Week three of the 2015 college football season is almost upon us, and interesting matchups are abundant. While the fifth-ranked Baylor Bears have a bye week, a couple of teams could sneak up in the rankings. Here’s a preview of some of week three’s attractive games.
No. 14 GEORGIA TECH at No. 8 NOTRE DAME
The Yellow Jackets and the Fighting Irish both enter this contest 2-0 and climbing in the polls. Many predicted that GT would be in the race for the ACC title, and they have shown the nation why.
Over their first two games, Paul Johnson’s triple option attack has racked up 915 rushing yards, the most in the country.
The Yellow Jackets are also averaging 67 points per game, second most in the nation. The Georgia Tech defense isn’t bad either, ranking 25th in total yards allowed while only giving up 16 points in their first two games.
For Notre Dame, their hopes of a college football playoff spot may have ended last week. In the closing minute against the Virginia Cavaliers, ND starting quarterback Malik Zaire was lost for the season with a broken ankle.
Backup DeShone Kizer came in and promptly led the Irish to a thrilling victory, marching down the field and throwing the 39-yard game winner to Will Fuller with 12 seconds left.
Zaire had been terrific in his 7 quarters, tossing 4 touchdowns for 428 yards. Even with Kizer at the helm, Notre Dame should still be a very good team.
The Fighting Irish have talent all over the field, including a great stable of running backs to ease Kizer into the starting role.
Prediction: GT-31, ND-24
No. 18 AUBURN at No. 13 LSU
For Auburn, they entered the season ranked sixth in the nation. Hopes were high for Gus Malzahn’s squad, as well as new quarterback Jeremy Johnson.
Johnson was hyped as the next great Tiger for Auburn, potentially a Cam Newton 2.0. However, Johnson has been anything but great. Through two games this season, Johnson has thrown five interceptions compared to three touchdowns, with defenders dropping at least two picks as well.
Johnson has been just plain awful but Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott abused LSU’s defense through the air for 335 yards last week.
Prescott’s performance should give Johnson some hope yet Auburn’s run based offense should look to have trouble overall, as LSU gave up only 43 yards on the ground to the Bulldogs.
LSU’s Leonard Fournette fan wild against Mississippi State for 159 yards and three touchdowns and with Auburn giving up 200 yards per game on the ground, look for Fournette to lead LSU to victory in a packed Death Valley.
Prediction: AU-17, LSU-35
No. 15 OLE MISS at No. 2 ALABAMA
Ole Miss brings the nation’s top scoring offense (74.5 points per game) to Tuscaloosa to take on the Crimson Tide.
Ole Miss’ balanced attack has been firing on all cylinders, averaging 635 yards per game. Rebel’s quarterback Chad Kelly has picked up right where Bo Wallace left off, throwing six touchdowns and 557 yards so far in 2015.
Five Rebels also have more than 75 yards on the ground so far, a balance that will be necessary to keep the Alabama defense on its toes. Alabama has allowed only 126 yards rushing in 2015 yet the Crimson Tide has slid a bit in the secondary, giving up 417 yards passing so far.
Alabama has one of the best players in the country in running back Derrick Henry. Henry has ran for 243 yards and six touchdowns in just two games already and the Rebels have given up 139.5 rushing yards per game thus far. Look for Henry, to run wild against the Rebels’ defense.
Prediction: MISS-21, BAMA-35
