Welcome to Week Three of The Lowe Down.

Well it’s here. The most talked about game of the preseason — Alabama versus Texas A&M.

Crimson Tide fans want their vaunted defense to exact revenge on Johnny Football’s rear end and settle the score for a heartbreaking loss a year ago in Tuscaloosa. Aggie fans want to see their Heisman Trophy winner wear that rugged Bama defense slap out and improve to 2-0 against Nick Saban’s team in the big, bad SEC.

But wait. What about that Texas A&M defense against that powerful Alabama offense? Is this a matchup that is being completely overlooked? Uh … slightly. Through two games (against Rice and Sam Houston State I may add), the Aggies rank 92nd in total defense, yielding 449.5 yards per game. Kevin Sumlin’s squad is also giving up 29.5 points per game.

Although Texas A&M’s offense can score on anyone, it will have a tough time winning challenging league games — such as Alabama, LSU — if it can’t defend better. And ultimately, that will likely cost them this weekend … and possibly other weekends as well. Last week’s record was 13-7, bringing the yearly record to 29-11. To the games we go…

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Friday, September 13

Air Force 20, Boise State 48

Saturday, September 14

No. 7 Louisville (2-0) at Kentucky (1-1) 11:00 p.m. CT

Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has thrown only 14 incomplete passes in his 60 pass attempts this season so it’s apparent that he’s dialed in. And don’t expect that to change. The Cardinals’ season schedule should be scattered, smothered and covered with sprinkles and topped with one of those little plastic cupcake toppers that says “Too Easy.” Hey, when playing at Kentucky (there’s always hoops Wildcat fans) is one of the toughest games on the docket, expect a little criticism.

The Lowe Down: Louisville 45, Kentucky 13

No. 16 UCLA (1-0) at No. 23 Nebraska (2-0) 11:00 p.m. CT

A year ago when these two hooked up, UCLA won an old-fashioned shootout 36-30. This weekend expect more of the same. But when the smoke settles, the Bruins will be returning to the West Coast with big smiles on their faces. UCLA’s offensive line should control the game, which will allow quarterback Brett Hundley to have his way with a weak Huskers’ defense.

The Lowe Down: UCLA 45, Nebraska 38

No. 1 Alabama (1-0) at No. 6 Texas A&M (2-0) 2:30 p.m. CT

Although much has been made about the D.J. Fluker story that broke this week, don’t look for it to be a distraction for Alabama in this game. If anything it may be a motivator. The Crimson Tide’s had this game circled all offseason and rest assured Nick Saban’s bunch will be ready to play. Last year, the Crimson Tide got ambushed by Johnny Manziel and the up-tempo style Texas A&M plays and it got in an early 21-0 first quarter hole. This year, look for the Crimson Tide to counter the Aggies O with a dime package (six DBs/C.J. Mosley lone LB/four down linemen) look for most of the game. This will allow defensive coordinator Kirby Smart to put more speed on the field in an effort to combat the Aggies up-tempo offense and Manziel’s running ability. Alabama can also bring more corner and safety blitzes from different angles in this formations to maintain containment on the perimeter and funnel Manziel in between the hashes. This will allow more opportunities to lay some licks on the dynamic runner. As for A&M, the only way it can win is if its defense has made tremendous strides after wins over Rice and Sam Houston State. Sure, the Aggies will likely move the ball — the offense is too good not to — but if the previous two games are any indication, it won’t be able to stop the Crimson Tide much on offense.

The Lowe Down: Alabama 45, Texas A&M 21

Tennessee (2-0) at No. 2 Oregon (2-0) 2:30 p.m. CT

After opening the year with convincing wins over Austin Peay and Western Kentucky, many Tennessee fans —and college football pundits — are interested to see just where the Vols stack up against good competition. Oregon is always a juggernaut at home in Autzen Stadium, but something is telling me that Butch Jones’ crew will fly across country and put up a good fight. Oregon doesn’t have a lot of size in its front seven, and Tennessee’s offensive line, rated by Lindy’s as the best in the SEC before the season began, could be a tough matchup for the Ducks’ D-line and linebackers. If it plays out that way, the Vols should be able to have enough success on offense to hang around.

