Louisville, Clemson matchup highlights Week Three

By Patrick Woo
Scouting Coordinator

Week 3 Games to Watch

#9 Oklahoma State at Pittsburgh, 12pm on ESPN
Pitt is still breaking in nine new starters on defense and here comes Oklahoma State’s prolific offense. Mason Rudolph became the school’s all-time leading passer last week. This game was decided by a late Cowboys touchdown last year in Stillwater.
Matchups to Watch:
Oklahoma State WR James Washington vs. Pitt CB Avonte Maddox

#25 UCLA at Memphis, 12pm on ABC
This is a sneaky good game with the Bruins moving into the Top 25. The last time these two teams played, the Paxton Lynch-led offense almost pulled an upset. UCLA could be without both starting safeties Jaleel Wadood and Adairius Pickett.
Matchups to watch:
UCLA QB Josh Rosen vs. Memphis S Jonathan Cook

UConn at Virginia, 12pm on ESPN2
UConn won this game 13-10 last year. The Huskies had an unofficial bye week with last week’s game vs. USF being postponed. Holy Cross QB Peter Pujals threw for 358 yards on the Huskies in Week 1. Expect UVA to start airing it out more with Kurt Benkert.
Matchups to watch:
UConn LB Junior Joseph vs. UVA QB Kurt Benkert
UConn CB Jamar Summers vs. UVA WR Olamide Zaccheus

Baylor at Duke, 12:30pm on ACC Network
The Bears are off to a 0-2 start and now will go with Zach Smith as the QB. Duke’s QB play has been on fire with the impressive Daniel Jones. This would be another momentous win for the Blue Devils after knocking off Northwestern last week.
Matchups to watch:
Baylor FS Davion Hall vs. Duke QB Daniel Jones
Baylor LB Taylor Young vs. Duke RB Shaun Wilson
Baylor WR Chris Platt vs. Duke CB Bryon Fields, Jr.

#10 Wisconsin at BYU, 3:30pm on ABC
This is the first time BYU will host a Big Ten team in Provo and the first time that BYU has been a double digit home underdog since hosting USC in 2004. The defense has to clamp down against Wisconsin freshman sensation RB Jonathan Taylor, who had over 200 yards last week and is averaging 8.9 yards per carry.
Matchups to watch:
Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor vs. BYU LB Butch Pau’u
Wisconsin WR Jazz Peavy vs. BYU CB Troy Warner
Wisconsin OT Michael Deiter vs. BYU LB Fred Warner
Wisconsin NT Olive Sagapolu vs. BYU OC Tejan Koroma

#16 Virginia Tech at East Carolina, 3:30pm on CBS Sports Network
The last time the Hokies visited Greenville, they left with a 35-28 loss in 2015. This ECU team has struggled so far going 0-2 with losses to JMU and West Virginia and the Hokies took care of business 54-17 last year. So far, Josh Jackson looks like the real deal at QB and ECU let go of DC Kenwick Thompson and replaced him with DL coach Robert Prunty.
Matchups to watch:
VT CB Adonis Alexander vs. ECU WR Davon Grayson
VT QB Josh Jackson vs. ECU SS Bobby Fulp
VT LB Tremaine Edmunds vs. ECU OT Brandon Smith

SMU at #20 TCU, 3:30pm on ESPNU
In the old Southwest Conference matchup, it’s offense vs. defense. Through two weeks, SMU has scored 112 points while TCU has given up just 7 points. Courtland Sutton had 163 yards last week vs. North Texas and already has 5 touchdowns this season.
Matchups to watch:
SMU WR Courtland Sutton vs. TCU CB Ranthony Texada
SMU CB Jordan Wyatt vs. TCU WR John Diarse
SMU DE Justin Lawler vs. TCU OT Joe Noteboom 

#23 Tennessee at #24 Florida, 3:30pm on CBS
This game is going to come down to which team forces more third-and-long situations. The Vols haven’t won in The Swamp since 2003. Both teams had QB questions coming into the year. Despite gaining just 192 total yards vs. Michigan, Florida goes back to Feleipe Franks at QB but expect Malik Zaire’s mobility to be a factor in this game too. Tennessee’s OL will also still face a formidable Florida d-line. Florida WR Antonio Callaway remains suspended.
Matchups to watch:
Tennessee OT Brett Kendrick vs. Florida DE Jabari Zuniga/Jordan Sherit
Tennessee OC Jashon Robertson vs. Florida NT Khairi Clark
Tennessee RB John Kelly vs. Florida LB David Reese
Tennessee WR Marquez Callaway vs. Florida CB Duke Dawson
Tennessee TE Ethan Wolf vs. Florida S Nick Washington 

