College football's best Week 3 games today: What you should watch on the schedule

Your guide to the Week 3 college football schedule with the top games you should be watching on Saturday

As we move into the third full weekend of college football, some of the major conferences are set to debut their initial league games, while some other non-con matchups will kick off as the cupcake portion of the schedule slowly moves into the rearview. That brings the football-viewing public some intriguing games to look forward to as the Saturday marathon starts things off around the country.

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Looking over the Week 3 slate, you might be inclined to think it wasn't worth tuning in, unless it's your own team in action, but as anyone who knows the history of college football will tell you, that's traditionally when some of the weirdest, most wonderful things happen. Are we in store for any upsets or surprises?

College football's best games in Week 3: What you should watch on the schedule

All times Eastern and game lines courtesy of SI Sportsbook

LSU (-9.5) at Mississippi State

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Sitting at 1-1, the defending SEC West champs could be in danger here, in a road game among the cowbells against a Bulldog team that has found a new, more physical offensive identity, plays some strong defense, and still has the power to punch a hole in your secondary. Can LSU avoid dipping under .500 here? They have the firepower, too. 12 p.m. on ESPN and fuboTV (Try for free).

Tigers/Dogs: Computer picks | Score pix | Prediction

South Carolina at Georgia (-27.5)

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Expect the Bulldogs' front seven to maul what looks like a disoriented Gamecocks front that has already allowed 10 sacks, but Spencer Rattler is taking it in stride, still hitting 83% of his throws and has some targets to get behind Georgia's second-level. This is also an important first SEC test for Carson Beck to show a little more something working with some solid receiving threats. 3:30 p.m. on CBS and fuboTV (Try for free).

Dawgs/Cocks: Picks, predicts | Score pix | Prediction

Alabama (-33.5) at USF

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Rumors abound that Nick Saban will turn to Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner at quarterback this week after Jalen Milroe's iffy showing in the loss to Texas, giving us a preview of what the Tide has to work with at the most important position and what kind of foundation they can build going forward. 3:30 p.m. on ABC and fuboTV (Try for free).

Tide/Bulls: Prediction | Computer picks

Tennessee (-5.5) at Florida

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The Gators have a great home field edge, some bodies to throw at the quarterback, and a three-headed backfield that can test the Vols' front, but Big Orange has big-arm Joe Milton and its own skill threats heading into a game that it hasn't won in the Swamp since 2003. Staying undefeated is key for UT as it looks to stay in the SEC East race going into the Georgia game in November, while the Gators are trying to avoid dipping below .500 before September is out. 7 p.m. on ESPN and fuboTV (Try for free).

Vols/Gators: Computer picks | Score pix | Prediction 

Colorado State at Colorado (-23.5)

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Prime Time comes back to Boulder as the Buffaloes kick off under the lights against an apparently overmatched in-state rival with College GameDay in the house. The line has ticked up a point in CU's favor since the open. Can the Buffs do it again? All signs point to yes looking at an offense stacked with legitimate skill threats playing for a quarterback who is already on track to be the program's best. Games against Oregon and USC follow for the Buffaloes after this one. 10 p.m. on ESPN and fuboTV (Try for free).

Related: CU/CSU score prediction

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