Week 3 of college football features several key matchups, particularly in the southern half of the country.
Major SEC conference games include No. 3 Georgia at No. 15 Tennessee and No. 4 LSU hosting Florida.
Two significant non-conference games pit No. 23 South Florida against No. 6 Miami and No. 8 Notre Dame against No. 17 Texas A&M.

Our panel of pickers is back to weigh in on the biggest college football games in Week 3, and there will be differing opinions on several of them.

Much of the action will be focused on the nation’s southern half with numerous early conference clashes. A huge day in the SEC is headlined by No. 3 Georgia visiting No. 15 Tennessee, No. 4 LSU welcoming Florida, and No. 10 South Carolina in an intriguing home nightcap against Vanderbilt. Not far away in the ACC, No. 11 Clemson opens league play at Georgia Tech.

The Saturday schedule also features a pair of huge intersectional Top 25 matchups. No. 23 South Florida looks to continue its hot start at No. 6 Miami (Fla.), and No. 8 Notre Dame hosts No. 17 Texas A&M in an important prime-time showdown. Read on to see how our experts think those contests and others involving the US LBM Coaches Poll Top 25 teams will go.

College football picks for Week 3 schedule

The NFL has opened a review of the latest domestic violence allegations against Tyreek Hill.
Lakeeta Vaccaro Hill said in court filings, obtained by TMZ, that the Dolphins player became violent on eight separate occasions during their marriage.
An NFL spokesperson said in an email to USA TODAY Sports: ‘It’s standard policy for the league to review a matter such as this.’

The NFL has opened a review of the latest domestic violence allegations against the Miami Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill.

Lakeeta Vaccaro Hill said in court filings, obtained by TMZ, that the Dolphins player became violent on eight separate occasions during their marriage. Vaccaro, in one alleged incident, said the Miami star spat on her. She also alleged he tossed a marijuana cigarette at her before leaving for the 2024 Pro Bowl.

A league spokesperson said in an email to USA TODAY Sports: ‘It’s standard policy for the league to review a matter such as this.’

Tyreek Hill’s attorney, Julius Collins, released a statement to USA TODAY Sports denying the claims.

‘The new allegations that Ms. Vaccaro and her counsel have decided to allege are all unsubstantiated, untrue and an attempt to generate bad media coverage for Mr. Hill and therefore extort a large settlement offer from Mr. Hill, of which we believe Ms. Vaccaro is not entitled in this 17 month (sic) marriage,’ the statement read.

In an email to USA TODAY Sports, Vaccaro’s lawyer, Evan Marks, wrote that her amended petition is ‘verified – meaning that she has sworn that the allegations contained therein are true and correct.’

‘Evidence will be presented to a jury who will then decide whether Ms. Vaccaro is entitled to be compensated for the damages that she sustained due to the conduct of Mr. Hill as alleged,’ Marks wrote.

Approximately 10 years ago Hill pleaded guilty to domestic assault and battery by strangulation.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel addressed the situation on Wednesday, Sept. 10 at his news conference.

When the 2025 WNBA playoffs begin Sunday, Sept. 14, some of the top players in the league will be playing for a title.

The postseason will feature players like the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx, the 2025 MVP, Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson and last year’s champions, New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart and guard Sabrina Ionescu.

Others are also pushing for a ring, and their greatness should be recognized. Here are the top 10 players of the WNBA playoffs ranked, from ‘unicorn’ to top-tier (Statistics, per game in the 2025 season):

10. Satou Sabally, F, Phoenix Mercury

Points: 16.4, Rebounds: 5.9, Assists: 2.4, Steals: 1At 6-foot-4, the Phoenix forward is a rare combination of speed, size and handles ― a ‘unicorn’, if you will ― that aren’t seen with most players at her position. Sabally is a nightmare matchup on both sides of the ball, but her most potent weapon is her 3-point shooting (65 made in 2025 at 32% shooting). Her quick release often catches opposing defenders off guard and gives them little time to react. Sabally has a knack for making defenses look silly.

9. Jackie Young, G, Las Vegas Aces

Points: 16.5, Rebounds: 4.4, Assists: 5, Steals: 1.3

Young might be one of the most underrated players in the 2025 WNBA playoffs. Young is a brick wall as a defender and her strength is unsuspecting at the guard position. What’s more, she has impeccable handles and footwork, allowing her to manipulate defenses at will. Young can shoot from anywhere and ranks top-15 in the WNBA in points per game and made 3-pointers.

