I’ve been really busy with the show, QBSN, classes, HW, and other things to do a College Football Preview for Week 3 so what I’ll do here is quickly preview 11 big games on the Week 3 slate and give my picks
Norman, OK
NOON on FOX (BIG NOON KICKOFF)
LINE: (OU -22)
Oklahoma had a close call against Tulane a couple of weeks ago. Nebraska has won two in a row in convincing fashion. Old rivals take center stage to begin a great Saturday
PREDICTION: Since when has Scott Frost won a big game at Nebraska? Sooners by 30+
Morgantown, WV
NOON on FS1
LINE: (WVU -2.5)
Both teams have great defenses and quarterbacks playing outstanding. If the Hokies can dodge the upset trap in Morgantown, they’ll be in great shape to make a run at the ACC Coastal title. West Virginia looks for a big win at home to get them ready for conference play
PREDICTION: West Virginia at home. The Hokies can’t run the ball against this defense and Jarret Doege will have a big game at home. I’ll take West Virginia to win and cover against the Hokies
Bloomington, IL
NOON on ESPN
LINE: (UC -2.5)
What an opportunity for Cincinnati to make some noise against a BIG 10 team and look for a CFP bullet point, but the Hoosiers and Mike Penix Jr. have other ideas
PREDICTION: I haven’t seen enough from Indiana’s run game that makes me think that they’ll win this game. The Bearcats go on the road and take care of business in a close game
Miami Gardens, FL
NOON on ABC
LINE: (MIA -6)
The Canes have looked really sloppy after that loss to Alabama. They could barely beat Appalachian State at home. If Miami wants to get back on track, beating a 2-0 Spartan team could give the Canes the spark they need going into conference play
UPSET PREDICTION: I just cannot trust Miami’s offense against MSU’s defense and I have no confidence at all in the Canes defense. I think Michigan State goes on the road and gets a huge win in Miami
Boulder, CO
1pm on PAC12 NET
LINE: (CU -2.5)
An excellent BIG 10 vs PAC 12 matchup in Boulder. Colorado should be confident despite losing to Texas A&M last weekend while Minnesota’s defense continues to struggle against the pass
PREDICTION: I basically just told you who’s gonna win. I like the Buffaloes at home because Minnesota cannot play defense. It’s a shootout but I like Colorado at home
South Bend, IN
2:30 on NBC
LINE: (ND -7)
Notre Dame has played two games and they haven’t looked good in either one. An overtime win after blowing a lead in Tallahassee two weeks ago followed by coming back to beat Toledo at home. Purdue can score a lot of points on offense and has a very solid defense that is well balanced. Watch out, Irish.
PREDICTION: Only reason that I’m picking Notre Dame to win this game is because they’re at home. If it was in West Lafayette, I would go with Purdue. Notre Dame wins, but the Boilermakers cover
Gainesville, FL
3:30pm on CBS (SEC Game of the Week)
LINE: (ALA -14.5)
MARVEL SPORTS GAME OF THE WEEK
Rematch of last season’s SEC title game but without some notable players on both sides. Most people think Alabama should dominate this game. But this is Bryce Young’s first true road game and it’s in the Swamp against the defending SEC East Champions. Florida does stand a puncher’s chance if they don’t turn the ball over and if they can play solid on offense like they did last week against South Florida
PREDICTION: Shootout like last years’s game. Florida’s going to keep this game close but I think they’ll turn the ball over a couple times and Alabama wins the game, but the Gators will cover at home
Pullman, WA
3:30pm on FOX
LINE: (USC -8.5)
With Clay Helton finally out as USC’s head coach, the Trojans gear up for a trip to Pullman and a battle with the Washington State Cougars. Both teams looking for a big conference win, but especially USC after losing to Stanford last week
PREDICTION: I want to take the Cougs because USC is on the road after just firing their head coach but I don’t think the Cougars pass defense has been great so I’ll take Kedon Slovis to bounce back and lead the Trojans to victory over Washington State
State College, PA
7:30pm on ABC
LINE: (PSU -5)
Auburn put up a lot of points in its first two games against two of the worst teams in College Football (Akron and Alabama State) and now must embrace its biggest challenge of the season: heading into a raucous whiteout crowd on Saturday Night in Happy Valley against Penn State
PREDICTION: Auburn’s defense will keep this game close, but there’s no chance they can beat this Penn State team in that atmosphere. Penn State wins, but Auburn covers the -5
Boise, ID
9pm on FS1
LINE: (BSU -3)
A good chance for Mike Gundy’s Cowboys to make some noise in the AP Top 25 and in the BIG 12 as they head to the blue turf in Boise, while the Broncos look to earn some respect as a Group of 5 team and redeem themselves after a Week 1 loss to UCF
PREDICTION: I like what I see from Oklahoma State, but this quarterback Hank Bachmeier from Boise State will put up huge numbers against this defense and give the Broncos a big win at home. Boise wins
Provo, UT
10:15pm on ESPN
LINE: (ASU -4)
Both teams looking to make statements in a PAC 12 after dark game in Provo. Arizona State has played phenomenal defense and Jayden Daniels has played excellent in his 3rd year as the Sun Devils quarterback. BYU got its first win over rival Utah in over a decade last week and the emotions are still running high with the Cougars. Should be a great game to cap off Week 3
PREDICTION: I just don’t know if BYU can get over the emotions of a big win last week and for all my SBC pals who are at ASU, I’ll take the Sun Devils on the road in Provo
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