College Football Week 3: Games To Watch

Through two weeks, I’m 10-1 (straight-up), and 5-for-5 in Week 2. Let’s see if my streak continues!

#21 Maryland @ Temple
Spread: Maryland by 7.5

Every season has surprise teams that nobody saw coming. Two games into the season it looks like Maryland is one of those teams. The Terps crushed then-ranked Syracuse, 63-20, last week and launched themselves into the national spotlight.

Courtesy: Intelligent College Football.com

But Temple is no pushover. In his first career start last year, Anthony Russo led the Owls to a 35-14 win over the Terps. He has star wideout Isaiah Wright on his side, meaning Temple is dangerous through the air.

In contrast, Maryland prides itself on its ground game with Anthony McFarland, Jake Funk, and Javon Leake. Those weapons, along with Temple’s question-mark at running back (with Ryquell Armstead’s departure), gives Maryland a sizeable advantage on the ground.

Maryland covers and rolls on.

Maryland 38, Temple 24

#22 USC @ BYU
Spread: USC by 4.5

USC’s Kedon Slovis fires a pass against Stanford last Saturday (photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), OC Register)

Kedon Slovis made his mark by tearing apart Stanford’s defense last week. Slovis went 28 for 33 with three touchdowns and almost 400 yards against a solid Stanford defense.

But this is USC after all, which means the Trojans are always a target, especially on the road. That’s where they’ll be this weekend, playing against BYU’s veteran roster. Zach Wilson will be the toughest test yet for the Trojan’s young secondary.

In a duel between Slovis and Wilson, I’m going with Slovis.

I know he has started only one game, but Wilson has been hot-and-cold lately.

USC narrowly escapes Provo.

USC 30, BYU 27

Stanford @ #18 UCF
Spread: UCF by 6.5

KJ Costello is back in time for Stanford to go up against upstart UCF. But the big question in this game is who’ll start at QB for the Knights?

Courtesy: Orlando Sentinel

UCF has three quarterbacks vying for the starting job–Darriel Mack, Brandon Wimbush, and Dillon Gabriel. This game won’t just be about UCF’s quarterbacks, though. Cameron Scarlett is a capable runner among a good selection of UCF running backs, including Greg McCrae and Bentavious Thompson.

This is the type of game that will likely come down to which offense can outplay the other. I’m going with the team that has a 24-game regular-season win streak.

Yes, Costello and the Cardinal will make it a close and exciting game, but UCF will find a way–as it always seems to do–to win.

UCF 34, Stanford 30

#8 Florida @ Kentucky
Spread: Florida by 9.5

Florida struggled against Miami in “Week 0” and those struggles may continue this week in a road game against Kentucky. Losing Terry Wilson hurts Kentucky, but beating UK hasn’t come easily for Florida recently, especially last year when the Gators’ decades-long win streak came to an end.

Courtesy: Florida Gators

The big question in this game is whether Sawyer Smith is ready to take the reigns for Wilson? Even if he does, the plain truth in Lexington is that UK lost a boatload of star players from last year’s team. UK doesn’t have the quality supporting cast this time around.

Besides, the Gators will be seeking revenge over last year’s embarrassment in The Swamp, and I don’t believe an experienced Florida team will be intimidated by the boisterous home crowd at Kroger Field.

Florida will beat Kentucky and cover, too.

Florida 30, Kentucky 17

GAME OF THE WEEK
#17 Iowa @ Iowa State
Spread: PK

Bitter cross-state and -conference rivals clash in ISU’s inaugural appearance on ESPN’s College Gameday.

Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz (photo, Larry Brown Sports)

It’s an intriguing match-up, too. Both quarterbacks–Nate Stanley for Iowa and Brock Purdy for ISU–will be going up against good defenses in a game that may be determined by which QB can lead his time on a final, winning drive. On the flip side, it could be won by a defense making that one, crucial stop.

ISU’s narrow OT win over UNI tells me that David Montgomery’s departure hurts the Cyclones. Besides, Iowa’s defense looks capable, Montgomery or not.

Iowa will win the Cy-Hawk Trophy for the 5th consecutive year.

Iowa 27, Iowa State 24