College Football Week 3 2021 Predictions

Week 2 gave College Football fans 5 upsets inside the Top-25 with USC and Texas claiming the biggest choke jobs. Week 3 has three separate ranked vs. ranked matchups but there are several games flying under the radar with point spreads linger around and below 7 points for the underdogs. So the “Against The Spread” scenarios across the Week 3 landscape are plentiful.  

Marquee Matchups

#1 Alabama vs. #11 Florida: The returning national champs Bama got a hell of run last year from Florida. Both teams lost key players but one can assume the Crimson Tide has replenished their talent more than the Gators who are still trying to put the building blocks together to become an elite program. QB Kyle Trask and TE Kyle Pitts among others were studs last year it’s yet to be seen if this year’s unit can produce the juggernaut numbers the Florida offense put up. Gator QB’s Emory Jones/Anthony Richardson (if healthy) and the O-Line will have their hands full with Alabama’s defense making things even more difficult is their edge rushers. Alabama is currently on a 16-game winning streak and 31 straight over SEC East foes. This will be a 2nd half game it’s just a matter of how deep into the half with Florida be close enough to win.    

The Pick: Alabama 36 Florida 26

#10 Penn State vs. #22 Auburn: Penn State was able to grind out a hard-earned victory over Wisconsin in Week 1 and now they set their sights on the SEC. QB Bo Ryan is very well known on campus because of his father but it’s time for the son to step out of his shadow. Auburn’s backfield of Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter will need to carry the load to play ball control and keep the “white-out” crowd in happy-valley contained as much as possible. The issue in Penn State’s 0-5 start a year ago came down to turnovers so if they can limit those it will obviously pay dividends. The Big Ten hasn’t always faired-well in SEC matchups over the last decade will this be a continuation? This podcaster believes the outcome will be undecided heading into the 4th quarter and that’s where Nittany Lions do-it-all special teamer Jordan Stout will make his imprint. 

The Pick: Penn State 27 Auburn 23

Under The Radar

#19 Arizona vs. #23 BYU: This matchup up right here fits in nicely with the PAC-12 “after dark” theme for great games that go late into the night and yes I know BYU is not in that conference. The quarterback matchup will no doubt make for a drama filled scrap with true dual-threats in ASU Jayden Daniels and BYU Jaren Hall. The Cougars have a knack for keeping things close so look for this non-conference feud to come down to the 4th quarter. Is Herm Edwards Sun Devils ready to win in a tough spot on the road? They did it in 2019 at Michigan State but the Spartans loss 6 games that year with 0 wins over a ranked opponent. This is a flip of the coin which lends itself to leaning with the home club.    

The Pick: BYU 24 ASU 23

Saturday Upset Special 

Memphis defends their home field with a minor upsetting of Mississippi State.

Minnesota may get back their #1 WR if so the Gophers win on the road at Colorado as a slight dog. 

(Honorable Mention #13 UCLA performed strongly against LSU but they could face a letdown versus a tricky Fresno State squad.) 

Hardcore Barnburners

#8 Cincinnati vs. Indiana: The Hoosiers have too many returning starters to look as bad as they did Week 1. The Bearcats want to make a statement in the non-conference making for the perfect ingredients for a barnburner.   

#24 Miami vs. Michigan State: The Canes haven’t performed up to their talent thus far while it seems the Spartans may be ahead of schedule which should give us something to cheer for deep into the 4th. 

Against The Spread

Arkansas State can hang around enough to lose to Washington by less than 16 points.

San Diego State covers as a 9-point underdog to Utah.

(Honorable Mention: Fresno State losses but not by the 11.5 points Las Vegas has #11 UCLA as the favorite.)  

Take it to the window

Central Florida beats Louisville as the 6.5-point favorite.

Quick Hits Recap

-Oregon RB CJ Verdell averaged 8.1 rushing yards per carry against the Buckeyes lackluster defense in a 35-28 win. 

-Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud threw for 472 yards and 3 touchdowns in a losing effort. 

-Michigan outrushed Washington 343 yards to 50 in a walk over win 31-10.

-Florida State’s shocking loss to Jacksonville State is the first loss in school history to a team not in the FBS since William & Mary in 1959.

-Virginia QB Brennan Armstrong put up 405 passing yards to go along with 5 TD’s in a victory over Illinois. 

-BYU QB Jaren Hall stood out in a victory over Utah throwing for 3 TD’s and rushing for 93 yards. Jaren’s father Max Hall was the last BYU QB under center to beat Utah. Max attended BYU from 2006-2009.

-8 FCS programs have somehow managed to defeat FBS teams thru just two weeks. 

Written by Chris Carlson Host of The College Ball Show Podcast available at blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio and TheGruelingTruth.Net

Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio