College Football Week 3 Predictions: BYU/Oregon, Miami/Tex A&M, Mich St/Wash, Penn St/Auburn and more

College Football Week 3 Predictions

If you needed more convincing, the College Football regular season is the best in team sports Week 2 is a perfect example full of amazing finishes and crazy upsets. Week 3 is a mild week on paper, but in this sport, anything can and will happen. Sometimes the best matchups aren’t ranked versus ranked especially in September so buckle up. Check out the top football betting sites.

Check out the top sportsbooks for betting on College Football

4.6/5

DraftKings Review

New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $200 in Bonuses Instantly!

Bet now

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. Wagering offered by DK Sportsbook. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $200 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: Promos | DraftKings Sportsbook . Ends 6/28/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

4.6/5

FanDuel Review

New Users – Get $350 in Bonus Bets Guaranteed – When You Bet $5 for 7 Days!

Bet now

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, KY, WV). Void where prohibited. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.gamblersanonymous.org . Must be 21+ in NJ, PA, MI, or WV. $10 first deposit req. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable bonus spins which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. Contact 1-877-770-7867 (LA).

4.5/5

BetMGM Review

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

Bet now

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

Marquee Matchups

#12 BYU vs. #25 Oregon: Fresh off a dramatic double overtime victory over Baylor BYU QB Jaren Hall and company face another challenge with a trip to Eugene. The Ducks will be looking to get rid of the dirty taste left in their mouths after an absolute destruction from the first whistle against Georgia. Besides the kickers mind state from missing makeable game winners last week BYU also might be missing two starting wide receivers in Puka Nacua and Gunner Romney. As of now it’s a game-time decision so keep an eye on it. If both are not going to play it favors the Ducks obviously but also can BYU summon the energy and focus coming off that emotional rollercoaster?

The Pick: Oregon -3.5 unless BYU gets they’re WR’s back. 

#13 Miami vs. #25 Texas A&M: Both teams were looking ahead to this matchup last week, but the Aggies played the better team in App State and got burned for not taking care of business losing 17-14. Miami went ahead of Southern Mississippi to close the 1st half then pulled away but looked sluggish on offense allowing their QB to get hit way too much considering the opponent level. Miami can run the ball and score points whether it comes behind running backs Henry Parrish Jr. and Jaylan Knighton. However QB Tyler Van Dyke will need someone other than Xavier Restrepo to produce was the theme coming in but now that Tylers’ 1st option has been ruled out it could be a killer for the Canes. Something tells me Jimbo Fischer will add a few wrinkles to their broken offense.

The Pick: Texas A&M -6

Under The Radar

#11 Michigan State vs. Washington: Michigan State closed the season off last year with a convincing win over Pittsburgh but Sparty finds itself as the a very live dog on the road. Can new Indiana transfer QB Michael Penix Jr. and the rebuilding Huskies program protect their home field with a win? Las Vegas doesn’t seem to think that highly of MSU because this game opened with Washington as a 4-point favorite. Check out the top football betting strategies.

The Pick: Michigan State +3.5

#22 Penn State vs. Auburn: In Week 1 the Nittany Lions were able to get a nice win at Purdue. Now just two weeks later can they go on the road again in what will be an intense SEC crowd backing their Tigers? We know the Big Ten West has struggled this non-conference let’s see how the East does this week against tougher opposition?

The Pick: Penn State -3 I feel better about this than the Spartans pick.

Check out the top odds for betting on Penn State/Auburn

Saturday Upset Special

LSU as a +2.5 home underdog will upset Mississippi State

Hardcore Barnburners

Florida State vs. Louisville: The Seminoles already won on what was a neutral site but in New Orleans which was tilted to an extent anyway towards LSU. The Cards lost big to Syracuse in Week 1 to Louisville’s credit they did get a solid road ‘W’ at Central Florida last week. This is a sneaky good game which should produce a barnburner on Friday night.

The Pick: Florida State -2.5

Purdue vs. Syracuse: This is a crucial non-conference game for both teams and one thing is for certain they will put up points. The Orangemen can run the ball a little better whereas the Boilermakers throw it more. Key stat although early in the season, Purdue is only giving up 74 rushing yards a game compared to 117 which is still pretty good for Syracuse. A pick’em type contest makes for the perfect ingredients for a hardcore barnburner.

The Pick: Syracuse +1.5

Check out the top sportsbook bonuses

1.

4.6/5

DraftKings Promo Code

New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $200 in Bonuses Instantly!

USA Players Welcome

Min. Deposit: 5

Open DraftKings

Get bonus now

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. Wagering offered by DK Sportsbook. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $200 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: Promos | DraftKings Sportsbook . Ends 6/28/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

2.

4.6/5

FanDuel Promo Code

New Users – Get $350 in Bonus Bets Guaranteed – When You Bet $5 for 7 Days!

USA Players Welcome

Wagering (WR): 1x Deposit, Min. Deposit: 5

Open FanDuel

Get bonus now

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, KY, WV). Void where prohibited. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.gamblersanonymous.org . Must be 21+ in NJ, PA, MI, or WV. $10 first deposit req. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable bonus spins which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. Contact 1-877-770-7867 (LA).

3.

4.5/5

BetMGM Promo Code

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

USA Players Welcome

Min. Deposit: $5

Open BetMGM

Get bonus now

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

4.

4.3/5

Fanatics Promo Code

10 x $100 bet match in FanCash

USA Players Welcome

Open Fanatics

Get bonus now

Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER OR CALL 1-800-MY-RESET, www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), (800)-327-5050 or gamblinghelplinema.org (MA), Call (877)8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), (888) 789-7777 or ccpg.org (CT), morethanagame.nc.gov (NC), 1800gambler.net (WV)

5.

Caesars Promo Code

Bet $1 and get double the winnings up to $25 for your next 10 bets

USA Players Welcome

Wagering (WR): 1x Deposit

Best Alternative

Open DraftKings

21+ New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Gambling Problem? 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)

Against The Spread

Texas Tech +10 in a competitive game against #16 N.C. State.

(Honorable Mention: That +11 for UTSA could be possible versus Texas who may be hung over just a bit from last week’s drama-filled game with Bama.)

Quick Hits Recap

-Marshall’s major upset 26-21 over the Irish is just the 4th time in school history defeating an AP-Poll opponent.

-Thundering Herd RB Khalan Laborn rushed 31 times for 163 yards and touchdown the most since 2016 against the Irish.

-Notre Dame’s streak of 42 wins in a row versus unranked teams was snapped as well.

-After a heartbreaking loss to UNC, Appalachian State came right back and shocked the previously unbeaten #6 Texas A&M Aggies in College Station 17-14.

-The Georgia Bulldogs got their 9th shutout victory dating back to 2016.

-Iowa’s offensive struggles continue after two weeks the Hawkeyes are the 131st ranked offensive unit in total yards and scoring.

-Gophers RB Mo Ibrahim has 11 consecutive games rushing for 100+ yards.

-Scott Frost was fired from Nebraska after losing as a huge favorite at home to Georgia Southern.

Written by Chris Carlson Host of The College Ball Show Podcast available at blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio & Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio