College Football matchups in Week 3 aren’t anywhere close to being as interesting as the matchups we saw in Week 2. The most interesting might be Texas at USC. The Trojans pummeled rival Stanford 42 to 24 in Week 2. If USC can keep it going versus the Longhorns, they’ll solidify their position as one of the best teams in NCAAF.
I preview USC versus Texas along with all the other great Week 3 College Football games in this blog. Check it out!
2017 College Football Week 3 Preview
Friday, Sep. 15
Illinois +17 at 22 South Florida -17
South Florida is ranked 22 in the nation due to its reputation. The Bulls weren’t overly impressive when beating San Jose State 42 to 22 as a -21 chalk in Week 1. South Florida then beat Stony Brook 31 to 17 as a -35 chalk in Week 2.
The problem I have with the Bulls is that they allowed Stony Brook to score 17 points. That’s a lot of points to allow to a Division II team. Illinois averages 22 points per game. The Illini are undefeated as well only they’ve beaten tough teams Ball State and Western Kentucky.
I’m taking the points.
Pick: Illinois +17
Saturday, Sep. 16
Air Force +25 at 7 Michigan -25
Michigan only allows 39.5 rushing yards per game. That’s why I believe the Wolverines cover in this game. Sure, 25 points is a lot. Yes, I know Michigan failed to cover a -32.5 spread versus Cincinnati in Week 2. I’m not worried.
Air Force is all about the rushing attack. The Falcons ran for 457 yards in their 62 to 0 win over the Virginia Military Institute on Sep. 2. I don’t believe Air Force has any passing game to speak of. Michigan should roll to an easy win this Saturday.
I like the Wolverines to cover the spread.
Pick: Michigan -25
9 Oklahoma State -14 at Pittsburgh +14
Oklahoma State’s defense must improve some if the Cowboys hope to go undefeated in the Big 12. The D shouldn’t face any issue against Pittsburgh on the road in Week 3, though. Even if Pitt puts up points, the chances of the Panthers stopping Oklahoma State QB Mason Rudolph from completing passes to great WR James Washington is 0%.
Rudolph to Washington has been one of this season’s early stories. In Week 1 Washington caught 6 passes for 145 yards. He caught 2 TD passes.
Pick: Oklahoma State -14
25 UCLA -3 at Memphis +3
UCLA should have no trouble putting a serious beat down on the Memphis Tigers in Week 3. So far, 84% of handicappers are all over the Bruins to cover the -3 spread. It’s hard to see Memphis doing more than just putting up a minimal fight against UCLA’s offense. Bruins’ QB Josh Rosen is the likely first pick in this April’s NFL Draft. He’s been that impressive in 2 UCLA wins.
The Bruins rock to at least a 10-point win in this matchup. The Bruins are a Best Pick.
Best Pick: UCLA -3
3 Clemson -3 at 14 Louisville +3
All football handicappers looking to make a few bucks on Clemson vs Louisville had better jump on this spread right away. Clemson should have no trouble dominating Louisville on Sep. 16. Louisville’s offense is once again one-dimensional. If QB Lamar Jackson doesn’t become Mr. Everything on Saturday’s, Louisville won’t score points. That’s not the real reason to love Clemson in this game.
Louisville’s defense allowed Purdue to score 28 points in Week 1. The Cardinals D allowed North Carolina to score 35 in Week 2. How many points is Clemson going to score? 42? 56? I believe so much in Clemson that they’re my second Best Pick of College Football Week 3.
Best Pick: Clemson -3
10 Wisconsin -13 at BYU +13
Independent 1-A Brigham Young is 1 and 2 straight up after their 13 to 19 loss to Utah in Sep. 9. The BYU Cougars are actually 0 and 3 because they failed to get close to covering the spread in their only win so far this season, a 20 to 6 victory over Portland State on Aug. 26.
Does BYU have any shot against Wisconsin in Week 3? I feel like the Cougars do. The Badgers have had some injuries while Wisconsin QB Alex Hornibrook didn’t impress against Florida Atlantic. If BYU can stop Wisconsin’s run, they can keep this game within the number.
I’ll take the 13 points on Brigham Young.
Pick: BYU +13
16 Virginia Tech -20.5 at East Carolina +20.5
In the past, VA Tech versus East Carolina has been close. This isn’t the past. Virginia Tech is a much better football team than the East Carolina Pirates. West Virginia beat East Carolina 56 to 20 on Sep. 9. East Carolina is so bad that James Madison pummeled the Pirates 34 to 14 on Sep. 2.
ECU has no shot against the Hokies. Virginia Tech by 30 sounds like a real possibility.
