It’s time for Week 3, and a full slate of college football! That can only mean one thing – it’s time for predictions. Lots of good football and interesting match-ups. Be sure to check out the ATS picks at the end.
Top 25
(25) Miami 38 Middle Tennessee 10
Miami’s offense stalled last week vs Texas A&M and the Canes need someone to step up at receiver with Xavier Restrepo out. This is a good match-up for Miami to get back on track and for QB Tyler Van Dyke to establish himself with his receivers.
(24) Pittsburgh 38 Rhode Island 14
Rhode Island is a solid FCS team, but the Panthers will be too much for the Rams. The Pitt Defense will have an excellent game and the Panthers win big.
(23) Texas A&M 27 (10) Arkansas 24
Last week my CFB model worked to perfection, as I predicted the Aggies to defeat Miami and cover the spread. This week my model also likes Texas A&M. Missouri State exposed some weaknesses in the Razorbacks secondary last week, and Aggie QB Max Johnson and the Aggies will need to take advantage in the passing attack to win.
Texas Tech 31 (22) Texas 28
This is one of those games that I need to trust my model on and it loves the Red Raiders. Texas Tech is a 6-7 point underdog, but they’re a team capable of pulling off an upset. If Quinn Ewers was at QB for the Longhorns, I wouldn’t even think about making this prediction. But it’s time to ride with a touchdown underdog straight up.
(19) BYU 35 Wyoming 14
Last week I’ll admit, I underestimated Wyoming and couldn’t believe they could upset Air Force. This week you could also say I’m underestimating the Cowboys. But BYU is a much better team, and I’d be very surprised if they lost this game.
(18) Washington 38 Stanford 28
Last week I predicted Washington to defeat Michigan State and they did. However, I didn’t expect them to completely dominate and for Michael Penix Jr to look that fantastic. If the Huskies can get great QB play like that from Penix Jr all season, then they’re going to be a force in the Pac 12. Stanford is a solid team, but EJ Smith is out and the Huskies are just a little better.
Iowa State 20 (17) Baylor 16
When I picked BYU to defeat Baylor a few weeks ago, I wasn’t confident in it. But I trusted my model. When I picked Iowa State to defeat Iowa, I also trusted my model. Baylor is the better team, but my model loves the Cyclones here, and I’m going to roll with it.
(16) Ole Miss 38 Tulsa 24
The Rebels beat GT last week 42-0, while Tulsa has looked impressive winning two straight games. The Golden Hurricane are extremely underrated and have a good chance to stay in this game. Ultimately Ole Miss has too much firepower for Tulsa, and they pull away late.
(15) Oregon 31 Washington State 27
Washington State is being massively overlooked in this game, just like they were against Wisconsin. FCS Transfer QB Cameron Ward is the real deal and the Cougars defense is playing solid ball. Oregon is the better team, but we all know Bo Nix can’t be trusted 100%. If Washington State can create pressure on Nix, they can hang in this game and possibly get an upset.
(14) Penn State 48 Central Michigan 21
Penn State absolutely annihilated Auburn last week and I expect another big win this week vs the Chippewas. I could see Central Michigan getting some garbage time points here if you’re wondering how they get to 21.
(13) Utah 38 Arizona State 23
Arizona State fired Herm Edwards and everyone is betting on the Utes here to cover the 16 points. The Sun Devils will play tough and play motivated and cover the spread. Utah has too many weapons on offense and a defense too good for Arizona State to actually get the win.
(12) NC State 49 UConn 7
The Wolfpack should dominate this game. UConn is down two star WRs, their starting QB, and RB. Not much offense left for the Huskies.
(11) Tennessee 35 (20) Florida 24
This is the game where the Vols can prove they’re the real deal. College Gameday is coming to Knoxville and tons of top recruits will be there. Tennessee has the better QB, better overall team, and should get the win. My biggest question mark in this game is Florida QB Anthony Richardson. If Richardson can play well, UF can keep this game competitive. If Richardson turns the ball over, it could be a Vols blowout.
(8) Kentucky 34 NIU 13
NIU is a respectable MAC Team and they have some solid players. However, but the Wildcats are one of the most all around solid teams in the nation and very well coached. I expect Kentucky to win this game impressively.
