High-profile college football will come early this week, as two ranked teams go at it on Thursday to go along with a full slate of games Saturday.
No. 17 Louisville vs. No. 24 North Carolina State
Louisville’s only blemish on the season came at the hands of the nation’s new number two team, Clemson. The Cardinals will be sitting pretty if it can get by North Carolina State, as it will not play a team that is currently ranked.
Junior quarterback Lamar Jackson is making a case to win back-to-back Heisman Trophies. Jackson has thrown for 1,636 yards and 13 touchdowns. He is also the team’s leading rusher with 437 yards and five touchdowns.
In week one, NC State lost to the University of South Carolina 35-28 at a neutral site. Since then, the Wolfpack are 4-0, which includes a road win against then No. 12 Florida State.
Junior quarterback Ryan Finley has been about as efficient as anyone could hope. Finley has yet to thrown an interception this year on 192 pass attempts. Finley has complete 71.9 percent of passes for 1,403 yards.
Thursday night football will kick off at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
No. 23 University of West Virginia vs. No. 8 TCU
West Virginia lost a nail-biter in week one to Virginia Tech 31-24. West Virginia’s offense has been on another level in its three games since, putting up 56, 59 and 56 points in its three wins.
The Mountaineer offense is led by junior quarterback Will Grier. Grier has thrown for 1,374 yards on the year to go along with 13 touchdowns. His favorite target might be junior wide receiver David Sills V, who has caught seven of the touchdowns.
TCU, one of the nation’s last remaining unbeaten teams, made a statement two weeks ago when it went to Stillwater, Oklahoma and beat then No. 6 Oklahoma State 44-31.
Sophomore running back Darius Anderson has been a driving force behind the Horned Frogs’ success. Anderson has ran for 422 yards and has also found the end zone six times.
The Big 12 contest will kick off from Fort Worth, Texas at 2:30 p.m.
Michigan State vs. No. 7 University of Michigan
Michigan State will go on the road for the first time this year, as its 3-1 record will be put to the test. The Spartans’ only loss came to Notre Dame, 38-18.
Junior wide receiver Felton Davis III has shined so far for Michigan State. Davis III leads the team in receiving with 21 catches for 256 yards and four touchdowns.
Michigan’s defense has been the driving force to its 4-0 start. The Wolverines have allowed 17, 14, 13 and 10 points in its games this season.
Senior quarterback Wilson Speight will not play due to injury, so the Wolverines will be led by senior John O’Korn. O’Korn has thrown for 307 yards and a touchdown in the two games he has appeared in.
The battle between the Michigan teams will kick off from Ann Arbor, Michigan at 6:30 p.m. on ABC.
