Week 3 of the college football season has arrived. Across the country, many teams enter conference play, while others will face off in premier non-conference matchups. Meanwhile, NIU has the week off as it gears up for its Sept. 20 visit to Starkville to take on Mississippi State.
In the meantime, the Northern Star’s sports staff came together once again to predict the winners of five Week 3 games, from a ranked SEC showdown in The Volunteer State to the first Mid-American Conference matchup of 2025.
Memphis at Troy
11 a.m. CT | Saturday | ESPNU
Kalin Schaefer, Sports Editor (6-4): Memphis — With 83 points over their first two games, the Tigers are on the prowl. Troy let Clemson make a second-half comeback, so combine that with a powerful Memphis offense and bam, that’s a 3-0 start.
Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter (9-1): Memphis — Troy couldn’t get the job done in what should’ve been an upset against No. 8 Clemson, and I refuse to be let down again. Plus, Memphis just rolled over a Sun Belt team last week, so why can’t the Tigers do it again?
Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter (8-2): Memphis — Memphis has featured a high scoring offense so far this season, averaging over 40 points per game. The Tiger’s defense has also been solid this season, not allowing a team to surpass the 20 point mark.
Claire Valenti, Sports Reporter (6-4): Memphis — Unless Troy Trojan-horses a good team onto the field to sneak attack Memphis, I don’t see the Tigers losing. Memphis will pounce on the opportunity to beat Troy for the second time this century.
Eric Avila, Sports Reporter (6-4): Memphis — Memphis has been a great team so far this season averaging 40 points a game, and haven’t allowed more than 16 points from an opponent throughout their first two games. The Tigers’ defense has been solid so far and I don’t see them slowing down.
Logan Whittington, Sports Reporter (6-4): Memphis — Memphis has overall looked sharper on both sides of the ball. The Tigers should be able to handle Troy with ease.
Abel Naranjo, Sports Reporter (3-2): Memphis — I think this one is the tricky one, Troy’s defense has been very solid and they’ve kept up with teams like Clemson. If it wasn’t for the penalties, they might’ve pulled off the upset. Still, I can’t pass up on the Tigers and I think it’ll be another close loss for Troy.
Buffalo at Kent State
11 a.m. CT | Saturday | CBS Sports Network
Schaefer: Buffalo— Kent State is 2-24 since the start of the 2023 season. That’s it.
Kisellus: Buffalo — Do I really need to explain this?
Segreti: Buffalo — Kent State has been one of the worst teams in all of college football over the past two full seasons, the Golden Flashes have a record of 1-23 with the teams only win coming over Central Connecticut State University in 2023.
Valenti: Kent State — Why not? I’m choosing Kent State as my pity pick of the week because the rest of the sports section is bullying them. Hear me out, both teams are currently 1-1, and Kent State has home-field advantage. If this is supposed to be as easy for Buffalo as everyone says, the Golden Flashes might catch them with their pants down.
Avila: Buffalo — Kent State got their first win after 23 games, and I see this as the beginning of a new losing streak. Buffalo has a good team this year and I think it’s going to be a walk in the park for them against the Golden Flashes.
Whittington: Buffalo — Buffalo looks like the steadier team, and with Kent State lacking consistency on each side of the ball, I see this as an easy win for Buffalo.
Naranjo: Buffalo — Kent State might be fortunate just to get on the board, I don’t think this one is very close and Buffalo should run away with it. This Buffalo offense is looking strong and it’s gonna take a Golden Flashes’ miracle to slow it down.
No. 6 Georgia at No. 15 Tennessee
2:40 p.m. CT | Saturday | ABC
Schaefer: Tennessee — Starting the season hot and fresh off the heels of a 72-17 victory, Tennessee has everything they need. Add in home-field advantage and the Vols are pulling off the upset.
Kisellus: Tennessee — It’s the red, hot Vols versus the big, bad Bulldogs. Georgia’s got the winning streak, but something tells me Rocky Top can buck the trend for the crowd at Neyland.
