Under-the-radar college football games to watch this weekend

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. (Charles Rex Arbogast / AP)