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Crash course: CFB Week 3 - Nick Saban, why so serious?
Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban has yet to relax in 2016. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Crash course: CFB Week 3 - Nick Saban, why so serious?

Week 1 had a lot of great head-to-head matchups with some of the top teams in the nation. Week 2 didn't really have that, but we still had an outstanding week with some upsets and some closer-than-expected games.

On to Week 3, where the stakes get a bit higher and we see some top-level conference games come around. For instance, Louisville has been unreal thus far and gets to host No. 2 Florida State on Saturday, Ohio State goes to Oklahoma, and Notre Dame and Michigan State renew their rivalry. It sets up for another great week of college pigskin action.

Again we break down each of the Power 5 conferences as well as the "Group of Five" in order to find who has the best shot at the playoff of those six leagues, ranking the leagues accordingly. Meaning, if you aren't in the top four, you aren't in playoff position. Also, we will look at the biggest game in each league for that week along with a game that may get lost in your weekend shuffle.

1-SOUTHEAST CONFERENCE

FAVORITE: ALABAMA
Nick Saban, why so serious? The Crimson Tide is slicing through opponents yet Saban has the look of a coach who is on a 20-game losing skid. I guess that's why he is the best in the biz.

GAME OF THE WEEK: ALABAMA AT OLE MISS
... or the fact that Saban's squad is going against the one foe that has beaten the Tide. Ole Miss hosts Alabama, and if there is anyone who knows what it takes to beat the Tide, it is Ole Miss. The Rebels hold a two-game winning streak over Bama and are ranked No. 19 themselves.

Saban hasn't lost to the same school three straight times since Purdue defeated Saban's Michigan State teams three times in a row in the late 1990s. Think about this hellish schedule for Ole Miss: The Rebels host No. 1 Alabama just two weeks after losing at current No. 2 Florida State.

Two years ago, these two met in a defensive struggle. Last year, it was an offensive shootout. Who knows what we get this year, but maybe Saban can crack a smile?

UNDER-THE-RADAR GAME: TEXAS A&M AT AUBURN
This should be a great game to watch: Auburn's stingy defense against Texas A&M's top scoring offense. The Aggies lead the SEC in scoring and have a huge offensive line while running four-wide most of the game. It is a huge challenge for an Auburn team that hung around with Clemson in Week 1.

HEISMAN WATCH: NICK CHUBB, GEORGIA
As great a game as Chubb had against North Carolina, he struggled against Nicholls. He did get 80 yards, but it wasn't easy against one of the lower-tier teams in the FCS. It may be more the scheme than Chubb's issues.

Against the Tar Heels, Chubb got outside and broke some big runs. Against Nicholls, the play calling had more runs between the tackles. The Bulldogs' offensive line isn't that great so Chubb has to do a lot of work on his own. It's easier if he gets in space.

STORYLINE
While the SEC is still atop the college football world, it is reeling a bit. Alabama is still awesome and there are eight teams currently ranked in the AP Top 25, but it doesn't feel like the elite teams are there right now. Alabama is No. 1, but the next highest ranked SEC team is Tennessee at No. 15.

There is sort of a scrum among the next tier of teams that can look great one minute and flawed the next. In the East Division, Georgia, Tennessee and Florida will most likely battle it out for the right to face Bama in the SEC Championship Game. Ole Miss, Auburn, Arkansas, LSU and Texas A&M will attempt to shock the world by knocking off Alabama while battling each other. So how do we value the SEC?

2-ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE

FAVORITE: FLORIDA STATE
Boy, that ACC Atlantic Division is something.  Louisville is on fire, Clemson is struggling yet still winning and Florida State is just being Florida State. Pollsters have gone a bit sour on Clemson, which puts Florida State (who will eventually host Clemson) in prime position. Right now the ranking and the outlook favor the Seminoles.

GAME OF THE WEEK: FLORIDA STATE AT LOUISVILLE
Oh, and do the Seminoles have their work cut out for them. The Noles head to Louisville to face the scorching-hot Lamar Jackson and the Cardinals. Jackson has already scored 13 touchdowns this season, and that Louisville offense has been nearly unstoppable.

