The game of college football is characterized by its fluctuating nature, with victories and defeats evoking contrasting emotions. Triumph over a rival team can elicit a sense of euphoria, while a loss in the same match can lead to despondency. However, the beauty of this sport lies in the fact that there is always another opportunity to either rectify past mistakes or maintain momentum in the following weekend.

This brings us to Week 3, where numerous unforeseeable outcomes and remarkable performances are expected to occur. Although predicting such events may prove challenging, our esteemed USA TODAY Sports college football staff, comprising Scooby Axson, Jace Evans, Paul Myerberg, Erick Smith, Eddie Timanus, and Dan Wolken, have endeavored to offer their bold prognostications for the upcoming weekend.

A weekend of college football devoid of any unexpected outcomes? That would be considered an upset.

During weeks such as this in college football, where no game features Top 25 teams competing against each other, a certain degree of unpredictability in terms of upsets is anticipated. However, this weekend will not be characterized by such chaos. Each Top 25 team scheduled to play will emerge victorious, with at least fifty percent of them surpassing their point spread. This outcome sets the stage for a potential Week 4 that will eliminate the less credible contenders and provide greater clarity regarding the national championship landscape before the arrival of October.

It is anticipated that Billy Napier will face scrutiny subsequent to Florida’s match against Tennessee.

Florida coach Billy Napier is expected to face increased pressure in the upcoming game against No. 9 Tennessee at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The visiting team is currently on a rare winning streak in the series, and Florida’s defense, while impressive thus far, has yet to face an offense of Tennessee’s caliber. Despite a lackluster performance in their previous game against Austin Peay, it is anticipated that the Vols were looking ahead to this pivotal matchup. It is predicted that the Vols will secure a victory, resulting in Napier’s winless record against Florida’s four biggest rivals extending to 0-5. This will mark the first time since 2003 and 2004 that the Vols have won back-to-back games against the Gators, a fact that Napier should take note of, as those were the final two years of Ron Zook’s tenure.

Minnesota emerged victorious over North Carolina in a sole Top 25 defeat

This weekend, there will be a total of 24 ranked teams in action, with only one expected to suffer a loss. North Carolina, having narrowly defeated Appalachian State in their previous game, is anticipated to encounter difficulties against Minnesota’s formidable defense, ultimately resulting in a close defeat. The Golden Gophers have demonstrated their defensive prowess by conceding only 447 yards in two games against strong opponents such as Nebraska and Eastern Michigan. In contrast, UNC allowed a staggering 494 yards to the Mountaineers alone. Although Minnesota would need to establish a strong running game to limit Drake Maye’s involvement, they possess a favorable matchup against the Tar Heels’ offense and are comfortable competing in a low-scoring, four-quarter environment. – Authored by Paul Myerberg.

Mississippi State’s SEC opener win over LSU raises the question of needing more cowbell

LSU commenced the season with optimistic aspirations and a position in the top five of the US LBM Coaches Poll. However, subsequent to the Tigers’ resounding defeat by Florida State in Week 1, there exist significant doubts regarding the caliber of this team. Further insight will be gained this week, as a visit to Mississippi State is no easy feat, and the atmosphere in Starkville can prove challenging even for the most accomplished teams. With Will Rogers’ proficient passing and a dependable defense, it is anticipated that the Bulldogs will achieve an unexpected victory, potentially causing LSU’s season to take a negative turn.

Anticipate a closely contested Backyard Brawl between the universities of Pittsburgh and West Virginia

The forthcoming prime-time encounter between West Virginia and Pittsburgh, although not a Top 25 showdown, is worthy of attention. The “Backyard Brawl” last year was an exciting game, providing one of the most thrilling moments of the opening weekend of the season. Pitt emerged victorious at home with a 38-31 win, staging a comeback in the fourth quarter with a 92-yard touchdown drive and taking the lead with a pick six. This year, it is Pitt’s turn to travel the 75 miles to Morgantown to renew the long-standing rivalry, providing both programs with an opportunity to overcome early setbacks. While the Mountaineers were not expected to win against Penn State in Week 1, the Panthers’ offensive struggles in their recent home loss to Cincinnati did not inspire confidence in their fan base. The outcome of this game is uncertain, but it may provide some much-needed drama on a day that may otherwise lack it.

It is possible that Tennessee may experience flooding in Florida

It is remarkable how much the Florida-Tennessee game has been affected by the poor performance of the Gators at Utah. In essence, had Florida scheduled an FCS team or a less formidable opponent for their season opener, this game would have garnered significant attention and been considered the highlight of the week. However, it is now receiving minimal hype and attention, which could pose a threat to the Vols. Historically, Tennessee has not been favored on the road against Florida, and it is difficult to assess their true capabilities after defeating a weak Virginia team and struggling to defeat Austin Peay in a subpar performance. It is unlikely that Florida will perform as poorly as they did against Utah. This presents an excellent opportunity for the Gators to cause an upset in the Swamp.