8. Nneka Ogwumike, F, Seattle Storm

Points: 18.3, Rebounds: 7, Assists: 2.3, Steals: 1.1

Look up the word consistency in the dictionary, and you’ll likely find Ogwumike’s picture next to it. The 14-year veteran has averaged nearly 54% shooting in her career, which is equally impressive and frightening. Ogwumike’s a three-level scorer who also has underrated skills as a passer and facilitator. Furthermore, she defends at a high level, frequently by causing disruption and mayhem.

7. Sabrina Ionescu, G, New York Liberty

Points: 18.4, Rebounds: 4.9, Assists: 5.5, Steals: 1.3

Ionescu has made a name for herself with cold-blooded shooting and assists on a rope that few others can duplicate. The former Oregon Duck boasts a ridiculous logo-esque range and excellent vision, which makes her one of the most elite guards in the WNBA. Ionescu is in the top 10 in both points per game and assists per game. However, her defense should not be dismissed. She falls within the top 15 in the league in steals per game.

6. Breanna Stewart, F, New York Liberty

Points: 18.1, Rebounds: 6.6, Assists: 3.5, Steals: 1.4

Stewart is fantastic at using her size and body control to her advantage to pick apart defenses. When she’s not knocking down shots from beyond the arc, the Liberty forward can be found doing damage in the paint. Nearly 59% of Stewart’s scoring comes from 2-point shots, and she’s second in the league in free throws made per game (5.5). Stewart is also one of the WNBA’s best defenders and allows the lowest points on drives and closeouts.

5. Kelsey Mitchell, G, Indiana Fever

Points: 20.2, Rebounds: 1.8, Assists: 3.4, Steals: 0.9

Mitchell arguably has one of the fastest first steps in the league. Her head-turning speed makes her one of the hardest players to guard, and when paired with her scoring, the Fever guard is electric. Mitchell ranks second in points (890) and first in made 3-pointers (111). She’s also especially dangerous in transition when utilizing her defensive chops to strip defenders and score on the other end.

4. Allisha Gray, G, Atlanta Dream

Points: 18.5, Rebounds: 5.4, Assists: 3.5, Steals: 1.1

Gray won three Player of the Month Awards this season, the only guard to do so in WNBA history. She’s a menace on both sides of the ball and lethal in transition. The Dream guard’s smooth footwork, breadth of shot selection and sticky defense make her a rare combination of skill. Her production on the court has propelled her to a ranking of sixth or better in points, made 3-pointers and free throws per game in the WNBA.

3. Alyssa Thomas, F, Phoenix Mercury

Points: 15.7, Rebounds: 9, Assists: 9.3, Steals: 1.6

2. Napheesa Collier, F, Minnesota Lynx

Points: 23, Rebounds: 7.4, Assists: 3.2, Steals: 1.6

Collier can do it all. She’s a three-level scorer with a signature turnaround jumper that’s seemingly impossible to stop. The Lynx forward offers a blistering 23 points per matchup and has put up 22 games of 20 points or more and six games of 30 or more points this season. Collier’s also an athletic defender who punishes opponents frequently and ranks fifth in steals (1.6 per matchup) and blocks (1.6) per game.

1. A’ja Wilson, C, Las Vegas Aces

Points: 23.4, Rebounds: 9.9, Assists: 3, Steals: 1.6

Wilson is top-tier, a human cheat code that defies logic. The Aces forward is arguably the best two-way player in the league, able to guard every position and put up points from anywhere. She leads the WNBA in scoring (23.4 points per game) and blocks (2.6 per contest) and is second in rebounds (9.9 per matchup) and ninth in steals (1.6 per game). This year, Wilson broke the record for most 30-point games in a single season with 13, seven of which were double-doubles. The eight-year veteran already owns the record for most points in a season with 1000 and has another scoring title within her sights.

Billy Napier’s $22 million buyout is steep, but digestible.
Florida’s university leadership gained clarity with new interim president and contract extension for athletic director.
If Billy Napier is fired, he’d finish as Florida’s worst coach since the 1940s.

If Florida athletics director Scott Stricklin needs inspiration to fire Billy Napier, he need only listen to the coach himself.

In the aftermath of Florida’s most embarrassing loss in years, the Gators’ embattled coach laid the result at the feet of … the coach.

“It’s ultimately my responsibility,” Napier said after an 18-16 loss to South Florida.

Bingo. He’s responsible for this mess.

Napier, in his fourth season on the Gators sideline, routinely flunks Clock Management 101. He refuses to surrender play-calling duties of an offense that resists ignition. Special teams gaffes persist.

