The Miami Hurricanes will have another Saturday off. Stop me if you've heard that before. There is good news, however, this is the final time this season that the Hurricanes will not be playing on college football's preferred day.
And there's even better news for Miami fans — Week 3 has some games that should hold a lot of interest for you. There are a couple of intriguing ACC matchups, a potential swan song and an old-fashioned hate watch on the docket. So let's get to the action:
4 games in Week 3 that Miami fans should be watching
North Carolina at Clemson, noon (ESPN)
Despite all the turmoil around the Tar Heels program, one that has already included the resignations of GM Mike Lombardi and defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, they have a great chance of beating a down Clemson program and going 3-0. Even if North Carolina wins, I don't think this lack of offense is going to work out long-term. But the Hurricanes will face the Tigers in two weeks and the Tar Heels at the end of October, so this game is a chance to scout future opponents.
One new nugget we can report in the light of today's UNC/Lombardi investigation news: Soon after Lombardi took over, staffers felt pressured to misrepresent UNC's academic offerings to recruits. https://t.co/SIZzywm6c6
— Matt Baker (@MattBakerCFB) September 17, 2026
FSU at Alabama, 3:30 p.m. (ABC)
The 3:30 p.m. block is going to be busy, and this could be the last time that Hurricane fans can watch the Seminoles suffer an embarrassing loss under Mike Norvell. FSU is an 18.5-point underdog (!!) in the second leg of this home-and-home series.
The Seminoles pulled the upset at home last year, but this time it would be a surprise if Alabama didn't win by at least 20. FSU is in rebuild mode, and the first domino has already fallen. As much as Miami fans would love to see the Hurricanes end Norvell's tenure in Tallahassee, it could happen shortly after this game goes final.
SMU at Louisville, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Now we're getting down to business. There's a good chance that one of these two teams will be staring across the field from the Hurricane in the ACC Championship Game. It's still too early to say that the winner of this match has the inside track to be in Charlotte on the first weekend of December, but it's a good step forward.
Beyond the implications for the Hurricanes, which there are many, this should be an excellent football game featuring two teams that are flawed, but quite entertaining. That description would also fit both quarterbacks — Louisville's Lincoln Kienholz and SMU's Kevin Jennings.
LSU at Ole Miss, 7:30 p.m. (ABC)
Well, this game has zero ACC importance, but the winner of the Magnolia Bowl (featuring Lane Kiffin) is going to have an early inside position for the 12-team playoff and therefore could be a potential opponent for the Hurricanes. Even if this game turns out to be meaningless in the long haul, watching Kiffin walk into the lion's den of Oxford is some must-see TV.
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