College Football Week 3 Recap

    The College Football season rolls on, and week 3 just wrapped up last weekend.

    We saw #1 USC fall to #21 Stanford, in the second huge upset this season (UL Monroe beating Arkansas was the first). USC will fall in the rankings, but they still can take the PAC 12 crown. The loss was early in the season, and their title hopes are still strong.

Stanford after their upset of #1 USC

    #2 Alabama shut out Arkansas by a score of 52-0. Arkansas QB Tyler Wilson did miss the game, but that is not an excuse to loose by 52 at home. If Arkansas was truly worthy of a #9 preseason ranking, they should be able to compete with Alabama, even with Wilson out. A top 10 team doesn't loose like that at home when only the starting QB is out. Right now, it looks like Arkansas is far from taking down Alabama and LSU in the SEC West.


    #3 Florida State made a statement with a 52-0 beat down over Wake Forest, Utah was able to rebound and beat BYU, and Florida proved they are more powerful than Tennessee in the SEC East. It remains to be seen if they are as good as #8 Georgia and #7 South Carolina, and can reclaim the top of the SEC East.

    #20 Notre Dame visited #9 Michigan State, and embarrassed Sparty in East Lansing. Michigan State was shut down on offense, and there has been a big drop off at QB from Kirk Cousins to Andrew Maxwell. When Le'Veon Bell is unable to run the ball like he was vs Notre Dame, Maxwell is not a reliable option to take the reigns and lead the offense. Having poor WR play doesn't help much either though.

    A very surprising upset was Pittsburgh beating #10 Virginia Tech. Pitt was 0-2, with a bad loss to FCS Youngstown State during week 1, 31-17. During week 2, they lost to Cincinnati 34-10 on Thursday night. Most people had given up on Pitt, but with this upset over VT, the Panthers appear to be back.


Top 25:

1. Alabama 3-0
2. Florida State 3-0
3. LSU 3-0
4. Oklahoma 2-0
5. Oregon 3-0
6. South Carolina 3-0
7. Georgia 3-0
8. Texas 2-0
9. Clemson 3-0
10. West Virginia 2-0
11. USC 2-1
12. Stanford 3-0
13. Notre Dame 3-0
14. Ohio State 3-0
15. TCU 2-0
16. Michigan 2-1
17. Louisville 3-0
18. Michigan State 2-1
19. Kansas State 3-0
20. N.C. State 2-1
21. Northwestern 3-0
22. Florida 3-0
23. Mississippi State 3-0
24. UCLA 3-0
25. Boise State 1-1

Next 5 In: Virginia Tech 2-1, Nebraska 2-1, Utah 2-1, Arizona 3-0, Cincinnati 2-0



What To Watch:

BYU (2-1) @ #25 Boise State (1-1)
9:00pm ET, ESPN 

This will be Boise State's chance to redeem itself after the loss to Michigan State. If they cannot win this game, the Broncos will only prove they are not the same power they were in the past.

Prediction: BYU 28 Boise 16

Missouri (2-1) @ #6 South Carolina (3-0)
3:30pm ET, CBS

Missouri has another chance to show it can hang with the SEC heavy weights. South Carolina can show they deserve a top 10 ranking with a win.

Prediction: South Car 37 Mizz 20

Oregon State (1-0) @ #24 UCLA (3-0)
3:30pm ET, ABC/ESPN2

Both are two teams from the PAC 12 that emerged with multiple week 2 upsets. Oregon State has only played one game, and UCLA has played three. The Beavers may have gotten lucky vs a Wisconsin team that is nowhere near as good as we thought, but Oregon State is still not a very good team. UCLA should roll.

Prediction: UCLA 37 OSU 17

#16 Michigan (2-1) @ #13 Notre Dame (3-0)
7:30pm ET, NBC

This could be the last chance for Michigan to prove they are a BCS-contender. If they loose, they will be written off for the season and be counted as another very disappointing team from the Big Ten this year. Notre Dame has a chance to prove they are back as one of the top teams in the country.