Segreti: Tennessee — The Volunteers have been hot so far to start this season, but they face their first test with the Georgia Bulldogs. Tennessee has an advantage playing in Knoxville which will be enough for them to take down the Bulldogs.
Valenti: Georgia — Who let the dogs out? I believe the Bulldogs will bite the ankles of the Volunteers. Tennessee lost eight of their last 10 games against Georgia, so despite home-field advantage, the Vols will roll over.
Avila: Georgia — I think this will be a close game, but Georgia will pull off the win against Tennessee. They have both been solid teams so far but the Bulldogs look more solid all around. Also, I have family in Georgia, so let’s go dogs!
Whittington: Georgia — Both teams look absolutely solid, but I think Georgia seems to be the safer pick in this matchup.
Naranjo: Georgia — While Tennessee’s run game has looked good, they have lost eight of the last 10 matchups against Georgia. Even if the Vols are hosting, it will be very close, but I think the Bulldogs will take it.
No. 18 South Florida at No. 5 Miami
3:30 p.m. | Saturday | The CW Network
Schaefer: Miami — Everything in me wants to say South Florida, shoutout to their neighbors in the neurology ward at AdventHealth Tampa, but their two wins against ranked opponents to start the season were unexpected for a reason.
Kisellus: Miami — South Florida has been on a run for the ages. The Bulls have beaten not one, but two ranked opponents to start the season. But alas, the Miami Hurricanes are a different beast. It was fun while it lasted, USF.
Segreti: Miami — South Florida has been one of the best stories of the college football season so far, taking down two ranked opponents and earning the No. 18 spot in the college football rankings. Miami has a much more high powered offense than USF’s previous opponents and will prove a much tougher task for South Florida.
Valenti: South Florida — Don’t make me tap the photo:
Avila: Miami — As much as I want South Florida to win to continue their Cinderella story, I think Miami is going to be much more than they can handle. With Carson Beck starting off strong I think he is going to lead the Canes to victory over the Bulls. I have a feeling it’s going to be a close game but the Canes will be victorious over the Bulls.
Whittington: Miami — South Florida is riding a lot of momentum right now, but Miami’s depth should be enough to get the job done.
Naranjo: Miami — South Florida’s run, although impressive including wins over Boise State and Florida, is about to come to an unfortunate end. Miami’s win over Notre Dame was scary toward the end, but for the other three quarters, they were dominant. USF’s offense might be able to draw some blood, but Miami’s defense has been strong at handling both the passing and run game. With Miami hosting, this Florida derby is the Hurricanes’ to lose.
Liberty at Bowling Green
4 p.m. CT | Saturday | ESPN+
Schaefer: Liberty — Two 1-1 teams coming off a Week 2 loss makes this difficult. With that being said, I much prefer dogs to cats, so sorry Pudge, I have to go with Liberty for this one.
Kisellus: Liberty — I’m still not bought into the Eddie George hype. So far, the Falcons’ only accomplishments are a home FCS win, a road Power Four loss (hey, where have I seen that before?) and Pudge the cat. Give me Liberty, or give me death.
Segreti: Bowling Green — Bowling Green because the MAC is a superior conference to C-USA.
Valenti: Liberty — My pick ‘tis of thee, sweet team of Liberty, even though they won’t be at home sweet home. Both of these teams are 1-1, but I think the Flames will thoroughly cook the Falcons and send them home to sweet Pudge.
Avila: Liberty — I love America, I love the Statue of Liberty, so give me Liberty! Liberty also looks like the better overall team. Unless Bowling Green hates America, I don’t see them winning this matchup.
Whittington: Liberty — Bowling Green will make it close but Liberty’s playmakers will help them finish with a tight win.
Naranjo: Bowling Green — Liberty and Bowling Green are hoping to recover after defeats to Jacksonville State and Cincinnati respectively. Starting quarterbacks Ethan Vasko and Drew Pyne both had over 250+ yards in their defeats, so this might come down to which one is sharper this time around. If the Falcons avoid another second half meltdown, they’ll be good.