Pick: Virginia Tech -20.5
Southern Methodist +18.5 at 20 Texas Christian -18.5
Southern Methodist has scored 54 points and 58 points in their 2 games this season. The real key in this one is how well the Horned Frogs’ defense plays against the Mustangs offense. If SMU’s offense is as good as advertised, TCU’s D could be in trouble.
Then again, TCU did shut down Arkansas’ offense in a sweet 27 to 7 road win in Week 2. This is tough game to handicap. I’m going to take the points because it’s difficult to see TCU outscoring SMU by 19 points.
Pick: Southern Methodist +18.5
23 Tennessee +5.5 at 24 Florida -5.5
No word yet if Florida allows the 8 players that are on suspension to remain on suspension. The Gators needed those 8 players against Michigan in the Gators’ 17 to 33 loss on Sep. 2. I’m not sure if the Gators need those 8 players to return for them to beat Tennessee by more than the spread in Week 3.
Florida is just a better team than Tennessee. The Gators looked great against the Wolverines until their defense got tired. I’m laying the points.
Pick: Florida -5.5
Army +30.5 at 8 Ohio State -30.5
It’s going to be interesting to see how the Buckeyes respond to the devastating loss to Oklahoma in Week 2. I think they respond brilliantly. I mainly think that because coach Urban Meyer is going to push his guys to the brink. There were moments in the loss to the Sooners where a few Buckeye players appeared to just give up.
That’s a no-no when playing for Meyer. As per this 2017 college football week 3 preview, Ohio State should dominate Army, a team that averages 8.5 passing yards per game. That’s not a joke.
Pick: Ohio State -30.5
Oregon State +19 at 21 Washington State -19
The Oregon State Beavers entered their Week 2 game against Minnesota as a -2 home favorite. All the Gophers did was put a 48 to 14 beat down onto the Beavers. Oregon State has no shot of keeping it close against Washington State on Saturday. The Cougars, behind QB Luke Falk, should score over 50 against Oregon State.
This game figures to get super ugly. I think I found my third Best Pick of the day.
Pick: Washington State -19
Tulane +34 at 2 Oklahoma -34
Oklahoma’s smashing 31 to 16 win over Ohio State in Week 2 should leave the Sooners vulnerable to a loss against the spread versus Tulane in Week 3. Tulane almost pulled off the miracle upset over Navy in a 21 to 23 loss as a +8 point road dog in Week 2. The Green Wave should do enough to keep this game within the 34 points. This is especially true since the Sooners are going to, emotionally at least, be spent.
Pick: Tulane +34
Colorado State +28.5 at 1 Alabama -28.5
Nick Saban is not only one of the greatest college football coaches to ever live, he’s also one of the classiest college football coaches to ever live. Saban figures to take his pedal off the gas after Alabama runs out to a 28 point lead. The half a point in this game could make a huge different. I’ll take the points on CSU.
Pick: Colorado State +28.5
12 LSU -7 at Mississippi State +7
In battles past, Mississippi State has put a huge damper on LSU’s conference championship chances. Of course, in those games, Mississippi State’s quarterback was named Dak Prescott. This LSU team is slightly underrated while Prescott plays QB for the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL.
LSU should roll.
Pick:
18 Kansas State -4 at Vanderbilt +4
How good are the Kansas State Wildcats? We should find out on Sep. 16. K-State’s Week 3 game has them battling Vanderbilt on the road. Vandy is no slouch of a football team. The Commodores, like K-State, are undefeated. Vandy’s defense has allowed 6 points this entire season. I’ll take the 4 points because Kansas State must travel to Tennessee to battle Vanderbilt in this game.
Pick: Vanderbilt +4
Texas +17 at 4 USC -17
New Texas coach Tom Herman said that it’s going to take some time before he turns the Longhorns’ program around after Texas lost 41 to 51 to Maryland at home in Week 1. I don’t agree with that assessment. it shouldn’t take time because former HC Charlie Strong recruited well while in Austin.
Herman’s Longhorns face one of the top teams in college football on Saturday in the USC Trojans. USC should rack up at least 42 points against the Longhorns D. I like USC to win this one going away.
Pick: USC -17
Fresno State +33 at 6 Washington -33
Washington’s defense allows 10.5 points per game on average. Fresno State’s offense averages 20.5 points per game. Washington is one of the best teams in the Pac 12. I still don’t think they cover a 33-point spread. I like Fresno State ATS.
Pick: Fresno State +33
19 Stanford -9.5 at San Diego State +9.5
The Stanford Cardinal couldn’t hang with USC. It looked like Stanford might be able to. Then, USC’s offense kicked it up a notch. San Diego State isn’t as close to being as good as USC. The Aztecs did beat ASU 30 to 20 as a +3 road dog in Week 2, though. I must take the points. Stanford should win, but SDSU figures to keep this closer than the 9.5 spread.
Pick: San Diego State +9.5