Notre Dame at Boston College, 3:30pm on ESPN
Boston College turned the ball over four times in a 34-10 loss to Wake Forest last week. Last week’s College Football Slate featured The Holy War between Utah and BYU and now this week is The Holy War between the FBS’s only two Catholic universities. Mike McGlinchey struggled some against Georgia and should see a few snaps against Harold Landry, although Landry primarily plays on the left side. Boston College also replaced senior center Jon Baker (torn ACL) with true freshman Ben Petrula so that’s a tough task for him to go against Jerry Tillery.
Matchups to watch:
Notre Dame OT Mike McGlinchey vs. Boston College DE Harold Landry
Notre Dame TE Durham Smythe vs. Boston College SS Will Harris
Notre Dame WR Equanimeous St. Brown vs. Boston College CB Kamrin Moore
Notre Dame LB Nyles Morgan vs. Boston College RB Jon Hilliman 

Middle Tennessee at Minnesota, 3:30pm on Big Ten Network
P.J. Fleck looks to check off the non-conference slate with a 3-0 record. MTSU made a change at the RB spot and is going with true freshman Ty Lee to spark this offense and putting senior RB Shane Tucker back at receiver. 
Matchups to watch:
MTSU WR Richie James vs. Minnesota S Antoine Winfield Jr.
MTSU LB DJ Sanders vs. Minnesota RB Rodney Smith
MTSU QB Brent Stockstill vs. Minnesota LB Jonathan Celestin
MTSU WR Patrick Smith vs. Minnesota CB Antonio Shenault 

Oregon State at #21 Washington State, 5:30pm on Pac-12 Network
Washington State rallied from a 21-point deficit to beat Boise State 47-44 in three overtimes last week. They did that without QB Luke Falk, who is playing this week according to Mike Leach. Falk was outplayed by his backup Tyler Hilinski, who completed 25-of-33 passes for 204 yards and 3 touchdowns so either way Oregon State has an issue with starting safety Dwayne Williams and CB Xavier Crawford out. Williams is out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL.
Matchups to watch:
Oregon State RB Ryan Nall vs. Washington State LB Peyton Pelluer
Oregon State LB Manase Hungalu vs. Washington State RB Jamal Morrow
Oregon State OG Gus Lavaka vs. Washington State DT Hercules Mata’afa

Colorado State at #1 Alabama, 7pm on ESPN2
Many won’t be enthused by this game but the reason to watch is to see Colorado State receiver Michael Gallup and his QB Nick Stevens against the best competition they will see this year in the Crimson Tide.
Matchups to watch:
Colorado State WR Michael Gallup vs. Alabama DB Minkah Fitzpatrick
Colorado State OC Jake Bennett vs. Alabama NT Da’Ron Payne
Colorado State RB Dalyn Dawkins vs. Alabama LB Rashaan Evans
Colorado State CB Kevin Nutt Jr. vs. Alabama WR Calvin Ridley

#12 LSU at Mississippi State, 7pm on ESPN
With the 2017 debut of Arden Key, this game will have one of the best “Scouter’s Delights” of the season with Key going against Bulldogs LT Martinas Rankin. Last year, LSU’s defense held Nick Fitzgerald to 13 yards on 13 carries.
Matchups to watch:
LSU RB Derrius Guice vs. Miss St LB Leo Lewis
LSU LB Donnie Alexander vs. Miss St QB Nick Fitzgerald
LSU WR DJ Chark vs. Miss St CB Tolando Cleveland
LSU CB Donte Jackson vs. Miss St WR Donald Gray

Oregon at Wyoming, 7pm on CBS Sports Network
Both of these QBs, Justin Herbert and Josh Allen, were impressive at the Manning Passing Academy. Oregon's defense picked off Nebraska QB Tanner Lee four times last week. This is the last Power Five test for Allen, looking to prove himself as worthy of being the top QB in the 2018 draft class.  
Matchups to watch: 
Oregon RB Royce Freeman vs. Wyoming SS Andrew Wingard
Oregon S Tyree Robinson vs. Wyoming QB Josh Allen

#18 Kansas State at Vanderbilt, 7:30pm on ESPNU
This is a really sneaky good game. Both of these QBs have been really efficient so far this season, Jesse Ertz and Kyle Shurmur. Both of these teams are going to want to establish the run. Vandy really needs to get Ralph Webb going after a slow start through two games with just 103 yards. Vandy has gotten after the QB early on this season with 8 sacks, led by Charles Wright while K-State has given up just 2 sacks.
Matchups to watch:
Kansas State OT Dalton Risner vs. Vanderbilt LB Charles Wright
Kansas State WR Byron Pringle vs. Vanderbilt CB Tre Herndon
Kansas State QB Jesse Ertz vs. Vanderbilt LB Oren Burks

