CFW Week 3 Forecast – Dolly Parton is GameDay’s guest picker
Can Tennessee keep the score close?
Week 3 promises to provide us with another weekend full of exciting games. Perhaps even more so than Week 2. And we sure had our share of thrilling games in Week 2.
For starters, there are four key SEC battles this weekend – three of which involve undefeated teams. The SEC quartet of games is led by Georgia (2-0) at Tennessee (2-0). The Dawgs have owned the Vols for the past eight years. Most of the encounters have not even been close. Tennessee has won the last eight games 31-17, 38-10, 27-13, 41-17, 44-21, 43-14, 38-12 and 41-0. But Tennessee stands a good chance of ending Georgia’s domination this year.
Arkansas (2-0) takes on Ole Miss (2-0) in Oxford. The Magnolias are favored but many predict the Hogs will pull off an upset. Vanderbilt (2-0) visits South Carolina (2-0). Are the Commodores for real? They appear to be. The Gamecocks can’t take them lightly.
The fourth SEC affair has LSU (2-0) hosting Florida (1-1). Last year, the Gators upset the Tigers in Gainesville. Florida coach Billy Napier needed that win to save his job. Following last week’s loss to South Florida, Napier needs to beat LSU this year to save his job. Billy never seems to get the message.
Speaking of South Florida, the Bulls have their hands full this week – South Florida (2-0) at Miami (2-0). Can the Bulls pull off another shocker?
After losing to Miami in Week 1, Notre Dame (0-1) hosts Texas A&M (2-0). The Irish were off last week. They should be prepared for the Aggies.
The ACC has a doozy for us, a big doozy – Clemson (1-1) at Georgia Tech (2-0). Will the Tigers suffer their second loss of the early season?
The Big Ten will be involved in a couple of interesting battles. First, in an interconference affair Wisconsin (2-0) is at Alabama (1-1). The Badgers are undefeated, but a weak undefeated. The Tide are still rebuilding from their Florida State disaster in Week 1. The other Big Ten battle is a conference affair – USC (2-0) at Purdue (2-0). The pressure is on Trojans coach Lincoln Riley this season. The Boilers are undefeated but like Wisconsin, a weak undefeated. Can Purdue cause problems for Riley?
Ah, the shenanigans and theatrics – it’s Pitt (2-0) at West Virginia (1-1). There’s rarely a dull moment when these two get together. But it could be pretty dull for the Mountaineers this year.
Look for Duke (1-1) at Tulane (2-0) to be an interesting game – exciting too. Tulane is looking to be the Group of Five team in the CFP. Duke quarterback Darian Mensah will be playing against his old team. Mensah transferred to Duke during the offseason.
Three other games, all involving undefeated teams, which have my curiosity this week are Minnesota (2-0) at California (2-0), NC State (2-0) at Wake Forest (2-0), and Utah (2-0) at Wyoming (2-0).
The Minnesota-California game is truly up in the air. Either team could win. It could be a wild one. NC State-Wake Forest kicks off Week 3 tonight. The Wolfpack are favored but are the Demon Deacons possibly better than expected? Utah is not only favored but the Utes will beat Wyoming. The game is at Wyoming and I’m wondering if the Cowboys can make it a contest.
ESPN’s College GameDay will be in Knoxville, Tennessee, for the Georgia-Tennessee game. FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff will be in Evanston, Illinois, for the Oregon-Northwestern game. SEC Network’s SEC Nation will be in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for the Florida-LSU game. The ACC Network’s ACC Huddle will be in Atlanta, Georgia, for the Clemson-Georgia Tech game. Dolly Parton is the guest picker on College GameDay. Maybe Dolly will bring the Vols some luck. Enjoy the pregame shows.
Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy hasn’t been fired yet, but The Sporting News says these are the Top 6 candidates to replace Gundy: 1. Atlanta Falcons OC Zac Robinson; 2. South Florida head coach Alex Golesh; 3. Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall; 4. Texas A&M OC Collin Klein; Penn State OC Andy Kotelnicki, and Chicago Bears running backs coach Eric Bieniemy. Stay tuned!
