College football Week 3 picks against spread: Clemson and Louisville will be close again

College football Week 3 picks against spread: Clemson and Louisville will be close again

Week 3 of the college football season features several top-25 teams on the road — as favorites.

That includes three top-10 teams in No. 3 Clemson (at No. 14 Louisville), No. 9 Oklahoma State (at Pittsburgh) and No. 10 Wisconsin (at BYU). Of course, the other ranked-on-ranked matchup features No. 23 Tennessee at No. 24 Florida.

MORE: Week 3 straight-up picks

Each week, Sporting News college football writer Bill Bender will pick 10 marquee games against the spread. 

Week 2 straight up: 8-2
Week 2 against the spread: 8-2
Overall straight up: 16-4
Overall against the spread: 14-6

Here are our picks for Week 3:

1
No. 9 Oklahoma State (-14) at Pittsburgh

Noon ET, Saturday, ESPN

The Panthers did a good job of limiting Penn State’s opportunities in the first half, and they will test the Cowboys’ run defense. Mason Rudolph, however, will take advantage with big plays to James Washington, who averages a cool 30.4 yards per reception with three touchdowns.

Oklahoma State wins 42-24 and covers the spread

2
Air Force at No. 7 Michigan (-25.5)

Noon ET, Saturday, Big Ten Network

Michigan can’t have the same mental lapses against the Falcons, a patient team that had an extra week to prepare for the Big House. Air Force lost 31-25 to the Wolverines in 2012, and this could have the same tense feeling. If Michigan protects the football, then there won’t be any fourth-quarter drama.

Michigan wins 38-20 but fails to cover the spread

3
No. 25 UCLA (-3.5) at Memphis

Noon ET, Saturday, ABC

This game has all the earmarks for a trap game. West Coast team. Early kickoff. Memphis is a good AAC team with a legit quarterback in Riley Ferguson and an extra week to prepare. That translates to an entertaining game, but we can’t go against a red-hot Josh Rosen.

UCLA wins 45-38 and covers the spread

4
Notre Dame (-14.5) at Boston College

Noon ET, Saturday, ESPN

Bosten College could catch Notre Dame on a hangover after last week’s loss to Georgia — or the Irish could be angry and take advantage of an Eagles’ rush defense that allows 161 rushing yards per game. We’ll take the Notre Dame bounce-back.

Notre Dame wins 41-17 and covers the spread

5
No. 10 Wisconsin (-13.5) at BYU

3:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, ABC

The Cougars play yet another big, physical team, but having the Badgers at home is a nice change of pace. Tanner Mangum and Co. will play with their backs against the wall, but they have to force a few turnovers. Wisconsin is plus-2 in that department. Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor averages 8.9 yards per carry with four touchdowns through two games. He adds to that.

Wisconsin wins 35-24 but fails to cover the spread

6
No. 23 Tennessee at No. 24 Florida (-4.5)

3:30 p.m., Saturday, CBS

Florida has had two weeks to hear about how disjointed the offense is, and how there’s no hope to claim a third straight SEC East championship. Two weeks is a long time, and expect the Gators to use that as motivation against the Volunteers. Expect all the drama that comes with this long-time rivalry, too. Feleipe Franks bounces back for the Gators.

Florida wins 24-20 but fails to cover the spread

7
No. 12 LSU (-7) at Mississippi State

7 p.m., Saturday, ESPN

A dangerous game for the Tigers. The Bulldogs are capable of pulling off this upset at home. Nick Fitzgerald averages 8.9 yards in both passing and rushing attempts. He’s a problem. LSU could run into trouble if Danny Etling doesn’t make a few big plays in the passing game.

LSU wins 34-31 but fails to cover the spread

8
No. 18 Kansas State (-3.5) at Vanderbilt

7:30 p.m., Saturday, ESPN

This will be the popular upset pick this week, and it’s entirely possible the Wildcats handle their business on the road. We just can’t resist. Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur (seven touchdowns, zero interceptions) improves his NFL stock, and the Commodores get ready for Bama with a 3-0 record.

Vanderbilt UPSETS Kansas State 28-27

9
No. 3 Clemson (-3) at No. 14 Louisville

8 p.m. ET, Saturday, ABC

These ACC Atlantic powers played a thriller in Death Valley last season, and we expect every bit the same in a “Blackout” at Papa John’s Stadium. This is a chance for Lamar Jackson to solidify a second Heisman Trophy run, and if he can do it against this ridiculous Clemson defensive line, we’re all ears.

Clemson wins 31-27 and cover the spread

10
Texas at No. 3 USC (-17.5)

8:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, FOX

Sam Ehlinger led a run-heavy attack to get Tom Herman’s first victory at Texas in Week 2, but the challenge to keep up with Sam Darnold and the Trojans won’t be easy. USC’s backfield tandem of Ronald Jones II and Stephen Carr is the difference. Get ready for those 2005 flashbacks, with a different result this time.

USC wins 42-24 and covers the spread