The second week of the College Football season was the type of slate that helps fans focus on Sundays. Michigan and Oklahoma played the only clash of ranked opponents, and the best teams in the country played their yearly matchups against an otherwise anonymous school for the sake of inflating their point differentials.
In Week 3, high-profile matchups return, largely thanks to the SEC. LSU hosts Florida, Texas A&M visits Notre Dame, and No. 6 Georgia is a 3.5-point favorite over Tennessee. Each contest offers SEC playoff stakes and a handful of 2026 NFL Draft prospects.
Let's take a look at the most important battles waiting for us on Saturday.
Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU (vs. Florida)
Nussmeier added credibility to his QB1 case in Week 1 against Clemson, but he was far less effective against a Louisiana Tech team initially slated to lose by five touchdowns. The Tigers won 23-7, and Nussmeier completed just 26-of-41 passes for 237 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
He'll have the opportunity to get back on track against Florida. However, despite the comedy of errors that cost the Gators their top-25 ranking, there is plenty of talent on both sides of the ball. As for Nussmeier, he'll be dealing with a defensive line stacked with draftable talents.
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Defensive tackle Caleb Banks made my early-season top-40 big board thanks to his blend of pro-ready run-stuffing and pass-rushing upside. He won't rack up sacks, but his win rates are legit, and he can push the pocket, making life difficult for a passer without much athleticism. Edge rusher Tyreak Sapp is another Day 2 talent, and LSU will hope to compensate with more talent on the perimeter than in the trenches.
This isn't a make-or-break game for Nussmeier, although how he deals with pressure and sets himself up for success pre-snap will be something to watch.
Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M (at Notre Dame)
Lee isn't everybody's flavor at corner. He's tall and long with speed that might translate better to the pre-draft circuit than one-on-one matchups downfield. Lee is at his best near the line of scrimmage and has some questions to answer about his coverage technique. Those skills will be tested against the Fighting Irish receiving corps.
Notre Dame has a talented receiving corps, headlined by Jaden Greathouse and Malachi Fields. Both are draftable and plenty capable of giving Lee trouble on Saturday.
Lee began the year as an early Day 2 prospect, but he's looked unsteady in the opening weeks of the new campaign. Notre Dame is the first true test on a schedule laden with ranked SEC talent. If he struggles again (and can't make up for it with ball production), it quickly becomes easy for his stock to fall in 2025.
C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia (at Tennessee)
Allen is a personal favorite from a playstyle perspective. He's one of the class's best run defenders -- without standout size -- due to his blend of athleticism, aggression, and processing. He's an easy projection on early downs and a solid bet to be a top-50 pick.
With that said, first-round linebackers aren't the safest investment, partly because coverage skills can be hard to project to the next level. Allen has some kinks to iron out in this regard, particularly when he is asked to flip his hips and explode downfield, rather than clicking and closing downhill.
No offense is going to force Georgia to turn and run quite like Tennessee. At the expense of NFL development, the Volunteers spread the formation out and turn receivers and their counterparts into track stars. The Bulldogs are well equipped to contain Tennessee, but how Allen and the other second-level defenders fare in a difficult assignment will be significant. If he looks comfortable and fluid, he can pave a path to Round 1. Keep your eyes between the hashmarks in this rivalry.
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