We're already into week three of College Football and but this week there isn’t a single Top 25 match-up. We take a look at the most interesting fixtures and as usual the Stats Insider model has you covered with all the pre-game model predictions.

Houston Cougars' senior punter, Australian ice-cream salesman turned superboot, Dane Roy, dives into the matches to keep an eye on in 2019.

University of Kentucky v University of Florida

The #9 Florida Gators travel to Lexington to face the Kentucky Wildcats. Both teams are 2-0 coming into this game, which is the first Southeast conference game of the season for the both of them. Last time they met was just over a year ago, when the Wildcats broke a 31-game losing streak against the Gators, winning 27-16.

The Gators have started the season off according to plan and junior QB Feleipe Franks is getting more comfortable each week under center. In 2 games, Franks has thrown for 524 yards with 4 TD and 1 interception, at a completion rate of 77.8%. Leading the Gators defense is junior DL Kyree Campbell who has 10 tackles and one sack in the 2 games so far.

So far this season, the Wildcats have recorded more rushing touchdowns (6) than receiving touchdowns (4). Leading the way in the backfield for the Wildcats is redshirt-freshman RB Kavosiey Smokewho has rushed for 170 yards with 2 TD in the 2 games. On the other side of the ball for Kentucky, are defensive pair DeAndre Square (LB) and Yusuf Corker (S) who have combined for 21 solo tacklesso far.

Look out for: 

Aussie punter Max Duffy for the Wildcats. He started his 2019 campaign with class, ranking 3rd in the country in net yards per punt (49.8). Expect this form to continue.

Verdict:

The Gators and the Wildcats are going to line up with very similar form lines, both having won 12 of their last 15 games. If the Wildcats can bring the same intensity they brought to the Gators last year, expect them to get close, with the home crowd helping them over the line.

Iowa State University v University of Iowa

The 67th installment of the Cy-Hawk rivalry game takes place at Iowa State University this Saturday afternoon. The Iowa State Cyclones host the Iowa Hawkeyes in what should be a intriguing game. The Hawkeyes currently hold a 4-game winning streak over the Cyclones and could make that 5 in a row if the Cyclones send out the same team that won in triple-overtime in week 1.

Iowa State had a bit of a scare in week 1 when FCS school Northern Iowa took it right up to them and pushed them to triple-overtime. Sophomore QB Brock Purdy threw for 278 yards with 2 TD in the win, and senior WR Deshaunte Jones averaged 9 yards per reception on 14 catches.

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Iowa have had a relatively relaxed start to the season, scoring 68 points and only giving up 14. Senior QB Nate Stanley is leading the way for the Hawkeye offense with 517 all-purpose yardsand 6 TD in the 2 games. Junior WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette is on fire of late, averaging 18.5 yards per reception with 3 TDs.

Look out for: 

Aussie punter Cory Dunn, who was the starting punter for Iowa State last season. However, didn’t start in the first game for the Cyclones.

Verdict:

Expect the Iowa Hawkeyes to keep winning and their defense to be as tight as they have been in the first 2 games. If Iowa State can’t break the Hawkeye defense, then it could be a rough game for them. These rivalry games always make for a good showing though, so this one should go down to the wire.

University of Arizona v Texas Tech University

Texas Tech Red Raiders travel to the Arizona Wildcats' home for their third game of the season. I made this journey myself back in 2017, and the flight from Texas to Tucson for a night game is a rough one, especially when your game is a late one and you end up getting back home at 7am the next day. Texas Tech comes into this game with 2 wins against teams that didn’t really put up a fight. Their defense has been stout to start the season, only giving up 13 points. Sophomore QB Alan Bowman has recorded 710 all-purpose yards and 6 TDs in his 2 games so far, senior RB Arman Shyne has been a shining light for the Red Raiders, rushing for 170 yards and 2 TDs in his 2 games.

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Arizona had a tough loss to start the season against Hawaii, losing on the last play of the game where QB Khalil Tate ran for 30-something yards as time expired and was tackled on the 1-yard line where a TD would have put the game into overtime. But last week they slammed on 65 points to beat Northern Arizona. The Wildcats defense could continue to be an issue, as they gave up 45 points and 41 points in the first two weeks.

Expect senior QB Khalil Tate to keep throwing and running the ball, he has compiled 605 all-purpose yards in 2 games with 5 TD but also 2 interceptions, with a completion rate of 64.3%. Junior RB J.J. Taylor leads the Wildcats in rushing, with 2 TD from 24 carries averaging 7 yards per attempt. Impressing in the Arizona secondary is senior CB Jace Whittaker, who has 3 interceptions so far this season.

Look out for:

A shootout in the west with Alan Bowman and Khalil Tate lining up against each other. This will be a very exciting game and hopefully not too much defense is played.

Verdict:

Just like the Arizona’s first two games, expect it to be a high-scoring affair. Texas Tech has the firepower to win this and the defense to compliment it. 

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