Prediction: ND 28 Mich 20

#19 Kansas State (3-0) @ #3 Oklahoma (2-0)
7:50pm ET, FOX

Both teams have a lot to prove in this game. The Sooners had a shaky game week 1 vs UTEP. They rolled over Florida A& M in week 2, so we have yet to see this team tested. Kansas State can prove they are a BCS contender and not stuck behind Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Texas for the Big 12 crown. I could see the upset here, but Oklahoma should get the win.

Prediction: OU 36 KSU 30

#9 Clemson (3-0) @ #2 Florida State (3-0)
8:00pm ET, ABC

The first test for FSU. They will have to show they are a title contender with a win over Clemson. Clemson is out to show they are the kings of the ACC. If Florida State can win this, the Seminoles are back to national prominence. This should be close and already has the feels of a classic.

Prediction: FSU 28 Clem 25

   

Non-BCS Conference Previews

ACC   Big East   Big 10   Big 12   Pac 12   SEC   Bowls and Top 50

Conference USA:

  The Conference USA is the best non-BCS conference this year. Southern Miss, Houston, Tulsa, SMU, are very good teams. 

David Piland, Houston

    Houston and Southern Mississippi are the two best teams in the conference, but do not play each other in the regular season. Southern Miss plays a much harder schedule then Houston, and has games at Nebraska, Central Florida and SMU. They also host Louisville and Boise State. Southern Miss is the best team in the CUSA, but will loose two or three of these games.

    Houston's hardest non-conference game is UCLA. They play at SMU and hosts Tulsa - obviously, much easier. While they are not as good as they were last season with Case Keenum, being able to avoid Southern Miss in the regular season is huge. Not to mention avoiding UCF is big too. The Cougars will go undefeated this regular season, but once again, Southern Miss will spoil the Cougar's BCS and perfect season hopes in the CUSA title game. Still, it would not surprise me if Houston wins all of its games and is 13-0 going to a BCS bowl.

     The rest of the CUSA is improved this year. SMU and Tulsa are capable of double digit wins. Don't overlook East Carolina either. Central Florida would be a top school in the conference, but scandal around the program, including a bowl ban this year, will hurt their chances. They will stumble like so many teams do in this situation.

     UTEP and Marshall are very close to returning to the regular season, while UAB, Memphis, Tulane, and Rice remain in the cellar.

Projected Standings:

East:

1. Southern Mississippi 10-2 (8-0)

2. East Carolina 8-4 (5-3)

3. Marshall 5-7 (4-4)

4. UAB 4-8 (3-5)

5. UCF 4-8 (2-6)

6. Memphis 3-9 (2-6)

West:

1. Houston 12-0 (9-0)

2. Tulsa 9-3 (6-2)

2. SMU 8-4 (6-2)

4. UTEP 4-8 (3-5)

5. Rice 2-10 (1-7)

6. Tulane 1-11 (0-8)


Conference USA Championship: Southern Miss over Houston



Mountain West Conference

    The MWC lost TCU, and will loose Boise State after this season. But, they were able to grab Nevada, Fresno State, and Hawaii from the WAC.

     Boise State is not what they have been the past few years, but they will still dominate the conference this season. Nevada is back, but still not as good as Boise State. After those two, Fresno State, Air Force, San Diego State, and Wyoming should all be bowl eligable.

    Hawaii could make a bowl, but most likely will just miss one. Colorado State, UNLV, and New Mexico will fill out the bottom. Still, if the MWC can get five teams into bowls, they deserve some respect.

Projected Standings:

1. Boise State 10-2 (8-0)

2. Nevada 9-3 (6-2)

T3. Air Force 8-4 (5-3)

T3. Fresno State 7-5 (5-3)

T5. San Diego State 7-5 (4-4)

T5. Wyoming 6-6 (4-4)

7. Hawaii 5-7 (3-5)

T8. UNLV 4-8 (2-6)

T8. Colorado State 2-10 (2-6)

10. New Mexico 3-10 (1-7)



MAC

    The MAC is slowly becoming a better conference, and its top teams can make some noise each season. This year, might be the best yet.

    Ohio runs a very good offense, and with an improved defense bringing eight starters back, they have a very good chance to finish with double digit wins.