Florida coach Billy Napier hasn’t been fired yet, but an awful lot of college football analysts are predicting that Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin will be the next coach at Florida, replacing Napier. Stay tuned!
The Top 5 teams in this week’s FCS Coaches Poll are 1. North Dakota State (2-0), 2. South Dakota State (2-0), 3. Tarleton State (3-0), 4. Illinois State (1-1), and 5. Rhode Island (2-0).
“….It was an early morning yesterday. I was up before the dawn. And I really have enjoyed my stay. But I must be moving on….” English musician, singer and songwriter Rick Davies died on September 6. Davies was the founder, vocalist and keyboardist of the rock band Supertramp. Between 1975 and 1985, Supertramp landed 11 songs on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, nine of which became Top 40 songs. Their biggest hit was “The Logical Song” which charted during the spring and summer of 1979, peaking at No. 6. Other hits included “Give A Little Bit,” “Goodbye Stranger,” “Take The Long Way Home,” and “It’s Raining Again.” A native of Swindon in Wilshire, England, Richard Davies was 81. “….Goodbye stranger, it’s been nice. Hope you find your paradise. Tried to see your point of view. Hope your dreams will all come true….”
Actress Polly Holliday died on September 9. Holliday is best-known for her portrayal of the sassy waitress “Flo” on the 1970s sitcom Alice. Her catchphrase was “Kiss my grits.” She was the last surviving member of the original cast of Alice. A native of Jasper, Alabama, Polly Dean Holliday was 88.
Beat the hell out of Pitt!
Touchdown Tom
September 11, 2025
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com
Touchdown Tom’s Predictions for
Week Three’s 10 Biggest and Most Intriguing Games….and then some
GAME OF THE WEEK: 1. #6 Georgia (2-0) at #15 Tennessee (2-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – Neither team has been really tested. However, Tennessee’s game against Syracuse was more of a testing than Georgia’s two games against Marshall and Austin Peay. They will be tested Saturday. Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar appears to be a better quarterback than many thought. Is he better enough to handle the Georgia defense? After Georgia’s first two games, Dawgs quarterback Gunner Stockton is still an unknown. But he was tested at the end of last season when Georgia played and lost to Notre Dame in the CFP. Georgia has had its way with Tennessee for several years. The Dawgs have won the last eight games. Tennessee last beat Georgia in 2016 – 34-31. It’s about time for the Vols to win again. They do – Tennessee 27, Georgia 24.
RUNNER-UP: 2. #18 South Florida (2-0) at #5 Miami (2-0) – (AC vs. ACC) – 4:30 pm ET, Saturday, CWN – David against Goliath again. Last week the Goliath was Florida. South Florida won. This week the Goliath is Miami. Miami is a bigger Goliath than Florida. USF won’t slay Miami. Still, the Bulls should be able to give the Canes a good game. USF’s offense relies on the play of quarterback Byrum Brown. If he is having a good day, the Bulls will have a good day. Miami has several weapons in its offense. But the main weapon is quarterback Carson Beck. If he is having a bad day, then the running game can take over. If they’re having a bad day, then the Canes can rely on their defense. They’ll get you one way or another. The Bulls get hit by a Cat 5 – Miami 30, South Florida 19.
REST OF THE BEST: 3. #16 Texas A&M (2-0) at #8 Notre Dame (0-1) – (SEC vs. Ind.) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, NBC – After losing to Miami in Week 1, Notre Dame had Week 2 off. The Irish are rejuvenated. Quarterback C.J. Carr has a game under his belt. In two games, Texas A&M hasn’t exactly been spectacular. The Aggies struggled a bit to beat UTSA. They did look better the following week, beating Utah State. The defense has been a little suspect, giving up 23 points a game. If Notre Dame wants to make the CFP again this year, the Irish can’t afford a second loss the second game into the season. The Irish step dance over the Aggies – Notre Dame 30, Texas A&M 21.
