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Some weeks in college football, there are too many games to choose from. Other weeks, you struggle to find games to even care about. Week 3 of the college football season is one of the latter.
After a Week 2 full of big-time matchups, the networks, I mean the college football administrators, decided we needed a bit of a break from big-time matchups this coming Saturday. Still, there are still a few interesting matchups (just a few). It is still college football, so we will all be watching. But we can always dream of better games ahead, such as in Week 4 when Ohio State travels to Notre Dame.
For now, let's dive into the Top Five Games of College Football for Week 3.
#7 Penn State Nittany Lions at Illinois Illini
Betting Lines: Penn State -14.5 (-110) - O/U 48.5 O/(-105) U/(-115)
Drew Aller has looked good for Penn State so far this season. However, the game against Illinois in Week 3 will be the first true test for the sophomore quarterback.
In the 63-7 demolition of Delaware in Week 2, Aller had 204 yards on 22 of 26 passing with just one touchdown. The low statistical output was more due to just getting practice against an overmatched opponent than it was inability to perform. This will be the first road game for Aller, and he will need to prove himself before the talented Iowa defense comes to Happy Valley in Week 4.
Drew Aller’s first pass of the season is a LONG TOUCHDOWN! pic.twitter.com/4LH9Q7eOyv
— JM Football (@JomboyMediaFB) September 2, 2023
Illinois is coming off a 34-23 loss to Kansas last Friday. So far this season, the loss of defensive coordinator Ryan Walters to Purdue has proven to be a big impediment for the team. After giving up 28 to Toledo in Week 1 and 34 to Kansas in Week 2, the Illini will need to make drastic improvements as they enter the Big Ten play.
Penn State may be the third-best team in the conference but it is still a top-seven-ranked team in the polls. It is super talented and Aller has proven himself worthy of taking over for Sean Clifford, thus far. This game is always a dogfight but this could be the year when the big dog finally asserts itself.
Betting: Illinois +14.5, Over 48.5
#9 Tennessee at Florida
Betting Lines: Tennessee -6.5 (-110) - O/U 58.5 O/(-110) U/(-110)
What kind of team is Florida? After two weeks, we still have no idea. Quarterback Graham Mertz has continued his mediocre play from Wisconsin and a 40-point win against McNeese State does not dampen the disappointment of the Utah debacle in Week 1.
Florida and head coach Billy Napier come into this game needing a win. Florida is 4-6 over its last 10 games overall and Napier, only in his second season, is already on the hot seat. This is all despite a stellar incoming recruiting class in 2024. A win against the rival No. 9 Volunteers would go a long way to soothe the unrest in the swamp.
Tennessee comes into this game with a 2-0 record but nothing to show for it. After a season-opening 49-13 victory against Virginia, Tennessee slept through an unimpressive 30-13 win against Austin Peay.
While these games were good to get new starting quarterback Joe Milton comfortable in the offense, this will be the first SEC test for the QB and whether he can replace Hendon Hooker in this made-for-quarterback offense. The best part of the Tennessee offense? It has a WR named Squirrel White. And yes, he is fast.
I could watch this throw by Joe Milton a hundred times pic.twitter.com/lx5vf5tZkt
— Joey Rizzi (@Joeyrizzi7) September 4, 2023
Betting: Tennessee -6.5, Over 58.5
South Carolina vs. (1) Georgia
Betting Lines: Georgia -27.5 (-110) O/U - 54.5 O/(-115) U/(-105)
Much like most of the top teams, Georgia comes into this game against South Carolina having not been tested in the early portion of their schedule. After trouncing UT-Martin in Week 1, Georgia eked out another 40-point victory over Ball State in Week 2.
Despite the Bulldogs scoring over 40 points in both games, the defense is still the dominant side of the ball in Athens -- something which will show up again in this matchup against South Carolina.
Me: Brock Bowers is looking kinda stiff so far in this game.
Brock Bowers the VERY next play: pic.twitter.com/60AgjcZ39M
— Dalton Miller (@DaltonBMiller) September 6, 2023
The Gamecocks bounced back from a Week 1 loss to UNC with a Week 2 win over Furman. Just because Furman was able to pull off an upset in March Madness, does not mean it had any chance in this game. Either way, it felt good for South Carolina to go back to winning after a loss to UNC to open the season and a loss to Notre Dame to close out the 2022 campaign.
Quarterback Spencer Rattler was sacked 9 times against UNC. This total accounted for more than half (17) of the North Carolina team total from 2022. The South Carolina offensive line must improve, and with Georgia being the opponent this week, it better be quick if Rattler wants to get out of this game healthy. Even if he does, South Carolina does not have the weapons to stay on the field with Georgia. This game finished 56-7 in 2022 so this could be just as ugly.
Betting: Georgia -27.5, Over 58.5
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