We’ve already seen some big surprises so far. Now, we head into College Football Week 3! Oklahoma went to Ohio State and not only got revenge for last year’s loss to the Buckeyes down in Norman, but they delivered a thorough beating that has the Sooners in the driver’s seat for a playoff spot if they keep winning. Baylor — not so long ago a perennial top-15 program — has lost to an FCS program and to a program that went to its first bowl game ever just a year ago. Lamar Jackson looks like he’s ready to put up the numbers to become the second Heisman Trophy repeat winner ever — and the first since Archie Griffin did it four decades ago.
As for the straight up college football betting matchups, we have a list of picks and college football odds and lines for Week 3 for you to consider as you put together your wagers for the week. Check out our suggestions — home teams are in all caps.
College Football Week 3 SU Betting Picks
After a rough weekend of weather with #HurricaneIrma, the sun was shining on Monday over the @USF_MSC ! #GoBulls #TBTIrma pic.twitter.com/LCoeXRXoss
— USF (@USouthFlorida) September 12, 2017
SOUTH FLORIDA over Illinois (Saturday, 7:00pm ET, ESPN)
The Bulls have looked strong in their first two games — knocking off Stony Brook by 14 and then San Jose State by 20, that second victory coming on the road. There has been some disruption in the Bulls’ schedule, with Hurricane Irma interrupting their practice schedule and forcing the cancellation of their American Athletic Conference opener against Connecticut last week. The Fighting Illini have come out with a pair of wins as well, taking down Ball State in a 24-21 squeaker to open the season and then dusting off Western Kentucky, 20-7. The Illini have not faced a team that has the offensive prowess that Quentin Flowers and the Bulls’ attack bring, and I see the Bulls moving to a 3-0 record fairly easily.College Football Week 3 Betting Trends
- Illinois is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
- Illinois is 6-15 SU in its last 21 games
- South Florida is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
- South Florida is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 11 of South Florida’s last 16 games
Oklahoma State over PITT (Saturday, 12:00pm ET, ESPN)
The Pittsburgh Panthers will face an offensive storm on Saturday, as the ninth-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys come to town. The Cowboys routed in-state foe Tulsa in their opener, 59-24, and then dispatched FCS opponent South Alabama last week, 44-7. Pitt took a 33-14 beating at the hands of Penn State over in Happy Valley last week after needing overtime to escape Youngstown State in their opener, 28-21. Pitt has not seen an offense that can score like Mike Gundy’s unit can, and I see this one getting out of hand early.College Football Week 3 Betting Trends
- Oklahoma State is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
- Oklahoma State is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oklahoma State’s last 5 games
- Pittsburgh is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games
- Pittsburgh is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone OVER in 11 of Pittsburgh’s last 14 games
Oregon over WYOMING (Saturday, 7:00pm ET, CBS Sports)
The Oregon Ducks appear to have some defensive issues that still need some work before they hit that Pac-12 slate. After all, they gave up 35 points to a Nebraska team that is not the most explosive offensive machine in the world. They put up 42 to get the win, because they still have an offense that can score at video-game speed, but they won’t contend for the Pac-12 North title if they don’t plug the leaks. They have the chance to tune things up against a Wyoming squad that only managed a field goal against Iowa a week ago, falling by 21 points against a Hawkeye team that definitely does not score in bunches. I see the Ducks rolling to a convincing win in Laramie on Saturday night.
College Football Week 3 Betting Trends
- Oregon is 3-12-1 ATS in its last 16 games
- Oregon is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games
- The total has gone OVER in 8 of Oregon’s last 11 games
- Wyoming is 8-4 ATS in its last 12 games
- Wyoming is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
LSU over MISSISSIPPI STATE (Saturday, 7:00pm ET, ESPN)
The Ed Orgeron Era enters conference play for the first time as the LSU Tigers head to Starkville to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs on SAturday night. The LSU defense was convincing in their 27-0 shutout of BYU in the season opener. Mississippi State has won both of their games in dominant fashion as well, but neither one of their opponents (Charleston Southern and Louisiana Tech) inspires much respect in the FBS world. I see Derrius Guice finding plenty of room to run for LSU, opening up opportunities for the passing game — while the Tiger defense puts a muzzle on the Bulldog attack, leading LSU to an early lead in that SEC West gauntlet.College Football Week 3 Betting Trends
- Louisiana State is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games
- Louisiana State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
- Mississippi State is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home
- Mississippi State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 7 of Mississippi State’s last 9 games
