College football Week 3 buzz: Georgia and Texas are still out front, Michigan's bleak future, plus upset picks

Heather Dinich
Adam Rittenberg
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Adam Rittenberg
ESPN Senior Writer
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Sep 11, 2024, 02:47 PM ET

Week 2 was a wacky one. It seemed like anything could happen (Penn State was losing to Bowling Green?!) and anything did (Notre Dame lost to NIU as a 28.5-point favorite?!).

The Week 3 lineup looks sneaky good. Texas will try to avoid a Notre Dame-like letdown against UTSA after boosting its own College Football Playoff résumé with a convincing win at Michigan.

Can the Irish rebound on the road against Purdue this week? That game is certainly worth watching, along with the Friday night matchup in Manhattan, Kansas, where No. 14 Kansas State will host No. 20 Arizona. No. 4 Alabama has a tricky trip to Wisconsin on Saturday and rivals Oregon and Oregon State will meet again in Corvallis.

College football insiders Heather Dinich and Adam Rittenberg have been talking to sources throughout the week to get their reactions to what just unfolded, and the storylines to watch in Week 3.

Which true freshman has coaches buzzing the most so far?

Dinich: When first-year Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly began working with receiver Jeremiah Smith, he said, "I don't think there's a deficiency in his game." The expectation from the start was that Smith was going to be a "special player." "He's got a really good skill set, an amazing skill set," Kelly said. "He's tall, he's long, he's fast, he's tough. He's got a great work ethic." It's no surprise to those within the program that Smith has flourished, especially working with veteran receivers coach Brian Hartline.

Rittenberg: Great pick, as the buzz on Smith could soon approach Marvin Harrison Jr. levels. I'm going with another wide receiver, Alabama's Ryan Williams, who has 207 receiving yards and three touchdowns on only six catches, including touchdowns of 84, 55 and 43 yards. "It's amazing that a kid, that young, at a place like that, can have the impact that he's already having," Wisconsin defensive coordinator Mike Tressel, whose team hosts Williams and the Tide on Saturday, told me. "It's hard to overemphasize one dude, but it's impressive." Tressel said Williams' speed jumps out, as does his ability to separate from defenders. "He just seems to understand how to get open," Tressel said.

Which G5 team has impressed early and positioned itself for a possible CFP run?

Rittenberg: Several teams jump out, but I still think Memphis might be the Group of 5 team that lands the coveted CFP spot. The Tigers haven't been challenged yet, although they will visit a desperate Florida State team on Saturday in Tallahassee. What Memphis has that other G5 contenders lack is an established star quarterback in Seth Henigan, who easily could be leading a Power 4 offense right now is in his fourth season as the starter for the Tigers. Henigan is making his 39th career start Saturday and eclipsed 11,072 career passing yards in the season opener.

"He's seen it all, right?" Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield told me. "He's seen every type of defense, he understands this offense as well as anybody. So he's very, very calm, cool and collected, regardless of the hype of the game."

Memphis also has supplemented its roster with key transfers like linebacker Elijah Herring from Tennessee, who "sees the whole field," Silverfield said, and recorded two tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery last week. Transfer running backs Mario Anderson (South Carolina) and Greg Desrosiers Jr. (UMass) have helped offset the injury loss of Sutton Smith.

"Mario's got great contact balance, he's got full vision, and Greg's got some long speed," Silverfield said. "They can both be on the field first through third downs."

Dinich: NIU's upset of Notre Dame put the Huskies into the driver's seat, but Boise State is right on their heels. There's a sign outside of the Broncos' team room that states its goals: win the MWC and win a bowl game, but with a 12-team playoff, Boise State defensive coordinator Erik Chinander says: "that ain't good enough, guys."

"The new goal is to win a conference championship and win a playoff game," said Chinander, whose defense is eighth in the nation in sacks.

The Broncos nearly upset Oregon -- playing harder than the Ducks at times, Chinander said -- because they wanted to "prove that they belonged."

Rittenberg: Boise State is still the team to beat in the Mountain West, but I'm also tracking UNLV, which can take down its second Big 12 team in three weeks Friday at Kansas. As I noted in last week's insider, Rebels coach Barry Odom has some superstars on defense, but also greater depth and versatility, especially in the secondary.

"There's a number of those guys that can play different positions," Odom told me. "We've cross-trained them all."

Dinich: One coach familiar with Tulane said the Green Wave has a Power 4-level receiving corps, a talented defense that tackles well, and is a team that could give Oklahoma some trouble on Saturday.

"It would not surprise me if they won 10 games this year," he said, "and it will be really interesting to see how it goes down this weekend."

