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LSU–Ole Miss Gets PERSONAL | Week 3 Picks & Upset Alerts · Game Day Collective

• Josh Mahler: Lane Kiffin will be returning to Oxford. there's a border war going on out in Charlotte, North Carolina, where Virginia and West Virginia are going to be playing, and a high stakes Big 12 game is being played in Lubbock, Texas, between Texas Tech and Houston. Some big matchups in week two, and we're going to get to them all. Welcome to the Game Day Collective week three college football preview presented by Outlier. the sports betting research platform that helps you compare odds, analyze trends, and value across the market. We're gonna get into it. I'm joined by two co-hosts here today as we break down week three. We've got Wyatt Zhang, who recently joined the network, and then of course Jeremy over here who's been helping me out pretty much all college football season long so far. So we're getting into it. We're gonna be giving our upset alerts of the week, get into some locks of the week, giving all of our predictions here in week three. Guys, it's it's been a really fun one, but to kind of start it off, so far when when you look at this week three slate and Wyatt, I'll I'll start with you. What what's what's a team that you look for on this week three slate that really needs a big win to kind of turn things around going into week three? Wyatt Zang: Yeah, it's a good question. When I first look at the slate, the biggest thing that jumps out of me is that Florida Auburn game because both teams have brand new coaches. I think Auburn needs this more than Florida Woods. I would say for me, Auburn is a team that really needs a win this week at home, especially taking on Florida. This is kind of their chance to jump out ahead of Florida and the SEC and say, Hey, look, we are better than this SEC team. Like we are climbing Our program is getting better. Alex Golish's first year had a very unconvincing win against Baylor. I think if they can get it going against Florida in week one or in week three, if they can somehow win this football game, I think that's big for Auburn as opposed to some of the other teams. I get Olmus would get a huge win here. But I think Auburn would be my team that needs a big win this week. And that would, you know, shoot their program up in terms of hype and potential for the rest of the year. So So that four to Auburn game is going to be a big hinge game for both those teams. And I would say for me, Auburn would be the team that I think this week needs the biggest win. Josh Mahler: Yeah, and that funny enough too, whenever I was texting you guys earlier the rundown and everything, that's the the game that I almost completely left out. So glad that you you ended up bringing it up anyways. But Jeremy, what's the team that you feel like really needs a big win here to get going into week three? Jeremy Russell: I mean, going into week three, looking at our sleigh, a team that I think that kinda needs to get a win on their shoulder is Clemson. I mean, you look at after what happened between LSU and Clemson for the for the beginning half of it, I mean, that was definitely a big time sight to see. But I mean, definitely Clemson wants to bounce back after what they faced last week. And even looking at their their previous week for week one, there's always room for a prima just going into the entirety of this of his college season. There's definitely a lot left, but I mean, these first couple of weeks, like what we talked about, Josh, these first two weeks are definitely a big learning curve for a lot of these teams. But looking at it, I definitely think that this is something that Clemson does need to get going onto the right foot and going into the rest of the season is definitely a win. Josh Mahler: Yeah, I I mean, I think Clemson's a a really good candidate for that too, just 'cause I mean, if Dabbo has a a really down year, let's say he misses a bowl game, does do we actually have a serious discussion of whether he's on the hot seat or whether he's just completely gone after this year? I I don't think he will just because he's he's got too much behind him. you know, with the national championships and the dynasty that he once had. But I think there needs to be a discussion about that if if he gets to that point. but For me, I'm I'm gonna go with the obvious one for me at least, it'd be the Oklahoma Sooners. I think they really need a big win this week. After coming off of a disappointing loss to Michigan, a lot of voters and the A-P poling them out of the top twenty-five completely. you you look at what they have got on the offensive side of the ball and what they've revamped. that is a team that's built at least roster-wise and on paper for success. And they completely abandoned the run game. A lot of fans upset about it, a lot of talking heads all over the country. Talking about the biggest piece for Oklahoma is that they didn't lean on that run game. They kept on trying to force something on the offensive side of the ball. And one of Oklahoma's biggest struggles has been the offensive side of the ball ever since Brent Venables took over. Great defense. Where's the offense to help him out? you need you need complimentary football there. So I think Oklahoma really needs a big win here this week. I know they just have New Mexico, but still a tough New Mexico team. If they could really make a big statement and and moving forward, they've got a very tough schedule. coming up. So, you know, you've got to go on the road at at Georgia. You face Texas in the Red River shootout. You've got some other teams like Florida on the schedule. Mississippi State all of a sudden looks way better than what we anticipated them looking. You've got Texas A and down the road so and also Ole Miss comes into Norman this year as well. So some some really tough matchups there for Oklahoma down the stretch. So a big win to get your your your your momentum heading back in the right direction before you get into SEC play. But All right, let's get into our upset alerts. and again, just for everyone watching at home, even though sometimes it seems like we break our own trend here, whenever we make our upset alerts, these are alerts, these are teams that are on upset alert, not not necessarily that we believe that they're gonna lose, but an underdog is knocking on the door and they should be be careful here this upcoming week. Jeremy, let's go ahead and kick it off with you first. Who's your upset alert here going into week three? Jeremy Russell: Going into week three, I'm gonna be looking at specifically at the battle of Virginia. I got West Virginia looking at a slate against Virginia. I mean, West Virginia is gonna be an interesting matchup in my opinion. I guess both teams entered 2 0, but they've gotten there in completely different ways. I mean, Virginia being ranked number 25, while Virginia is looking to try and get a 3 0 start. The first time since that happened, if it were to happen since 2018. I mean, you look at both sides of the ball, like for Virginia, their offense with Richard Rigas, Mountaineers. They're extremely run heavy, but I mean, it's definitely gonna be a really, really fun battle. You look on the other side of the ball for Virginia's offense. I mean, they're pushing 46 and a half points per game, two almost 250 rushing yards per game, which is definitely nice thing to see it both through the air and through the ground. I mean, I I'm kind of leaning a little bit back and forth on this, but I'm not gonna spoil it just yet, Josh. But it could definitely be a really, really fun battle between West Virginia and Virginia. So you just gotta kinda wait and see and see what we're gonna do. Josh Mahler: That's one too that I I think that West Virginia's offense has kind of shown glimmers of of hope there. and so yeah, it's gonna be really interesting and and a huge test for Virginia, who I'm really high on right now heading into the season. My upset alert is Houston at Texas Tech. I think Texas Tech is on upset alert with Houston rolling into town. I think that Houston they're pretty dangerous after starting off two and took down Oregon State 33 to 20, but then ended up destroying Southern 77 to six. finished with 591 yards and a perfect eight for eight on third down. This is a Houston team that I'm pretty high on. I know hearing some of what what Wyatt has said here recently too, I know that he's been a little bit higher on Houston and and how well they've been doing. it's it's been really impressive for me to watch this team. And of course, I know just going against an FCS opponent, but still scoring 77 on offense, that's something that you've got to take serious. And for Texas Tech, they pride themselves on that defensive side of the ball. Can they slow Houston down enough? I think Houston has enough to keep this a close, gritty matchup. you look at Texas Tech, they're also two and but you know, w against Oregon State, they put up four hundred and seventeen total yards. or sorry, Oregon State threw for four hundred and seventeen yards against their defense. That's where that concern starts to come into effect for me. and then of course, Texas Tech, we've had all these like quarterback debates on on what's gonna happen in the quarterback room and It it it seems like it's changed three or four times in the offseason, but then you get into it. I mean, a big reason for me too is that I look at this matchup and Houston has or sorry, yeah, Houston has lost to Texas Tech s seven straight times. So Texas Tech is on a seven-game winning streak over Houston, which to me, I look at trends that are lasting that long and you can say, Well, the trend's gonna keep