Top five Week 3 college football games: TV info, predictions, start time

The excitement of college football has been palpable in the sports world. The first two-plus weeks have generated the drama and storylines the sport is revered for. While at first glance, the Week 3 slate may seem like a step back from the first two weeks, there are plenty of diamonds in the rough. Rivalries will be renewed, and multiple SEC games with big implications for coaches’ futures will be played.

Here are the five best games of the weekend ranked in inverse order.

5. No. 20 Arizona at No. 14 Kansas State | Friday | 8 p.m. ET | Fox

In the new college football landscape that seems to focus solely on the Big Ten and SEC, don’t forget about the Big 12. Newcomer Arizona broke into the top 20 in the latest AP poll, setting up a tantalizing matchup against Kansas State. The offenses are expected to trade punches throughout, but Kansas State’s running game will be the difference-maker. The ‘Cats average 7.8 yards per rush, and if they can get a lead, the run game will be crucial to keeping Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita off the field.

Prediction: It’s an offensive shootout, and K-State picks up a big win, 33-28.

4. No. 24 Boston College vs. No. 6 Missouri | Saturday | 12:45 p.m. ET | SEC Network

Not many expected this one to be a ranked matchup, but Boston College’s upset over Florida State and dismantling of Duquesne last week has the Eagles ranked for the first time since 2018. A trip to No. 6 Missouri is next. Two of the nation’s best defenses will decide the outcome of this game. Missouri has the best defense in the country (127 yards/game, 0 TD), while BC ranks 15th nationally (214 yards/game). The Eagles haven’t faced a quarterback/wide receiver duo as strong as Mizzou’s Brady Cook and Luther Burden. Those two will be the reason Missouri wins.

Prediction: The defenses will be strong, but Mizzou’s stars are the difference in a 28-13 win.

3. Texas A&M at Florida | Saturday | 3:30 p.m. ET | ABC

The Gators can show that Week 1’s blowout loss to Miami is not who this team will be. A&M can get new head coach Mike Elko’s first SEC win. The Gators’ defense must be better Saturday than they were against Miami. Too many breakdowns led to 41 points allowed, and if it happens again, the Gators will lose. The matchup to watch is A&M’s defense against freshman quarterback DJ Lagway. The five-star recruit was electric in his first start last week against Samford. Can he do it against an SEC defense?

Prediction: Florida head coach Billy Napier’s seat will get warmer after A&M defeats his Gators 24-10.

2. West Virginia at Pitt | Saturday | 3:30 p.m. ET | ESPN2

One of the more underrated rivalries nationally, West Virginia and Pitt have one of the more hotly contested matchups. The Mountaineers must be better on defense to win this one. Through two games, they allow 415 yards of offense, while Pitt’s offense averages 534 yards per game. That’s not a winning combination for West Virginia; it will be the difference in this one.

Prediction: Pitt quarterback Eli Holstein produces another strong game, and the Panthers win 34-23.

1. Colorado at Colorado State | Saturday | 7:30 p.m. ET | CBS

This one was a thriller last season and also got a bit nasty. Deion Sanders and company could use a big win after an unconvincing win over FCS North Dakota State and a blowout loss at Nebraska. Going into Colorado State won’t be easy. After last year’s showdown in Colorado, this game is the most expensive ticket of the week, with the cheapest seats for $174. 

Colorado State’s passing defense needs to be better than it was in Week 1 against Quinn Ewers and Texas when it allowed 355 yards and four touchdowns through the air. The Rams have only one sack in two games this season, which is good news for Shedeur Sanders and Colorado’s offensive line. Sanders took the opportunity postgame after the loss to Nebraska to highlight the shortcomings of his protection. When the protection is adequate, Sanders and the Colorado offense are difficult to stop.

Prediction: Colorado State can’t get to Sanders, and the Buffaloes leave Fort Collins with a big win, 38-10.