4. #29 Florida (1-1) at #3 LSU (2-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – This could either be the continuation of the end of Billy Napier. Or it could be a new beginning for Napier. If Florida loses, the Gators athletic director Scott Stricklin will begin writing Napier’s epitaph. If Florida wins, Stricklin will compose a hymn of praise for Napier. What will it be. After the struggle and tough win over Clemson in Week 1, LSU cooled its heels in Week 2. In beating Louisiana Tech 23-7, the defense played well, the offense was so-so. Perhaps they were holding back for the Gators. Florida definitely needs to get its act together – and fast. Last year the Gators upset the Tigers. Tigers have good memories – LSU 27, Florida 17.
5. #12 Clemson (1-1) at #28 Georgia Tech (2-0) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN – Is Georgia Tech as good as the Jackets appear to be? We’ll find out soon. The Tigers are off to a rough start. They lost to LSU and had to pull off a second-half rally to beat Troy. I would think Dabo Swinney will have the Tigers plenty mad when they meet Georgia Tech. Quarterback Cade Klubnik should be fired up. If Clemson loses, Klubnik can forget the Heisman Trophy. The status of Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King is iffy. He suffered a lower body injury against Colorado in Week 1 and didn’t play last week. Backup quarterback Aaron Philo stepped in. Philo had an excellent game. However, the competition was Gardner-Webb. This is going to be a tough game. Buzz gets his sting on – Georgia Tech 21, Clemson 20.
6. #41 Vanderbilt (2-0) at #11 South Carolina (2-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 7:45 pm ET, Saturday, SECN – I know you cannot compare scores in college football but is Vanderbilt better than we thought. And is South Carolina not as good as we though. Vanderbilt beat Virginia Tech, 44-20. And that was at Virginia Tech. South Carolina beat Virginia Tech, 24-11. And that was on a neutral field in Atlanta. This week Vanderbilt and South Carolina face off at South Carolina. This is going to be a better game than we thought. It could come down to the quarterbacks – Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers. Or it could come down to the defenses. Cocky pecks a hole in the Commodores boat – South Carolina 28, Vanderbilt 27.
7. Arkansas (2-0) at #17 Ole Miss (2-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – Arkansas has looked good so far. Quarterback Taylen Green has looked really good. But the Hogs haven’t faced any real competition to date. Ole Miss faced some competition last week. Kentucky almost upset the Magnolias again. But Ole Miss survived. The Magnolias have a good quarterback too – Austin Simmons. He threw two interceptions against Kentucky. That’s not good. Green threw two interceptions against Arkansas State. But he made up for it by rushing for 151 yards. Looks like Ole Miss will have to stop Green on the ground. They do, but barely – Ole Miss 28, Arkansas 24.
8. Wisconsin (2-0) at #19 Alabama (1-1)– (Big Ten vs. SEC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ABC – Alabama is still rebounding from that devastating loss to Florida State. Last week, the Tide took out their frustrations on ULM – 73-0. This week they will continue to take out their frustrations – on Wisconsin. (I know, that’s the Badgers fight song.) But you won’t hear “On Wisconsin” at this game. You’ll be hearing “Yea, Alabama.” Unless Wisconsin gets better during the season, Badgers coach Luke Fickell is looking to get fired. They won’t get better against Alabama – Alabama 31, Wisconsin 10.
9. #30 USC (2-0) at Purdue (2-0) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, CBS – How good is Purdue? Probably not that good. But you never know. The Boilers are under a new coach – Barry Odom. The Boilers are off to a good start. But the competition has been weak. The competition gets tough this week – USC. Trojans coach Lincoln Riley is out to prove something this season. Prove he can keep his job. Like Purdue, USC is off to a good start. Like Purdue, the competition has been weak. We’ll know a lot about both teams after the game. The Boilers fizzle – USC 30, Purdue 17.
