The college football season is in full swing, and the second week gave us another chance to see which programs are pretenders and contenders.
Texas took down Alabama on the road in a powerhouse matchup between ranked teams, and Colorado defeated another Power Five program in Nebraska to highlight Week 2.
After nearly sweeping our Week 1 picks, we split our four best bets this past weekend. Liberty covered as 10.5-point home favorites in a 33-17 win over New Mexico State, and Oregon snagged a game-sealing pick-six, helping us cover the 6.5-point spread.
As we get set for another week of action, here are our four college football best bets for Week 3.
Skyler Carlin’s 2023 CFB Best Bets Record: 4-3
College Football Week 3 Predictions
All NCAAF betting odds used for these predictions are current as of Monday, Sept. 11, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Liberty vs Buffalo Prediction: Liberty -3.5 (-110)
Liberty was a team we took in Week 2 against New Mexico State, and the Flames came through with a 16-point home win. While they will hit the road in Week 3, Buffalo doesn’t appear to be an extremely formidable program this season.
Following a 21-point loss to Wisconsin in its season opener, Buffalo lost by three in a shootout against FCS foe Fordham in Week 2. Scoring shouldn’t be a concern for Liberty on Saturday against a Bulls defense that is surrendering an average of 38 points per game through the first two weeks of the season.
Third-year quarterback Kaidon Salter looks comfortable to begin the 2023 campaign, passing for 419 yards and four touchdowns while tacking on 125 rushing yards and another two scores.
Liberty is 2-0 ATS in the first two weeks, and it should have no issue covering again on the road versus Buffalo.
Florida State vs Boston College Prediction: Florida State -27.5 (-110)
Florida State is a program with the makings of a legitimate College Football Playoff contender.
Jordan Travis looks much more confident under center for the Seminoles, and the defense possesses NFL talent, including Jared Verse, arguably the best edge rusher in the nation.
FSU cruised to a 21-point win as one-point underdogs against LSU in Week 1 and trounced Southern Miss 66-13 in Week 2. Next up on the schedule is Boston College, who lost to Northern Illinois to begin the season and narrowly beat Holy Cross this past week.
- Stay up to date with the latest CFP National Championship odds.
The Seminoles were a perfect 4-0 ATS on the road in 2022 and have covered in their first two games this season.
Lay the points with Florida State and consider taking the first-half spread, as this game could get out of hand quickly.
Penn State vs Illinois Prediction: Penn State -15 (-110)
Each year, there always seems to be a moment when Penn State lets its believers down. This week against Illinois doesn’t appear to be that moment.
Illinois was supposed to improve this season following a 5-5 campaign in 2022. However, the Fighting Illini barely beat Toledo to open the season and lost by double digits to Kansas in Week 2.
Meanwhile, Penn State has outscored its opponents (Delaware and West Virginia) 101-22 in its opening two games. The Nittany Lions have a lethal backfield duo of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton, while quarterback Drew Allar has been efficient thus far.
And with a strong defense to boot, you can confidently back Penn State in Week 3.
Colorado State vs. Colorado Prediction: Colorado -23.5 (-110)
Everyone keeps questioning Deion Sanders and Colorado, and the Buffaloes keep proving their doubters wrong.
Colorado has already doubled its win total from a season ago and is now ranked No. 18, entering Week 3 following wins over TCU and Nebraska.
- Check out our Heisman Trophy odds & best bets.
After making their home debut this past week, Colorado will host Colorado State on Saturday. Colorado State has had two weeks to prepare for this matchup, but it isn’t going to matter against a Colorado program that is firing on all cylinders right now.
In Week 1 against Washington State, CSU gave up 50 points and lost by 26 despite entering the game as eight-point underdogs. The Rams also permitted 466 passing yards in their season opener, opening the door for Shedeur Sanders and the Buffaloes’ offense to cover the spread for the third straight week.
College Football Week 3 Schedule & Scores: AP Top 25
Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023
Bethune Cookman @ (22) Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET
Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023
(3) Florida State @ Boston College, 12 p.m. ET
(7) Penn State @ Illinois, 12 p.m. ET
(14) LSU @ Mississippi State, 12 p.m. ET
(15) Kansas State @ Missouri, 12 p.m. ET
Weber State @ (12) Utah, 2 p.m. ET
Central Michigan @ (9) Notre Dame, 2:30 p.m. ET
South Carolina @ (1) Georgia, 3:30 p.m. ET
(10) Alabama @ South Florida, 3:30 p.m. ET
San Diego State @ (16) Oregon State, 3:30 p.m. ET
(19) Oklahoma @ Tulsa, 3:30 p.m. ET
Minnesota @ (20) North Carolina, 3:30 p.m. ET
Northwestern @ (21) Duke, 3:30 p.m. ET
Western Michigan @ (25) Iowa, 3:30 p.m. ET
Western Kentucky @ (6) Ohio State, 4 p.m. ET
(8) Washington @ Michigan State, 5 p.m ET
Northern Colorado @ (23) Washington State, 5 p.m. ET
North Carolina Central @ (24) UCLA, 5 p.m. ET
(11) Tennessee @ Florida, 7 p.m. ET
Bowling Green @ (2) Michigan, 7:30 p.m. ET
Georgia Tech @ (17) Ole Miss, 7:30 p.m. ET
Wyoming @ (4) Texas, 8 p.m. ET
Hawaii @ (13) Oregon, 8 p.m. ET
Colorado State @ (18) Colorado, 10 p.m. ET