Under-the-radar college football games this weekend

Charles Rex Arbogast / AP

Saturday, noon, ABC

Spread: N.C. State by 2 ½

N.C. State is flying under the radar again this season, thanks in large part to a 33-30 loss to a mediocre East Carolina team in Week 2. But after a 33-16 win over previously unbeaten Wake Forest last week, the Wolfpack deserves attention. They’ve already caught the eye of Bill Connelly’s S&P+ rankings, checking in at No. 25 this week. Boise State transfer Ryan Finley has been excellent at quarterback, throwing for 1,014 yards and nine interceptions with no interceptions, and is fourth in the nation with a 72.4 percent completion rate. The problem has been their defense, which allowed 445 total yards to the Pirates, the only above-average offense they’ve faced so far. Notre Dame’s offense, led by star quarterback DeShone Kizer, is even better, scoring 39.8 points per game and a robust 6.94 yards per play, marks that rank 30th and 14th in the nation, respectively. But, like N.C. State, the Fighting Irish haven’t been able to overcome their defense, which is allowing 33.4 points per game and surrendered 27 first-half points and 489 total yards in last week’s 50-33 win over Syracuse.

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Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ESPN

Spread: Ohio State by 29

There’s a good chance Ohio State’s young talent is too much for overmatched Indiana and this turns into a rout before you start making dinner plans. But the Hoosiers have covered the spread in their past five games against the Buckeyes under coach Kevin Wilson, and are coming off what might be a program-defining win against then-No. 17 Michigan State in overtime. Indiana has made great strides under Wilson, and though it came awfully close on a few occasions, hadn’t been able to pull of a big upset. Now it has, and will carry that momentum into The Horseshoe to face the class of the conference. Ohio State’s defense, though young, has been exceptional, holding opponents to 9.3 points per game, best in the nation, and has forced 11 turnovers. For Indiana to have a chance, quarterback Richard Lagow needs to take better care of the football, having thrown six interceptions in the past two games after not throwing any in the first two.

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