10. Pitt (2-0) at West Virginia (1-1) – (ACC vs. Big 12) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – It’s always fun when these two rivals get together. It’s probably going to be more fun for Pitt this year. The Mountaineers were embarrassed last week against Ohio. No offense. No quarterback. No offensive line. The only hope for the Mounties is that Pitt is a bit of an unknown. The Panthers have two wins but two wins over nobodies. Pitt has a good quarterback – Eli Holstein. The Panthers have a good running back – Desmond Reid. We’ll find out of WVU has a defense. It may be a sunny day, but it will be a “dark and dusty” game for the Mountaineers – Pitt 24, West Virginia 17.
YE OLDE STOMOPING GROUNDS:
Houston Christian (1-1) at #35 Nebraska (2-0) – (Southland vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, FS1 – Since the opening game, it seems like Nebraska’s schedule has been getting easier and easier. Last week Akron, this week Houston Christian. Quite frankly, I’ve never heard of Houston Christian. Is it a real school? Does anybody go there? Well, I guess the football players do. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be playing football for HC. There’s not much you can say about a game like this. Obviously, the entire Nebraska team should see action. Herbie might even get into the game. Corn festival in Lincoln – Nebraska 48, Houston Christian 0.
Duke (1-1) at #36 Tulane (2-0) – (ACC vs. AC) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN2 – It all came crumbling down for the Dookies last week. Illinois put it to them. There was some good news from the game. Duke quarterback Darian Mensah had a good game – 334 yards passing and two touchdown passes. But the Dookies lack a running game. Tulane appears to have both a passing and running game. Jake Retzlaff does the passing and Zuberi Mobley and Javin Gordon do the running. Still, this should be a close game. Mensah was Tulane’s quarterback last year. The Wave turns the Dookies green – Tulane 24, Duke 20.
UTEP (1-1) at #7 Texas (1-1) – (C-USA vs. SEC) – 4:15 pm ET, Saturday, SECN – Like Nebraska, since the opening game, it seems like the Texas schedule has been getting easier and easier. Last week San Jose State, this week UTEP. I have heard of UTEP. These type of games are like scrimmages for Arch Manning. He’ll only play three quarters at the most. Then it’s time for the backup. Bevo yawns – Texas 45, UTEP 3.
ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:
Stetson (1-1) at Chattanooga (0-2) – (Pioneer vs. Southern) – 6 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+….
Bethune-Cookman (0-2) at South Carolina State (1-1) – (SWAC vs. MEAC) – 6 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+….
Florida Atlantic (1-1) at FIU (1-1) – (AAC vs. C-USA) – 6 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+….
West Florida (2-0) at Shorter (0-2) – (Gulf South vs. Carolinas) – 7 pm ET, Saturday….
Albany State (2-0) at Florida A&M (0-2) – (SIAC vs. SWAC) – 7 pm ET, Saturday….
Quotes of the Week
“If we continue like this, we won’t win very many games. We’ve got to get in rhythm on offense,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, after Week 2.
“By taking down Boise State and Florida, South Florida already has a playoff resume. That assumes, of course, they go on and win the American Conference,” USA Today sportswriter Eddie Timanus.
“Oregon should be ranked ahead of Penn State,” USA Today sportswriter Eddie Timanus.
“He completely blew it. This is the same problem we’ve been seeing from Billy Napier in terms of game management from the beginning. And at this point, there is no reason for optimism. Last year was a roller coaster – terrible at first, great at the end. And you just can’t keep playing with the fans’ emotions. You have to take control of your program. And he clearly has not. So, I think the end is near for Billy Napier,” ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum.
“The bottom line is Arch Manning is not playing like an elite quarterback. He’s barely playing like a pedestrian quarterback. I think we all jumped the gun,” ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum.
Touchdown Tom
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com
The next posting of College Football Week – CFW - Week 3 Results – will be Monday morning, September 15.
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