on continuing, but sooner or later the trend's gonna break. So I think Houston finally has what it takes. To possibly pull off that upset this week. So I think they have enough to make it a really close one. Wyatt, let's kick it over to you, man. What's your week three upset alert? Wyatt Zang: yeah, my week three offset I had as Houston, Texas Tech, but since you had that, I wanted to mix it up a little bit. I'm just gonna go with one that could be you know, a little obvious or a little bland, but I'm gonna go with Ole Miss in LSU. I think that Ole Miss is very undervalued in this game. A lot of people are, you know, taking LSU with their explosive offense, their incredible defense, Lane Kiffin's return and all of that. But outside of the Sam Levitt situation, like even if Sam Levitt was playing this game, I still think that Ole Miss. could legitimately win this football game in a much better fashion than people are gonna, you know, give them credit for. A lot of people are saying Ole Miss is just not at the caliber that LSU's flying at right now because of how they beat Clemson and, you know, Ole Miss losing a lot of pieces, gaining some new pieces, brand new head coach, all this stuff. I think Ole Miss for me, their offense, I like their offense better than I like LSU's offense. I think they're more productive. I think the Kowan Lacey, Trinidad Chambliss duo, Deuce Alexander at wide receiver, I think that three guys on offense. I would take that offense over LSU right now. I know LSU's offense is so high powered and there's a lot of pieces, a lot of, you know, well known guys, but it's not always the well known guys. We know that with Indiana. Like it's not the, you know, the flashiest guys, the most money. It's who plays well together, who performs better, who gets developed. And I think that Trinidad, Chambliss, and Olmus' offense outweighs LSU's offense. So I think it's going to be a great battle between Ole Miss's offense and LSU's defense. It could be a low-score game too. A lot of people are taking the over on this game. There's a world where it's like, you know, 20 to 17, you know, 17-10. There's a world where that happens. There's also a world where it's forty-five-forty. But I would say my upset alert is Ole Miss and LSU. I think Ole Miss is a legit shot to get it done. Josh Mahler: Yeah, I like it. And that's a game that we're gonna be diving into even more as we get down the slate here into week three. But let's get to our lock of the week. first, of course, for everyone watching, make sure to comment down below who your upset of the week is, maybe your upset alert or just straight out upsets, because that seems to be the way that Jeremy likes to go. He just likes to go all in for it. not just an alert. They're you're gonna get upset this week. all right, let's get into locks of the week. And I'll start off My lock of the week this week was looking at it, I like SMU. and I was thinking SMU to cover the spread, but they're only about one and a half right now. So why not just go all in? you go money line whenever it's a one and a half point spread. So I'm picking SMU. I like them in this matchup. I I I think whenever I look at LSU or sorry, SMU and look at at Kevin Jennings and what he brings over there, he's been ridiculous really in throughout his career. He's he's been an incredible quarterback and and a a centerpiece for that SMU offense. but just last week, even though I know they just went against UC Davis, but he went fourteen to sixteen, extremely efficient, three hundred and thirty seven yards and five touchdowns. And he did all that really not even playing the second half. So just an incredible game for him. I really like what he brings to the table for this SMU offense. and and through just two games, he already has seven hundred and sixty seven passing yards. So just an incredible season so far. Louisville's not an easy fade. I think that you you look at Louisville and what they bring in. Lincoln Keinholtz, it he's been incredible to start the the year. had his ups and downs. but to start off this this season, I really like what he's brought to the table as well. I think he's gonna be a a tough quarterback to shut down. And when you look at the Louisville their their their skill position players, they're just so shifty. They're really tough to bring down. So that's where my concern for SMU is. And of course, going on the road. so I think this is gonna be a really fun matchup, but my lock, I'm just going all in for it. I think SMU pulls off the slight upset, not really much of an upset with just being one and a half underdogs. Wyatt, let's kick it back over to you, man. Who who do you got for your lock of the week? Wyatt Zang: Yeah, my luck of the week, I'm gonna take Georgia getting twenty-four and a half or Georgia minus twenty-four and a half against Arkansas. I have zero faith in Arkansas whatsoever. When this line actually came out on Sunday when I did my live show, I put out a best bet and it was it was at Georgia minus 17, which is crazy. The fact that it was all the way at 17, it's now rose to 24 and a half. Still love that. I would take them at 30. Like I would take them 35 even. Like I just have zero confidence in Arkansas Utah put up, you know, they won by 33 against them, and that was a home game for Arkansas. So I I just don't think that Arkansas's a very good team this year. I don't have a lot of faith in them, but I think, you know, years later that they'll be good. But this year, Georgia's really good. Georgia's putting up, you know, 77 on Western Kentucky. They're putting up great numbers on these teams. Tennessee state put up 63. This offense is better than people think, you know, starting to figure out some things at wide receiver. So I would take Georgia minus twenty four and a half against Arkansas. I think it's gonna be a very easy win for Kirby and the dogs. Josh Mahler: Yeah, those dogs are looking vicious this year too. I mean, I just y you see the plays Wyatt Zang: yeah. Josh Mahler: that they make, you know, and it's it's just they've they've constantly got you know, just just real dogs and you know on both sides of the ball. so yeah, no doubt that's that's a good pick. Jeremy, where are you going with your lock this week? Jeremy Russell: Looking at my lock this week, I know we just briefly talked a little bit about it. Is I'm sticking with West Virginia, Virginia is currently sitting at ten and a half for the over under. And the one thing that I love doing, and Josh is notorious, because he was the one who started with me, is smashing the over, looking at to this type of a situation. Like I briefly talked a little bit earlier with West Virginia with Virginia, like this is definitely gonna be a really fun battle looking at both sides of the ball. Like I mentioned for West Virginia's offense. Being at 298 rushing yards per game, then looking at Virginia, forty-six and a half points per game, then two hundred and forty-seven and a half rushing yards per game, then 192 passing yards per game. I mean, Virginia's outscored their first two opponents 93 to 11. So West Virginia's defense faces definitely a much bigger test than it did the la in the first two weeks. I'm really looking forward to. I mean, the some of the key factors like also I'm gonna be looking at is like West Virginia's rushing versus Virginia's front. Like this probably in my opinion it's gonna be one of the biggest matchups if West Virginia can't establish Hawkins and Cook on the ground. Like the Mountaineers have to ask Hawkins to throw considerably more than what they have already so far. Like even also throwing another thing, like can West Virginia slow down I know I'm gonna butcher these names 'cause I've never been good at saying names. If they can shut down pre P I'm just gonna spell it. Yeah. Josh Mahler: Bo Prabula. Jeremy Russell: There you go. Like I said, I suck at saying names. Yeah, there you go. I mean, he's allowed 271 and a half passing yards per game, which is compared to Virginia's 130. Like, that's not a little number. That's significant a difference entirety in this game. So give me give me the over under looking at what's Virginia I think you could definitely hit. Josh Mahler: Yeah. Yeah. I think you look at those two offenses too, they're explosive. The only thing that would concern me about hitting the over is like you mentioned, with West Virginia, it does seem like they've been very one dimensional. Michael Hawkins Jr., I don't think has had to show his arm just yet. but being an Oklahoma guy, and I know what that typically looks like against good defenses. but he does have some legs. He actually leads their team in rushing yards as a quarterback right now through Jeremy Russell: Mm-hmm. Josh Mahler: two games. So yeah, he's he's got some legs. It's gonna take quite a bit for Virginia to be able to Shut him down. All right, let's go on to to the game of the week. I think this was pretty obvious which way to lean here. I could have gone a couple of different routes. I could have picked, you know, something a little off the wall like the Florida Auburn. I thought about making that our game of the week. just because I think that one has a lot going to it. And we're probably gonna cover that one more in depth whenever we get to our rapid picks and all this, but I I think when you look at L LSU Ole Miss, regardless of what the quarterback situation is, which As of right now, we don't really know. still still showing that Sam Levitt is questionable heading into the game. But this is such a a beautiful matchup for the storyline going into it. You you look at at Lane Kiffin and all the drama that he leaves behind everywhere that that that he leaves, he's got some kind of drama