College Football Week 3 Predictions: Geo/Tenn, Mia/USF, ND/TAM, LSU/Fla and Much More

In Week 2 we saw Oklahoma standout over Michigan along with big upsets from USF, Army, and Mississippi State. Also, Iowa State, Baylor, Vandy, Illinois, and Missouri earned solid victories. Week 3 features everything from key marquee matchups in the SEC and ACC, to a few important non-conference games. The more games we see the more we find out of which programs are real deal contenders. Buckle up for another exciting week of college football.

Marquee Matchups

#6 Georgia vs. #15 Tennessee: The Georgia Bulldogs have dominated the Vols for quite some time. Tennessee has managed to upend Alabama on its way back to becoming a respected program. Last year the defense was legit, but the offense took a huge step back. New Vols QB Joey Aguilar has produced a minor uptick in offense on the surface, but will it hold up versus an SEC powerhouse. Once Tennessee entered conference play the defense stepped up, but the offense didn’t carry their end of the bargain in 2024. The Vols we need the offense to show up because their defense may take a slight step back.  Georgia had a down 2024-25 year and still won the conference title. Can they get back to dominating the line of scrimmage? Will the dual-threat QB Gunnar Stockton take the next step and be a true difference maker. The wide receiver room can only improve given how many do balls were dropped by that unit a year ago. This College Football podcaster doesn’t have a strong conviction of the outcome in all honesty.

The Pick:  Georgia +3.5

FanDuel

4.6/5

Tip: Bet Georgia +3.5

• Vols offense to struggle
• Georgia Defense to Play well
• Game in Tennessee

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#5 Miami vs. #18 South Florida: South Florida is red hot coming into this interstate tilt on Saturday afternoon. In their non-conference matchup last September USF hung with the Hurricanes for a half. Can the Bulls summon the energy to win 3 straight games versus ranked opponents? Beyond the conservative play calling we saw late in the Canes victory over Notre Dame, Miami looked every bit the part of a contender. QB Carson Beck has found a groove early with true freshman Malachi Toney and LSU transfer C.J. Daniels. The offensive line and running back room is proven as well. Can Miami continue to deliver defensively as they did in week 1? A rebuilt secondary feature a few transfers and young inhouse talent will be the key to success. The spread may be too wide, but Miami wins this one.

The Pick: Miami comes away with the ‘W’ but USF +17.5 is the pick

DraftKings

4.5/5

Tip: Bet South Florida +17.5

• Bulls are red hot
• Beck to Play well
• Game in Miami

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Under The Radar

#8 Notre Dame vs. #16 Texas A&M: This one here is flying under the radar as the Irish attempt to bounce back sitting at 0-1. Still developing quarterbacks C.J. Carr for Notre Dame and A&M’s Marcel Reed hold the key to their respected offenses. Miami basically shut down much of Notre Dame’s rush attack in week 1. The Aggies have look to pass the ball more against inferior opposition, but like the Irish, Texas A&M will need to establish the run to pass the ball effectively. The run defense favors Notre Dame so barring a high turnover game look for the Irish to slowly but surely lean on the Aggies. Big believer in Texas A&M’s head coach Mike Elko, but he overall talent will be too much, and the fact the Irish’s back are up against a wall facing 0-2.

The Pick: Notre Dame -6.5

#3 LSU vs. Florida: A week ago this was a highly anticipated marquee matchup. After the loss to USF, Florida finds itself in dangerous territory with a hellish schedule on the horizon. Florida obviously got caught looking ahead and now must pull off this upset to restore faith.  We know the LSU Tigers can field a helluva offense that’s been proven under head coach Brian Kelly. The big question has been the defensive side of the ball. Although the Clemson offense looks weak at this current moment, the LSU defense appeared ultra-fast and much improved. LSU would really have to mess this one up with a series of horrible mistakes to loss in a night game at the real Death Valley.

The Pick: Florida +7 LSU wins but the Gators comes out with hair on fire enough cover.

Saturday Upset Special

Cal a slight home dog +1.5 facing Minnesota.

Duke wins at Tulane as a very minor +1.5 road dog

Hardcore Barnburners

#11 South Carolina vs. Vanderbilt: South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellars and company have gotten off to a slow start. While Vandy QB Diego Pavia and company showed to the better of the two against the measure stick defense of Virginia Tech. It’s difficult to not pick Diego with the points. That said something tells me the Gamecocks will be motivated in this early SEC scrap.

The Pick: South Carolina +3.5

#12 Clemson vs. Georgia Tech:  Clemson’s offense is moving at a snail’s pace thus far having put up just 3 points at the half versus Troy. Georgia Tech will attempt to play keep away using a rushing attack that eventually creates explosives on the ground or through the air. Close to a pick’em type ACC contest with outcome heavily dependent on the health of Yellowjackets QB Haynes King and Clemson WR Antonio Williams.

The Pick: Clemson -3

Against The Spread

New Mexico +15.5 vs. UCLA

Cal +1.5 versus Minnesota

USF +17.5 versus Miami

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Quick Hits Recap

-Oklahoma QB John Mateer accounted for 344 yards and 3 touchdowns in a key victory over Michigan 24-13.

-Illinois scored their most points on the road in 10 years in a 45-10 win at Duke.

-Mississippi State QB Blake Sharpen connected on a 58-yard touchdown pass to Brenen Thompson with less than a minute to play sealing a 24-20 victory over Arizona State.

-South Florida kicker Nico Gramatica hit a game-winning field goal as time expired to upset Florida 18-16 in the Swamp.

-Iowa State moves to 3-0 after beating their bitter rival 16-13. Iowa State has won 3 out of their last 4 meetings.

-Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson passed for 440 yards and 4 TD’s, knocking off SMU in double overtime 48-45.

-The Georgia Bulldogs extended their home winning streak to 33 in a win over Austin Peay. The longest home streak in SEC history.

-Miami QB Carson Beck completed his first 15 passes in route over Bethune 45-3.

-The Oregon Ducks score their largest win facing an FBS opponent since 2019 by devouring Oklahoma State 69-3.

-Clemson played with fire trailing Troy 16-3 at halftime before making a rally to win 27-13.

Written by Chris Carlson Host of The College Ball Show available under The Rope A Dope Radio Podcast Umbrella on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker, I-Heart Radio, Amazon Podcasts, Google Podcasts & More! Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio