College Football Week 3: Best Bets, Picks and Predictions

After a wild and wacky Week 2 of the college football season, Week 3 is just a few days away, and that means a plethora of games for college football fans to enjoy.

The Week 2 slate was unpredictable last weekend and provided plenty of entertainment for starved college football fans and bettors alike.

Week 3 features high-profile tilts between conference rivals, plus games involving Group of 5 teams that could have a serious impact on the College Football Playoff race. It’s time to dig into the schedule and find some winners.

With games kicking off on Thursday, let’s get into our expert’s picks, predictions and best bets for this Week 3 slate.

College Football Week 3 betting picks and predictions

Best Bet: Texas State Bobcats ML vs. Arizona State Sun Devils (+105)

For our expert’s best bet on the Week 3 slate, take the Texas State Bobcats money line in this matchup against the Arizona State Sun Devils.

After dispatching UTSA a week ago, G.J. Kinne’s group has a chance to make a massive statement on a standalone primetime stage to boost his team’s standing in the College Football Playoff race.

The Sun Devils certainly deserve some credit after an impressive first couple of wins against Wyoming and Mississippi State. Arizona State's offense is ranked inside the top 20 in offensive EPA margin and EPA per rush, and that should continue against a Texas State defensive unit that while improved, still does have some questions. 

What stands out as the biggest advantage for either team in this game is the Bobcats’ dynamic offense against a Sun Devils defensive unit that has been worse than what their 2-0 record would suggest. 

Arizona State allowed over six yards per play against Mississippi State in Week 2, and the Bulldogs were in the top 20 percentile in success rate, yards per dropback and EPA per dropback.

On the other hand, Texas State tallied seven yards per play against UTSA, and it wouldn’t be a shock if the likes of Jordan McCloud, Chris Dawn Jr. and the rest of this Bobcats offense repeated that performance on Thursday.

This is a massive spot for a team that is on the cusp of one of its biggest wins in program history. Therefore, our expert is taking Texas State on the money line as our best bet for Week 3. 

Indiana Hoosiers -3 (-110) vs. UCLA Bruins

For our second pick for the Week 3 college football slate, back the Indiana Hoosiers to cover this three-point spread against the UCLA Bruins.

While it’s too early to judge if things have truly turned for this Indiana program under new head coach Curt Cignetti, it is encouraging that Indiana has outscored its first 2 opponents this season by a combined score of 108-10. 

Former MAC standout Kurtis Rourke looks very comfortable under center and the Hoosiers’ trio of solid running backs have been dominant on the ground over their first couple of contests as well. 

It wasn’t pretty, but UCLA escaped with a win against Hawaii in Week 1 and while the Bruins just had a bye week to work out some of the kinks on an offense that is 112th in success rate, 116th in rushing success rate, new head coach DeShaun Foster and his staff hasn’t inspired much confidence thus far. 

It’s going to be a long season for UCLA, as the Bruins are going through the first year of a rebuild after losing nearly half of their statistical production from a season ago, which doesn’t bode well against an Indiana team that has hit the ground running this season with an experienced roster and coaching staff. 

The Hoosiers should pass their first test on the road, and our expert will lay the short number for our second pick. 

Colorado State +7.5 (-110) vs. Colorado Buffaloes

For our final pick for Week 3 of the college football season, take the Colorado State Rams to keep things close against the Colorado Buffaloes in a non-conference clash between in-state rivals.

This wager is more of a bet against the Buffaloes than it is an endorsement of the Rams, as Colorado was extremely fortunate to escape with a victory over North Dakota State in Week 1, before getting thrashed by Nebraska in Lincoln in Week 2. 

A season ago, Colorado hosted Colorado State as massive favorites during the peak of the hype cycle for Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes. While Colorado did escape with a win in double overtime, the Buffaloes were pretty fortunate to win that game at home as over three touchdown underdogs. 

This season, the Rams kept some of their top talent on offense and now get the chance to host Colorado in a dream spot, as the Buffaloes were just worked by Nebraska and have to hit the road again for a game in a hostile environment. 

Playing your in-state rival on the road is difficult enough, but doing it after having just faced another rival who also had revenge on the mind after last season's result puts this Colorado team in a very tough spot. Therefore, let’s back Colorado State +7.5 in this matchup.

Read more betting picks and predictions for College Football on site.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.