In FSU's last three halves, Deondre Francois has looked stellar and has the Noles as the No. 2 team in the polls. Many were pointing to that Clemson-Florida State game as the de facto ACC title. Well, Louisville has a lot to say about that.

UNDER-THE-RADAR GAME: MIAMI AT APPALACHIAN STATE
Two weeks ago, Appalachian State put a scare in Tennessee in Knoxville. Last week the Mountaineers pounded Old Dominion. This week, Miami comes calling in what will be the biggest name school to come into cozy Boone, N.C. This is validation for a program whose biggest moment was its defeat of Michigan nearly a decade ago.

Since then, App State has moved up to the FBS and has "The U" coming into town. Amazing. And you know App State would love nothing more than to have another historic win.

HEISMAN WATCH: LAMAR JACKSON, LOUISVILLE
All Jackson has done is connect on 37-of-62 for 697 yards passing and seven TD passes... and rush 32 times for 318 yards and six TDs despite not even playing in the second half in the Cardinals' opener against Charlotte. In a league with a few Heisman hopefuls, Jackson's stats put him at the head of the class.

STORYLINE
Due the North Carolina's HB2, the ACC has removed the ACC Championship Game from Charlotte and will find a new place to host it soon. This is a huge move by the ACC. For 50 years, the ACC has been very North Carolina-centric. Four of the main schools are just a few miles apart with the headquarters in the same vicinity. There has always been a "North Carolina bias" felt among the other schools since most of the postseason tournaments and events are held in the state.

For the ACC to go outside the box and scold the state for its politics is a rather refreshing move. With a membership that isn't just based around the Carolinas anymore, the league had to put its foot down. In that area (especially the Research Triangle where the state capital is), ACC sports are a huge part of life and the fabric of the people that make up those communities. To see events like the ACC Championship Game, the ACC men's basketball tournament and sites for the NCAA Tournament gone is a shock to the system.

I've always said that in business you never want to know what life is like without you, and the state or North Carolina may be letting the ACC realize that. With essentially the entire eastern third of the nation in its footprint, the ACC has a ton of facilities to place its events.

3-BIG TEN CONFERENCE

FAVORITE: MICHIGAN
Michigan blew apart Central Florida last week, which was expected and keeps the team here. But Ohio State is heading to Norman, Oklahoma, for a big showdown and could change things here with a win. Until I see it, the Wolverines are here.

GAME OF THE WEEK: OHIO STATE AT OKLAHOMA
Ohio State has moved up to No. 3 in the polls... the spot Oklahoma was in when it lost to Houston in Week 1. Now the Buckeyes and Sooners face off for just the third time ever and the first time since 1983.

What a great matchup: J.T. Barrett against Baker Mayfield. Meyer and Stoops. A stable of former Heisman Trophy winners for two of the most accomplished programs in history. Ohio State would really, really, really love to win this game but won't be knocked out of a title shot with a loss. Still, a win here would solidify the Buckeyes' place among the title contenders.

UNDER-THE-RADAR GAME: MICHIGAN STATE AT NOTRE DAME
It must be a great game to push Michigan State-Notre Dame to the undercard. After a two-year break, Sparty and the Irish mix it up again in a series that began in 1897.

We've seen the Irish already play an epic battle with Texas so we've seen what they're about — good and bad. We only saw Michigan State in its lackluster defeat of Furman so it will be interesting to see Tyler O'Connor and crew go against that Notre Dame defense that's had some troubles.

HEISMAN WATCH: J.T. BARRETT, OHIO STATE
Barrett looked good against Bowling Green and in the rain against Tulsa, but he'll be in the prime-time lights at Oklahoma against another one of the best quarterbacks in the country. A great performance there could put him at the forefront of the Heisman race.

STORYLINE
Penn State may be a forgotten team in the mediocrity abyss of college football's middle class, but Saquon Barkley was a stud on Saturday that nearly brought the Nittany Lions back all by himself. Barkley rushed for four scores and caught a TD pass.