attached to all the schools that he's been he's he's been a part of. So you look at the drama of him coming back and There's thirty two total guys that have been swapped between Olmus and L SU this this past offseason. Just and h a a s that's a stat I feel like that has never been set. I I I I'm imagining. I don't think that there that's anything like in a record book anywhere, but we should probably start keeping that kind of stuff when the this kind of storyline comes up with Lane Kiffin leaving for LSU kind of things. but you know, d look at it with with LSU or sorry, Kiffin coming back to Oxford. as the the former head coach of olmis leaving with bad blood there olmis hated the way that he went out di couldn't even really finish out his season with olmis last year as they went on to the the playoffs. you got college college game day there in town. It's a top ten matchup, SEC implications on the line here. You've got possibly even college football playoff implications, even though it is still early. there's just so much that you look at here that that I mean makes this storyline keep on building upon itself. You got an Ole Miss team who made it to the playoffs last year. LSU, I think only won six or seven games last year, turns around this year and and now they're all of a sudden a a national championship favorite. You got Ole Miss who's won 13 straight home games, which is the third active third longest active winning streak in the country. So there's just so much in this one that That makes it very fun. But starting off with the big news, Sam Levitt looking as doubtful right now, heading into game week. Wyatt, how much does that change the the projection and the the the trajectory of this game? Wyatt Zang: I definitely think it changes it. I mean, Sam Levitt was their guy on offense. He was their main centerpiece. Now coming in a backup, I would assume would either be Hussein Longstreet or the the FCS transfer quarterback coming in. So either one of them's gonna get the start. I think both of them are pretty solid quarterbacks. but for me this changes it a lot because Olmus has a good defense. I think that they're going to be able to get in there, you know, disrupt the new quarterback. Is this gonna be their first time playing SEC football for both those guys, whoever will start. So I do think it's gonna make a huge difference in whether or not Sam Levitt plays, which is look looking like he's most likely not going to play. but again, like I said, he is the centerpiece. So it's like after he's gone, who kind of takes over that role as the guy on offense? Is it the running game? Can you get that going? Can you rush for over 200 yards? Can you figure something out on the ground? Which they have been doing, you know, pretty well. But for me I do think it makes a huge difference. I'm not as confident in LSU after this news. I wasn't very confident before the news, but I'm not super confident after. So I would say it makes a huge difference not having your leader, which not having your quarterback is a huge thing. but I do think there's this, you know, thing that goes on with teams is we've seen it with Georgia in the playoffs a couple years ago with Gunnar Stockton with Gunnar Stockton coming in for Carson Beck. When you lose your quarterback, your locker room tends to kind of come together more. 'Cause they know, hey, we gotta you know, pick it up, we gotta fill that void of not having our guy. And sometimes you tend to come out play better. There's a lot of cases where that happens. Do I think that's gonna happen here in this environment, in this game? Not necessarily, but it could. But I'm gonna say it makes a huge difference and we'll definitely see that on the field on Saturday. Josh Mahler: Yeah, I mean, Sam Levitt was L S U's all around guy too. I mean, he was obviously your quarterback, Wyatt Zang: Yeah. Josh Mahler: he's gonna be touching the ball every single snap. So that's the most important position on the field. But it just looking back at that Clemson game, I don't know how much you take away from that saying that that was a a a great win over Clemson, because Clemson might be just on a co total downfall and you know, a total trash can of a team. But Still two hundred and thirty three or sorry, two hundred and thirty passing yards, a hundred and thirteen rushing yards, and three total touchdowns for Sam Levitt in that game. But Jeremy, I think a big storyline is LSU's defense. I think that that defense i y you look at what it did against Clemson only allowing 145 total yards of of offense against Clemson. only allowed ten points, and and you know, that is kind of misleading. you know, the the touchdown came late in the game. the the interception was early in the game to to give them the field goal. So very misleading. and I I I do you think that when you look at this this L SU defense, is it enough to to kind of keep LSU in this game even without Sam Levitt? Jeremy Russell: I sincerely do. I mean, obviously you know as much as I do, Josh, and same with you, White, if I had to speak for us. Like everyone knows once a key guy goes down, doesn't matter whether you're on the offensive side of the ball or the defensive side of the ball, they're gonna try and play their absolute hardest for their brothers. They're gonna try and show up and show out. I mean, LSU's defense, they've been really, really dominant, and I think, like I said, with having that fuel leading into the fire, I think that they can sincerely keep The I think they can keep Ole Miss to a very stiff standstill. But the biggest thing that I'm a little skeptical about for LSU's defense is if Ole Miss gets into that continuous drive to where they can make quick plays and they do quick no huddles, or if they're just trying to make something really, really quick, they're gonna wear down that LSU defense. But I think the stamina that the LSU defense can put, they will definitely keep dominating the line. And Ole Miss is definitely gonna have to keep their eyes open. It doesn't matter how how quick you can run plays for LSU's defense, they're definitely gonna be on on all gas, no breaks. So I think LSU's defense, they could definitely be a really, really top contender for especially for this game, and I'm really looking forward to it. Josh Mahler: Yeah, and I think that's the biggest matchup when you look at, you know, the the Ole Miss offense against LSU defense. I think that is gonna be the key matchup of the game, just because y you of course you take Sam Levitt out, you you start to kind of wonder about LSU's offense, how high powered they could be. and you look at Trinidad Chambless and Wyatt, I think you mentioned him just a little bit ago, but what he's done so far through just a couple of games, throwing seventy percent extremely efficient, throwing over five hundred and fifty. Total yards, five touchdowns and only one interception so far through the first couple of games. Ole Miss has scored forty one points each game that they've played so far here to start off the season. And the first one was not an easy test against Louisville in at a neutral site to start off the season. what what are you looking for in this this big matchup between Ole Miss's offense and L S U's defense? Wyatt Zang: one of the things I'm looking for is who gets the edge because this like like you guys were talking about, this could be a stalemate. Like this is the one of the better SC defenses, one of the better, you know, SCC offenses going after each other. You have the Trinidad Chambless Quan Lacey duo, you got Wit Weeks on defense, you got DJ Pickett at corner. Like this is going to be a very good matchup, and I cannot wait to watch this. But LSU, ten sacks, seventeen tackles for loss. Through two football games. That is insane to have five sacks basically a game right now. That's phenomenal numbers. But on the on the old miss side, you got Kwan Lacey, 148 yards through two games. Deuce Alexander, 235. You have so many playmakers on both sides of the football. It's gonna be a shootout, or it could be a stalemate. It could be either one. I'm leaning more towards like a stalemate, like I said, but I think for me, how much can this LSU offense keep Trinidad Chambles on the sideline? Because that's the key for me is time of possession. If you could tell me the time of possession stat for this game, I could tell you who's gonna win the football game. If Ole Miss has more time of possession, Trinidad Chambliss is on the field more, that's your biggest playmaker. I think that leads to an old miss win. If if LSU's offense can be out there more, you know, just work those long, lengthy drives. That's how LSU wins this football game, especially without Sam Levitt. But if you give Trinidad Chambliss the football, more times you do that. The more times Ole Miss has a great opportunity to score more than Clemson ever did. Like this is a very explosive offense. So the key is to keep Trinidad Shamless on the sideline as much as possible. Make it almost like a boring football game. Just have those long drives, those, you know, multi, you know, first down drives where you just, you know, three yards a pop. Like that's really what you got to do, especially if you're playing a young quarterback. Keep your biggest Playmaker on Ole Miss off the field. Like, but if you're Ole Miss, you want to keep them on the field. So if you're Ole Miss, what's your goal is play stout defense, get three and outs, get them to punt the football, and hopefully convert in the red zone as well. You don't want to be kicking field goals here. This is a a massive opportunity for LSU to go out and show that they're more than Sam Levitt on offense. So if they can get down in the red zone and