The five most interesting ranked vs. unranked matchups of Week 3

Unlike Week 2, Week 3 of the college football doesn’t include any marquee matchups between two national championship contenders or even any games between two ranked opponents.

Still, there will still be tests for some teams ranked in the top-25.

Here are the five most interesting ranked versus unranked matchups of the week:

No. 11 Tennessee at Florida

Spread: Tennessee -6

Coming into the season, people around the Florida program felt the Gators were further along entering Year Two under Billy Napier than they were getting credit for in the media. Although the Gators didn’t exactly get off to a great start in proving that with their ugly 24-11 Week 1 loss to Utah, there’s still optimism at Florida regarding quarterback Graham Mertz and the outlook for this year’s team. Nevertheless, Napier could very much use a win this week.

For what it’s worth, Joe Milton and Tennessee have been up-and-down some through two weeks too. After a 49-13 victory over Virginia in Week 1, the Vols led an FCS opponent (Austin Peay) just 13-6 at halftime last week and by only 10 six minutes into the fourth quarter. A win on Saturday would be Tennessee’s first in Gainesville in 20 years.

No. 14 LSU at Mississippi State

Spread: LSU -9.5

Although Mississippi State was projected to finish last in the SEC West during the summer, the Bulldogs do have several 2024 NFL draft prospects who could maybe help to keep them competitive in this game. That includes early-round cornerback prospect Decamerion Richardson, other projected 2024 draft picks such as running back Jo’quavious Marks, wide receiver Tulu Griffin and linebacker Nathaniel Watson as well as others with a shot at getting drafted like quarterback Will Rogers. Within Mississippi State’s new offense, which has shifted away from the Air Raid, Marks has run for more than 120 yards in each of the Bulldogs’ first two games.

This is LSU’s first Power Five opponent since its 45-24 loss to Florida State in Week 1.

No. 16 Kansas State at Missouri

Spread: Kansas State -4

To have a chance here, Missouri will need much better play than it got last week from Brady Cook and its offense. The Tigers posted just 316 yards during a narrow 23-19 victory over Middle Tennessee.

Based on its schedule — and currently being set to face only one ranked opponent during the regular season — Kansas State could truly end up being a sleeper in the Big 12, but we’ll know more about the Wildcats after this game. It’s Kansas State’s first game against a Power Five opponent.

Minnesota at No. 20 North Carolina 

Spread: UNC -7.5

It took double overtime for North Carolina to beat Appalachian State last week after its Week 1 win over South Carolina. Through two games, Tar Heels star QB Drake Maye has thrown for 477 yards with two touchdown passes and two interceptions. Also, never overlook P.J. Fleck and Minnesota. The Golden Gophers have won nine games each of the last two years and are off to a 2-0 start to this season.

South Carolina at No. 1 Georgia

Spread: Georgia -27

Oddsmakers aren’t giving South Carolina much respect here. Still, this will provide us with our first real opportunity to figure out what’s fair to expect from this year’s Georgia squad after the Bulldogs opened the year against a combination of UT Martin and Ball State.

While South Carolina’s offensive line could be a problem for the Gamecocks (the line that gave up nine sacks during South Carolina’s Week 1 loss to North Carolina), it is worth noting that Gamecocks QB Spencer Rattler has now thrown for at least 350 yards in three of his last four games against ranked opponents dating back to last season.

A couple potential blowouts worth monitoring

Colorado State at No. 18 Colorado: Colorado State head coach Jay Norvell’s comment about sunglasses and hats added another layer to Deion Sanders’ third game at Colorado, although expectations shouldn’t be too big for a CSU team that finished 3-9 last season and that trailed by 33 in the fourth quarter of a Week 1 loss to Washington State.

No. 10 Alabama at USF: This game shouldn’t be even remotely close — Alabama’s favored by 33 after all — but the game is at least somewhat interesting now with Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner set to replace Jalen Milroe as the Crimson Tide’s starting QB.