It’s week three of the 2022 season and already the top of the rankings is starting to take on a familiar look. However, there is still a long way to go and as history has shown plenty can go wrong. Although most eyes will be on the big games this weekend there are a few non-ranked affairs which are worth your attention including the Iowa State v Iowa clash. The top 25 games are listed below, some of which like last week features all ranked teams.
All The Ranked Games
12 BYU @ 25 Oregon
13 Miami @ 24 Texas A&M
Two intriguing games in an otherwise meh week. Oregon has sneaked back into the rankings thanks to a blowout against FCS opposition. They have the chance to recover their pre-season status as potential NY6 Bowl candidates with a win here. BYU will be no pushovers though.
Texas A&M lost to Sun Belt opposition last week, and the pre-season talk of them being CFP dark horses is pretty much gone already. A win here will keep them in the rankings. A loss and it is goodbye.
Power Five Clashes
1 Georgia @ South Carolina
6 Oklahoma @ Nebraska
11 Michigan State @ Washington
Texas Tech @ 16 NC State
20 Ole Miss @ Georgia Tech
22 Penn St.@ Auburn
Some interesting games here headed by a Big Ten SEC clash. Penn State has finally got a little love from the pollsters and a win in Auburn would certainly propel them further. Still, the Tigers are 2-0 and tough to beat at home. This could be one of the week’s better games.
The other one that looks like being a bit competitive is Michigan State at Washington. Ok, it’s been a while since the Huskies last made the CFP playoffs but they tend to compete in the Pac 12 and still count as a good win rankings-wise. They could actually be quite good this year, but both their opening blowout wins have been against FCS opponents. We will learn a lot about both teams after the game is over.
NC State put their opening week poor showing behind them when thrashing FCS Charleston Southern. This week’s opponents Texas Tech knocked off then-ranked Houston last week so this is no gimmie.
It will be a major surprise if either Oklahoma & Ole Miss Lose.
All FBS Games
ULM @ 2 Alabama
Toledo @ 3 Ohio St.
UConn @ 4 Michigan
Louisiana Tech @ 5 Clemson
Fresno State @ 7 USC
San Diego St. @ 14 Utah
Akron @ 15 Tennessee
Texas St. @ 17 Baylor
USF @ 18 Florida
Liberty @ 19 Wake Forest
UTSA @ 21 Texas
23 Pittsburgh @ Western Michigan
Nothing outstanding here with the ranked teams all having winnable games. We can’t see any upsets here but will be keen to see how Texas respond to last week’s heartbreaking loss to Alabama.
FCS v FBS
Arkansas-Pine Bluff @ 8 Oklahoma State
Youngstown St. @ 9 Kentucky
Missouri St. @ 10 Arkansas
Only three of these this week due to FCS divisional play now getting underway. Arkansas-Pine Bluff has racked up 124 points in their opening two wins but this is a whole different proposition. They might not get into double figures against the Cowboys.
Missouri State & Youngstown both play in the Missouri Valley Conference, which is arguably the best in the FCS. They are both 2-0 but are unlikely to pose too much of a threat to their SEC opponents
Other Games Worth Watching
Image: University of College/Shutterstock.com
Cal @ Notre Dame
Marshall @ Bowling Green
Jacksonville State @ Tulsa
Marshall beat Notre Dame on the road last week and both have something to prove this week. The Herd probably feel a little aggrieved at not getting ranked following their win, however, a solid follow-up performance will keep them in the pollster’s mind’s eye. Similarly, if Notre Dame can frank the form by snapping their new head coaches 3-game skid then The Herd could be pushing for No 25 next week.
Jacksonville State is joining C-USA next year and it will be interesting to see how they fair against one of the lesser G5 programmes -Tulsa. They are currently 3-0 but getting a win here could be tough.
MW Play
Air Force @ Wyoming
Sun Belt
It will be hard for the Sun Belt to top last week’s heroics, however, South Alabama & Old Dominion both play potentially beatable Power Five teams, so who knows. Watch out for…
South Alabama @ UCLA
Old Dominion @ Virginia
So that’s our quick look at week’s twos games. Before you go why not check out our week two roundup and check back next week for week four’s games.