    Northern Illinois, Western Michigan, Miami (OH), Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan, Kent State and Toledo figure to make some noise this season, and the MAC could have six, seven, or even eight teams bowl eligible. The conference is that good.

    But, just like all MAC seasons, there will be some very bad teams. Those teams will be Buffalo, Akron, Ball State, and newcomer Massachusetts.

    Still, it is shaping up that Northern Illinois and Ohio will run the MAC this year with the rest right on their heels.

Projected Standings:

East:

1. Ohio 11-1 (7-1)

2. Miami, Oh 7-5 (6-2)

T3. Bowling Green 6-6 (4-4)

T3. Kent State 5-7 (4-4)

T5. Buffalo 2-10 (1-7)

T5. Akron 2-10 (1-7)

7. Umass 0-12 (0-8)

West:

1. Northern Illinois 10-2 (7-1)

2. Western Michigan 8-4 6-2

T3. Toledo 7-5 (5-3)

T3. Central Michigan 6-6 (5-3)

5. Eastern Michigan 5-7 (4-4)

6. Ball State 3-9 (2-6)


MAC Championship: Ohio over Northern Illinois

Tyler Tettleton, Ohio

Sun Belt

    The Sun Belt looks poised for one of its best seasons in conference history. They could have five teams bowl eligible this season, and four of them with at least seven wins.

    Florida International has a feisty defense that can compete with most schools in the nation. They are a favorite to win the Sun Belt, but almost anyone could. Troy, Louisiana-Lafayette, and Arkansas State are all in the mix, and all will be in a bowl game this December/January.

     Western Kentucky should at least get to six wins, but that might not guarantee a bowl spot this year. The rest of the conference is close to contending too. Middle Tennessee State, Louisiana-Monroe, Florida Atlantic, and North Texas could make some noise and pull some upsets.

     Newcomer South Alabama will struggle, but does have some easy non-conference games. They have a very bright future, but just are not there yet.

Projected Standings:

1. Florida International 8-4 (7-1)

T2. Louisiana-Lafayette 8-4 (6-2)

T2. Troy 7-5 (6-2)

4. Arkansas State 7-5 (5-3)

5. Western Kentucky 6-6 (4-4)

6. Louisiana-Monroe 4-8 (4-4)

T7. North Texas 4-8 (3-5)

T7. Florida Atlantic 4-8 (3-5)

9. Middle Tennessee State 4-8 (2-6)

10. South Alabama 2-11 (0-8)

Winston Fraser, FIU

WAC

    The WAC took some heavy blows in the conference realignment, and it is looking like they will not sponsor football after this season. For now they are, but they are by far the worst conference in FBS college football.

    Louisiana Tech and Utah State will both be in a battle to run away with the conference, and both will have no problem securing a bowl spot. 

    San Jose State, Idaho, and New Mexico State have a chance at the post season as well. The two new schools, Texas State and Texas-San Antonio (UTSA) will both struggle this year and are not eligible for a bowl game till next year.

    It is important to note that UTSA's two projected wins are against NW Oklahoma State and Texas A & M-Commerce, who are part of the NAIA and D. II, respectively. 



Projected Standings:

T1. Louisiana Tech 8-4 (5-1)

T1. Utah State 7-5 (5-1)

T3. San Jose State 6-6 (4-2)

T3. Idaho 5-7 (4-2)

5. New Mexico State 4-8 (2-4)

6. Texas State 1-11 (1-5)

7. UTSA 2-10 (0-6)



Independents


    There are four FBS Independents schools. The one who will do the best this season is BYU. They are an improved team and are a darkhorse to sneak in and grab a BCS spot. More likely they will wind up in a smaller bowl, but they will win at least eight or nine games.

Manti Te'o, Notre Dame

     Notre Dame is more experienced and improved coming in, but they play a brutal schedule that will drop them to 7-5. All it takes is an upset, but this team is not quite good enough to get to double digit wins quite yet.

     Navy had a down year last year, but should be back in a bowl this season. Army will take a small step forward this season to get back to a bowl game.

Projected Records:

BYU 9-3

Notre Dame 7-5

Navy 7-5

Army 4-8