(7) USC 42 Oregon State 38
This is going to be one of the best games of Week 4. USC has looked absolutely tremendous and Oregon State is 3-0 with impressive wins vs Boise State and Fresno State. The Trojans have far better talent and athleticism, but the Beavers play together as a team, and they keep this game close.
(6) Oklahoma 31 Kansas State 21
This could’ve potentiality been the Gameday game if the Wildcats didn’t lose to Tulane last week. Since the Green Wave lost to Tulane and Oklahoma beat Nebraska last week most people are on the Sooners -14. The Sooners win, but Kansas State keeps this game close and covers ATS.
(5) Clemson 35 (21) Wake Forest 24
Last week the Demon Deacons were somewhat exposed by Liberty. Sam Hartman didn’t look great like he usually does, and the defense didn’t look particularly good either. The Clemson defense will shine vs Wake Forest, and RB Will Shipley and the offense will make enough plays for Clemson to win and cover.
(4) Michigan 42 Maryland 27
This is the first real test for Michigan. So far they’ve had a cupcake schedule. Last week, the Terps got an impressive win vs SMU. Maryland is better than people think, and they can keep it close and cover ATS.
(3) Ohio State 38 Wisconsin 17
Wisconsin is mostly one dimensional especially when they play viable defenses. The Buckeyes will have a great game plan to stop Badger RB Braelon Allen, and I don’t see the Badgers being able to stop the Buckeyes offense.
(2) Alabama 49 Vanderbilt 14
Vanderbilt true freshman QB AJ Swann impressed me last week vs NIU. He has a bright future, but this week will be a big learning curve. Alabama has too much talent for the Commodores to compete in this one. Alabama by 5 TDs.
(1) Georgia 52 Kent State 9
I give a lot of credit to Kent State. They’ve played Washington, Oklahoma and Georgia in the Non Conference. The Golden Flashes are a team that can compete for the MAC Championship, but they won’t be able to keep up in this game. Georgia QB Stetson Bennett has been impressive, the Dawgs defense has been great, and Brock Bowers is the best TE in CFB. Give me Georgia 52-0 with Kent State scoring some garbage time points.
Best Unranked Games
- West Virginia 31 Virginia Tech 24
- Coastal Carolina 45 Georgia State 35
- Kansas 42 Duke 35
- TCU 38 SMU 37
- Cincinnati 31 Indiana 17
- Appalachian State 28 JMU 24
- Michigan State 28 Minnesota 24
- Notre Dame 31 UNC 28
- Iowa 13 Rutgers 10
- Troy 28 Marshall 24
- Utah State 35 UNLV 31
- Purdue 45 FAU 27
- Florida State 35 Boston College 14
- Louisiana 31 Louisiana Monroe 24
Remaining Games
- Illinois 38 Chattanooga 21
- Air Force 42 Nevada 10
- Boise State 31 UTEP 17
- Mississippi State 45 Bowling Green 14
- EMU 31 Buffalo 28
- Auburn 27 Missouri 24
- Louisville 38 USF 27
- UCLA 42 Colorado 16
- Temple 28 UMass 20
- WKU 52 FIU 24
- Memphis 41 North Texas 31
- San Diego State 20 Toledo 17
- UCF 38 Georgia Tech 24
- California 24 Arizona 20
- Liberty 42 Akron 17
- Old Dominion 34 Arkansas State 31
- Georgia Southern 38 Ball State 31
- ECU 31 Navy 17
- Houston 34 Rice 20
- South Alabama 37 Louisiana Tech 28
- Tulane 27 Southern Miss 17
- South Carolina 52 Charlotte 24
- Northwestern 24 Miami OH 21
- LSU 42 New Mexico 10
- New Mexico State 30 Hawaii 21
- San Jose State 31 WMU 28
Week 4 Picks
Last Week: 7-5
Season Total: 24-17-2 (57%)
- Iowa State -2
- Buffalo +6
- Kent State +46
- Texas Tech +7
- Washington State +7
- California -3
- Kansas State +14
- Tulsa +21.5
