NCAAF Week 3 must-watch matchups: Lane Kiffin returns to Ole Miss, possible FCS upset

[h2]Last week's big moments[/h2][p]The [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ohio-state-buckeyes/bLNX9CCm/"]Ohio State[/a] Buckeyes taking on the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/texas-tech-red-raiders/tfrb9g6N/"]Texas[/a] [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/texas-longhorns/nekkBFyB/"]Longhorns[/a] in Austin was the most exciting matchup of Week 2. But for three quarters, the Buckeyes dominated. Nobody could blame you for going to bed at halftime.[/p][p]Texas started to fumble the ball, missed wide-open catches, and committed what were thought to be costly interceptions[/p][p]It was a disaster for Texas. With eight minutes to go in the third quarter, the Buckeyes led 23-3. [/p][embed guid="cc412435-4e2c-4e85-a8c5-87e02a2270c4" url="https://x.com/SportsCenter/status/2098926414900719902?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]It seemed like Ohio State was marching toward a dominant victory. But then, the Longhorns finally found some momentum.[/p][p]They scored a touchdown as the last quarter began, then added another one seven minutes later. Suddenly, they were back in the game.[/p][p]The Buckeyes had a chance to extend their lead with 4:21 remaining but missed a crucial 45-yard field goal. Texas continued its furious attack and scored a touchdown in the final minute to complete a stunning 21-point comeback and win 24-23. It was the largest Longhorn comeback since 2007.[/p][p]Since 2004, AP No. 1 teams were 197-0 when holding a 20-point lead at any point in the fourth quarter. But Texas scored 21 unanswered points to stunned the Buckeyes in a jaw-dropping clash. [/p][p]After struggling in the first half, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/manning-arch/2y1EHPJa/"]Manning[/a] went off in the grand finale, finishing with 23 completions for 195 yards and one touchdown. Texas earned the No. 1 spot in the rankings heading into Week 3.[/p][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/news/texas-stun-no-1-ohio-state-in-dramatic-fourth-quarter-comeback/OQqJBTOi/"]Check out the full Texas-Ohio State game breakdown here.[/a][/b][/p][p]The [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/oregon-state-beavers/ADYI7UBC/"]Oregon Ducks[/a] continue to trend toward a decline. [/p][p]After barely surviving [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/boise-state-broncos/G020VaYD/"]Boise State[/a] in Week 1, Oregon couldn’t avoid a huge upset in Week 2, falling to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/oklahoma-state-cowboys/zipl8js0/"]Oklahoma State[/a] in Stillwater. The Cowboys entered a new chapter under head coach Eric Morris, and after starting the season with a loss to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/tulsa-golden-hurricane/zoVpTzMi/"]Tulsa[/a], the program rebounded in style with a grand-slam victory over the sixth-ranked [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/oregon-ducks/WMZE8Ad6/"]Ducks[/a].[/p][p]Quarterback [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mestemaker-drew/0vgwZRgd/"]Drew Mestemaker[/a] was terrific, going 26-for-43 for 317 yards. He also scored a key diving touchdown to give Oklahoma State the lead in the fourth quarter. After another unconvincing performance, Oregon fell to No. 21, while the Cowboys remain unranked.[/p][embed guid="178d3b6e-e572-4c9c-9a74-68ed82703060" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFEpwV5TQfA" social-type="youtube" /][p] After their controversial win a week ago, the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/michigan-wolverines/fyJPd2qM/"]Michigan Wolverines[/a] got back on track by upsetting the No. 11 Oklahoma Sooners. The loss hurt Oklahoma badly in the rankings, as the Sooners fell to No. 24, while Michigan returned to the AP Poll at No. 19. Newcomer [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/north-dakota-state/fT7coUnQ/"]North Dakota State[/a] defeated [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/air-force-falcons/xzuUjwC7/"]Air Force[/a] 38-32 to claim its third straight FBS victory.