It's your fault and your fault alone if you ignored Iowa–Iowa State last week.
The in-state affair didn't grab headlines like Oklahoma–Ohio State or Clemson–Auburn — nor should it have — but the overtime thriller was an absolute beauty. The Cyclones blew a touchdown lead in the final minutes and couldn't stop the Hawkeyes in the extra session, sending them to their third-straight loss in the series and seventh in their last 10 meetings.
MORE: Week 3 College Football Odds and Best Bets
What under-the-radar games could provide similar excitement and spectacular moments in Week 3? Here are five matchups that deserve your attention.
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Illinois at South Florida
Date and Time (ET): Friday, Sept. 15 – 7:00 p.m.
Channel: ESPN
Illinois rebounded from an ugly Week 1 win over Ball State with a dominating defensive showing against Western Kentucky last week. The Illini started a program-record seven true freshmen — three on defense — and held the Hilltoppers' high-powered attack to seven points and 244 yards of total offense.
They're seeking a 3-0 start against USF, who has stumbled to a 2-0 mark. Bulls' dual-threat quarterback Quinton Flowers will be a handful for true freshmen defensive ends Bobby Roundtree and Isaiah Gay, who combined for three tackles for loss and two sacks in Week 2.
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Kentucky at South Carolina
Date and Time (ET): Saturday, Sept. 16 – 7:30 p.m.
Channel: SEC Network
South Carolina is seeking a 2-0 start in the SEC at home against Kentucky in Week 3.
The Gamecocks confused Missouri and Drew Lock last week in a 31-13 road win. They held Lock to 14-for-32 passing for 245 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Head coach Will Muschamp credits the strong start to team-wide unselfishness.
"We’ve got a pretty unselfish football team," he said this week. "Guys aren’t worried about who’s catching the ball, who’s running the ball."
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Troy at New Mexico State
Date and Time (ET): Saturday, Sept. 16 – 8:00 p.m.
Channel: ESPN3
New Mexico State hasn't won more than four games in a season since 2004. They have a darn good chance of sniffing bowl eligibility if they can beat Troy at home.
The Aggies threw for 401 yards in their win over New Mexico last week, which gave them just their third winning streak in the annual rivalry since 1967-68. Troy held Brett Rypien and Boise State to 210 passing yards and 6.6 yards per attempt in a near-Week 1 upset. Can they do the same against Tyler Rogers?
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Middle Tennessee at Minnesota
Date and Time (ET): Saturday, Sept. 16 – 3:30 p.m.
Channel: BTN
Upset predictions for this matchups cooled off after Minnesota' dominating win over Oregon State last week. However, the Blue Raiders beat Syracuse and boast one of the best quarterback-receiver duos in the country in Brent Stockstill and Richie James.
James is 5-foot-9, 170-pound speedster who's the FBS' active receiving leader. He could stretch a Gophers' secondary that has been vulnerable early. Keep an eye early to see how defensive coordinator Robb Smith elects to cover Smith.
Minnesota, meanwhile, enters the game with one starting quarterback for the first time this season. Senior Conor Rhoda grabbed the job after a clean performance against the Beavers.
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Kansas State at Vanderbilt
Date and Time (ET): Saturday, Sept. 16 – 7:30 p.m.
Channel: ESPNU
Kansas State opened with Central Arkansas and Charlotte. No offense to the Bears or 49ers but come on, we've learned nothing about the Wildcats' Big 12 title hopes.
Their first audition comes this weekend with a trip to Vanderbilt, who hasn't faced a murderer's row themselves but did pound MTSU in Week 1 and have shown an efficient, balanced offensive attack. This will be the programs' second all-time meeting and one that should clear up a few things.
