College Football Week 3 Schedule, Betting Odds and Prediction

Week 3 of college football features two rated teams and two rematches. Sixth Oklahoma goes to Nebraska for the Big Noon Kickoff Game to watch how the Huskers react after firing Scott Frost. Last season, Oklahoma won 23-16. No. 22 Penn State visits 2-0 Auburn. Last year, the Nittany Lions triumphed 28–20. 12th-ranked BYU plays 25th-ranked Oregon in the afternoon.

 

  •  Georgia (-24.5) at South Carolina (12 p.m., ESPN)

The Gamecocks have split four home underdog games under Shane Beamer. The Bulldogs have won their last three home games by an average of 22.3 points.

 

Pick: Georgia wins 37–14, but the spread is NOT COVERED.

 

  • Fourth-ranked UConn Michigan (12 p.m., -47) (ABC)

Wolverines have another huge spread versus Huskies. Michigan averages 53.5 points per game and J.J. McCarthy is starting, but they’ve allowed a fourth-quarter TD each week. In three games, the Huskies have 8 turnovers. This is close, but that’s many points.

 

Pick: Michigan wins 52-6 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.

 

  • Oklahoma vs. Nebraska (-13.5) (12 p.m., FOX)

Oklahoma’s interim coach Mickey Joseph takes over at Nebraska. The Huskers’ 31.0 points per game defense won’t cut it against a Big 12 opponent. Oklahoma is an unpleasant house guest and scores a late TD to cover.

 

Oklahoma covers the spread, 38-24.

 

  • Baylor at No. 17 Texas State (-31) (12 p.m., FS1)

Jake Spavital’s Bobcats are 7-10 ATS as underdogs, and this is a large spread against a Baylor team coming off a two-overtime loss at BYU. Last year, Baylor won 29-20 away. This spread is ridiculous.

 

Pick: Baylor wins 40-17 but FAILS TO COVER the spread

 

  • 12-BYU at 25-Oregon (-4) FOX, 3:30

The schedule is absurd. Oregon resumes this week. The line opened at -6.5 but is now leaning toward the Ducks. Since the 2006 Las Vegas Bowl, they haven’t played. It’s a nail-biter.

 

Pick: Oregon wins 31-24 and COVERS the spread.

 

  • Ole Miss (20) at Georgia Tech (-14.5) (3:30 p.m., ABC)

Lane Kiffin’s Rebels offense averages 43.5 points per game. Geoff Collins’ Yellow Jackets are 4-10 as home underdogs. It’s up a touchdown from the offseason. Zach Evans and Quinshod Judkins run well.

 

Pick: Ole Miss wins 42-20 and COVERS the spread.

 

  • 22nd Penn State (-3) at Auburn (3:30 p.m., CBS)

Penn State must safeguard the ball at one of the SEC’s hardest road stadiums. Who’s your favorite quarterback? And Drew Allar? TJ Finley, Robby Ashford? Penn State’s last 10 games are 5-5, therefore it’s a coin flip. Still, they’re better.

 

Penn State covers the spread 27-23.

 

  • Second-ranked UL-Monroe Mississippi (-49.5) (SEC Network, 4 pm)

In Saban’s debut season, Louisiana-Monroe beat Alabama 21-14. The Crimson Tide hasn’t lost a non-conference regular-season game since and should be more focused following 100 yards in penalties against Texas. We’ll take the blowout to get back on track despite the huge spread.

 

Alabama covers the spread 59-9.

 

  • Liberty at position 19 Wake Forest (-16.5) (ACC Network, 5 pm)

Sam Hartman tossed four touchdowns and averaged 11.4 yards per attempt in his Week 2 return for the Demon Deacons. Wake Forest can’t focus on Clemson. Hugh Freeze’s team is strong, but they may catch up in the second half.

 

Wake Forest covers the spread 42-24.

 

  • 3rd-ranked Toledo Buckeyes Ohio State (-31) (7:00 pm, FOX)

Ohio State hosts a MAC opponent in primetime. The Buckeyes’ offense simply has too many tools, despite the Rockets’ efforts to keep the previous meeting’s 27-22 loss in 2011 close. The Buckeyes are 0-2 ATS. This week changes with Wisconsin’s Big Ten opener.

 

Pick: Ohio State beats the spread and wins 49–14.

 

  • No. 16 Texas Tech at No (7 p.m, ESPN2)

This may be a weekend highlight. Joey McGuire’s Red Raiders are 2-0. Texas Tech has lost its last two games at Carter Finley Stadium by an average of 31.5 points per game.

 

Pick N.C. State beats the spread but loses 38–30.

 

  • Akron at No. 15 Tennessee (-47.5) (SEC Network, 7 pm)

 

They lost 52-0 at Michigan State. The Vols can score here, but the question is when with Florida on the schedule in Week 4. The Zips cover with a fourth-quarter bench.

 

Pick: Tennessee wins 56-9 and FAILS TO COVER the spread.

 

  • Michigan State at No. 11 Washington (-2) ESPN, 7:30

A trip to Husky Stadium should test the Spartans. Michael Penix Jr. has helped Washington. Michigan State has dropped three straight Pac-12 games but wins here.

 

Pick: In an upset, Michigan State wins 28–23.

 

  • Pitt (No. 23) at Western Michigan (-11) (7:30 p.m., ESPNU)

Pitt lost to Western Michigan last year and to Tennessee in overtime. Kedon Slovis and Nick Patti are also hurt. The Panthers win despite everything (and a road trip).

 

Pitt covers the spread 38-24.

 

  • 18th place is South Florida FL (-24.5) (7:30, TBD)

The Gators must shake this line after losing to Kentucky. Last year, Anthony Richardson helped beat the Bulls 42-20. South Florida is 10-8 ATS as an underdog under coach Jeff Scott, and the Gators may be hungover. South Florida allows 35 points per game. This is difficult.

 

Pick: Florida wins 47–24, but the spread is NOT COVERED.

 

  • 21st-ranked Texas UTSA (-13.5) Longhorn Network

The Roadrunners have played shootouts against Houston and Army in the past two weeks. We’re comfortable as long as the Longhorns’ spread stays under 14 points with Hudson Card at quarterback.

 

Texas covers the spread 41-24.

 

  • Louisiana Tech at No. 5 Clemson (-33) ACC Network

The Tigers are favored against the Bulldogs, who will pass under new coach Sonny Cumbie. Parker McNeil and Parker Downing are the Bulldogs’ quarterbacks, but they’ll struggle against the Tigers’ defense. This play helps Clemson’s 3.9-yard-per-carry rushing average.

 

Clemson wins 45-13 but FAILS TO COVER.

 

  • 16th Miami at No. 24 (-6) ESPN

This line has dropped to six points after the Aggies lost to the Mountaineers. Why? Miami’s quarterback is mastered. Tyler Van Dyke has completed 73.3% of his passes in two games. Before kickoff, this line could drop. Now!

 

Miami wins a surprise 28-27.

 

  • No. 14 Utah hosts San Diego State (-21). (10 p.m., ESPN2)

The Utes want payback after losing 33-31 against the Aztecs last season. After losing to Florida, the Utes beat Southern Utah 73-7 last week. Still, the Aztecs cover.

 

Utah wins 34-14 but fails to cover.

 

  • USC at Fresno State (-12.5) (10:30 p.m., FOX)

Lincoln Riley’s offense gets all the attention, but the defense has nine turnovers in two games. Infraction? Caleb Williams’ offense is efficient. Last week, Fresno State lost 35-32 against Oregon State. 16-point line. Trojans offer value.

 

USC covers the spread, 42-27.

 

 

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