NCAA College Football Week 3 Predictions, Odds & Picks

Week 2 of the 2022 NCAA college football season is firmly in the rearview mirror. Now, Week 3 is here, bringing even more football action for fans and bettors around the nation to enjoy.

Say hello to the Week 3 AP Poll 👋

1. Georgia
2. Alabama
3. Ohio State
4. Michigan
5. Clemson
6. Oklahoma
7. USC
8. Oklahoma State
9. Kentucky
10. Arkansas

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 11, 2022

With so many games going on over the next week, there’s a lot of information to take in. Fortunately, we’ve collected the odds from some of the top Week 3 NCAAF games, as well as predictions for each of those matchups.

NCAA College Football Week 3 Odds

Odds are via BetOnline Sportsbook as of Monday, Sept. 12.

BYU vs. Oregon Odds

• No. 12 BYU Cougars (2-0) vs. No. 25 Oregon Ducks (1-1)
• Date: Saturday, Sept. 17 @ 3:30 p.m. ET
• Spread: BYU Cougars +3.5 (-108), Oregon Ducks -3.5 (-112)
• Total: OVER 56.5 (-108), UNDER 56.5 (-112)
• Moneyline: BYU Cougars +146, Oregon Ducks -178

BYU starts the 2022 college football season with a 2-0 record following a 26-20 overtime victory over No. 9 Baylor last week. Cougars wideout Chase Roberts was the star of the show with 122 yards and a touchdown on eight catches. Nevertheless, BYU needs to do better with its ball management as it only controlled the ball for 42.9% of the game.

After a season-opening loss to No. 3 Georgia, Oregon got in the win column with a 70-14 win over Eastern Washington on Saturday. Quarterback Bo Nix threw out five TD passes on the day, but it remains to be seen if he can pull that off against a much tougher opponent.

At the end of the day, Oregon is better at controlling the game than BYU. While the Cougars will keep things close, the Ducks will come out on top in the end.

Prediction: Oregon 28, BYU 23

Best Bet: Oregon -3.5 (-112)

Miami vs. Texas A&M Odds

• No. 13 Miami Hurricanes (2-0) vs. No. 24 Texas A&M Aggies (1-1)
• Date: Saturday, Sept. 17 @ 9 p.m. ET
• Spread: Miami Hurricanes +5.5 (-110), Texas A&M Aggies -5.5 (-110)
• Total: OVER 48.5 (-110), UNDER 48.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Miami Hurricanes +168, Texas A&M Aggies -205

Miami’s defense was on display this college football weekend during a 30-7 victory over Southern Miss. The Hurricanes held the Golden Eagles to just 240 total yards — including only 33 on the ground — and 23 minutes of ball possession. At the same time, Miami was also able to put up 452 total yards of offense, solidifying its balanced play.

Meanwhile, Texas A&M is coming off an upset 17-14 loss to Appalachian State. The Aggies couldn’t get any offense going, generating just 97 yards through the air and 89 on the ground. It also doesn’t help that the Aggies held the ball for less than 19 minutes and a pair of lost fumbles.

Even though Texas A&M is the favorite, I don’t like how they played last week. Miami appears to be the clear-cut better team, so I like the Hurricanes pulling off the “upset” here.

Prediction: Miami 28, Texas A&M 21

Best Bet: Miami ML (+168)

Oklahoma vs. Nebraska Odds

• No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners (2-0) vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers (1-2)
• Date: Saturday, Sept. 17 @ 12 p.m. ET
• Spread: Oklahoma Sooners -13.5 (-105), Nebraska Cornhuskers +13.5 (-115)
• Total: OVER 64.5 (-105), UNDER 64.5 (-115)
• Moneyline: Oklahoma Sooners -600, Nebraska Cornhuskers +430

Oklahoma opened the year with a huge win over UTEP before following it up with another against Kent State. The Sooners hammered the Golden Flashes, 33-3, helped by QB Dillon Gabriel throwing for 296 yards and three TDs, while WR Marvin Mims accounted for 163 of those yards and a pair of scores.

Thanks to an awful start to the 2022 NCAAF season, Nebraska fired head coach Scott Frost after an unfortunate 45-42 loss to Georgia Southern on Saturday. The Cornhuskers nearly pulled off the win but couldn’t get the job done, giving up the go-ahead TD with just 36 seconds left.

With Nebraska now without a head coach, I’m expecting Oklahoma to get the win here.

Prediction: Oklahoma 42, Nebraska 22

Best Bet: Oklahoma -13.5 (-105)

Penn State vs. Auburn Odds

• No. 22 Penn State Nittany Lions (2-0) vs. Auburn Tigers (2-0)
• Date: Saturday, Sept. 17 @ 3:30 p.m. ET
• Spread: Penn State Nittany Lions -3.5 (-110), Auburn Tigers +3.5 (-110)
• Total: OVER 48.5 (-110), UNDER 48.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Penn State Nittany Lions -170, Auburn Tigers +140

Ohio didn’t pose much of a threat to Penn State last week, resulting in a 46-10 victory for the Nittany Lions. The running game deserves a lot of credit for Penn State’s win, especially running back Nicholas Singleton, who rushed the ball 10 times for a whopping 179 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

While Auburn’s 24-16 win over San Jose State wasn’t as dominant, it got the job done. The Tigers held the Spartans to just 1.9 yards on 29 carries, so it’ll be interesting to see if they can stop the Nittany Lions’ attack.

