playBill ConnellySep 18, 2026, 06:00 AM ETCloseBill Connelly is a writer for ESPN. He covers college football, soccer and tennis. He has been at ESPN since 2019.Multiple AuthorsOpen Extended ReactionsThe Week 3 schedule in college football sneaks up on you. You know all about the Lane Kiffin Bowl, which we’ve been gearing up for since last December.
But we get two other ranked-versus-ranked games, and the weekend should build solid momentum with a stream of 13 games between unbeaten teams.We get all sorts of narrative potential in quarterback matchups such as Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss) vs. Sam Leavitt (LSU) — if Leavitt plays — plus Lincoln Kienholz (Louisville) vs. Kevin Jennings (SMU), Kamario Taylor (Mississippi State) vs. LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina), Malik Washington (Maryland) vs.
Ethan Grunkemeyer (Virginia Tech) and CJ Bailey (NC State) vs. Jared Curtis (Vanderbilt)We also get one of the most intriguing Auburn-Florida games in years, plus rivalry games we never give enough attention to: the Victory Bell (Miami-Ohio vs. Cincinnati), the Battle for the Valley (Fresno State vs. San Jose State) and the Shula Bowl (FIU vs.
FAU).And yes, we get the REVENGE!!!!!! game of the season in Oxford, Mississippi. It’s a lot! It always is! Here’s everything you need to follow in what’s sure to be a messy and dramatic Week 3.Note: All times are Eastern.REVENGE!!!!!
No. 7 LSU at No. 8 Ole Miss (7:30 p.m., ABC)How are things going in the run-up to this one? Well, there will be an “enhanced law enforcement presence” at the game, LSU defensive end Princewill Umanmielen was served court papers at the LSU football complex Tuesday in relation to an Ole Miss breach-of-contract lawsuit, and on Wednesday, LSU listed quarterback Sam Leavitt as doubtful out of the blue despite no record of any injury. It later came out that he was dealing with a potential shoulder issue. No one knows whether to believe that, but the betting line didn’t move, which is telling.It might not be possible to top Neyland Stadium’s atmosphere in 2021 when, 12 years after he ditched Tennessee, Kiffin finally revisited Knoxville. (Golf balls!
I’m still surprised by the golf balls.) But we’re evidently going to give it the ol’ college try Saturday night.If Leavitt really is injured, either Husan Longstreet’s first career start or Elon transfer Landen Clark’s first FBS start will come at an incredible time in an incredible atmosphere. But either way, the marquee matchup will come when Ole Miss has the ball.Though plenty of teams have feasted on cupcakes thus far, Ole Miss’ offensive stats have been dinged a bit by the Rebels having played a real opponent in Week 1 (Louisville). But you still get an outline for the matchups at play. Ole Miss has stayed on schedule beautifully thanks to Kewan Lacy’s running and Trinidad Chambliss’ efficient passing to Deuce Alexander and Horatio Fields, who have caught 22 of 25 balls thrown their way.
But there haven’t been loads of big plays thus far, especially from Lacy (4.9 yards per carry). LSU’s defense, however, has been the most efficient in the country and basically gives up yards only in chunks. It’s strength versus strength here.With Leavitt, LSU’s offense sleepwalked through the first half against Louisiana Tech last week. Leavitt threw three picks and took four sacks, and after gaining 113 yards against Clemson, running back Dilin Jones had 10 carries for 3 yards.
It was a nightmare performance for the LSU offensive line, though the unit found a solid groove in the second half as the Tigers finally pulled away. Ole Miss got hit for several big plays in Week 1 against Louisville, but the defensive front has been pretty disruptive, especially against the run. That could mean Leavitt or any other signal-caller faces a decent number of second-and-9s or third-and-8s.Off-the-field machinations get exhausting after a while, but this game should be incredibly interesting on the field, too. Will the atmosphere get to LSU?
Will it charge up Ole Miss too much? Revenge attempts can go in many different directions, and this should be the most fascinating game of 2026 thus far.Current line: LSU -2.5 | SP+ projection: LSU by 6.3 | FPI projection: LSU by 5.3The race for ACC No. 2 No. 16 SMU at No. 23 Louisville (3:30 p.m., ESPN2)Since joining the ACC in 2024, SMU is 15-2 in conference play, two games better than Miami and at least 3½ better than everyone else. Louisville, meanwhile, has won at least nine games for three straight seasons under Jeff Brohm. I was about to say that these two programs are the most likely next first-time ACC champs until I remembered that somehow, in 22 seasons, Miami hasn’t won one yet.
Whoops. Regardless, Saturday’s winner moves into the “most likely to face Miami in the title game” slot.This game features two of the nation’s top five passers per Total QBR. SMU veteran Kevin Jennings (second) is averaging a ridiculous 13.7 yards per dropback, while Louisville newcomer Lincoln Kienholz (fifth) has thrown for 639 yards and rushed for 130, not including sacks. He nearly led an upset win against Ole Miss in Week 1; he looked like a new starter for two quarters and a Heisman contender for two.Kienholz is a certified big-play hunter.
He’s third nationally in yards per completion (18.3), fifth in yards per dropback (11.4) and 26th in yards per non-sack carry (7.6). He leaves the pocket constantly, and though he has thrown 18% of his passes 20-plus yards downfield (24th), he has yet to throw an interception. Sacks are almost the only thing keeping his Hudl IQ radar performance chart from being a perfect circle.Jennings, meanwhile, remains Jennings: He’s talented, smart and effective, but you have to put up with basically two huge mistakes each game. He threw two second-half interceptions in SMU’s narrow Week 1 win over Florida State, and the Mustangs won by only three points despite outgaining the Seminoles by 261 yards.Both of these teams had top-30 defenses last season, and if these quarterbacks cancel each other out from a quality perspective, the more effective defense might make the difference.Current line: Louisville -1.5 | SP+ projection: Louisville 1.3 | FPI projection: Louisville by 1.0The big one in Lubbock No. 22 Houston at No. 13 Texas Tech (Friday, 8 p.m., Fox)Texas Tech has been extremely underwhelming compared with last year’s rampant Big 12 title form, but that won’t matter if the Red Raiders shift into gear Friday night.At 31st in SP+, Houston ranks fifth in the Big 12, but the Cougars are the best remaining opponent on Tech’s schedule.
The Cougars have been brutally efficient to date, with Conner Weigman completing 69% of his passes and backs Makhi Hughes, Re’Shaun Sanford II and Zane Smith averaging 6.3 yards per carry. They’ve gone three-and-out only once in two games. Tech’s defense is aggressive, and edge rusher Jamond Mathis looks like the real deal, but aggression has backfired quite a bit early on. They’re solidly in the all-or-nothing quadrant below.Tech’s offense ranks just 64th in points per possession despite having played Oregon State (74th in defensive SP+) and FCS’ Abilene Christian.
Will Hammond is throwing quickly and accurately, but he’s averaging only 10.6 yards per completion and 7.0 yards per dropback. He’s 59th in Total QBR. Houston’s pass defense has been vulnerable — the Cougars also got hit for big yards against Oregon State — but the run defense has been spotless. Hammond might have to win this game.
Is he ready to do that?Current line: Tech -7.5 | SP+ projection: Tech by 10.0 | FPI projection: Tech by 9.72-0 vs. 2-0Unbeaten records give quite a few games some added heft. Here are six I’m looking forward to far more than I expected. The Saturday night slate is really overflowing. Florida at Auburn (7 p.m., ESPN)Since Urban Meyer left Florida in 2011, the school has always made logical hires.
Will Muschamp was the most respected defensive coordinator in the game. Jim McElwain had the Saban DNA
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