If you think college football never surprises, just look at Northern Illinois pulling off a historic win over Notre Dame while being a four-touchdown underdog.

Such shocking results are commonplace in this sport. So, what can we expect in Week 3? Which matchups might contain surprises? Who might face an upset? History tells us these unexpected outcomes often occur, even when least anticipated. But where will they arise?

That’s where the YSL News Sports college football team comes in. Scooby Axson, Jordan Mendoza, Paul Myerberg, Erick Smith, Eddie Timanus, and Dan Wolken have gathered their daring forecasts for the opening week of the college football season:

Tulane Takes on Oklahoma Once More

Tulane, despite losing to Kansas State after squandering a 10-point lead at halftime, has another shot to improve its standing against Oklahoma.

Here’s the situation for the Sooners: On the plus side, their defense is strong and leads the nation in turnover margin. Conversely, the offense has serious issues, particularly on third down. With only 5 successful conversions out of 26 attempts in the first two games, that’s a disappointing 19%, placing them 131 out of 133 in the Bowl Subdivision standings. If they perform like they did against Houston last week, they’re in trouble—especially before their SEC opener against Tennessee next week. Just remember, the last time Tulane visited Norman in 2021, they caused quite an upset. — Scooby Axson

South Carolina Puts LSU on Notice

With Jayden Daniels now absent, LSU was initially expected to still compete for a top spot this season. However, they have yet to show that form. After Southern California overpowered them and a shaky win against Nicholls State, South Carolina is entering this game with significant confidence, especially after their win over Kentucky. In front of a lively home crowd, the Gamecocks could make this a challenging day for LSU. If Brian Kelly’s team ends up at 1-2 with a demanding SEC schedule, it will be difficult to avoid slipping towards the lower half of the conference as the season progresses. — Jordan Mendoza

Billy Napier Eases Pressure with Florida’s Win Over Texas A&M

While it may not save his job, Florida’s victory against Texas A&M offers head coach Billy Napier some relief as the Gators navigate one of the toughest schedules in college football. The Aggies’ reputation has taken a hit after their competitive opening loss to Notre Dame lost some significance following Northern Illinois’ major upset last weekend, making this one of Florida’s best opportunities for an SEC win. Though a victory won’t guarantee a bowl spot, defeating A&M could set the Gators back on the path towards six wins in November. — Paul Myerberg

Alabama Faces a Tough Road Test; Kalen DeBoer’s Game Not Easy

It’s uncommon for Alabama to match up against a Big Ten team on the road, the last instance being in 2011 against Penn State, where they secured a win en route to a national championship. This Saturday, they will face Wisconsin, currently struggling to establish their identity under second-year head coach Luke Fickell. While this appears to be a setup for a straightforward win for Alabama—given Wisconsin’s ongoing quarterback challenges—last week’s close call against South Florida may suggest potential troubles for the Crimson Tide. Wisconsin still boasts a solid defense capable of challenging Jalen Milroe, making this game one to watch closely as it may end dramatically in the final moments. — Erick Smith

Memphis Causes Upset at Florida State

Florida State’s 0-2 start has negatively impacted their upcoming opponent. However, Memphis, despite being ranked No. 25 in this week’s Coaches Poll, faces a challenging situation heading into Tallahassee.

A win would still count as a major victory, possibly beneficial as the Tigers aim for the American Athletic Conference title, but it wouldn’t hold the same weight as initial rankings indicated. On the flip side, a loss would be seen as significant damage to their standing. On the other hand, this matchup presents a chance for the Seminoles to alter the course of their season with a ranked team visiting.

Nevertheless, Memphis must focus on their game plan and disregard Florida State’s challenges. Despite FSU’s roster still having talented players, Memphis is expected to minimize errors and secure the victory. — Eddie Timanus

Washington State Aiming for the Apple Cup

The Apple Cup has not received much national attention this year, but with Washington moving to the Big Ten, this game is one that Washington State fans have eagerly awaited. We still don’t know.

Not much can be inferred about Washington’s team performance under Jedd Fisch, especially after their season opener against relatively weaker teams like Weber State and Eastern Michigan. Considering that Washington State just secured a convincing 37-16 victory against Texas Tech, I believe they are likely stronger and more prepared for competition. Therefore, I anticipate that the Cougars might cause an upset in Seattle this Saturday. — Dan Wolken