Here’s who we’re keeping an eye on in Week 3. (All games are on Saturday unless otherwise noted):

1. Shedeur Sanders | Colorado quarterback

Sanders was unimpressive in a blowout loss to Nebraska, and his comments after the game were even less impressive. He openly questioned his offensive line, which has received much criticism over the past two seasons. His father, head coach Deion Sanders, also called out the offensive line, but he reaffirmed his faith in the unit Tuesday. In a rivalry game against Colorado State, Shedeur must be a leader.

2. Tim Lewis | Boston College defensive coordinator

Are the Eagles for real? They are ranked No. 24 and in the Top 25 for the first time since 2018. If an upset win over then-No. 10 Florida State wasn’t enough to convince skeptics, a win at No. 6 Missouri (2-0) would surely grab the nation’s attention. 

Lewis, an NFL coaching veteran, is tasked with stopping a high-powered Mizzou offense led by quarterback Brady Cook and wide receiver Luther Burden. Missouri’s defense has played superbly (127 yards/game, 0 TDs allowed), but Lewis’ unit must be just as good to give the Eagles a chance.

3. DJ Lagway | Florida quarterback

Lagway is expected to split time with veteran quarterback Graham Mertz. How many plays Lagway sees is a question, but head coach Billy Napier would be wise to let the freshman take the ball against Texas A&M. 

Mertz was concussed in the Week 1 loss against Miami and then missed last week’s win over Samford. Lagway looked strong against the Hurricanes and was electric last week. He may be the key to success for this Gators team.

4. Pat Narduzzi | Pitt head coach

It was anything but a normal week at Pitt after athletic director Heather Lyke’s firing. Narduzzi and the football team are hosting “The Backyard Brawl,” Pitt’s rivalry game against West Virginia. Narduzzi will have a new boss soon, and he’d like to have a few more big wins on his resume before that person arrives. His time at Pitt has been a mixed bag, but a win over a rival and a solid showing in ACC play would be a great first impression for a new athletic director.

5. Oregon State and Washington State

Everyone involved with these two programs is an important piece this week. Oregon State hosts rival Oregon, while Washington State will face rival Washington. Oregon and Washington abandoned the Pac-12, leaving their longtime rivals behind, so wins for OSU and WSU would be huge. On top of that, the Pac-12 announced Thursday that it would add Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State in 2026. Oregon State and Washington State are closer to reviving the Conference of Champions.

6. Mark Stoops | Kentucky head coach

Stoops and Kentucky suffered an embarrassing 31-6 loss to South Carolina last week. The HC must refocus his group to face No. 1 Georgia at home this week. With questions already swirling about his ability to keep Kentucky competitive in the SEC, Stoops needs the Wildcats to look competitive. College football has no moral victories, so a win or close loss to the Bulldogs would be a great course corrector.

7. Riley Leonard | Notre Dame quarterback

Leonard suffered an injury to his non-throwing shoulder in last Saturday’s loss to Northern Illinois. He is expected to start at in-state rival Purdue, now a must-win game for the Irish. Leonard struggled against NIU, throwing two interceptions and completing 20-of-32 passes. 

8. Jacob Parrish and K-State cornerbacks | Kansas State

Kansas State plays at No. 20 Arizona on Friday in a massive early-season showdown. Arizona’s lethal passing game combination of sophomore quarterback Noah Fifita and junior wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan will present a real problem for K-State. Parrish and fellow cornerbacks must be better than they were last week against Tulane when they allowed 342 yards passing for an average of almost 12 yards per completion.

9. Hunter Wohler | Wisconsin safety

Wohler is one of Wisconsin’s better defensive players this season. He and his teammates must be at their best to score an upset win at home over No. 4 Alabama, a 16.5-point favorite per FanDuel as of Thursday. Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams, who won’t turn 18 until Feb. 9, is averaging 34.5 yards per catch. This is a matchup to watch and one that could decide the game.

10. Dave Aranda | Baylor head coach

The Bears welcome Air Force to Waco for a must-win game for Aranda, who started the season on the hot seat. Following last week’s loss at No. 12 Utah, Aranda desperately needs a win before Big 12 conference play begins for the Bears.