Welcome to our College Football Week 3 predictions!
Week 3 of the college football season is here, and while Thursday’s NC State–Wake Forest ACC clash got things started, the real action is ahead on Friday and Saturday.
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College Football Week 3 Predictions
Friday night features several intriguing matchups, including Deion Sanders’ Buffaloes on the road, while Saturday brings the week’s headliner under the lights in South Bend: Texas A&M at Notre Dame.
CFB Predictions Guide: Friday, Sept. 12
Let’s highlight four big games for tonight’s action.
Indiana State at No. 22 Indiana
Indiana is quietly 2–0, though they’ve yet to face a true test. Cal transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza has been steady in his first two games with the Hoosiers, throwing for 438 yards and four touchdowns without an interception.
Interestingly, he’s completed exactly 18 passes in both contests, showing consistency even against inferior competition. Indiana rolled Kennesaw State last week after a closer-than-expected opener against Old Dominion.
Indiana State won’t bring much resistance, but this is a chance for Mendoza to build more rhythm. Expect the Hoosiers to win, though the Sycamores might do enough to stay within the number.
Pick: Indiana State +28.5
Colorado at Houston
Colorado found new life last week behind Ryan Staub, who came off the bench to throw two touchdowns in the Buffaloes’ win over Delaware.
Sanders hasn’t fully committed to a starter, but Staub’s spark seems too good to ignore heading into their first road trip of the year. Houston, meanwhile, is 2–0 and has given up just nine points all season.
Conner Weigman, the A&M transfer, has been sharp, and Dean Connors provides balance on the ground. With the Buffs catching more than a field goal, the value lies with Sanders’ squad to keep it close in Houston.
Pick: Colorado +4.5
Kansas State at Arizona
Kansas State’s season is already slipping after a shocking loss to Army, where they were shut out in the fourth quarter.
Avery Johnson has put up decent numbers overall, but the Wildcats’ defense has been gashed on the ground, allowing more than 500 rushing yards across their last two games. Arizona, on the other hand, has started hot with back-to-back blowouts, outscoring opponents 88–9.
Arizona’s momentum and home-field edge should carry them past a K-State team searching for answers.
Pick: Arizona ML
UCLA vs. New Mexico
The Bruins have stumbled out of the gate at 0–2, with losses to Utah and UNLV raising questions about Nico Iamaleava’s consistency. He has the arm talent, but finishing drives has been a problem, as UCLA’s offense hasn’t been able to string together complete performances.
New Mexico comes in off a narrow win over Idaho State, but the Lobos were dismantled by Michigan in Week 1 and still look overmatched against Power 4 competition. UCLA badly needs a win to calm nerves after a rough start, and this matchup provides a golden opportunity.
Even if Iamaleava isn’t perfect, the Bruins should be able to lean on their depth and athleticism to get right. It might not be pretty, but it will be enough.
Pick: UCLA ML
CFB Predictions: Saturday, Sept. 13
Ohio State, Penn State, Oklahoma, Miami, and South Florida are some of the biggest programs we’ll take a look at for Saturday.
Ohio State vs. Ohio
There’s little doubt about this one — Ohio State enters as a 30-point favorite against their in-state neighbor. The Bobcats’ Parker Navarro is a fun story, leading the team in both passing and rushing through two weeks, but Ohio doesn’t have the firepower to keep pace.
Pick: Ohio State -30
Penn State vs. Villanova
Drew Allar has been efficient through two weeks, throwing three touchdowns while keeping Penn State’s offense balanced. The Nittany Lions haven’t been tested yet, and Villanova won’t change that.
Pick: Penn State -36
No. 9 Oklahoma at Temple
This matchup carries some bad memories for Temple after last year’s 51–3 loss. The Sooners come in even stronger this year under John Mateer, the Washington State transfer who’s quickly establishing himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the country.
He’s already thrown for 662 yards and four scores in two games, showing both efficiency and poise in last week’s win over Michigan. Temple has put up big point totals against lesser competition, but this is a different level of challenge.
Pick: Oklahoma -23.5
CFB Week 3 Predictions: No. 5 Miami vs. No. 18 South Florida
South Florida has been one of the surprise stories of September, upsetting both Boise State and Florida to earn a top-20 ranking.
Now the Bulls get a chance to shock the nation again against Miami. Carson Beck is great, but the Bulls have momentum and stay in-state for the road game. South Florida’s grit makes them a good bet to keep this one closer than the spread suggests.
Pick: South Florida +17.5
No. 16 Texas A&M at No. 8 Notre Dame
The primetime spotlight belongs to South Bend, where Notre Dame hosts Texas A&M in a ranked showdown with real playoff implications.
The Irish fell just short at Miami in Week 1 but return home. Quarterback CJ Carr showed flashes in his debut, throwing for 221 yards and two touchdowns, while preseason All-American back Jeremiyah Love remains the focal point of the offense.
The Fighting Irish round out our College Football Week 3 Predictions
Pick: Notre Dame -6.5
College Football Week 3 Predictions: Final Thoughts
Week 3 doesn’t bring a top-five clash, but it does deliver storylines everywhere. Can Colorado keep momentum under Ryan Staub?
Will Arizona hand Kansas State another crushing defeat? Can South Florida continue its Cinderella run against Miami?
And will Notre Dame prove itself as a legitimate playoff contender against a dangerous but inconsistent Texas A&M? Saturday night should bring answers, but value can be found across both slates all weekend.