have success, LSU's got a good shot. But if you tell me Ole Miss wins time of possession, I think Ole Miss will win this game. Josh Mahler: Yeah, yeah, I like it. going on to the the emotional side of things, because you've got players upset at their coach for leaving, you've got players upset at their former teammates leaving, how much does the emotion play into this, Jeremy? Jeremy Russell: I mean it really does a lot because having these guys that were once on your back, now you're looking at them on a different perspective, it definitely does play a big benefactor in that because these guys were once brothers and now they're enemies, even though I guarantee you they all probably mess each other after the game once everything's all said and done. But I mean overall, it's it's definitely really, really tough of a battle when you're playing against your brothers and you want to come out on top just because you can look at it in that perspective and then you want to see your brother come along with you. But at the same time, we're trying to get this win and we're trying to get you guys to go golfing at the end of the year. We're trying to play a we're trying to play a bowl game or we're trying to get to a national championship here. So I mean it definitely is a real big key factor, Josh. But I mean at the end of the day, once it once you put those helmet and shoulder pads on It's it's all business, no friendship. And once the shoulder pads come on, then it's a complete different story. Josh Mahler: Yeah, this one is going to shape up to be a very fun game. headlining the the entire Saturday slate. The biggest matchup so far, I guess outside of Texas, Ohio State. definitely the biggest matchup here going into to week three. And it could have a lot of a lot of implications. It could it could move a lot of things just like we saw last week. along with some more chaos, even more could really be moving around. I feel like week two is just full of all kinds of chaos with all the moves that had to go on with Oregon and Oklahoma losing. Then you got the question mark of where to put Michigan now. then you have the number one team dropping out. Week three could bring a lot of the same questions and it would really all revolve around this matchup. 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All right, let's go on to our after dark game of the week. because the fun doesn't s just end whenever, you know, that the that marquee game is going on. we went a a little a little classic here with this one. and you what? I didn't even update my notes, guys, but so so bear with me. But and s instead we we had one that wasn't even completely after dark. It was like a night nighttime game. But we're going completely o completely over and we're going with the battle of the new FBS teams. We've got North Dakota State going against Sacramento State. you know, a a matchup that is definitely favored over on one side of the ball. North Dakota State over 20 point favorites heading into this game. they've they've got a a new quarterback at the helm who's been doing fantastic for them, but you've you've got the North Dakota State trying to hold on to this undefeated record, going against another opponent, like I mentioned, that it that's in their first year in the FBS. So I feel like this matchup, as as small of a matchup it might be, as as small as as the two teams and the two names, the two brands might be, why I feel like this is a matchup that means a lot to either either one of these two teams. Just because of what it means in their first year in the FBS. Wyatt Zang: Yeah, I would agree with you. Both teams are trying to kind of find their way in the new landscape of college football. Both teams trying to battle for this win and trying to figure out, you know, who the the new, like the best kid in town the new best kid in town is. in this game, you know, like I said, I I didn't update my notes either, so I don't got a ton on this game. But I'm gonna say, you know, my early thoughts is I think the way North Dakota State has played this year so far, they look really good. They're three and They look like a legit team that can do something in the Pac-12 this year. so, you know, as far as my prediction would go, I would say that I think North Dakota State is gonna win this football game. Like I said, I don't have, you know, a big breakdown for you. I didn't really dive into this game as much. But I would say North Dakota State right now is the team that I think will get the win. Now, I'm not saying Sacramento State is a good team. I think they're a very good team, and this is gonna be a very equal matchup, which will be a very underrated game. It'll it's the type of game where you got like the, you know, the main four games on this big screen. Then you got this little old game over here, you know, on your phone, on your iPad or whatever. You're just keeping an eye on it. You know, it could it's simp similar to the I believe Jacksonville State last week had a very close game. It's like you're just like those little games that turn out to be really good. So again, I would say North Dakota State's gonna have the upper hand in this game. I think they'll get it done. Josh Mahler: Yeah, you got the bison who just completely dominated at the FCS level, one of the most premier brands to come out of the FP FCS level, stepping in. and and of course, I mean, you look at what they've done so far. I feel like Nathan Hayes stepping into that role there at quarterback has been really impressive so far. but they're on a three and winning streak. Week one was really impressive for me looking at North Dakota State, coming away with a 33 to seven win. over Jacksonville State. That was one that I thought would be much closer than it was. And North Dakota State really made a statement. And of course, I think last week with a win over Air Force really kind of cemented them in you know, with with the FBS programs. I think that that was a really big win for them to get this on their on their resume. But now going against another FBS opponent who who really wants a win to to be able to add a big one to their their record now, Jeremy, I think that this is really important for Sacramento State to get a win. Just to get back into the wind column after going one and two to start off their first three games. Jeremy Russell: Yeah, definitely. I mean Sacramento State, like they opened up their season with a 28-17 loss at Eastern Michigan, but bounce back, crushing Mississippi Valley State 52 to nothing, and then was beaten by a score that no not a lot of college players like to talk about is 49 to 3 against Bretno State. Like the Horrors averaged about 24 points in 328 total yards per game while allowing 25. points per game or 25 and 395 yards per game. I mean, the biggest concern is the ability to contain North Dakota State's offense. Like Sacra Sacramento State has allowed opponents 223 passing yards per game. And North Dakota State's averaging eight and a half almost nine yards per pass attempt. Like it's definitely a big time thing that you have to think about. Also to throw on top for North Dakota State, they are outscoring opponents in the middle eight minutes as a lot of people call it 276 to 59 in the middle eight minutes under to under head coach Tim Pelasik. Like North Dakota State, they definitely do mean business when it comes to football. But I mean it's it's definitely gonna be a match I'm gonna watch. That's don't get me wrong, but the bison have been efficient throwing the ball while maintaining a physical running game. But like Sacramento State needs to avoid Giving up explosive plays and turnovers if it wants to stay competitive. That's gonna be the biggest thing in my honest opinion. Josh Mahler: Yeah, it's gonna be a big one. Right now the spread is twenty eight points. So you got twenty seven and a half point favorites for North Dakota State. Do you guys think that North Dakota State covers that spread? Wyatt Zang: Yeah. I I would say Jeremy Russell: Yeah. Wyatt Zang: they're gonna cover. Jeremy Russell: Definitely. Josh Mahler: Yeah, I mean that's it's a big spread for for a new team in the FPS, but going against a a Sacramento State team, I'm interested to see this one. I think that this we we've been talking about it with dark after dark games. It's it's kind of that we we look for games that kind of have that Pac-12 after dark feel to them. And this one definitely has that feel, being a late time game, two smaller teams that maybe don't have a ton going for them. but for North Dakota State, I think if they stay undefeated, They're starting to get some some some attention if they stay undefeated and and maybe start to take off a couple of these other teams heading up on their schedule. you know, that that they could start to get some some national attention and possibly some talks making as that that top G six spot heading into the playoffs. All right, let's get down to our pick and board. this is where we're just gonna go through and and make our picks for who we might think is is going to win here. in week three we've got starting off with North Carolina, the new revamped North Carolina, with a Bobby Petrino offense and you got Bill Belichick heading up that defense. it's it's definitely a different feel for North Carolina so far here in twenty twenty six. but Wyatt, who do you have coming away with this one North Carolina at Clemson here in week three? Wyatt Zang: Yeah, this is gonna be an incredible game because both teams are evenly matched. North Carolina and Clemson have similar roster talent, I believe. I don't think Clemson is as good as a team this year as they should be, that's for sure. We saw that week one. But North