Though he won't make any Heisman lists this season, he is sure to be among the core that brings Penn State back. Its fight to get back into the game against Pitt is a testament to the team's heart, and hopefully that will be a building block.

4-GROUP OF FIVE

FAVORITE: HOUSTON
No Ward? No problem.

GAME OF THE WEEK: HOUSTON AT CINCINNATI
Houston beat Cincinnati with a late surge under the lights Thursday night, 40-16. It was a huge game for both schools as Houston is trying to get one of those playoff spots and Cincinnati is trying to impress the Big 12 with a signature win and a glowing atmosphere. The Bearcats escaped with a win despite their myriad of miscues late, but the lasting impression was that Cincy could be ready for the big time. The place was loud, and it felt like a big-time college football game.

As for the Cougars, they are still on track to play for a National Championship, but injuries are really piling up. Greg Ward Jr. was hit hard all night long, and his already tender shoulder looked a bit worse for the wear.

UNDER-THE-RADAR GAME: EAST CAROLINA AT SOUTH CAROLINA
East Carolina just beat the ACC's North Carolina State... so why not go south an beat the SEC's South Carolina? The Gamecocks are down this year, and East Carolina has made it a habit to come up and bite Carolina schools of late. While ECU was considered a long shot in the Big 12 expansion race, a win at an SEC opponent would advance the program quite a bit in case there is an expansion somewhere down the road. At least that's how the Pirates see it.

HEISMAN WATCH: GREG WARD JR., HOUSTON
Ward sat with a banged-up shoulder against Lamar, and the Cougars didn't miss a beat. Against Cincinnati, he showed why he's one of the most valuable players in the country. That's key because he is banged up. Ward may need to take some rest during this season just to hold up in December. That could derail his Heisman hopes.

STORYLINE
Central Michigan winning at Oklahoma State? Wow. Not that Oklahoma State was Oklahoma or anything, but the Cowboys were a ranked team, this game was at their place, and they had it all but wrapped up.

However, the Hail Mary hook-and-lateral to end the game was so exciting. See, at this time of year, this is the shot that these "Group of 5" schools have to show how good they are against top-flight competition. During conference play, it can't happen, and the way most bowl matchups are set, these schools still don't get many shots at big-name opponents. So seeing the Chips cash in on one in such a dramatic fashion is a big win for all of those not in a power league. Even if the refs really messed up.

5-PACIFIC 12 CONFERENCE

FAVORITE: STANFORD
Stanford has the best team and the best player so it sits here for now. However, the tough schedule begins this week.

GAME OF THE WEEK: USC AT STANFORD
USC was waxed by Alabama in Week 1, and the Trojans may still not be ready to face the nation's elite. Is Stanford among that elite?

Last time these two faced off was last year's Pac-12 Championship Game. All Christian McCaffrey did was gain 461 all-purpose yards against the Trojans, including rushing for 207 yards. USC will have to use its running game to not only move the ball, but to control the clock and keep McCaffrey off the field. That may be USC's only shot at winning this one.

UNDER-THE-RADAR GAME: OREGON AT NEBRASKA
Nebraska head coach Mike Riley knows Oregon well from his 14 seasons at Oregon State. Still, this seems to be quite a clash in styles. Nebraska is the big, bruising type while Oregon has the speed. That could allow the Ducks to try to make big plays — which the Huskers are prone to give up — and make it an air show. Nebraska will try to pound the ball, which Oregon doesn't like, to move it its way.

HEISMAN WATCH: CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY, STANFORD
McCaffrey had a solid game against K-State with 126 yards and two TDs and then a much-needed bye week (already?). What we all are waiting for is this run he has starting next week: USC, at UCLA, at Washington, Washington State and at Notre Dame.

STORYLINE
Colorado faces off against Michigan in what will probably be a healthy victory by the Wolverines in Ann Arbor. The two schools have been having quite the friendly Twitter war this week leading up to the game with both sides taking shots at the other. The two played in that epic game in 1994 that ended with the Kordell Stewart-to-Michael Westbrook Hail Mary for the Buffaloes' improbable victory.

