It’s nearly the weekend and another glorious slate of college football is upon us.
After what was an ugly grouping of games last week filled with cupcakes, week three presents some extremely intriguing matchups.
While the Alabama Crimson Tide takes on Wisconsin and the Auburn Tigers get set to host South Alabama in that first time slot, fans in the Yellowhammer State will have plenty to pay attention to after their games’ end.
Here are four games you need to have your eye on during week three:
#6 Georgia @ #15 Tennessee
2:30 p.m. CST
The marquee matchup in the SEC of the week — and it’s an absolutely tremendous one.
The Bulldogs have not lost to the Vols in nearly a decade, and it took a wild last second Hail Mary to make it happen back in 2016 in Athens.
This time around may be Tennessee’s best chance to beat Georgia in a very long time, with the Bulldogs only favored by a little over a field goal.
The Bulldogs have looked vulnerable here in the early portion of the year, and the Vols have looked downright scary led by new quarterback Joey Aguilar.
Head coach Josh Heupel can earn an early signature win in what surely would see a stormed field at Neyland Stadium, and it should be a classic in Knoxville.
#18 South Florida @ #5 Miami
3:30 p.m. CST
The South Florida Bulls are very quickly becoming one of the premiere Group of 5 programs in the nation led by fast rising head Alex Golesh, former offensive coordinator at Tennessee.
Golesh’s team has of course given Alabama trouble in each of the last two years and is fresh off one of their best wins in history in Gainesville last week over the Florida Gators.
This is a new beast in Miami though, who handled Notre Dame in week one behind an elite pass rush and great showing from former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck.
The spread here is more than two touchdowns, but the Bulls have proven to not back down when they are big underdogs. The Hurricanes likely win, but it is worth keeping a close eye on.
Florida @ #3 LSU
6:30 p.m. CST
On paper, this one shouldn’t be particularly close.
But whenever the Gators and Tigers get together, there seems to be some wackiness.
Florida is coming off a dreadful home loss against South Florida, and once again Billy Napier is on the hottest seat in college football. A win in Baton Rouge would get him right back in the good graces of Florida fans though.
LSU earned their massive week one victory on the road against Clemson to establish themselves as a real contender not only in the SEC, but for a national title.
This game will be a great indicator of just how realistic that lofty goal is.
#16 Texas A&M @ #8 Notre Dame
6:30 p.m. CST
A rematch from last year’s defensive slugfest in College Station where the Irish came out on top, this promises to be an epic repeat.
For Notre Dame, this all of the sudden becomes an early season must win after they dropped the opener against Miami. A second loss this early is not one they can afford.
As for the Aggies, now in year two under Mike Elko, it’s the first real test of the year and should be a tremendous indicator of where they are at before opening SEC play against Auburn here in two weeks.
You might need a second television in the living room, but both of these night games are must watch.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.