Kentucky at South Carolina, 7:30pm on SEC Network
South Carolina has been fun to watch so far this season while Kentucky is 2-0 after two easy games. Now things get interesting to find out who else can challenge in the SEC East as these two teams were preseason dark-horse picks.
Matchups to watch:
Kentucky CBs Derrick Baity/Chris Westry vs. South Carolina WRs Deebo Samuel/Bryan Edwards
Kentucky S Mike Edwards vs. South Carolina TE Hayden Hurst
Kentucky TE C.J. Conrad vs. South Carolina S D.J. Smith

#3 Clemson at #14 Louisville, 8pm on ABC
Clemson has spent a lot of time this week praising Lamar Jackson and his unearthly ability. Jackson is going to have to use all of it to get through this Clemson defense. The Tigers racked up 11 sacks last week against Auburn and the Cards have had documented issues up front that haven’t improved to where it needs to be yet this season.
Matchups to watch:
Clemson CB Ryan Carter vs. Louisville WR Jaylen Smith
Clemson OT Mitch Hyatt vs. Louisville DE Trevon Young/James Hearns
Clemson DE Clelin Ferrell vs. Louisville OT Geron Christian
Clemson WR Deon Cain vs. Louisville CB Jaire Alexander (questionable, injury)
Clemson QB Kelly Bryant vs. Louisville LB Stacy Thomas
Clemson LB Kendall Joseph vs. Louisville QB Lamar Jackson 

Arizona State at Texas Tech, 8pm
This game could end up being a really fun shootout but the Sun Devils have to get Kalen Ballage going after he was not a factor in the 30-20 loss to San Diego State last week. The offensive line has really struggled as well, giving up 12 sacks already. Going into Lubbock at night isn’t easy. The Red Raiders could make a statement.
Matchups to watch:
Arizona State RB Kalen Ballage vs. Texas Tech LB Jordyn Brooks
Arizona State WR N’Keal Harry vs. Texas Tech CB Octavious Morgan 

Texas at #4 USC, 8:30pm on FOX
The rematch after the all-timer in the 2006 Rose Bowl for the national championship is finally here. Texas has to force Sam Darnold into turning the ball over again (2 interceptions again last week) and then take advantage. The Longhorns offense is better when it rides Chris Warren.
Matchups to watch:
Texas LB Naashon Hughes vs. USC OT Chuma Edoga
Texas CB Holton Hill vs. USC WR Steven Mitchell/Deontay Burnett
Texas DT Poona Ford vs. USC OG Viane Talamaivao
Texas LB Malik Jefferson vs. USC RB Ronald Jones
Texas OT Connor Williams vs. USC LB Uchenna Nwosu
Texas RB Chris Warren vs. USC LB Cameron Smith
Texas WR Collin Johnson vs. USC CB Iman Marshall 

#19 Stanford at San Diego State, 10:30pm on CBS Sports Network
Should the Cardinal be on upset alert in San Diego? The Aztecs don’t get the respect they deserver but took care of Pac-12 foe Arizona State 30-20 last week behind a huge day from Rashaad Penny, who might be the best NFL prospect in this game. For the second straight week, it’s a game revolving around the RBs with Penny and Stanford’s Bryce Love.
Matchups to watch:
Stanford WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside vs. SDSU CB Kameron Kelly
Stanford LB Kevin Palma vs. SDSU RB Rashaad Penny
Stanford LB Peter Kalambayi vs. SDSU TE David Wells 

Ole Miss at Cal, 10:30pm on ESPN
This is a very interesting late night matchup. The Rebels have road games at Alabama and Auburn looming. Cal garnered some attention for its cross country season opening win in Chapel Hill. Shea Patterson is coming off a record-setting 489-yard passing performance while Cal’s defense gave up 431 yards through the air to Weber State last week. Cal also took a hit with RB Tre Watson out for the season. But if Cal’s offense gets going quarterbacked by Ross Bowers, things could get interesting in Berkeley.
Matchups to watch:
Ole Miss WR A.J. Brown vs. Cal CB Marloshawn Franklin
Ole Miss CB Ken Webster vs. Cal WR Demetris Robertson
Ole Miss OG Javon Patterson vs. Cal DT James Looney