[/p][p]Another weekend full of games is coming up, and the schedule features plenty of contests you won’t want to miss![/p][embed guid="eb244e70-035d-4b01-a74d-cfb82d4f92a5" url="https://x.com/AP_Top25/status/2099196713055486088" social-type="twitter" /][h2]#7 [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/lsu-tigers/h2g0yshj/"]LSU[/a] vs. #8 [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ole-miss-rebles/4bMYjKyd/"]Ole Miss[/a] [/h2][p]Fans, brace yourself. Whether you like or dislike either team, you don’t want to miss this one. The most anticipated matchup of CFB Week 3 takes place in Oxford. On Saturday, the city might be the most secure place in the country once the Tigers arrive. Lane Kiffin will be patrolling the sideline at Ole Miss once again, but this time, he’ll be on the other side, leading an SEC rival in LSU. [/p][embed guid="8619968a-4a27-478b-a24d-9fce149494b9" url="https://x.com/FOS/status/2100033929587605988" social-type="twitter" /][p]After guiding the Rebels to a historic 11-1 record last season, Kiffin left for LSU by the end of November.[/p][p] And the breakup wasn’t pretty. Now, he returns to Oxford as a villain and the narrative couldn’t possibly be any better.[/p][embed guid="2d1d5ded-524e-4907-a58a-8ed58178dc6b" url="https://x.com/EverythingRebs/status/2099567008647901658" social-type="twitter" /][p]Both teams enter the game undefeated at 2-0, but the storyline this matchup carries is bigger than football. The Rebels still can’t forget that Kiffin abandoned them right before the playoffs last season, and they want to run the Tigers out of their home field.[/p][p]"Go where you came from. We never needed you." That’s the Rebels’ mindset. [/p][embed guid="fb866ad6-7192-426e-b09c-583beb46e1e7" url="https://x.com/MichaelWBratton/status/2099566125063270437" social-type="twitter" /][p]The Rebels have their major weapon in quarterback [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/chambliss-trinidad/r7njd4jS/"]Trinidad Chambliss[/a].[/p][p]Last week, Chambliss passed for 225 yards and two touchdowns as Ole Miss overwhelmed [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/charlotte/YeKzzLnT/"]Charlotte[/a] 41-9. He also has a reliable target in [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/alexander-deuce/QcndHIap/"]Deuce Alexander[/a], who leads Ole Miss with 13 receptions for 235 yards through two games. The Rebels have a better quarterback, but LSU overflows with talent. Kiffin attacked the transfer portal in the offseason and assembled a skilled and hungry roster. [/p][p]Let’s use defensive end Princewill Umanmielen as an example, who has five sacks through his first two games and appears to be nearly unblockable. But disastrous news broke for LSU just a few days before the big game - LSU’s quarterback [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/leavitt-sam/IcG6PB7g/"]Sam Leavitt[/a] was listed as doubtful, and the Tigers might need to rely on a backup playmaker.[/p][p]However, now [a href="https://x.com/PeteThamel/status/2100554035279393079" target="_blank"]reports are saying that he'll be good to go[/a]. Still, this game is going to be neck-and-neck.[/p][embed guid="801c4829-7b48-40a5-a614-ef2657e918ed" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0yU6RL3fXg&pp=ygUKY2JzIHNwb3J0cw%3D%3D" social-type="youtube" /][p][b]Focus point: [/b]This game could turn into a chess match. Nobody knows the Rebels better than Kiffin, who spent five years with the program, and Pete Golding. In January 2023, the Rebels hired Golding as their defensive coordinator, and he worked under Kiffin for nearly three years. After Kiffin’s departure, Golding was promoted to head coach. Now, the two mastermind coaches will clash, each trying to outsmart the other. Chambliss will serve as an important chess piece, since Kiffin developed him and knows his game. Once the ball is kicked off, Kiffin’s knowledge of Ole Miss could be just as important as the emotion surrounding his return.[/p][p][b]When:[/b] Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. ET [/p][p][b]Where:[/b] Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, Mississippi[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/virginia-tech-hokies/pG82V7C2/"]Virginia Tech[/a] vs. [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/maryland-terrapins/OQ9fappc/"]Maryland[/a][/h2][p]Don’t let an unranked matchup fool you. Both teams are 2-0, off to great starts, and on the rise.