Any college football is better than no college football. That said, let’s agree: there have been better weekends.
The Week 3 schedule has no games between teams in the LBM AFCA US Coaches Poll. There are as many matchups between Power Five and Championship Subdivision opponents as there are non-conference games between two Power Five teams. In total, 19 teams compete in the FCS competition.
And while every team in the Top 25 except No. 5 Southern California is in action, No. 15 Kansas State’s road trip to old conference rival Missouri is the only game with a difference of less than a touchdown.
It seems like college football craziness happens when you least expect it, like during a week when nothing crazy is expected to happen. But given Saturday’s schedule, this would be a good weekend to catch up with teams that have flown under the radar for the first three weekends of the regular season.
Here are five undefeated teams to watch on Saturday that could be worth your time:
rutgers
MATCH/TIME/TV: vs. Virginia Tech (3:30 p.m. ET, BTN)
Despite finishing the 2021 regular season with a losing record, Rutgers played in and lost the Gator Bowl against Wake Forest after Texas A&M was forced to withdraw from the game due to an outbreak of COVID-19 cases. But the Scarlet Knights haven’t made a true postseason since 2014, under former coach Kyle Flood. Given what lies ahead in Big Ten play, getting to six wins in the fourth year of Greg Schiano’s second tenure requires a win as a touchdown underdog against Virginia Tech. With games between September and October against Wagner, Wisconsin, Michigan State and Indiana, going 3-0 could leave Rutgers on the brink of bowl eligibility heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
No. 17 Oregon State
MATCH/TIME/TV: vs. San Diego State (3:30 p.m. ET, FS1)
Both members of the Pac-2 are doing it: Oregon State has looked like a true New Year’s Six contender and Washington State just defeated Wisconsin for the second year in a row. The Beavers have gotten excellent early play from Clemson transfer quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, who has barely been needed in the fourth quarter of two blowout victories but has accounted for eight total touchdowns while leading an offense that has yet to commit a loss. of ball. San Diego State has the physical style to provide a tougher test, although the Aztecs struggled to do anything in last weekend’s 35-10 loss to No. 25 UCLA.
No. 8 Washington
MATCH/TIME/TV: at Michigan State (5:00 p.m. ET, Peacock)
This might be the best offense in the Pac-12 and across the country; yes, even better than the one in Southern California led by Caleb Williams. Quarterback Michael Penix threw eight touchdowns and completed 73.1% of his throws as the Huskies picked up right where they left off last season, racking up 568 yards against Boise State and another 563 yards against Tulsa, taking second place in the Bowl Subdivision. with 9.2. yards per play. Michigan State will be without suspended coach Mel Tucker, making it difficult to predict what the Spartans will bring to the table. But the matchup will be Washington’s toughest yet and will provide an idea of how the offense will fare once the schedule begins to heat up with a date with rival Oregon in mid-October.
Arkansas
MATCH/TIME/TV: vs. Brigham Young (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
Early season results suggest this year’s SEC West summit may not be up to the normal standard, providing a glimmer of hope that Arkansas can exceed preseason expectations and move from fifth place in the division standings. from last year to the top three. More realistically, the SEC’s sudden unpredictability increases the odds that the Razorbacks can surpass seven wins in the regular season for the second time since 2011. That would require a win against BYU in a pair of two-match offenses. The Razorbacks rank 84th in the FBS in yards per play despite playing Western Carolina and Kent State, while the Cougars are tied for 92nd after facing Sam Houston State and Southern Utah. From here, Arkansas enters an unholy four-game stretch against No. 14 LSU, Texas A&M, No. 19 Mississippi and No. 10 Alabama.
Kansas
MATCH/TIME/TV: in Nevada (10:30 p.m. ET, CBSSN)
A year after returning to the bowl game for the first time since 2008, Kansas is returning to the postseason after last week’s impressive 34-23 victory against Illinois. That win saw the return of quarterback Jalon Daniels, who threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns after missing the opener against Missouri State. The Jayhawks’ offensive power was never in doubt after finishing sixth nationally last season in yards per play. However, there are still some question marks on defense, and growth on that side of the ball will determine whether KU takes another step under coach Lance Leipold. The defense gave up 6.1 yards per play against Illinois, basically in line with last year’s average against Power Five competition, but forced two turnovers. This week’s opponent, Nevada, is perhaps the worst team in the country and shouldn’t present much of a challenge before the Jayhawks move on to conference play against BYU on September 23.
