This week will feature a lot of marquee matchups in college football. From the first kickoff on Friday to the final horn on Saturday night, I will predict matchups that feature top 25 teams this week.
No. 3 LSU (3-0) vs. SE Louisiana (2-1)
The LSU defense has supercharged its rise to prominence. The Tigers will get a break this week as they’ll face FCS opponent Southeastern (SE) Louisiana. Expect the LSU backups to be put in the second half. Final Score: LSU 62, SE Louisiana 7.
No. 4 Miami (FL) (3-0) vs. Florida (1-2)
The Miami Hurricanes have dominated opponents early in the season, while Florida has had a rocky start to the season, which includes a loss to South Florida. It would be expected to see Miami stars Carson Beck and Mark Fletcher shine in this Miami win. Final Score: Miami 48, Florida 17.
No. 6 Oregon (3-0) vs. Oregon State (0-3)
In this rivalry matchup, Oregon will hope to continue its dominance over the Oregon State Beavers, who have struggled this season. Expect the Oregon Ducks to have an unquestioned dominant victory. Predicted Final Score: Oregon 55, Oregon State 7.
No. 7 Florida State (2-0) vs. Kent State (1-2)
Excitement is through the roof for the Florida State Seminoles, who have finally returned to national prominence, led by Quarterback Tommy Castellanos. They will have to face woeful Kent State, which has struggled in the past few years. Expect Florida State to win by a lot. Predicted Final Score: Florida State 66, Kent State 7.
No. 8 Texas (2-1) vs. Sam Houston (0-3)
Arch Manning’s Texas will receive a good tune-up game against a weak Sam Houston, which has lost three straight games. Expect the backups to be out early in a big blowout win. Predicted Final Score: Texas 38, Sam Houston 3.
No. 9 Illinois (3-0) vs. #19 Indiana (3-0)
This will be a really good game, as both teams are expected to contend for the playoffs. Expect a back-and-forth game with fireworks from both quarterbacks. Predicted Final Score: Illinois 30, Indiana 27.
No. 11 Oklahoma (3-0) vs. #22 Auburn (3-0)
Auburn continues the gauntlet of their schedule, as they will play the Heisman trophy candidate John Mateer. Auburn hopes to make a resurgence to prominence, while Oklahoma hopes to continue its dominance. Expect Oklahoma to stay hot. Predicted Final Score: Oklahoma 34, Auburn 17.
No. 13 Ole Miss (3-0) vs. Tulane (3-0)
Ole Miss hopes to return to the national spotlight with a quiet but expected, undefeated start to the season. They will face the Tulane Green Wave, led by transfer Quarterback Jake Retzlaff, who has defeated Duke and Northwestern. Expect the Green Wave to fight hard, but Alabama to pull away with the victory. Predicted Final Score: Ole Miss 38, Tulane 31.
No. 15 Tennessee (2-1) vs. UAB (2-1)
The Volunteers hope to bounce back after a tight loss to Georgia. Luckily for them, they will have a good tune-up game as they will face the UAB Blazers. Expect Joey Aguilar to have a good day. Predicted Final Score: Tennessee 49, UAB 14.
No. 16 Utah (3-0) vs. #17 Texas Tech (3-0)
This matchup will feature an exciting duel between two dynamic Quarterbacks. Utah’s Devon Dampier hopes to continue the Utes’ recent dominant stretch, while Bergen Morton hopes to charge the Red Raiders’ rise to prominence. Predicted Final Score: Utah 38, Texas Tech 34.
No. 18 Georgia Tech (3-0) vs. Temple (2-1)
Georgia Tech has shot into the rankings after a win over Clemson, led by quarterback Haynes King. They will have to face Temple, who has come off a blowout loss to Oklahoma. Expect it to be an uncompetitive game, with the Jackets rushing for a lot of yards. Predicted Final Score: Georgia Tech 33, Temple 7.
No. 20 Vanderbilt (3-0) vs. Georgia State (1-2)
The Vanderbilt Commodores had a breakthrough upset when they knocked off South Carolina last week. They will have to face the Panthers, who defeated the Commodores last year. Expect a fun performance from Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia. Predicted Final Score: Vanderbilt 27, Georgia State 7.
No. 21 Michigan (2-1) vs. Nebraska (3-0)
Michigan freshman phenom Bryce Underwood will be tested by a Nebraska team that has started undefeated. Expect the Wolverine run game to be tested by Nebraska coach Matt Rhule’s defense. Predicted Final Score: Michigan 37, Nebraska 28.
No. 23 Missouri (3-0) vs. South Carolina (2-1)
The electric offense of Missouri will host the South Carolina Gamecocks, who came off a loss to Vanderbilt after they lost star LaNorris Sellers. The Missouri Tigers have a star-powered offense led by running back Ahmad Hardy that has easily dispatched its opponents. Expect a bounce-back game for the Gamecocks, with the Tigers to give some fight. Predicted Final Score: South Carolina 37, Missouri 34.
No. 24 Notre Dame (0-2) vs. Purdue (2-1)
The Fighting Irish have had a weak defense of their national championship appearance, as they have dropped their first two games to Miami (FL) and Texas A&M. Luckily for them, they will face Purdue, which struggled last week against USC. Expect the Irish to get a good tune-up game. Predicted Final Score: Notre Dame 41, Purdue 21.
No. 25 USC (3-0) vs. Michigan State (3-0)
The USC Trojans have had a quiet but dominant start to the season, led by their strong offense. They will have to face the similarly undefeated Michigan State Spartans, who have struggled with lower competition. If the Spartans want to win, they will need Quarterback Aiden Chiles, who has struggled to be dominant. Expect this game to be fun and for points to fly across the board. Predicted Final Score: USC 45, Michigan State 30.