[/p][p]The [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/virginia-tech-hokies/pG82V7C2/"]Hokies[/a] opened the season with wins over [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/vmi/4vKklGGE/"]VMI[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/old-dominion-monarchs/OvOhfqX8/"]Old Dominion[/a], successfully kicking off a new era under head coach James Franklin. But Virginia Tech will face its first major test against a talented Maryland team looking to finally escape mediocrity and make some noise in the Big Ten. [/p][embed guid="552941f3-d072-4ff2-a54f-796993b9b7c2" url="https://x.com/HokiesFB/status/2099568531993981256?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]This game also features plenty of history. [/p][p]Franklin returns to Maryland, where he spent eight seasons across two stints as an assistant. It is also the first meeting between the programs since Maryland's 54-10 victory in the 2021 Pinstripe Bowl.[/p][p]But the overall record between the two teams is almost even, as the Terrapins lead the series 17-15.[/p][embed guid="2fc13a80-6206-496f-8038-c816d0031a03" url="https://x.com/Terrapins247/status/2100586542158729677?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]Maryland's talented quarterback Malik Washington, who threw for 2,963 yards and 17 touchdowns last season, has shown growth and improvement through his first two games of 2026. His major target will be wide receiver Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding, who transferred to Maryland after recording 667 receiving yards and six touchdowns at Old Dominion.[/p][p]But Virginia Tech has more depth at the offensive skill positions, boasting a better arsenal of running backs and wide receivers. Tight end [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/reynolds-luke/CGTrNLfR/"]Luke Reynolds[/a] has already recorded 13 receptions through two games. [/p][embed guid="53973afe-acc1-4dbb-a748-c33316cebe39" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCJBBr1cuGM" social-type="youtube" /][p][b]Focus point:[/b] This seems like an impossible statistic, but it has been nine years since Virginia Tech won a non-conference game against a Power Four school. The Hokies beat [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/west-virginia-mountaineers/hjeuTPBR/"]West Virginia[/a] 31-24 on September 3, 2017, at FedEx Field, the home of the Washington Commanders. Their last home victory over a Power Four team came in 2009 against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/nebraska-cornhuskers/tKuyD1bF/"]Nebraska[/a]. Franklin has a huge chip on his shoulder after being relieved of his duties at [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/penn-state-nittany-lions/4zYM6lRI/"]Penn State[/a] and wants to prove to the world that he can coach a team to success. If Virginia Tech wins, it will not only snap the unpleasant streak, but also give the Hokies their best start to a season since 2017.[/p][p][b]When:[/b] Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. ET[/p][p][b]Where:[/b] SECU Stadium, College Park, Maryland [/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/auburn-tigers/OI1u7xR0/"]Auburn[/a] vs. [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/florida-atlantic-owls/MTPMM6GN/"]Florida[/a][/h2][p]The first major SEC test of the season for both teams arrives Saturday night.[/p][p]Florida travels to Auburn to take on the Tigers and secure its first conference victory, but Auburn is ready to defend its home field. Both teams are 2-0 and haven't tasted defeat yet. This is also the first SEC game for both Florida head coach Jon Sumrall and Auburn head coach Alex Golesh, making the matchup an important early measuring stick for two new coaching regimes. [/p][embed guid="cd9a0d09-4afa-44a3-a701-7e8116b4fb60" url="https://x.com/GatorsFB/status/2099993135937896780" social-type="twitter" /][p]In the offseason, both programs established new cultures under new leaders. Through their first two games, the Gators have been nearly unstoppable, beating Florida Atlantic and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/campbell-university/bByW6Gse/"]Campbell[/a] by 49 or more points. Quarterback [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/philo-aaron/GxvYpgem/"]Aaron Philo[/a] has completed 76.2% of his passes for 517 yards, five touchdowns, and only one interception.[/p][p]But SEC play is a completely different level, and things won’t come as easily for Florida.[/p][p]Auburn, meanwhile, outlasted [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/baylor-bears/pYkl5GeD/"]Baylor[/a] 17-16 in Week 1, undergoing its first big test right off the bat. The Tigers then beat [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/southern-miss-golden-eagles/tMzngfiU/"]Southern Miss[/a] 43-8, continuing their successful start. Their offense looks much better than it did last year, and quarterback [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/brown-byrum/U3jo7qMc/"]Byrum Brown[/a] has game-changing potential.