Carolina starting off two and under Bill Belichick, or believe three now, actually, because it played week zero. But you know, they're looking like a really good football team. North Carolina has Billy Edwards at quarterback. He's got over four hundred and seventy six passing yards. gotta get the run game going a little bit, you know, get that back, get that going. but for me, I think I still think Clemson is c you know, somewhat Clemson. Like I still think they're gonna be able to win football games. I don't think they're gonna start one and two. I I have some confidence in Clemson to at least keep this game really, really close. I don't think there's a world where North Carolina gets a blowout here. I don't think there's a world where Clemson gets a blowout. I I don't I think it's gonna be a close game. Spreads Mm Clemson minus three right now. It's right at a field goal. I would take Clemson minus three. I I think Dabo's gonna get it done. I love Dabo as a coach. I trust him to get this win. So I think Clemson's gonna take home a very much needed win against North Carolina. Josh Mahler: Yeah, and and for Clemson, too, their offense has been the biggest concern for them, really struggling here early in the season. Now they're having to move on at at quarterback to try to start start their freshman, Tate Reynolds, who's expected to start. so you know, with this one being in Death Valley, that gives them some upper edge here in this game. y you look at at North Carolina and it's it's still got quite a bit to prove. I do like some of the the additions that they've they've they've made, you know, adding Bobby Petrino over there. I think this is a North Carolina team that is definitely an improved team from a season ago, but that's not saying a whole lot. I do agree with what you said too, why this does feel like the two rosters are pretty even in talent. so I think it's gonna be a lot of of defensive ball here. I I'm like right at at a dead even. I'm barely over the edge where I feel more confident in Clemson. I'm gonna say like a five and a half out of ten confidence level for Clemson to win this game. I'm gonna pick Clemson. Twenty four to twenty. Clemson's gonna survive this game just barely. but nothing about it's gonna make Tiger fans feel good, Jeremy. Jeremy Russell: Yeah, that's for sure. I mean, Josh, you stole my pi you stole my score prediction. I'm sticking with twenty-four twenty. But Josh Mahler: Nice. Jeremy Russell: I'm gonna I'm gonna flip the script here. I'm gonna go with North Carolina here. I'm a defensive I was a defensive player when I played in high school. Like the biggest thing that I'm looking for is how dominant can Xavier Lewis be on the defensive side. I mean, he's had four sacks and six and a half tackles for losses, giving the Tar Heels potentially a significant advantage at against a young Clemson QB. I mean We all obviously wish nothing but the best for having a young quarterback like what's what's coming in for Tate Reynolds. But I mean, is the pressure and what Bill Belichick can pull up his sleeve bring bring a lot of question marks and unexpectations to what you see gonna be for the game. But there's definitely gonna be a lot to look at for this game. But I think North Carolina's defense is definitely gonna be be coming out heavy and I think it's gonna be a really, really good battle. But still give me North Carolina twenty four twenty. Josh Mahler: I think that's two weeks in a row that we've had the same exact score predictions flipped for for one of the games here on our pick'ems. So Jeremy Russell: Yeah, I think so. Josh Mahler: I like it. I like it. All right, let's move on to our second pick'em. looking at Arizona State once again, they're going against Kansas. I think I might have put K State in one of my notes, but they're going against Kansas. and this is gonna be over in London. so another over the you know, across what what is that called? across the pond. Is that what they they call it? Yeah, Wyatt Zang: Rust spawn. Jeremy Russell: Across the path. Josh Mahler: so Yeah, yeah. So then an another another game overseas somewhere where it makes no sense at all. But we're just gonna do it anyways because it sounds fun, right? Jeremy Russell: Why not? Josh Mahler: I imagine there has to be like a a huge paycheck that the NCAA is getting or somebody is getting for this. Wyatt Zang: Has to be Josh Mahler: Obvious 'cause it doesn't make any sense to me, especially here into week three and we're doing this. anyways, both teams entering in one and one, both really need a a win pretty badly and especially since this does go on their conference record. looking at at at Arizona State, they showed enough here, I feel like it was the first half. They they showed like like they they were able to keep it close with Texas A and before AM pulled away, ended up beating beating up on them. And the same with Kansas against Missouri, where, you know, Missouri ended up pulling away from them. So both teams really needing a win here. This is only the second meeting between these two schools where Arizona State won thirty-five to thirty-one back in twenty twenty-four. So I'm I'm pretty pretty dead even on this one too. This was not a very high confidence level pick for me. but I do feel a little bit better about what I know about Arizona State and and so I'm I'm picking Arizona State. I'm going Arizona State thirty one twenty seven. why what's your pick for this game? Wyatt Zang: Yeah, like you said, I don't know why we're playing this game. We got two perfectly fine college stadiums, but it is what it is. so yeah, like you said, I was, you know, very I guess what the word would be, I've gained more confidence in Arizona State, especially after that performance against AM. I know they lost fifty or forty eight to twenty. They looked like a solid team in the first two quarters. So that gives me a little more confidence in Arizona State. I love Kenny Dillingham as a coach. That guy will put a good product on the field. Coder Bowley there at quarterback. That guy's a quarterback. I was watching very closely in the transfer portal, seeing where he was gonna go. Him in Arizona State fits well. He's going to have a good game. I would take Arizona State minus the five and a half. I think they're gonna get this. I think it's gonna be around like a 27-20 type game. I think they'll win by seven. It's gonna be a one possession game or one score game, but I think Arizona State will get away with a huge, huge win. Josh Mahler: Yeah, and and this is a weird one too, because Kansas just had their stadium revamped. you know, Arizona State's stadium is just fine. But now you're you're like putting these teams at that weird jet lag in the middle of the season. Like, Wyatt Zang: Yeah. Josh Mahler: what are we doing? You know, like they're just starting off the season week zero, sure, go for it. 'cause typically you can get your your team you know a bye week there in week one. But week three, Jeremy, what are we doing? are you going rock chalk jayhawk or are you leaning over towards the Sun Devils? Jeremy Russell: I'm going towards the Sun Devils here. I got it being at thirty-one twenty-four for the Sun Devils. I mean it I in my honest opinion, I think it's gonna be a battle against the Jetlags and see who's gonna be playing a little bit better. But I mean it it's Kansas has enough offensive ability to make it competitive, but Arizona State's defense could be the difference, especially late in the game. I mean, it's over in London. You can never expect the unexpected. I mean Let's just let's just wing and just go play over in London. I mean, we got two two amazing facilities already, but let's just get let's just give each facility a break here. But yeah, like I said, give me thirty one, twenty four Arizona State. Josh Mahler: Yeah, another score prediction where we're pretty close there, because I said 31-27. So I like it. I don't like teams going across the the the world j just to play a game that is specialized in our backyards. But let's go on to number three. We've got SMU at Louisville. This is one that I've already talked about a little bit, so I'll be pretty quick with it. I think that Kevin Jennings is just playing too well for me to pick against him right now, and I like the continuity that he has with this team. He's been there. for for quite a while now. I feel really good about SMU. This this was my my lock of the a week to to take SMU. I'm gonna pick SMU to win this one. I do like what Louisville brings on the offensive side of the ball specifically though. They've got some dogs. They've got some guys that are just shifty, really tough to to tackle. So this is gonna be a dog fight all the way to the end. Give me SMU thirty one twenty eight. Jeremy let's kick it back over to you. Jeremy Russell: man, this is this is definitely gonna be a really close one. But I mean Louisville is averaging 40 almost 49 points per game and has produced 469 plus total yards in both games. Like the Cardinals chasing passing has been particularly productive, topping 300 passing yards in each game, and Louisville getting the game at home, which matters in web projects to be a one-score game, in my honest opinion. But I I'm I'm just leaning towards Louisville here. I think it's definitely gonna be a nail butter. I think we could definitely see a field goal type of game. Give me give me 34-21 Louisville. Josh Mahler: I like it. Wyatt, what's your pick here? Louisville SMU? Wyatt Zang: I cannot wait for this game. This game's gonna be incredible. But looking at this game, I go back to the Florida State game with SMU. That scares me a little bit with Kevin Jennings having the two turnovers and you know SMU as