Florida’s showing against South Florida was gross, complete with a Florida Man spitting a loogie into a Bull’s face. As for who’s responsible for the South Florida calamity, nobody said it better than the Gators’ .500 coach.

“I think it is coaching,” Napier said.

This experiment failed. What more evidence does Florida need?

At this point, it’s a compliment to describe Napier as a coach on the hot seat. He’s a seat warmer for the next Florida coach.

Gators fans exiting The Swamp after the Week 2 debacle chanted their orders.

Fire Billy! Fire Billy!

The Gators’ upcoming stretch of four straight ranked opponents, starting with No. 4 LSU, can supply the epilogue to the worst Florida coaching tenure since the 1940s.

Florida, after delaying last year, finally has the framework to fire Napier. His nearly $22 million buyout, with no duty to mitigate the damages, is steep but digestible. And, importantly, the university has clarified its leadership.

Clarity in Florida leadership clears path to Billy Napier firing

Florida recently installed Donald Landry as its new interim president. Landry replaced Kent Fuchs, the previous interim president and a Napier supporter. Fuchs, Stricklin and Napier were a three-man band. Fuchs was Florida’s president when Stricklin hired Napier.

There’s a whole lot more to being a university president than cheering good sports teams, but having a spiffy front porch never hurt any administrator. What better way for Landry to prove himself viable for the university’s full-time presidency than kick-starting an invigorating new direction for the decaying football program?

There’s also clarity within the athletic department. Stricklin received a contract extension before the season that will keep him in his role through 2030. Stricklin previously hired and fired Dan Mullen. This extension settles whether Florida would allow Stricklin to oversee a third coaching search. Stricklin staunchly supported Napier in past rocky times. He gave him miles of rope, but they no longer are tied at the hip.

The coach can go, while Stricklin stays.

With fresh eyes in the president’s chair and Stricklin strapped into his athletic director’s role, Florida’s administration can set about fixing its ailing football program, lest the Gators fall further behind Miami, Florida State and South Florida.

Napier’s proven he’s a problem, not a solution. Even he can’t deny it. Florida repeatedly tried to make this work, with a coach who’s not a bad guy, just a failed coach.

Decent guys who are failed coaches walk away with buyout checks. That’s business.

No living down a Gators loss to South Florida

This loss to the Bulls will cling to Napier like a nylon shirt on a humid summer day.

It doesn’t much matter that South Florida looks like a solid team.  

Folks, a Gators spit-wad influenced the outcome, and an instate Group of Five school turned The Swamp into their personal party pad. That’s how this game will be remembered.

It’s as Bulls center Cole Best told me this week: “It really came down to, one team was more disciplined than the other.”

That about spells it out.

There’s a pivotal moment in most fired coaches’ tenures that you can pinpoint and say, that’s the day he was toast.

Will Muschamp was cooked after his 2013 loss at The Swamp to Georgia Southern, a Championship Subdivision opponent that won despite completing no passes. Jim McElwain made unsubstantiated claims about receiving death threats. Dan Mullen’s fortunes turned when Marco Wilson threw a shoe into a foggy sky.

The flimsy firewall Napier erected with four straight victories to close last season disintegrated after that loogie left Brendan Bett’s lips and USF’s Nico Gramatica made a winning field goal.

Florida could allow Napier to play this out, and maybe he scrambles to something along the lines of an 8-4 record. We’ve seen that act before. That was last season. And, then what happened?

In a continuing pattern, Florida lost more than it gained in the transfer portal. As a recruiter, Napier’s more of a Jack of clubs than an Ace. He recruits to a level more comparable to Mullen than to Urban Meyer, and he’s a far worse game-day coach than either.

It’s as Napier says: Coaching is part of the Gators’ problem. It’s time for Florida’s now-settled leadership to break the cycle and hunt solutions.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s senior national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.

Duke quarterback Darian Mensah is returning to New Orleans to face his former team, Tulane.
The quarterback has found Durham to be a ‘perfect place’ and was named a team captain for the 2025 season.
Mensah signed a reported $8 million NIL deal upon transferring to Duke.

The last time Duke football quarterback Darian Mensah was in New Orleans was for Mardi Gras this past March.

Six months later, the former Tulane quarterback is back in New Orleans, not for beads or parades, but to face his former team for the first time since transferring to Duke in December 2024.

Mensah spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons in New Orleans after committing to the Green Wave – the first program to offer him and the lone Bowl Subdivision school to do so – out of St. Joseph High School in Santa Maria, California. He redshirted his freshman season before throwing for 2,732 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2024 to lead the Green Wave to the American Athletic championship game, where they fell to Army.

