Husker Football: The Nebraska Fan’s TV Guide for Week Three

After a heart pounding (at least for Husker football fans) second week of action, it’s time to preview week numero tres! Last week, though…highlight reel plays, blow outs and nearly a Big Ten burial.

What will this weekend’s menu of college football bring? Allow me to once again optimize your viewing pleasure. You take care of the food, I’ve got your watchin’.

(All times are CDT)

Thursday, August 11

8:00 p.m. – Houston at BYU (ESPN)

Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

Houston sits at 1-1 on the season after getting thumped by Texas-San Antonio, then beating FCS school Grambling State. BYU has one of the better dual-threat quarterbacks you’ll see in Taysom Hill.

The young man torched the Texas Longhorns last week, adding three rushing touchdowns in the Cougars’ 41-7 victory. BYU is favored by 18 as of this writing, so don’t expect a very close game, but Hill is special enough to warrant your attention.

Friday, August 12

6:00 p.m. – Toledo at Cincinnati (CBS Sports Network)

Quick! Turn this game on before Gunner Kiel transfers again! Cincinnati head coach Tommy Tubberville named Kiel his starting quarterback after he finally landed in the Queen City following commitments to Indiana, LSU and a stop at Notre Dame.

In an interesting scheduling quirk, this will be the Bearcats’ first game of the season while Toledo checks in at 1-1.

7:00 p.m. – No. 7 Baylor at Buffalo (ESPN)

I’m not sure when this game was scheduled, but if you want to talk about unfair matchups, this would be one. The Bears have one of the best offenses in the FBS (647 yards per game through two, one of which was without their starting quarterback).

Heisman candidate Bryce Petty is apparently ready to go, but even without him, Baylor racked up 720 yards against Northwestern State. The Bears are currently favored by five touchdowns, so if you like fireworks (not just the ones in Memorial Stadium), here’s your game.

Saturday, August 13

11:00 a.m. – West Virginia at Maryland (Big Ten Network)

Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

There aren’t many great games to start a very long day for Husker football fans, but West Virginia and Maryland may prove to be the best of the early offerings.

The two have a storied history, but recently WVU had dominated, winning six straight until Maryland won in a 2013 blowout.

Keep an eye out for Stefon Diggs of Maryland. The wide receiver is one of the most electric players in the Big Ten. He held a Nebraska offer prior to committing to Maryland.

2:30 p.m. – Iowa State at Iowa (ABC)

The Battle for the Cy-Hawk trophy! Iowa State enters the game coming off of back-to-back losses, one to FCS powerhouse North Dakota State, the other to Kansas State.

Iowa is undefeated after beating Northern Iowa and rallying for a double-digit comeback against Ball State. I believe Iowa is the better team here, but anything can happen in rivalry games. That’s why Iowa is being put on this week’s !upset alert!.

It won’t be pretty, but if you have a second television, it’ll be worth a watch here or there.

2:30 p.m. – No. 7 Georgia at No. 23 South Carolina (CBS)

This is the likely game of the week. There’s one name you should know more than any other and that name is Todd Gurley.

If Ameer Abdullah isn’t the best running back in college football, then Gurley likely is. He put on a show in the Dawgs’ season opener two weeks ago with his 15-carry, 198-yard, three touchdown effort. Oh, and don’t forget his 100-yard kickoff return for a score.

The guy is a stud and will be a high pick in the 2015 NFL draft. Enjoy the show.

7:00 p.m. – Penn State at Rutgers (Big Ten Network)

It’s the Scarlet Knights’ first Big Ten conference game and the first inter-league game of the year. Penn State received some big news as the NCAA has restored postseason eligibility and full scholarship rights to the Nittany Lions.

Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Focusing on game, Penn State has been unimpressive thus far after battling for a last second field goal victory against Central Florida in Dublin and struggling with Akron.

Rutgers put up a lot of points against Washington State in a week one win (41 to be exact), and they beat FCS’ Howard by 13 last week.

I don’t think anyone has really ever confused Big Ten football for being anything near “elegant”. While this one will probably be another example of why, it’s always good to scout future competition.

Rutgers visits Lincoln on October 25 and Penn State now is eligible to meet the Huskers in the Big Ten Championship Game if either team qualifies.

7:00 p.m. – Tennessee at No. 3 Oklahoma (ABC)

This is an interesting national game as the SEC travels to Big 12 country. Oklahoma has looked absolutely dominant during the first two weeks of the season while Tennessee has been so-so. The Sooners are averaging 50 points per game coming into this tilt.

I look for Oklahoma to win this one handily and make the statement that they are true national championship contenders.

9:30 p.m. – No. 21 Nebraska at Fresno State (CBS Sports Network)

A nap? Coffee? One of those handy energy drinks? Whatever it takes.

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This is the latest local start for a Husker football game that I can remember in a very long time (at least in the U.S. mainland).

The Huskers obviously didn’t have the performance they wanted against McNeese State and Fresno State was decimated in their first two games (USC and Utah).

Both teams are reeling which makes this game uber-interesting. Can Fresno pull off the upset against a Nebraska team searching for consistency? Yep, !upset alert! number two.

Other notable games:

• Central Florida at Missouri (11:00 a.m., SEC Network)
• Arkansas State at Miami (2:30 p.m., ESPNU)
• Illinois at Washington (3:00 p.m., FOX)
• Minnesota at TCU (3:00 p.m., Fox Sports 1)
• UTSA at Oklahoma State (6:00 p.m., Fox Sports Network)
• Texas vs. UCLA (Arlington) (7:00 p.m., FOX)

Did I miss any of the weekend’s good games? Let me know in the comments below!

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