a team having the f you know, two fumbles, two interceptions. That scares me. I I won't, you know, shy away from that. But the four hundred yards makes me really confident in Kevin Jennings. But when I look at Louisville and I look at Lincoln Keinholtz, I'm a quarterback guru, so I'll probably talk about quarterbacks ninety percent of the time, but I love Lincoln Keinholz. Jeff Brahms, the quarterback whisperer over there. He can do anything with quarterback. Just give him someone and he'll turn him into a good quarterback. So with Lincoln Keinholtz almost beating out Julian Sain last year, coming to Louisville, I think this guy is ready for this type of game. I think he is going to get Louisville a good win in the ACC. Give me Louisville minus one and a half. I think they're going to get around 34-31 Louisville. I think it's going to be a three-score game. or a three-game. point game. I think it's gonna come down to a field goal towards the end. So give me a Louvre to win this game by three. Josh Mahler: I like it. Yeah, mixing it up and and going with the with the Keinholz too. I think that's a smart move because he is. you you look at this this quarterback battle, it's gonna be a fun one to watch. you know, watching Kevin, Kevin Jennings, and Keinholz go against each other. But let's move on to Mississippi State, South Carolina, two SEC teams that I I'm I this is one of them. this is probably the second sneakiest game on on the radar. It might actually be the sneakiest game on our pick'em board. Just because I've heard other people talking about Florida and Auburn and I would put that one up with this one. This is two teams that are totally blowing the the preseason predictions out of the water already. Both teams looking much better than what we expected for them to to look heading into this season. Jeremy, who do you got from Mississippi Mississippi State at South Carolina here in week three? Jeremy Russell: Yeah, this is definitely in my opinion the top one of the top sneakiest ones. But looking at it, I got the game cocks of South Carolina and I got 3127. I mean, the biggest matchup that I'm looking for is South Carolina's rushing attack versus Mississippi State's running defense. Like if Mississippi State can slow down sellers and South Carolina's ground game. Like that's gonna be one thing, but if the Bulldogs have enough offense to win it, then if South Carolina runs effectively, I think The home team controls the second half. Like it's definitely gonna be really fun. I mean, the Gamecocks are averaging 51 points per game, allowing four and a half points per game through the last two games. I mean, that's definitely something to see. And I mean, South Carolina also being extremely effective running the football, averaging three hundred and forty almost three hundred and forty two yards per game. I mean, Lenora Sellers gives South Carolina a major dual threat element. I mean, he's already rushed for almost a hundred and twenty yards and a touchdown two games. But Mississippi State has been explosive offensively. So the thing is like six hundred and twenty total yards per game. So I don't expect South Carolina to completely shut them down, but I think it's definitely gonna be a really, really interesting one. But like I said, give me South Carolina thirty one twenty seven. Josh Mahler: Yeah, I mean the Game Cox have have been impressive so far this year. Wyatt, I know that you've been much like me. I you've been impressed with Mississippi State so far coming into this Wyatt Zang: Mm. Josh Mahler: this this season and what they've started off with. what do you got here in this this matchup? Wyatt Zang: This is gonna be a phenomenal matchup. Battle of the two quarterbacks. love both of these guys. Camario Taylor on the Mississippi State side, Diamond in the rough. The guy's a playmaker. He can make anything happen. He's the centerpiece of this team. But that's kind of where my prediction goes more towards South Carolina. South Carolina is not only Lenore Sellers. I know they have Lenora Sellers, but they got Nick Harbor at wide receiver. That guy is a ticking time bomb. He can go off at any time. They got Dylan Stewart on defense, who's such an explosive defensive lineman. So you have guys around Lenora Sellers, which I think South Carolina is the team that has more talent. I know Mississippi State just blew out Minnesota. even though I, you know, am buying stock in Mississippi State right now, I do like South Carolina to win this game. I think the experience at the quarterback position and the experience all around in this team, but especially with Lenora Sellers playing multiple years as the starter, I believe this is his third year as the guy there. So I've like the experience with South Carolina. I will take South Carolina minus four. I'm sitting at around thirty-one, twenty-four, South Carolina to win this game. I like Lenore Sellers. I like Shane Beamer to get a win to hopefully keep him off the hot seat. Josh Mahler: Yeah, I I look at this matchup and I guess I'm I'm the lone wolf here coming into this one because I absolutely love what I've seen from Mississippi State so far. They have i above and beyond impressed me so far through their first two games. Now I know they haven't played anybody that's just like, man, like look at they knocked off powerhouse. No, that that's not the case. They did end up sneaking into to sneaking out of Minnesota with a really big win, thirty-eight to thirteen, rolling up four hundred and seventy-nine yards. while their defense did not allow a single offensive touchdown. So you you look at Camario Taylor and what he did in that game, 227 yards, three touchdowns, rushed for another 86 yards on that one. Fluff Bothwell, he added another 113 rushing yards for that one and two scores. So you you look at at what this Mississippi State offense has done so far. I like Jeff Levy as an offensive coordinator. I like what he's he's been doing there at Mississippi State this year. He's really gotten his players to come out and and start playing with with some some real heart. and so I I love what I see. I think Camario Taylor is the kind of quarterback, the way that he's snuck onto the scene, I think he's the tech cut type of quarterback that can walk into Williams Bryce Stadium and and come away with the wins. So I think that if Mississippi State or South Carolina were the I think the winner of this one, depending on how this game looks, could start to kind of come up as one of those sleeper teams there in the SEC. So I'm really interested. to see how this one turns out. but for me I'm gonna pick Mississippi State 3127. All right, let's go on to Virginia Tech at Maryland. This is one that I look at these two teams. I I I think this one intrigued me if for nothing else to see James Franklin go against a Big Ten opponent this early in the season. so you know I I look at this one I see two two teams trying to get them themselves going on the right track. Virginia Tech having to go on the road. you you look at what they bring in with with Ethan Grunkmeyer, he he just threw three hundred and twenty-seven yards, two touchdowns, and they on defense they were able to to generate seven sacks, fourteen tackles for a loss against Old Dominion. So I mean it was an an incredible game for Vir Virginia Tech. I I really like what I'm seeing from James Franklin's crew so far, seeing seeing what they were able to do. I I want to see a little bit more aggression on the defensive side from Virginia Tech, but overall, this has been an an impressive start for the James Franklin era there at Virginia Tech. I'm gonna pick Virginia Tech to win this one. I think it could be a close one, just because Maryland has impressed me some too. I think this could be a close one. I'm gonna pick Maryland 30. or sorry, Virginia Tech 30, Maryland 27. Jeremy, who do you got in this matchup? Jeremy Russell: In the words of Metallica, let's go hokies. I mean, Virginia Tag, it's definitely gonna be Virginia for Virginia Tag versus Maryland's gonna be a fun matchup. I mean, talking about Grungmeyer, I mean he's completed seventy almost 78% of his passes for 551 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions. I mean, Josh, I know that's one thing you and I love to talk about your touchdown to interception ratio. I mean, take it for granted, it's not crazy high yet, but it's only the beginning of college football. But give us some time, and I definitely do think that we could definitely see some big time imp improvision. But I mean, even looking on the other side of the ball from Maryland, like Malik Washington has also been really, really efficient. I mean, he's completed 74% of his passes for 533 total yards this and three touchdowns. But like a big thing that I'm really curious for is Virginia Tech's pass protection versus Maryland's pass rush. I mean, both defensives have been getting pressure. So whichever quarterback handles the pressure better. can honestly determine who's gonna win this coming out into the fourth quarter. But in my honest opinion, like I said, let's go hokeies, give me thirty twenty seven. Josh Mahler: I like it. would d do we just pick the same score again? Jeremy Russell: I think I think we did. Lem gimme instead so we don't have the same score, give me Alright. Josh Mahler: Yeah, I said I said thirty, twenty seven No, it's fine. I mean it's it's just funny. It I we don't we don't share our notes at all. really. Jeremy Russell: No. Josh Mahler: We we we we briefly share our picks with each other and that's it. So that's why I think it's just funny how we I think all three of us have been picking really close to the same outcomes. Sometimes just flips. Wyatt Zang: Yeah. Josh