Road to Vegas: Top 25 matchups to watch in Week 3 of college football

Road to Vegas: Top 25 matchups to watch in Week 3 of college football With the No. 1 squad in the AP Top 25 still reeling from Texas’ melodramatic 21‑point comeback triumph over Ohio State, Week 3 brings a fresh heavyweight showdown. Here are five games worth monitoring as the schedule advances. **No. 7 LSU at No. 8 Ole Miss** This contest stands as the sole top‑10 clash of the weekend, and its narrative extends well beyond the rankings. LSU head coach Lane Kiffin returns to Oxford for the first time since departing the Ole Miss program to accept the LSU position. Kiffin previously guided the Rebels to a College Football Playoff berth last season before his move to Baton Rouge. Opposite him, Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding—who served as Kiffin’s defensive coordinator before taking over the Rebels—will face his former mentor for the first time as a head coach. Golding assumed interim duties late last year and steered Ole Miss into the College Football Playoff, notching victories over Tulane and Georgia before a 31‑27 defeat to Miami in the semifinal. **Florida State at No. 10 Alabama** The two schools share recent history; Florida State defeated Alabama in Tallahassee last season, supplying the Crimson Tide with added incentive for Saturday’s meeting. Alabama’s offense has grown increasingly comfortable under first‑year starting quarterback Keelon Russell, following a 48‑10 victory over East Carolina in Week 1 and a 45‑17 win against Kentucky in Week 2. Florida State arrives with a 1‑1 record after downing New Mexico State in Week 1, pushing No. 16 SMU to the brink at home, then falling 27‑24 to the Mustangs. **West Virginia at No. 25 Virginia** The Cavaliers cracked the rankings for the first time since 2021 after opening the season 2‑0, with wins over NC State and Norfolk State while surrendering just 11 points across those contests. West Virginia is also 2‑0 after a 52‑7 triumph over UT Martin in Week 2, setting up a meeting of two unbeaten squads at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The programs last met in the 2002 Continental Tire Bowl, where Virginia prevailed 48‑22. Virginia has captured the past three meetings, yet holds a 12‑10‑1 edge in the all‑time series. **No. 16 SMU at No. 23 Louisville** Since SMU’s entry into the ACC, this fixture carries league title ramifications; a Mustang victory would keep them in step with Miami. SMU has already won the initial two ACC meetings versus Louisville and maintains a 4‑0 all‑time advantage over the Cardinals. Louisville climbed one position in the AP Top 25 after a narrow road loss to Ole Miss, 41‑38, and has amassed a combined 97 points in its first two outings. **Michigan State at No. 3 Notre Dame** The Fighting Irish have opened the year by outscoring opponents 93‑13, while Michigan State arrives fresh off a pair of wins and eyes a berth in the forthcoming AP Top 25. Pat Fitzgerald assumed head coaching duties at Michigan State succeeding Jonathan Smith, whose 2025 campaign finished 4‑8. The Spartans aim to re‑enter the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2022 and will confront their sternest test of the season. A victory over No. 3 Notre Dame on Saturday would deliver Michigan State’s first triumph over a ranked opponent since downing the