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College Football Week 3 Key Matchups


Sep 14, 2026 EST


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It is finally time for Lane Kiffin’s return to Ole Miss. The highly anticipated showdown between LSU and Ole Miss highlights the Week 3 college football schedule after Kiffin left the Rebels for one of their top rivals and spent most of the offseason stirring the pot.

There are two other ranked matchups on the college football slate, but a lot of top 25 teams are heavily favored in non-conference games against Group of 6 competition. The first two weeks should tell us to expect an upset, but the fun part about those is you don’t see them coming. Here are the top 10 games for Week 3.

1. LSU at Ole Miss

Location: Oxford, Mississippi
Time: Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC

Some believe this will be the most toxic game in college football history, and that may prove to be the case. Ole Miss fans can’t wait to show Kiffin how they really feel about him now. LSU and Ole Miss both enter as top 10 teams, a rare occurrence in this rivalry. LSU struggled early with Louisiana Tech in Week 2 after crushing Clemson, while Ole Miss made easy work of Charlotte after its walk-off win over Louisville. There are plenty of stars with quarterbacks Sam Leavitt and Trinidad Chambliss leading the billing. LSU is currently favored by 2.5 points.

2. SMU at Louisville

Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Time: Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN

This game gives us an early battle between ACC championship hopefuls. It’s hard to know what to make of them yet. In their lone power conference games so far, SMU let Florida State hang around in a down-to-the-wire win and Louisville lost to Ole Miss after making several undisciplined errors. Both the quarterbacks have posted big numbers. Louisville’s Lincoln Kienholz, an Ohio State transfer, has 750 total yards and seven touchdowns. SMU senior Kevin Jennings has 767 yards passing and eight touchdowns. Louisville is currently favored by 1.5 points at home.

3. Mississippi State at South Carolina

Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Time: Saturday at 4:15 p.m. ET
Channel: SEC Network

Mississippi State sophomore quarterback Kamario Taylor shined through the first two games, passing for 581 yards, rushing for 145 and scoring eight touchdowns against ULM and Minnesota. This will be his first SEC road start, and South Carolina might get star defensive end Dylan Stewart back from injury. It’s an exciting quarterback matchup with Taylor and LaNorris Sellers. South Carolina hasn’t really been tested yet. The Gamecocks are currently favored by 7.5 points.

4. Florida at Auburn

Location: Auburn, Alabama
Time: Saturday at 7 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN

Florida rolled through two overmatched opponents, and now head coach Jon Sumrall has to take his new team on the road in the SEC for the first time. It’s also the first conference game for new Auburn coach Alex Golesh. Florida has a star in running back Jadan Baugh, who has 296 yards rushing and five touchdowns. Wide receiver Vernell Brown returned two punts for touchdowns against Cambpell. Auburn squeaked past Baylor in the season opener before an easy win over Southern Miss. It’ll need another big game from quarterback Byrum Brown. Florida is currently favored on the road by 1.5.

5. Houston at Texas Tech

Location: Lubbock, Texas
Time: Friday at 8 p.m. ET
Channel: Fox

In an alternate reality, this would have been when Brendan Sorsby returned from a two-game gambling suspension. Instead, it’s the first big test of the season for Texas Tech quarterback Will Hammond. The Red Raiders pulled away in the second half this past weekend for a 35-24 win over Oregon State. Meanwhile, Houston defeated the Beavers 33-20 in Week 1. This also was the game that Texas booster Cody Campbell complained about being on a Friday night. Texas Tech is currently favored by -14.5 points.

6. Florida State at Alabama

Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Time: Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC

Can Florida State spring an upset, or will it accelerate the potential firing of head coach Mike Norvell? Alabama ended up with a 45-17 win over Kentucky in Week 2 after trailing at halftime. Redshirt freshman quarterback Keelon Russell threw two interceptions, but his legs add another dimension to the offense. The Crimson Tide allowed 62 total yards in the second half. Florida State was off in Week 2. Seminoles running back Ousmane Kromah has 231 yards and two touchdowns on the ground so far this season. Alabama is currently favored by -17.5 points.

7. North Carolina at Clemson

Location: Clemson, South Carolina
Time: Saturday at 12 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN

Bill Belichick and Dabo Swinney both need this win. After getting crushed by LSU, Clemson didn’t inspire confidence in its 22-7 win over Georgia Southern. The Tigers turned the ball over twice in the first quarter, and they went 2 of 14 on third down. A loss to North Carolina, a team Clemson beat 38-10 last season, would be disastrous. The Tar Heels aren’t expected to win, but they have allowed 13 points through two games. Clemson is currently favored by -8.5 points.

8. Virginia Tech at Maryland

Location: College Park, Maryland
Time: Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: Fox

In a mostly quiet week for the Big Ten, this is one of the conference’s five games against another power conference team. Maryland has gotten off to a solid start behind quarterback Malik Washington, who had 347 yards passing and two touchdowns against UConn. Similarly, Virginia Tech quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer threw for 327 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another while beating Old Dominion. This will be James Franklin’s first power conference test at Virginia Tech. The Hokies are currently favored by 1.5.

9. West Virginia vs. Virginia

Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Time: Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ACC Network

Back in action after its impressive Week 0 win against NC State, Virginia handled business with a blowout of Norfolk State. Beau Pribula threw three touchdowns in the first quarter, and Virginia’s defense has only allowed 11 points through two games. West Virginia won its first two games on the legs of quarterback Michael Hawkins and running back Cam Cook, who have combined for 393 yards rushing. Virginia is currently favored by 8.5 points.

10. Arizona State vs. Kansas

Location: London, England
Time: Saturday at 12 p.m. ET
Channel: Fox Sports One

Arizona State and Kansas are taking things across the pond for the Union Jack Classic in Wembley Stadium. Both teams are coming off losses in which they played SEC opponents close into the second half before fading in the fourth quarter. Arizona State quarterback Cutter Boley, a Kentucky transfer, has thrown for 641 yards and eight touchdowns with two interceptions through two games. Sun Devils are sitting currently as -2.5-point favorites in the international trip.

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