Mahler: So I love it. why who do you got in this matchup? Wyatt Zang: very underrated matchup as you said. But for good news for James Franklin is, you know, breaking news there's no Michigan or Ohio State in this conference. So that's good news for him. Josh Mahler: Yeah. Jeremy Russell: Yeah. Wyatt Zang: I I think that for James Franklin, he's gonna get a good win here. I think he'll pick up a win against a solid Maryland team as of now. We'll see what they are when conference play comes around. But I like Ethan Grunkenmeyer. I think he's gonna play good enough to get the win. Malik Washington on the other side of the football though, for Maryland, is an athlete. He's a guy that can make something happen when you're not expecting it. So both quarterbacks gonna have a good game. I will take Virginia Tech minus three and I will take them winning twenty three to fourteen. I think it's gonna be a lower scoring game than maybe, you know, I think that it should be just because sometimes when you have two high powered offenses, sometimes it you know, lets you down a little bit. but I will take Virginia Tech minus the three. I think James Franklin's gonna get this team off to a good three and start heading into conference play. Josh Mahler: All right, let's move on to an SEC matchup that is completely going under the radar and almost fell off of our pick'em list here this week. and one that I'm really glad that I noticed and and threw it back in there because this is the Florida Gators going to Jordan Hare. If you say it the way that the Southerners do, then you you sound like you got something in the back of your throat. but y you got the Gators coming in here undefeated, with a lot of hyper on this team. Going to Jordan Hare, an incredibly difficult place to play, no matter how weak Auburn is that year. And, you know, the the the stuff that goes on in Jordan Hare, the the the the things that that that you see, the games that you see, the the outcomes that you see. This is just a matchup that is is really telling for either one of these two teams going into their SEC seasons and and getting into that that SEC play. You've got Auburn who started off their season Although it was a a a a a gutsy win and a one point win over Baylor, one where they had to stop a two-point conversion or in order to win it, they still came out with the win in a way that they don't usually win the games. And so they're they're turning the page. And then you've got the Florida Gators who have absolutely demolished their their opponents. Not going against anybody tough. So we have to slow and pump the brakes and say, hey, they're looking really good. They're looking the way that a good team ought to look against these smaller opponents. And so we're not, we're not just sending them off into the playoffs just yet. But we're saying there's a lot of potential for this team that we didn't think would be there. you look at what Philo has brought to the to the Florida Gators, bringing life to that quarterback position. I like what I see from him. Jaden Baugh, I think a Heisman candidate so far throughout the the you know through the first two weeks of college football. Wyatt Zang: Mm. Josh Mahler: and then you look on the other side of the the the ball where Byron Brown starting to get his feet wet and starting to to do some things good over there for that Auburn offense, some of the things that we would have expected from him. and of course with Singleton and you know looking at what what he gives you as a weapon, I I think that this is an Auburn team that could really do a lot of things. I I I look at this game and it was so difficult for me to pick, but it really comes down to the home field environment. When I look at Jordan Hare and and the the crazy things that go on there, it it there's a curse that it is hard to overcome. Even ask Georgia, even ask Alabama. Teams like that struggle when they go on the road to Auburn. To face the Tigers. So I think this is going to be a really fun matchup. I do think that Florida keeps themselves in this game for a while. I think that they are able to score a a good amount of points. but I'm gonna pick Auburn to win this one. I'm gonna pick Auburn thirty-two, Florida twenty-four. Wyatt, who do you have in this matchup? Big time SEC matchup right now here in week three. Wyatt Zang: yeah, this is my game of the week. I'm looking more forward to this game almost more than Ford will miss or LSU will miss. I cannot wait for this matchup. Josh Mahler: I I agree with you. Yeah, I mean I Jeremy Russell: Definitely. Josh Mahler: es especially Wyatt Zang: Yeah. Josh Mahler: now with with Sam Levitt out, I I would much rather tune into this game. Jeremy Russell: yeah. Wyatt Zang: Yeah, it's not even the Sam Love It thing for me. It's just I love these two matchups. These two new head coaches, Josh Mahler: Yeah. Wyatt Zang: as I said earlier. you got this two teams that really want to start off their season with that, you know, bang in SC C play. I look at this game and I I like Florida. I like what they're doing. I look what Jaden Baugh has done. I like Aaron Philo. Aaron Philo was I thought Tremel Jones was gonna win that job all summer, all spring. Turns out Aaron Philo won it, and he's you know, exceeded the expectations that I had for him. I thought Forda was just going to be an okay team. He's looking great. Buster Faulkner has that offense going with, you know, experience with Aaron Fewell. I really like Forda this year. I think Forda is a sneaky, you know, contender this year. I think Forda legitimately could go nine and three. Now that's, you know, a little high, but I would say Forda is you know, a legit team that people need to take more seriously. That old miss game next week is going to be a scary, scary game. When Florida takes on Ole Miss. but for me I like Florida to, you know, I like Florida minus two and a half. I think they're gonna get it done. I like them to win twenty eight, twenty-one. Love this team in Florida. I have not been high on a Florida team really since Billy and Apear's been there. This is the first team I'm really truly think is going to, you know, contend this year or maybe not win s some of those tough games, but they're gonna be there in them. And I really think that Florida's gonna be a top team this year. So give me Florida minus two and a half, twenty eight, twenty one. Josh Mahler: I like it. Jeremy, who do you got in this one? Jeremy Russell: In the words of our great buddy Blake Lame, War Dam Eagle, I mean this is definitely gonna be a really, really tight matchup, don't get me wrong, but just for a score prediction, I honestly give it 30 27 Auburn. But the biggest thing that I'm looking forward to is seeing what Florida's passing game can do. I mean, if Philo continues his early season efficiency and obviously avoids turnovers, I think Florida has enough offense to survive the road environment, like you mentioned, Josh me. Jordan Hare Stadium is such a tough environment to go down and play in. But I mean, when you got guys that know how to sling the rock, like Byron Brown, who's at 485 passing yards and already shown that he can make plays against Flores defense, that's gonna be my biggest thing is seeing how Byron Brown can keep keep the train rolling. But it's definitely gonna be a really fun fun matchup. But still, like I said, give me 30 27, War Dam Eagle. Josh Mahler: Yeah, and I haven't even talked with Blake on this one, but I I'm assuming knowing him, I feel like he's probably picking Florida to win this one. If if he was on if he was on the pick with us here this week. all right, let's go on to the last Yeah, yeah, go ahead. Wyatt Zang: Th there's a quick note for that game. You got I was looking at ESPN real quick and the odd like the percentages for these team to win. Auburn's percent, fifty point two percent chance to win four to forty nine point eight. There's a point two percent chance that separates these team Jeremy Russell: Wow. Wyatt Zang: on ESPN. That that it just shows you how close this game's gonna be. Josh Mahler: Yeah, it's yeah, it's a r really, really tight matchup. Yeah, and I I think when you when you look at everything on paper too it really is a coin flip. the crazy thing is though, just because of how weird games are when when they're played in Jordan Hare, it wouldn't surprise me if this one is totally flipped towards one team where one team just kind of dominates the game. I'm not not thinking that this one will turn into one where I think like one team will blow the other out, but just one where it's like Maybe they still only win by four or five points, but man, if you watch the game, you know that this team was really winning the entire game. so yeah, I think this is gonna be a really fun one to to watch. let's go on to number seven. We've got James Madison at San Diego State. JMU two and San Diego State needing needing to get right. after losing one last week twenty eight to ten against UCLA. They let me down. I was picking them to make the upset and they couldn't quite pull it off. But this week with they get they get some redemption. They've got a JMU team that they've got every every bit of of of a right to be in this game, but I'm still not gonna pick They they burn me. I'm I'm not gonna go back down that route. I'm gonna stick with JMU in this one. I like JMU to to win this game and even to cover the spread. Give me James Madison twenty eight twenty. why who do you got in this James Madison San Diego state matchup? Wyatt Zang: Yeah, James Madison looks like a legit team under Billy Napier. He's getting things, you know, going over there. I'm looking at this game as JMU plus one and a half right now at ESPN. I think that