The Lowe Down: Tennessee 35, Oregon 48

Mississippi State (2-0) at Auburn (2-0) 6:00 p.m. CT

The classic “springboard” game. Historically, whichever team wins this annual early-season matchup goes on to big and better things. And the loser … well, there’s no consolation prize for fifth, six or seventh place in the SEC West now is there? Mississippi State starting quarterback Tyler Russell is expected to return to the lineup this weekend against the Tigers after suffering a concussion in the opener at Oklahoma State. Stud running back LaDarius Perkins and safety Nickoe Whitley, the Bulldogs lone returning starter in the secondary, will also be back. But will it be enough? Ah, doubtful. Auburn looked much improved from Week One to Week Two, especially on defense, and will be looking for its first SEC win in almost two years (yep, that long). Look for a strong running game, a ratcheted up pace that has not yet been seen through the first two ballgames and an opportunistic defense to be the storylines in an impressive Tigers victory.

The Lowe Down: Mississippi State 23, Auburn 35

Vanderbilt (1-1) at No. 13 South Carolina (1-1) 6:00 p.m. CT

Alright, can we finally stop talking about Jadeveon Clowney being the best defensive player ever? Seriously. The guy is good no doubt. But he isn’t Lawrence Taylor or Derrick Thomas good. And remember, he is the focal point of every team’s game plan, which can be a difficult transition sometimes for a really talented player. Against Vanderbilt, Clowney draws another tough matchup in left tackle Wesley Johnson, one of the more underrated linemen in the country. How well Johnson and his fellow offensive linemen hold up will be the key to this big SEC East matchup.

The Lowe Down: Vanderbilt 17, South Carolina 35

No. 4 Ohio State (2-0) at Cal (1-1) 6:00 p.m. CT

The jury is still out on how good Ohio State is, or how good any team is in the Big Ten for that matter. But one thing’s for sure, the Buckeyes can move the football. Behind Braxton Miller and a veteran offense that returns four of five starting offensive linemen and a slew of talented skill players, the Buckeyes are averaging 41 ppg and 452.5 ypg. But Miller may not play due to a knee sprain, which would turn the offensive reigns over to backup Kenny Guiton. Guiton, a senior, is a capable option, but he is no Miller. Cal’s fast-paced offense, behind freshman quarterback Jared Goff, the nation’s passing leader (930 yards), is explosive, but the Buckeyes will throw a veteran secondary at him. That matchup will be one to watch.

The Lowe Down: Ohio State 38, Cal 21

No. 25 Ole Miss (2-0) at Texas (1-1) 7:00 p.m. CT

Mack Brown, Mack Brown, Mack Brown. A 19-point loss to BYU? Come on man! That’s not cool, especially when all of Lindy’s expert pickers picked your team to roll. Anyway, it will be interesting to see how the Longhorns bounce back from that humiliating defeat a week ago, especially with starting quarterback David Ash out for the game. All I know is they better come off the mat swinging or they’ll suffer a second straight L to an Ole Miss team that has a lot of offensive skill and a number of talented youngsters on defense. Oh I forgot. Watch Ole Miss receiver Laquon Treadwell. The kid is a baller.

The Lowe Down: Ole Miss 34, Texas 37

No. 20 Wisconsin (2-0) at Arizona State (1-0) 9:30 p.m. CT

You heard it here first. Watch out for the Sun Devils. The Midnight Rider, Todd Graham (some of you will get the nickname, some won’t), has a veteran offense and defense and two special players in quarterback Taylor Kelly and defensive tackle Will Sutton to roll with this season. Kelly could have an NFL future and Sutton definitely will. Wisconsin will give Arizona State some problems defensively, but in the end the two aforementioned Sun Devils spark a hard-fought victory over a tough Badger team.

The Lowe Down: Wisconsin 23, Arizona State 27

In other Saturday games:

Akron 10, No. 11 Michigan 55

Virginia Tech 20, East Carolina 17

No. 5 Stanford 34, Army 13

Southern Miss 16, Arkansas 37

Boston College 20, USC 17

Nevada 17, No. 10 Florida State 65

Georgia Tech 38, Duke 20

UCF 27, Penn State 23

No. 19 Washington 30, Illinois 27

Kent State 14, No. 8 LSU 42

Western Kentucky 38, South Alabama 24