Chess match: Six coordinator matchups to watch in Week 3

Each week, On3’s Mike Huguenin and Matt Zenitz spotlight six games with interesting coordinator matchups. The proverbial “chess match” between the coordinators very well could determine the outcome.

Here are the six in Week Three.

Penn State at Auburn

Time/TV: 3:30 p.m., CBS
The coordinator matchup: Penn State OC Mike Yurcich vs. Auburn DC Jeff Schmedding
The buzz: Will Penn State be able to run? The running game was stifled in the season-opening win at Purdue, then PSU ran wild last week against Ohio. Auburn’s defense will be the best the Nittany Lions have seen, so the viability of the run is a genuine question for Yurcich. Schmedding was promoted to DC when Derek Mason left for Oklahoma State, and this is his first big test. Penn State has good receivers, headed by Parker Washington and transfer Mitchell Tinsley; if Sean Clifford has time to throw, the Nittany Lions will do some damage even though Auburn’s secondary is solid. Given Auburn’s offensive malaise, it shouldn’t take a huge offensive effort from Penn State to win. Still, the potential lack of a rushing attack could mean Clifford is going to have to dodge pass rushers all day, and that could lead to mistakes.

Mississippi State at LSU

Time/TV: 6 p.m., ESPN
The coordinator matchup: Mississippi State coach Mike Leach vs. LSU DC Matt House
The buzz: Leach is his own play-caller, and he and QB Will Rogers likely are looking forward to throwing it around against LSU’s rebuilt secondary, which counts heavily on six transfer DBs. The talent is there in the secondary for the Tigers, but everyone still needs to get comfortable with each other. Playing zone and keeping everything in front of you is the key for a defense when playing against a Leach offense. Will House’s group be disciplined enough? Disrupting Rogers will be tough, given all the quick passes. But LSU edge rusher B.J. Olujari, who missed last week’s rout of Southern, is expected to play.

Texas Tech at NC State

Time/TV: 7 p.m., ESPN2
The coordinator matchup: Texas Tech OC Zach Kittley vs. NC State DC Tony Gibson
The buzz: Texas Tech has thrown the ball on 57 percent of its offensive snaps (we’d bet that figure is higher than 60 percent soon), and 77 percent of its total offense has come via the pass; thus, NC State’s DBs are going to be busy Saturday. That should be OK with Gibson, as the Wolfpack secondary is one of the best in the ACC. S Tanner Ingle is the headliner of an experienced group, and that experience needs to show up. Tech had protection issues in last week’s OT win over Houston, but the Wolfpack pass rush has been nonexistent in the first two games. Gibson can’t afford to let Tech QB Donovan Smith have a clean pocket, so what does he do?

Michigan State at Washington

Time/TV: 7:30 p.m., ABC
The coordinator matchup: Michigan State OC Jay Johnson vs. Washington DC William Inge
The buzz: The first real test for both teams this season. Michigan State’s offensive balance generally causes problems for opposing defenses; the Spartans can run effectively, especially between the tackles with transfer RB Jalen Berger, and also have a solid passing attack because of WR Jayden Reed. The second part likely worries Inge, whose corners have been spotty against lackluster foes in the first two games. The return of CB Jordan Perryman, a UC Davis transfer who missed last week’s game with a minor injury, will be important. The Huskies have some edge rushers who can provide pressure, and that aspect needs to come to the fore against the Spartans.

Miami at Texas A&M

Time/TV: 9 p.m., ESPN
The coordinator matchup: Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher vs. Miami DC Kevin Steele
The buzz: Fisher is his own play-caller, and this will be the eighth time in his career he has gone against a Steele-led defense; Steele leads 4-3. A&M is coming off an abysmal offensive performance against Appalachian State, and there is a quarterback switch from Haynes King to LSU transfer Max Johnson. Miami’s secondary can be exploited, so A&M has to get its passing game going. Expect Steele to try to get a ton of pressure on A&M’s quarterback, whoever it is, and load up to stop Aggies RB Devon Achane.

Fresno State at USC

Time/TV: 10:30 p.m., Fox
The coordinator matchup: Fresno State OC Kirby Moore vs. USC DC Alex Grinch
The buzz: Moore, the younger brother of Dallas Cowboys OC Kellen Moore, will rely heavily on the right arm of QB Jake Haener, one of the top quarterbacks on the West Coast. Fresno also has a solid running back in Jordan Mims. USC’s offense figures to put up big numbers, so Moore needs to find a way to manufacture a ton of points. Grinch’s defense has been OK through the first two games, but Fresno’s passing attack is going to make USC DBs work.