Days later, he entered the transfer portal, where he was ESPN’s No. 3-rated player.

The return Saturday to Yulman Stadium is described as a ‘weird’ one by Mensah, who will be going up against former teammates, some of whom he spent Mardi Gras with alongside his family, playing in a stadium where he spent time the first two years of his college career.

‘Those are my guys still to this day,’ Mensah said.

At the same time, playing against his former teammates in a stadium he knows so well brings a sense of familiarity – not just for Mensah but for the Green Wave, too.

‘We know Darian well,’ Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall said, ‘he knows us pretty well, too.’

Durham, North Carolina: The ‘perfect place’ for Darian Mensah

Two days after entering the transfer portal, Mensah got his first taste of Duke on an official visit where he was welcomed by the Cameron Crazies in attendance for Duke basketball’s game against Incarnate Ward. Not long after, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound quarterback announced his transfer, inking a reported $8 million NIL deal.

Academically, Mensah said Duke isn’t much more rigorous than Tulane, with both universities ranking among the top 100 in ‘U.S. News & World Report’s’ 2025 Best Colleges rankings: Duke at No. 6 and Tulane No. 63. City-wise, though, New Orleans’ lively vibe differs from that of Durham’s more chill, relaxed setting, which reminds Mensah of his hometown of San Luis Obispo, California, despite being more than 2,500 miles apart.

Mensah noted that he has his own house for the first time in Durham, adding to the homey feeling of his new city.

‘Durham is the perfect place for me,’ Mensah said.

That comfort off the field has carried over onto the gridiron. Mensah quickly earned the trust of his teammates and became a leader in the Blue Devils locker room, being named one of Duke’s four team captains for 2025. Through the Blue Devils’ first two games, Mensah has thrown for 723 yards and five touchdowns while being intercepted once.

‘He’s magical,’ Duke wide receiver Cooper Barkate said following Duke’s season-opening win over Elon. ‘Probably everyone has told you that, but he really is.’

Darian Mensah’s return to New Orleans

While Mensah’s last trip to New Orleans was in March, his last time seeing Sumrall was this past summer at the wedding of Green Wave quarterbacks coach Collin D’Angelo. It was nothing but love between Mensah and his former coach.

‘I probably spent more time with him at the wedding than did I anybody, other than maybe my wife,’ Sumrall said.

‘If you play one snap for me or 100 or 1000, I love you for as long as I live.’

Facing a former team isn’t new to Duke personnel either. Duke football coach Manny Diaz knows all too well what it’s like, as the former Miami coach found himself on the sidelines of Hard Rock Stadium when Duke made the trip to face the Hurricanees in November 2024.

‘I always say it’s awkward, especially before the game,’ Diaz said. ‘But that first play, it just becomes ball and everyone’s trying to do their job. I suspect that’ll probably be the way it’ll go Saturday.”

Same goes for Duke offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jonathan Brewer, who formerly coached at SMU and led Duke against the Mustangs last year.

Brewer said him and Mensah have discussed his return to New Orleans since Mensah’s arrival on campus.

‘You’d be lying to say you weren’t more emotional in that game, that’s just what it is, it’s human nature,’ Brewer said. ‘You just need to know how to control your emotions, how to control adversity when bad things happen and not overreact.’

And while Mensah has settled in Durham, there’s one thing he still misses from New Orleans. He hopes to fit in a stop while he’s back in town.

‘That gumbo in Louisiana is always A-1,’ he said.

Anna Snyder covers Duke for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her atasnyder@gannett.com or follow her@annaesnydr on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

Week 1’s ‘Sunday Night Football’ showdown between AFC powerhouses Baltimore and Buffalo was one of the best games of opening week. Both quarterbacks put on a show on the field in a thrilling 41-40 win for the Bills.

But an off-field skirmish drew some attention between Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and a fan at Highmark Stadium. The NBC broadcast appeared to show the fan hitting both Jackson and Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins on the helmet after the two connected on a 29-yard touchdown pass.

Jackson responded by shoving the fan back into their seat. The league has since banned the person who shoved the two Ravens players ‘indefinitely’ from NFL stadiums.

‘My apologies to him,’ Jackson said. ‘Just chill next time. You can talk trash and stuff, but keep your hands to yourself.’

He was also asked about what appeared to be a bottle or can being thrown at Ravens running back Derrick Henry during the game.

‘That’s crazy,’ Jackson said. ‘Stuff like that shouldn’t be happening. This isn’t [the WWE], we’re playing football out here… keep your hands and keep your objects to yourself.’