In a game that could go either way, I’m taking Auburn to pull off the win at home.

Prediction: Auburn 28, Penn State 24

Best Bet: Over 48.5 (-110)

Michigan State vs. Washington Odds

• No. 11 Michigan State Spartans (2-0) vs. Washington Huskies (2-0)
• Date: Saturday, Sept. 17 @ 7:30 p.m. ET
• Spread: Michigan State Spartans +2.5 (-112), Washington Huskies -2.5 (-108)
• Total: OVER 54.5 (-110), UNDER 54.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Michigan State Spartans +100, Washington Huskies -120

This is a battle between two college football programs coming off of dominant NCAAF Week 2 victories. On one hand, Michigan State just shut out Akron, 52-0, over the weekend. On the other, Washington is feeling good after dismantling Portland State to the tune of a 52-6 final score.

A lot of Washington’s success came on the ground, which is an area Michigan State defends well against. It should be a close affair throughout the 60 minutes, but I believe that the Spartans have the better team and has a defense that should keep the Huskies frustrated.

Prediction: Michigan State 24, Washington 21

Best Bet: Michigan State +2.5 (-110)

NCAA College Football Week 3 Predictions & Picks

Texas Tech vs. NC State Odds

• Texas Tech Red Raiders (2-0) vs. No. 16 NC State Wolf Pack (2-0)
• Date: Saturday, Sept. 10 @ 7 p.m. ET
• Spread: Texas Tech Red Raiders +10.5 (-115), NC State Wolf Pack -10.5 (-105)
• Total: OVER 56.5 (-108), UNDER 56.5 (-112)
• Moneyline: Texas Tech Red Raiders +300, NC State Wolf Pack -385

Texas Tech isn’t exactly on NC State’s level and the odds are as far apart as they are for a reason. The Wolf Pack are a top-25 team and will easily prove their worth this weekend.

Prediction: NC State 28, Texas Tech 18

Best Bet: Under 56.5 Points (-112)

Mississippi State vs. LSU Odds

• Mississippi State Bulldogs (2-0, 0-0 SEC) vs. LSU Tigers (2-0, 0-0 SEC)
• Date: Saturday, Sept. 10 @ 6 p.m. ET
• Spread: Mississippi State Bulldogs -2.5 (-110), LSU Tigers +2.5 (-110)
• Total: OVER 53.5 (-115), UNDER 53.5 (-105)
• Moneyline: Mississippi State Bulldogs -140, LSU Tigers +116

LSU has dominated Mississippi State in recent history, winning 17 of the last 20 meetings. After beating the Bulldogs 28-25 last year, I’m expecting another close game from the SEC rivals, ending in a Tigers victory.

Prediction: LSU 25, Mississippi State 21

Best Bet: LSU ML (+116)

Troy vs. Appalachian State Odds

• Troy Trojans (1-1, 0-0 Sun Belt) vs. Appalachian State Mountaineers (1-1, 0-0 Sun Belt)
• Date: Saturday, Sept. 10 @ 3:30 p.m. ET
• Spread: Troy Trojans TBD (TBD), Appalachian State Mountaineers TBD (TBD)
• Total: OVER TBD (TBD), UNDER TBD (TBD)
• Moneyline: Troy Trojans TBD, Appalachian State Mountaineers TBD

After Appalachian State beat Texas A&M last week, it’s hard to doubt Shawn Clark’s squad. It’s been six years since the Mountaineers last beat the Trojans, but that changes this week.

Prediction: Appalachian State 26, Troy 24

Best Bet: TBD

Fresno State vs. USC Odds

• Fresno State Bulldogs (1-1) vs. No. 7 USC Trojans (2-0)
• Date: Saturday, Sept. 10 @ 10:30 p.m. ET
• Spread: Fresno State Bulldogs +12.5 (-110), USC Trojans -12.5 (-110)
• Total: OVER 70.5 (-114), UNDER 70.5 (-106)
• Moneyline: Fresno State Bulldogs +390, USC Trojans -530

USC has scored an average of 44.5 points in its last four meetings against Fresno State, so winning shouldn’t be much of an issue. An outright Trojans victory isn’t really playable, though, which is why I’m taking the under in a blowout win for USC.

Prediction: USC 43, Fresno State 24

Best Bet: Under 70.5 Points (-106)

San Diego State vs. Utah Odds

• San Diego State Aztecs (1-1) vs. No. 14 Utah Utes (1-1)
• Date: Saturday, Sept. 10 @ 10 p.m. ET
• Spread: San Diego State Aztecs +20.5 (-105), Utah Utes -20.5 (-115)
• Total: OVER 50.5 (-105), UNDER 50.5 (-115)
• Moneyline: San Diego State Aztecs +920, Utah Utes -1800

This is another game that won’t be close. Utah is 10-3 in its last 13 games against San Diego State since 1999 and I fully expect the Utes to continue that streak over the weekend.

Prediction: Utah 35, San Diego State 17

Best Bet: Over 50.5 Points (-105)