College Football Straight Up Picks for Every Game in Week 3 (Bet on LSU to Beat Ole Miss in SEC Showdown)

We're two full weeks into the 2026 college football season, and we're inching closer to conference schedules for most teams, with a handful of teams beginning this week.

As I do every week, I'm going to give you my pick to win each game involving a top-25 team. We don't care about point spreads in this article; all we care about is picking winners.

College Football Week 3 Picks

All odds via FanDuel Sportsbook

No. 5 Miami vs. Wake Forest Prediction

Pick: Miami -2000

No. 22 Houston vs. No. 13 Texas Tech Prediction

These two teams already have a common opponent this season. Houston beat Oregon State 33-20 in Week 1, and then Texas Tech beat the Beavers 35-24 in Week 2. What's more important is that Texas Tech gained just 352 yards of offense in that game, while the Cougars racked up 533 yards of offense, so when you look past the final score, it was Houston that was the more impressive team.

There have been enough red flags surrounding Texas Tech for me to stay away from betting on them in this game. A lackluster Week 1 33-10 win against an FCS team was disappointing, so I think this is a great spot to bet on an upset taking place.

Pick: Houston +245

Portland State vs. No. 21 Oregon Prediction

Pick: Oregon N/A

No. 2 Georgia vs. Arkansas Prediction

Pick: Georgia -4500

Buffalo vs. No. 14 Penn State Prediction

Pick: Penn State N/A

Kent State vs. No. 6 Ohio State Prediction

Pick: Ohio State N/A

No. 12 USC vs. Rutgers Prediction

Pick: USC -3500

Utah State vs. No. 17 Utah Prediction

Pick: Utah -7000

Kentucky vs. No. 9 Texas A&M Prediction

Pick: Texas A&M -950

Florida State vs. No. 10 Alabama Prediction

Pick: Alabama -1700

No. 16 SMU vs. No. 23 Louisville Prediction

The Louisville offense has been one of the best in the nation so far, averaging 6.6 yards per play and getting as close to upsetting Ole Miss as a team can get. With that being said, the difference maker in this game is going to be the two defenses, and I trust the Cardinals' defense at home more than I trust the Mustangs'.

I'll back Louisville in this ranked vs. ranked matchup.

Pick: Louisville -126

UTEP vs. No. 19 Michigan Prediction

Pick: Michigan N/A

Northern Iowa vs. No. 18 Iowa Prediction

Pick: Iowa N/A

Western Kentucky vs. No. 4 Indiana Prediction

Pick: Indiana N/A

Troy vs. No. 20 Missouri Prediction

Pick: Missouri -4500

West Virginia vs. No. 25 Virginia Prediction

The West Virginia offense will have to have an A+ performance to pull off the upset in this game, but I think they're up for the challenge. Michael Hawkins Jr. provides a unique challenge for the Virginia defense. The Mountaineers quarterback has thrown for 287 passing yards while also rushing for 199 yards on the ground. A duel-threat quarterback like that can flip a game on its head in a hurry.

I'm taking to take a shot on West Virginia pulling off the upset in this one.

Pick: West Virginia +300

Michigan State vs. No. 3 Notre Dame Prediction

Pick: Notre Dame -10000

No. 11 BYU vs. Colorado State Prediction

Pick: BYU -1200

No. 7 LSU vs. No. 8 Ole Miss Prediction

I love this LSU team and I think they might just be a legitimate National Championship contender. They crushed Clemson in the opening week, whereas Ole Miss struggled to get past Louisville.

The Rebels' offense can hang with LSU, but the difference is going to be the two defenses in this game. Ole Miss has allowed 5.9 yards per play through the first two weeks, while no defense has allowed fewer yards per play than the Tigers at just 2.5.

Defense will lead LSU to not only winning this game, but comfortably covering this spread.

Pick: LSU -146

New Mexico vs. No. 24 Oklahoma Prediction

Pick: Oklahoma -3500

Kennesaw State vs. No. 15 Tennessee Prediction

Pick: Tennessee N/A

UTSA vs. No. 1 Texas Prediction

Pick: Texas -8000

Follow Iain on X and Instagram

Find Iain's bets, where he placed them, and how to tail them on Juice Reel.

Claim the FanDuel Sportsbook promo code offer to earn $200 in bonus bets every day for five days. Simply sign up, deposit, and bet $5 on five consecutive days, and receive your $1,000 bonus.

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Add us as a preferred source on Google