Who is the transfer who will have the biggest impact on the CFP race?

Dinich: Miami QB Cam Ward from Washington State. Coach Mario Cristobal said he got an "awesome portal class" and Ward is a big reason why. He's No. 2 in the country in QBR (94.9) and has helped the Canes look like the best team in the ACC -- and possibly the entire state of Florida. This spring, when Cristobal was talking about the "marathon" of recruiting Ward from the portal, he said, "When that call came in, I [didn't] know if I wanted to high five or jump through the screen and put him in a headlock, but the wait was worth it." Apparently.

Rittenberg: USC safety Kamari Ramsey from UCLA. I wanted to find someone to elevate a team into CFP contention rather than keep it there, and Ramsey is among several notable transfers for a USC defense that looks dramatically different so far under new coordinator D'Anton Lynn. Ramsey came with Lynn from UCLA, where he started 11 games as a redshirt freshman. He led the Trojans with nine tackles in the season-opening upset of LSU, and had a forced fumble and a tackle for loss in last week's shutout of Utah State. Ramsey knows Lynn's system and expectations, and can help limit breakdowns and generate playmaking for a USC defense that is gaining confidence.

Who would you take today: Georgia, Ohio State or Texas?

Rittenberg: Georgia's depth is undeniable, but I might go with Texas after what happened at the Big House. The Longhorns beat Michigan with speed, power and scheme. The offensive line stood out, and, more surprisingly, the running backs did, too, despite the preseason injuries to CJ Baxter and Christian Clark. Texas had only one run longer than 11 yards -- Ryan Wingo's 55-yarder -- but Jaydon Blue and Quintrevion Wisner combined for eight receptions, and Jerrick Gibson had a touchdown run. "Nobody sees those guys, but we've recruited that position," a team source told me. "You hate to lose anybody, but fortunately, we've got guys who can still run it pretty well." The source also noted that Texas excelled "in all the stuff that really matters" in a tough road game, including red zone efficiency (three touchdowns on four red zone trips) and third-down conversions (10 of 16).

Dinich: Because it's "today," I'm sticking with Georgia, though I just saw the Longhorns live in Ann Arbor and they are a true national title contender. Can we fast forward to Oct. 19 in Austin for the biggest game of the year? Ohio State, though, might prove to be the best of the three -- we just haven't seen them play tougher competition yet like Georgia and Texas. Ohio State has the best running back room in the country -- no contest. Davison Igbinosun might be the best corner in the country. Until they face a ranked opponent, though, gotta stick with the Dawgs.

What's a realistic regular-season outcome for Michigan this season?

Dinich: This is a team that could realistically lose five games -- Texas, USC, Washington, Oregon and Ohio State. According to ESPN Stats & Information, a four-loss team has never been ranked in the committee's top 12. Michigan got beat soundly up front, couldn't get enough stops on third downs -- or convert on third downs (3-of-12) -- and lost the turnover (3-0) battle. Coach Sherrone Moore said many of those issues -- particularly the turnovers -- are correctable, but how much better can Michigan be on the offensive and defensive lines? Michigan is No. 103 in the country in offensive efficiency.

Rittenberg: Michigan's troubles go beyond the quarterback position, although the resistance to adding a portal QB doesn't look good, either. Big Ten coaches who watched the Texas game saw a Michigan team feeling the effects of losing 13 players to the NFL draft and simply lacking the depth it enjoyed the past three seasons. "The amount of talent they lost, this is more like the teams they had where they won six or seven games," a Big Ten coordinator said. "A whole new squad, new defensive coordinator, whole new offense."

Do people in college athletics think the 12-team playoff makes marquee nonconference games more or less likely?

Dinich: Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel, who is also the chair of the CFP selection committee this year, said he will continue to schedule marquee matchups, pointing to future games against both Oklahoma and Notre Dame.

"I think these games are beneficial on the front end where you can play a strong nonconference opponent," he said. "And I think in the 12-team playoff, it does give you some more flexibility to play those because one loss is not going to bump you out of the potential to be in the playoff. I think it's good for our fans, it's good for college football, and we will look to continue to do it."

Not everyone, though, thinks the risk is worth the reward.

"I'd certainly rather play Tennessee-Martin every week," one coach quipped.

Rittenberg: I asked a coach who just recorded a notable non-league win in Cal's Justin Wilcox, whose team stunned Auburn in Jordan-Hare Stadium, despite being a double-digit underdog. Wilcox isn't sure how the CFP will look even in a few years, given the constant chatter about changing the format.