they, you know, them being the underdogs, you know, necessarily in this game, I think they're gonna win outright. I I think that they're just the better team right now, San Diego State. You know, I I get it they lost to UCLA last week, but UCLA's a good team this year. But I will take JMU to win. I think JMU will be I'm gonna say thirty one twenty one. I I think they're gonna have a good game on both teams, but I think JMU and Billy Napier are really getting things going and I just have confidence in this team. I think that they're gonna get it done in this matchup. Josh Mahler: Yeah, I like it. And I mean Jeremy, this could be our after dark part two 'cause this one starts up at ten PM Eastern. So who do you have here in the James Madison San Diego State game? Jeremy Russell: Looking at this game, I'm I'm gonna go JMU here. I mean, like you look at what JMU has done so far. I mean, take it for granted we've only seen two games instead of JMU, but I mean coming off a amazing win, not by a little bit, but 87 to three over Wagner. I mean, pulling up 500 almost 600 yards. I mean, that's definitely a crazy thing to think about. Like the Dukes have allowed just eight points per game through two games. Like Michael Scott is a major special teams weapon and producing 303 all purpose yards and three returns for touchdowns just against Wagner, obviously. But I mean San Diego State is definitely a team that you can't you can't sleep on. Like like you mentioned, why haven't coming off of a loss against UCLA? But still, I mean, Lucky Sudden has 139 rushing yards and three touchdowns through two games. Like he's definitely gonna be a big time attribution to this game, but still, at the end of the day, give me JMU thirty one twenty seven. Josh Mahler: All right, let's go ahead and move on to the game of the week and pick our final predictions here for the game of the week. LSU at Olmiss, all of the the hype around this game, all of the the the emotions that go into it, there's one thing that that if this LSU roster is completely healthy, I I can see why a lot of people would be leaning towards LSU. I think if you look at the roster that LSU has on defense and you look at what they've performed over on defense. I like this LSU team a lot. But when the ki quarterback situation is kind of iffy right now, that makes me lean a little bit more towards towards Ole Miss. so I I feel like this this has to have a little bit of c a caveat for for some of us. I don't know how you guys feel. I feel like it has to have a little bit of a caveat just because it with with Sam Levitt kind of listed right now, I could totally see this being a mind game that that Lane Kiffin's playing. Like, we're yeah, he's doubtful. He's not gonna play. And then all of a sudden he's out there practicing pregame and Ole Miss is like, What the heck? You're really gonna do this to us again? but I do have a lot of faith in in Lane Kiffin being able to block out the noise. you saw him do it at Ole Miss, and I've talked about this in the past. You saw him do that at Ole Miss, the way that he was able to get his players to keep on performing week in and week out, regardless of all the the the the sk discussions outside of the building about him leaving. he's he's able to do it again week by it was week one against Clemson whenever he came out and completely demolished Clemson even though all of the this this bad public publicity. So I like Ole Miss. I think LSU, even without Sam Levitt, could win this game. I'm leaning towards Ole Miss just because of the the the big factor that you have without your starting quarterback. And without your starting quarterback that produces so much through the air on and on the ground for you. so give me Ole Miss If Levit is out, give me Ole Miss thirty-one twenty-seven. if Sam Levit's in, I'll I'll I'll flip it around where I think this one could be LSU thirty-four Ole Miss twenty-seven. So pretty pretty similar, just completely flipped. so right now I'm I'm leaning Ole Miss thirty one twenty seven as the the news stands right now. Wyatt, let's kick it over to you. What's your LSU Ole Miss final prediction? Wyatt Zang: My final prediction, I I think this is gonna be a low scoring game to be honest with you. you know, you have the former Ole Miss defensive coordinator and Pete Golden, you have the former Ole Miss Offensive Coordinator and Charlie Weiss. One of the things I've heard thrown around that I totally agree with is when you guys are in the same like building on the same coaching staff, you have your OC and DC. What they do oftentimes, almost every single week, you'll have the offensive coordinator will go to the defensive coordinator or vice versa. So Charlie Weiss would go to Pete Golding and say, Hey, I got this play, I got this, you know, run, this duo play, this, you know, deep cross play. How would you stop it if you were a defensive coordinator? So they know each other. They know what each other's thinking. They know what each other wants to run. They know what defensive schemes they play, what offensive you know, you know, schemes they play. They know all of the, you know, things about each other. They know each other in and out. Pete Golding and Charlie Weiss. And I believe Pete Golding still calls plays on defense. So this For me, I think it's gonna be a stalemate. I think there'll be some points. Like I said, I'm gonna give a score prediction 2317. Ole Miss wins. I do believe Ole Miss plus two and a half. I like them to win this football game. Trinidad Chambliss, even without his offensive coordinator, will get it done. We saw what he did in the playoffs without Lane Kiffin. I think it's just a pure talent thing with Trinidad Chambliss. There's a lot of guys, it's like, well, you know, maybe they was the system thing. For Trinidad Chambliss, I think it's a talent thing. He will perform in any offense and I love him to get this win. I think he'll be playing with a little chip on his shoulder as well as the rest of the team to get this win against Lane Kiffin. The crowd will be behind him. This atmosphere will be absolutely rocking. but again, on the Sam Levit side of things, I was looking into the thing you were saying, like if Lane Kiffin just comes out there and just plays him without Ole Miss even knowing. but then I heard that that apparently that would be like a fine. But then I'm like, well, you know, Lane Kiffin would take the fine anyway, like he he doesn't care. Josh Mahler: Yeah. Jeremy Russell: Ha ha ha. Wyatt Zang: Like he would totally do something like that. but even with Sam Levitt, I still like this score in Ole Miss to win. Josh Mahler: Yeah, I mean I I think this is a it's a really good note to bring up too with with your offensive your old offensive coordinator and defensive player coordinator playing against each other there. That's something really, really interesting to note. but Jeremy, do you think that the emotions on Ole Miss's side is enough for them to take down their former head coach and Lane Kiffin and the L S U Tigers? Jeremy Russell: I I sincerely do think so, Josh. I mean I think some of those guys do have some some things that they've been having sit down deep inside that they're trying to let out this weekend. And I mean LSU's defense is definitely gonna be bringing it, but still at the end of the day, give me the Tigers 3128. But like it's still overall, I think it's gonna be a really, really close matchup, but obviously like we all talk about the biggest concern with Sam Levitt, but Lane Kiffin doesn't care. Money to him doesn't mean Jack. Just give him the fine. We can see him playing for all we know. But I mean, think about it for LSU's defense. The Tigers are allowing just twelve points per game and rank among the nation's best in total run defense. But Olmus is averaging forty-one points per game. So obviously LSU will have to handle Trinidad Chambliss Kawan Lacey. I mean, those guys are just absolute dogs and they know how to make they know how to play ball. But I mean, it's gonna be I think it's gonna be a nail buyer like all these games that we've been talking about, but still Give me LSU 3128, but still it's gonna be a fun one to watch. Josh Mahler: You guys take an over or under let's say over or under twenty two penalties in this game. Jeremy Russell: Over. Wyatt Zang: Yeah, over a hundred percent. Josh Mahler: I I'm Jeremy Russell: Hammer thee over. Josh Mahler: just feeling like yeah, I'm just feeling like there's gonna be all kinds of just like smack talk that goes too far, Jeremy Russell: yeah. Josh Mahler: guys getting, you know, ticked off at each other. so yeah, I I definitely think this is gonna be an emotional game. 100% one to watch, and I think it's gonna be a lot of fun. But as Wyatt and I were talking about, I just feel like that Florida Auburn game is just so much more interesting with how close those two teams are gonna be, how Jeremy Russell: Definitely. Josh Mahler: hard they're gonna be fighting. nonetheless, this is gonna be a very fun week three. of college football. So drop it down in the comments below who your week three picks are, who's who's your upsets. let us know down in the comments below before the games get kicked off. but for now that'll do it for this edition of the Game Day Collective College Football Show presented by Outlier. Subscribe on YouTube, follow the podcast and leave us a five-star review. It's the best way to help us over there. Follow Game Day Collective on X, Instagram, Facebook, all the social media platforms. And of course, visit Game Day Collective dot media for all of your football coverage and so much more throughout the week. I'm Josh Mahler, alongside Jeremy Russell and Wyatt Zhang. We'll see you next time.