By Tim Letcher
NCAAFootball.com
Week 3 of the college football season features only one game where ranked opponents will meet. And all of those that had the Iowa vs. Arizona game in the office pool, please raise your hands.
It may not seem like a marquee matchup, but this will be a game between two teams that have started very quickly this season. Iowa has beaten Eastern Illinois (37-7) and Iowa State (35-7) with relative ease. In fact, the Hawkeyes have more than twice as many net yards than their opponents thus far.
Adam Robinson leads the Iowa running game, rushing 38 times for 265 yards and four touchdowns through two games. Senior quarterback Ricky Stanzi directs the offense. Stanzi has connected on 29-of-41 passing for 433 yards and three scores so far this season.
Arizona has also dominated its first two opponents, beating Toledo and the Citadel by a combined 93-8. The Wildcats have nearly tripled the opposition in total net yards, led by quarterback Nick Foles. Through two games, Foles is a sparkling 49-of-59 passing (83.1%) for 574 yards and three touchdowns.
The team that can play the best defense will likely win this one. It’s hard to tell which defense is better, given the opposition so far this season. Arizona does have the home field advantage, but Iowa has the big game experience. It all adds up to what should be a very competitive game.
This game can be seen at 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time on ESPN.
Other games to watch
No. 10 Florida at Tennessee (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS) – The annual battle between the Gators and the Vols takes place on Saturday at Neyland Stadium. Florida is 2-0, but hasn’t looked all that great so far. Tennessee is 1-1 after being dismantled by Oregon on Saturday. New Florida quarterback John Brantley faces a tough road crowd for the first time as a starter. It will be interesting to see how he reacts.
Air Force at No. 7 Oklahoma (3:30 p.m. ET, FSN) – After downing BYU on Saturday, Air Force is off to a 2-0 start, but this weekend’s game will be a tough test. The Falcons do what they do, rushing for 423 yards per game so far this season. Oklahoma struggled in the opener, but rebounded nicely in last weekend’s thumping of Florida State. Winning in Norman will be tough for Air Force, as Oklahoma has won 32 in a row at home.
No. 8 Nebraska at Washington (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC) – The Cornhuskers have cruised through games with Western Kentucky (49-10) and Idaho (38-17), but they will face a bigger challenge this weekend. Jake Locker and the Huskies are 1-1, but looked much better in last weekend's win over Syracuse. Travelling to Seattle will be a tough challenge for Bo Pelini’s team, and it will be interesting to see how the Huskers handle this game.
Clemson at No. 16 Auburn (7 p.m. ET, ESPN) – This game could be one of the best of the weekend, as a pair of 2-0 teams meet on the Plains. Auburn slipped past Mississippi State last weekend to start 2-0 on the season. Quarterback Cam Newton has sparked the offense through two games. Clemson has a strong quarterback of its own in Kyle Parker, who has thrown for four touchdowns in two games. This game should be tight throughout.
No. 6 Texas at Texas Tech (8 p.m. ET, ABC) – Does Tommy Tuberville have any tricks up his sleeve the first time he meets Texas in a conference game? We know the Red Raiders are going to throw the ball. Taylor Potts is 56-of-87 passing for 652 yards and seven touchdowns on the season. The Longhorns have a more balanced attack, and they will count on the running game to keep the ball away from Tech in this one. The game is in Lubbock, so anything can happen.
Five for the Heisman
1. Denard Robinson, Michigan – No one has been more electrifying, more dazzling or more spectacular through two weeks than Robinson. He didn’t beat Notre Dame by himself on Saturday, but he nearly did, with more than 500 yards of total offense. Through two games, Robinson has connected on 43-of-62 passes for 430 yards and two scores, while rushing 57 times for 455 yards and three touchdowns. The Wolverines face UMass on Saturday.
2. Kellen Moore, Boise State – Moore and his teammates had the weekend off. In the Broncos’ win over Virginia Tech, Moore was 23-of-38 passing for 215 yards and three touchdowns. Boise State visits Wyoming on Saturday.
3. Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State – Pryor didn’t put up huge numbers, but he and his Buckeyes teammates did pick up a huge win over Miami. In the win, Pryor rushed for 113 yards and a score, while passing for 233 yards and another TD. For the season, Pryor is 29-of-52 passing for 480 yards and four touchdowns, while rushing 28 times for 130 yards and one score. The Buckeyes welcome Ohio University to the Horseshoe this weekend.
4. Case Keenum, Houston – The Cougars have had a pair of easy wins, and Keenum has yet to put up his normal astronomical numbers. Those will come in time. In a big win over UTEP last weekend, Keenum was 15-of-24 passing for 279 yards, without a touchdown. Through two games, he is 32-of-46 through the air for 553 yards and five TDs. Houston is at UCLA on Saturday.
5. Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State – Hunter had a second big game in a row, rushing 28 times for 157 yards and two scores in a tough win over Troy. For the season, the Cowboy running back has carried 49 times for 414 yards and six touchdowns. Oklahoma State hosts Tulsa on Saturday.
Wild Card – Mark Ingram, Alabama – The defending Heisman Trophy winner, despite his knee injury, could still have something to say about this race. It will be interesting to see if he is able to return this weekend against Penn State.
Division I FCS Headlines
In a top 10 showdown, seventh-ranked Elon visits No. 9 Richmond.
No. 13 Northern Iowa hosts 10th-ranked Stephen F. Austin.
Division II Headlines
Second-ranked Minnesota-Duluth welcomes No. 18 Wayne State (Neb.)
No. 11 Missouri Western hits the road to face 15th-ranked Washburn.
Division III Headlines
The weekend’s biggest game has Delaware Valley visiting Wesley.
The Buckeye state produces another key showdown as Ohio Northern travels to Otterbein.