College Football Week 3 Picks: Ohio State, Miami, Notre Dame, and More Predictions

Week three of the college football season isn’t the the most top-heavy slate of games, but it does have a deep card of fun things to watch.

I’ve lined up a large card of picks for the week, and even had to leave off a few games that will be more exciting than some of my picks; I just didn’t have a great read on those. Since it’s a big card, let’s get right into the picks.

Ohio (1-1) @ #1 Ohio State (2-0) -29.5 | Total: o49.5

The line on this game has already moved 6 points, as the spread opened up at Ohio State -35.5. The Bobcats have looked impressive to start the season, as they went to Rutgers and had them on the ropes, and then followed that up with a home win over West Virginia the following week.

The oddsmakers are begging you to take Ohio State in this one, just like they did with Illinois last week, so I’ll take the free points here, as I liked Ohio State when the line was at 35.5. Rutgers didn’t have many issues putting up 34 on Ohio, so if you don’t think the Buckeyes are dropping 50 in a night game in Columbus, I think you’re crazy.

Also, hopefully the training wheels are entirely off Julian Sayin, because he is a guy who might win a Heisman if Ohio State’s play calling lets him.

Pick: Ohio State (-29.5) and o49.5

#13 Oklahoma (2-0) -23.5 @ Temple (2-0) | Total: 52.5

Oklahoma is on a roll after taking care of business against Michigan at home last week. John Mateer is getting Heisman buzz, Brent Venables’ seat is cooling off, and playoff expectations are beginning to happen in Norman.

That’s why this game is the easiest trap game to spot in the history of gambling.

Temple completely overhauled their team this offseason through the transfer portal, and they are one of my favorites to make a surprise improvement and compete in the American Conference. Evan Simon can absolutely sling it, and I think he’s going to keep Oklahoma’s defense honest.

Overall, I just don’t like Oklahoma going on the road after such a big win. It’s honestly surprising to see them even go on the road to a team like Temple, but I love that they are doing it!

Pick: Temple (+23.5)
Lean: u52.5

Louisiana (1-1) @ #25 Missouri (2-0) -27.5 | Total: 47.5

This game is between two teams I have strong feelings about in opposite directions. I’m really low on Louisiana in the Sun Belt, and I’m ridiculously high on Missouri in the SEC.

The Ragin’ Cajuns’ offense looks rough so far this year, so the second Mizzou steps on the gas, this game could get ugly. Eli Drinkwitz isn’t afraid to put it on against an inferior opponent either, so I expect him to handle most of this total on his own.

Louisiana was such a solid team last year, and Michael Desormeaux is a great coach, so I am concerned this is their “wake-up” game. So, I’ll only have the over as an official pick in this one, but I’ll probably have Missouri on my card when Saturday rolls around.

Pick: o47.5
Lean: Missouri (-27.5)

#6 Georgia (2-0) -4.5 @ #15 Tennessee (2-0) | Total: 50.5

I have one main question going into the game. Is Georgia’s offense any good?

Gunner Stockton has made Georgia fans question whether running Carson Beck out of town was a good idea, and their play calling has been suspect to say the least to start the year.

For Tennessee, Joey Aguilar is a massive improvement over Nico Iamaleava, and even if the Volunteers have fewer weapons to throw to this year, the team as a whole is actually better. Tennessee’s defense is still a massive question, but I just don’t think Georgia will be able to move the ball, especially with a raucous Knoxville crowd amping up the atmosphere.

I love Tennessee in this one, and I wouldn’t be shocked if it stayed under as well.

Picks: Tennessee (+4.5)
Lean: u50.5

#18 USF (2-0) @ #5 Miami (2-0) -17.5 | Total: 56.5

Last week, I loved USF against an overrated Florida. Unfortunately, Miami is a million times better.

Miami’s defense has taken a massive leap forward this year, especially on the defensive line, and I think they will cause problems for Bulls quarterback Byrum Brown. He wasn’t able to move the ball too well against Florida, but Billy Napier is inept as a play caller and couldn’t do anything against USF’s defense.

I expect Carson Beck to capitalize on what the defense gives him and do enough to cover in this one. It might stay a little low scoring as I’m not entirely sold on Miami’s offense just yet, especially their running game.

Pick: Miami (-17.5)
Lean: u56.5

#16 Texas A&M (2-0) @ #8 Notre Dame (0-1) -6.5 | Total: 49.5

I’m certainly not writing off a Notre Dame team that competed to the very end in a brutal week one game on the road with a freshman QB.

These next few weeks will tell us a lot about Notre Dame this year, as they have a tricky start to the season, facing Texas A&M, Purdue, Arkansas, Boise State, NC State, and USC all in a row. I’m not sure any of those teams are “elite,” but they’re all substantial and have definitive strengths.

Luckily, the Aggies have a weakness; they’re going to struggle to stop the run, and the Irish have to get Jeremiyah Love more involved this week if they want to get the season back on track. If he gets over 20 touches this week, I think Notre Dame wins this game easily. It’s not a 100% must-win for Notre Dame, but it never looks good to lose to an always overrated Texas A&M squad.

Pick: ND (-6.5)

Pitt (2-0) -7.5 @ WVU (1-1) | Total: 55.5

I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk about one of the most underrated rivalries in all of college sports. When I think of the Backyard Brawl, I think of shootouts.

Unfortunately, West Virginia’s offense might be one of the worst in Power Conference football; however, in a rivalry game at home, I think Rich Rodriguez can pull a rabbit out of his hat and score some points on the board.

I think Eli Holstein and Pitt are actually a pretty solid ACC team who could stumble their way into nine wins, but they can’t lose this one if they want that to happen. I won’t be shocked if they blow out WVU, but I just can’t make an official pick of a team getting over a touchdown in this one. I just expect points.

Pick: o55.5
Lean: Pitt -7.5