[/p][p]He has been Auburn’s best offensive player so far, and if anybody leads the Tigers to a win over the Gators, it will be him. But Florida’s defense won’t make it easy. The Gators have been tremendous at rushing off the edge and preventing opposing quarterbacks from running the ball.[/p][p]Brown will have to make decisions from the pocket, which could make him less effective.[/p][embed guid="2214de64-b39f-4f8f-a531-eceff6c95bec" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeklPopazZM" social-type="youtube" /][p][b]Focus point:[/b] Auburn has been fantastic on third downs, converting 51.5% of its third-down attempts, which ranks 30th nationally. On the other hand, Florida has allowed its opponents to convert 40% of their third downs, which ranks 90th nationally. That makes third down a potential key to the game. If Auburn can sustain drives and keep Florida’s offense on the sideline while playing at home, it could change the course of the game.[/p][p][b]When:[/b] Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET[/p][p][b]Where:[/b] Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/alabama-crimson-tide/d0oPEt4E/"]Alabama[/a] [/p][h2]Upset watch: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/montana-grizzlies/06i485xi/"]Montana[/a] vs. [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/oregon-state-beavers/ADYI7UBC/"]Oregon State[/a][/h2][p]One of the most intriguing FCS-vs.-FBS matchups of Week 3 takes place Saturday night in Corvallis, as No. 3 Montana travels to Oregon State.[/p][p]The [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/montana-grizzlies/06i485xi/"]Grizzlies[/a] enter the game 3-0, while the Beavers are still searching for their first win at 0-2. This is also a matchup with some history. Oregon State leads the all-time series 12-2-2, but Montana has won the last two meetings, including a 35-14 victory in Corvallis in 1996.[/p][p]Yes, the last win happened 30 years ago. But Montana is still an elite FCS team and one of the national title candidates, as they are currently ranked second in the FCS.[/p][embed guid="dac0b633-2dd3-4a39-b0be-46511bb2c324" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noxkW7pciW8" social-type="youtube" /][p]Montana brought back 62 players from its 2025 season, after they finished 13-2 with a semi-finals appearance.[/p][p]Quarterback Keali'i Ah Yat is a player to watch - he’s dynamic, agile, and gives the Grizzlies a dangerous combination of passing ability, running, and experience. Running back Eli Gillman rushed for 147 yards and three touchdowns, including a 75-yard touchdown run against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/utah-tech/xjZydWOm/"]Utah Tech[/a]. He’s been electric and now has 56 career rushing touchdowns, which ties the Big Sky record.[/p][p]The Grizzlies are hungry and ready to continue riding the winning streak. [/p][embed guid="bebc2e6e-2d16-4e81-bf6f-c66adf0623ed" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT6jqtTryRI" social-type="youtube" /][p]Oregon State begins a new era under head coach JaMarcus Shepard.[/p][p]The Beavers fell to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/houston-cougars/d4aWSoGA/"]Houston[/a] on the road, then Texas Tech in their home opener despite keeping it close. Linebacker Dylan Layne had a clear message for Oregon State: being competitive and stacking mental victories is no longer good enough.[/p][p]The Beavers need to win, and they need to do it now. Can Oregon State achieve a breakthrough and get its first win of the season that kickstarts a new, winning standard? [/p][embed guid="f2859d82-4c53-4162-8ae9-f3b807ffde48" url="https://x.com/BrennaGreene_/status/2099010311445688698" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]Focus point:[/b] It’s bigger than the game. That’s the message for the Beavers. Oregon State doesn't strive to just win its first game; the program wants to start writing a new chapter and leave the unsuccessful past behind. Montana has a tremendous team, but this is going to be the Grizzlies’ first road game of the year, and on FBS territory. [/p][p][b]When:[/b] Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 11 p.m. ET[/p][p][b]Where:[/b] Reser Stadium, Corvallis, Oregon [/p]