"There's also games that have been set up a decade in advance, and are people keeping them? Are they going to move them?" Wilcox told me. "I hope [they keep them]. It was a great opportunity for our players, great for our fans and alumni to go down there and play in a great environment. I hope those things remain, but it seems like a lot could be changing. I think there's a ton of value in [those games]. We've been doing that a long time, and I hope that wouldn't go away."

Dinich: Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said playing a team the caliber of NC State in the nonconference schedule is a benefit because it "creates urgency in your preparation," and the 12-team playoff will be more forgiving.

"I don't see a difference in that when you play the quality of league that we play in," he said. "It gives you a way when you stub your toe to find a way to play yourself back into it."

Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz, whose team will face Boston College on Saturday, agreed.

"It's not going to define whether or not you're going to make the playoffs, ultimately you control that with how you play within your conference," he said. "It will give you something to either draw back on if you do win the game, or if you lose the game your team knows how much more it has to improve going into conference play."

Rittenberg: Like several SEC teams, South Carolina has a built-in marquee non-league rivalry game every year in Clemson, which coach Shane Beamer wants to preserve. But Beamer recognizes the overall schedule difficulty in a league like the SEC, which has clung to an eight-game league schedule but likely will move to nine.

"If the SEC goes to nine games, people would look at South Carolina and say, 'Man, they're crazy. They play nine SEC games and Clemson, and you want to play a non conference marquee game every year?'" Beamer told me. "There's certainly some things that we have to think about, in regards to scheduling, but I don't want them to go away."

Beamer sees the value of stronger schedules, noting that if Michigan makes a CFP push, it can point to Texas as a more acceptable loss than one against a Group of 5 opponent.

Dinich: "I think you'll see more of them," a head coach told me. "The 12-team playoff allows for more leeway in regards to losing a marquee game. Additionally, strength of schedule will be a big factor in the playoff selection process, and it gives Big Ten and SEC teams yet another chance to separate themselves from everyone else. Marquee matchups are a positive and will continue to be scheduled. It's something that's truly good for the game."

What's your Week 3 upset pick?

All lines current as of publication time, courtesy of ESPN BET.

Rittenberg: UNLV (+6.5, +240) over Kansas. My first upset pick (San Diego State) got shut out at home last week, so things can only get better. I nearly picked Illinois over Kansas last week but talked myself out of it, and while the Jayhawks could rebound, UNLV comes in with a talented and balanced team, and a lot of confidence. Odom played and coached for Missouri, so he needs no extra motivation to face Kansas, which might not benefit from a great home-field advantage with the game off-campus and on a Friday night. Illinois provided a blueprint for how to slow down the Jayhawks, and UNLV's defense is loaded with talent. Also, keep an eye on Rebels star returner/wide receiver Jacob De Jesus to deliver a big play or two.

Dinich: South Carolina (+7, +230) over LSU. The Gamecocks have home-field advantage, they're coming off a stellar defensive performance in their season-opener against Kentucky, and LSU still hasn't figured out how to put it all together. This would be a big one -- and much-needed -- for Beamer. The Gamecocks had five sacks and a pick six against Kentucky, and the defense will be the difference in this one.

Let's empty the notebook. Who else is generating the most buzz after Week 2 and what else are you hearing?

Rittenberg:

Washington State's quarterback transition from Ward to John Mateer has stood out not only because of its smoothness but also its schematic contrast. After WSU generated 79.8% of its yards through the air with Ward in 2023, Mateer has 252 rush yards and two touchdowns in the first two games, averaging 11 yards per carry
"Nobody can tackle him," WSU coach Jake Dickert told me. "He would get pissed at me during [preseason] scrimmages, like, 'Coach, that guy would never get me down right there.' Now, I definitely believe him. He is the ultimate competitor."
Dickert was a "s---ty quarterback" when he played, he said, but he knew quarterbacks needed to play freely. So while he would like to see Mateer run "a little bit on the safer side," beginning Saturday in the Apple Cup against Washington, Dickert wants the sophomore to follow his instincts in the pocket.
"John, you play the way you play, and when you're playing to your strength, play that way," Dickert has told Mateer. "And I did that with Cam too. I don't think Washington State has seen this style of offense for many, many years."
Beamer knows South Carolina is young at quarterback with LaNorris Sellers but older in many other areas, including a defense with a core of players who developed in the program -- tackles Tonka Hemingway and T.J. Sanders, linebackers Debo Williams and Bam Martin-Scott, cornerback O'Donnell Fortune -- and experienced transfers like Kyle Kennard, who led Georgia Tech in sacks (6) and tackles for loss (11) and has 3.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss in his first two games for South Carolina. The Gamecocks are tied for second nationally with 10 sacks.
"If you look at us statistically, sacks, tackles for losses, we haven't been great around here," Beamer told me. "We went into the portal after the season and priority one was to increase our ability to rush the passer. [Kennard] had very productive tape at Georgia Tech."
Beamer knows the offense needs a jolt, especially Saturday against LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker, who "embarrassed us" in recent years at Missouri. But Beamer is also happy to lean on the defense and special teams, until Sellers and others blossom.
"This team just reminds me a lot of my dad's teams at Virginia Tech," Beamer said, referring to his Hall of Fame father Frank Beamer. "We can win games playing great defense and controlling field position and being good on special teams, while our offense continues to come along."
Cal tied for third nationally in takeaways last fall (27), and is on pace to eclipse that mark after recording five, including four interceptions, in last week's win at Auburn. The Bears are tied for the national lead with eight takeaways in two games.
Wilcox said the most opportunistic defenses have confidence, experience and ability, and Cal's has a nice mix with holdovers like Nohl Williams, who already has three interceptions this fall and 10 for his career, and inside linebacker Teddye Buchanan, a transfer from UC Davis who had a forced fumble, two sacks and three tackles for loss at Auburn. Williams also has an 80-yard kick return touchdown.
"Nohl has really good ball skills, he's an aggressive guy," Wilcox said. "If he just kind of plays with technique and uses his leverage the right way, he's going to make a lot of plays."
The Bears' defense features sixth-year players in safeties Craig Woodson and Miles Williams, and also promising younger players like sophomore linebacker Cade Uluave.
"It's kind of a mix and mash group of guys, but they really do a good job of playing together and communicating with each other," Wilcox said. "They're comfortable knowing when to make a play on the ball and when to finish the tackle first. But we're two games in. The key is to ride the escalator and not the roller-coaster."
Tressel said Wisconsin is "giving up too many explosive plays," never a good sign when Alabama comes to town, and must be better with its assignment and maintaining leverage on the edge. The Badgers can lean on cornerback Ricardo Hallman, a preseason All-America selection with an FBS-leading seven interceptions in 2023, and safety Hunter Wohler. Tressel said offenses are more conscious of where Hallman lines up and might challenge him less, while Wohler, who had 120 tackles last year, already has 15 this fall.
"He's going to be around the ball," Tressel said. "Those really good plays, those huge plays are coming, the game-changing plays are coming."
Tressel added that Wisconsin players hoping to continue their careers beyond college will get a preview this week.
"If you dream of playing in the NFL, the 22 guys on the field in this game is going to be much closer to that than it has been the first two weeks," he said.

Dinich:

Multiple coaches have said this week they've noticed Oregon struggling up front, particularly on its interior offensive line. Sources who have studied the Ducks said they're having some trouble handling movement and protection.
"They're just not what they've had in the past," one coach said.
"They're supposed to have draft picks up there," said another. "Probably not as good as I expected."
After escaping Tulane with a critical win, K-State has a quick turn against Arizona, and Wildcats' defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman said his defense learned a lesson from the Green Wave.
"I think the big thing for us is you can't give up explosive plays," Klanderman said. "We gave up a ridiculous amount of yards, and 80% of those yards - I think more than that, actually - came off of 10 explosive plays. We've got to do a better job of execution and that was the big takeaway from Saturday."
Klanderman said Arizona goes as quarterback Noah Fifita plays, but he's also got his eye on receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who is averaging 26.3 yards per catch.
"He's different, he's special," Klanderman said. "His catch radius is as good as I've ever seen."
Even with that prolific passing duo, Klanderman said the key to the game will be stopping the run.
"We're going to have to force them to be one-dimensional, where we can get into our little bag of tricks a bit," he said.

Oregon State coach Trent Bray, who lettered for the Beavers from 2002-2005, said they'll try to negate rival Oregon's talent with their physicality. He said they've been playing assignment-sound football and have been fundamental at the point of attack. As an alum who played for the Beavers, Bray said it's "a good thing" this rivalry survived realignment, but his bigger priority is a 3-0 start.
"We're searching for the best version of ourselves," he said. "These guys have bought into the concept of team, especially nowadays, where that's so rare, everything's individualized. I think it's been impressive how they've come together and work as a team and believe in that concept of team."

Tennessee has made headlines for its prolific offense, but the Vols lead the country in defensive efficiency (97.7). Heupel attributed it to the growth of his roster and said they have more depth than ever.
"We're close to three deep the way we're playing guys right now on the d-line," he said. "We've got athleticism, depth on the second level at our linebacker position and we're playing really good on the third level right now."