The last time they played was in 1997 when the Wolverines (who won that game, 27-3) went on to win the AP National Championship. No matter what, these two on the same field will always conjure up memories of one of the best finishes in sports history.

6-BIG 12 CONFERENCE

FAVORITE: OKLAHOMA
TCU had its shot at the top and failed. Oklahoma is still the favorite of the Big 12. Sure, the Sooners lost to Houston, but that loss may not be too devastating to their playoff hopes. I mean, Houston could end up being the lone undefeated when the regular season ends, and that could be the Sooners' lone loss.

If that's the case, it meant Oklahoma beat Ohio State this week, which would be huge to boom the Sooners back into the National Championship discussion.

GAME OF THE WEEK: OHIO STATE AT OKLAHOMA
Ohio State. Oklahoma. I shouldn't need to say more. Two Heisman-caliber quarterbacks matching up. Two National Championship-winning coaches. Over 80,000 in Norman, Oklahoma. You get it, right?

Still, both teams need this. Ohio State plays in the tough Big Ten East so a loss here could mean the Buckeyes would need to be sparkling in conference play to get a shot at the College Football Playoff. Oklahoma has already lost to Houston so a second non-conference loss would be devastating to the Sooners' playoff hopes since the Big 12 is not only down this year, but has no conference championship game.

UNDER-THE-RADAR GAME: TEXAS AT CALIFORNIA
Is Texas for real? While Cal isn't a highly thought of team, it is still tough to win on the road against a Power 5 school. Shane Buechele has looked very good early on in the Horns' season, and there is a bit of an opening for a Big 12 school to get on a roll and take this league. Why not Texas?

HEISMAN WATCH: BAKER MAYFIELD, OKLAHOMA
I'm still on Mayfield for another week, but he's got a huge test this week with Ohio State. Not to say he'd be eliminated from the Heisman race with a bad showing or another Sooners' loss, but maybe somebody like TCU's Kenny Hill, Texas' Shane Buechele or West Virginia's Skyler Howard gets some love in this space.

STORYLINE
The Big 12 is in some trouble. Oklahoma, the former No. 3 team in the nation, has already lost a game and gets Ohio State in Norman this week. TCU, who took over that favorite status, lost at home to Arkansas. Oklahoma State lost at home to Central Michigan. The bad teams in conference are really bad (Kansas, we're looking at you).

Sure, Texas, West Virginia and Baylor are all winning, but can anyone really trust that will continue? Looking down the road, either TCU or Oklahoma will have a second loss after they meet, and each of them could be looking at another loss along the way. The Big 12 has a good chance of missing out on the College Football Playoff for the second time in its three seasons of existence.

Can you name the 2015 college football first-team All-Americans?
SCORE:
0/26
TIME:
5:00
QB - So. Clemson
Deshaun Watson
RB - So. LSU
Leonard Fournette
RB - Jr. Alabama
Derrick Henry
WR - Jr. Baylor
Corey Coleman
WR - Sr. TCU
Josh Doctson
TE - Jr. Arkansas
Hunter Henry
OT - Sr. Ohio State
Taylor Decker
OT - Sr. Baylor
Spencer Drango
OT - Sr. Notre Dame
Ronnie Stanley
G - Sr. Stanford
Joshua Garnett
C - Sr. Alabama
Ryan Kelly
DE - Jr. Ohio State
Joey Bosa
DE - Jr. Clemson
Shaq Lawson
DE - Sr. Penn St.
Carl Nassib
DT - Jr. Alabama
A'Shawn Robinson
LB - Sr. Alabama
Reggie Ragland
LB - Sr. Temple
Tyler Matakevich
LB - Jr. Notre Dame
Jaylon Smith
S - Sr. Duke
Jeremy Cash
S - Jr. Florida State
Jalen Ramsey
CB - Jr. Florida
Vernon Hargreaves
CB - Jr. Iowa
Desmond King
K - Sr. UCLA
Ka'imi Fairbairn
P - Sr. Utah
Tom Hackett
AP, KR - So, Tennessee
Evan Berry
AP, KR - So. Stanford
Christian McCaffrey

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