College Football Week 3 Predictions: Every Game, Every Pick

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College Football Week 3 Predictions: Every Game, Every Pick

Pete Fiutak · College Football News

Sat, Sep 19, 2026 ·

18 min read

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Below are quick previews, predictions, and lines for 44 games today, from the early start of Coastal Carolina at Delaware , all the way to the late-night showdowns between Purdue at UCLA and Fresno State at San Jose State . Jump to here for links to the full game previews for the biggest games of Week 3, or check out the full schedule for Saturday .
– Week 3 Expert Picks | 10 Best Picks ATS

College Football Week 3 Predictions

Sep 12, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Braylon Staley (14) celebrates after a touchdown catch against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Coastal Carolina at Delaware

Game Time: 11:30 AM ET
TV: CBS Sports Network
Consensus Line: Delaware -4.5, o/u: 56.5
Neither team can consistently throw, but at home, the Delaware (1-1) defense will come up with a bit more against the Chanticleer ground attack. Coastal Carolina (1-1) will make a few more key mistakes.
Prediction: Delaware 30, Coastal Carolina 26

North Texas at Texas State

Game Time: 12:00 PM ET
TV: USA Network
Consensus Line: Texas State -2.5, o/u: 62.5
Texas State (0-2) will finally have a shot to open it up after struggling against Texas and coming up short against UTSA. North Texas (1-1) put on a defensive clinic against UNLV last week with four takeaways, and that's what keeps this close – the Bobcats turned it over three times in each of the first two games.
Prediction: Texas State 34, North Texas 28

Wyoming at Central Michigan

Game Time: 1:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: Central Michigan -1.5, o/u: 38.5
If you like games without points, you've come to the right spot. Central Michigan's (1-1) offense can't get going, and Wyoming (1-1) would love to keep this close throughout. Neither team can stop turning the ball over, but the Cowboy short passing game is a bit sharper.
Prediction: Wyoming 21, Central Michigan 18

Maine at Boston College

Game Time: 3:00 PM ET
TV: ACC Network
Consensus Line: Boston College -38.5, o/u: 54.5
Boston College (1-1) finally got on the right track with a win over Rutgers, but it could use a little more fun. The Maine (1-2) defense that wasn't even close against the App State passing game in the 55-3 loss is about to get lit up.
Prediction: Boston College 49, Maine 7

Temple at Toledo

Game Time: 3:30 PM ET
TV: CBS Sports Network
Consensus Line: Toledo -5.5, o/u: 49.5
Temple (1-1) has a stronger defense and better all-around team than it gets credit for, but Toledo (1-1) will manage to push on through with just enough of a midrange passing game to survive a fun four-quarter battle.
Prediction: Toledo 26, Temple 23

Wagner at Cal

Game Time: 3:30 PM ET
TV: ACC Network
Consensus Line: Cal -58.5, o/u: 65.5
Wagner (1-2) won't get destroyed like it was in the 87-3 loss at James Madison , but it won't be far off. Cal (1-1) will get up fast and put this away after the first few drives, if not in the first few minutes.
Prediction: Cal 65, Wagner 3

Duquesne at Washington State

Game Time: 3:30 PM ET
TV: USA Network
Consensus Line: Washington State -38.5, o/u: 53.5
Washington State (0-2) will take all of its frustrations from the first two weeks of offensive issues on a Duquesne (0-2) team that has even bigger problems scoring. This won't be pretty.
Prediction: Washington State 52, Duquesne 3

Stonehill at UMass

Game Time: 3:30 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: UMass -31.5, o/u: 49.5
Seriously? We're supposed to believe that UMass (2-0) is an offensive powerhouse now? The Minutemen will get an efficient day from Pop Watson and the passing game for the third week in a row against a Stonehill (1-2) team that can score a little bit, but won't keep up.
Prediction: UMass 37, Stonehill 13

Northern Iowa at Iowa

Game Time: 4:00 PM ET
TV: FS1
Consensus Line: Iowa -38.5, o/u: 49.5
Iowa (2-0) always has to gear up for rivalry games, even against a Northern Iowa (1-1) that has enough offense to do at least as much as Iowa State did in the 16-13 Hawkeye win last week. But It's Iowa – it'll efficiently get through this and move on.
Prediction: Iowa 37, Northern Iowa 13

Stanford at Duke

Game Time: 4:00 PM ET
TV: CW
Consensus Line: Duke -10.5, o/u: 50.5
Duke (2-0) has been solid from the start, and it'll continue to be tough on both sides of the ball with a little more explosion. Stanford (1-1) will have a hard time keeping things moving on the first road trip of the season.
Prediction: Duke 34, Stanford 16

Ball State at Liberty

Game Time: 4:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: Liberty -14.5, o/u: 48.5
Liberty (1-1) hasn't shown up yet offensively, but the defense has been solid so far. Ball State (1-1) doesn't have the run defense to produce when the Flames run 50 times.
Prediction: Liberty 31, Ball State 16

Louisiana Tech at Baylor

Game Time: 4:00 PM ET
TV: ESPNU
Consensus Line: Baylor -20.5, o/u: 49.5
Baylor (1-1) star quarterback DJ Lagway isn't likely to go thanks to an ankle injury, but the Bear offense will still keep moving without a problem. Louisiana Tech (1-1) has a defense, and it'll come up with a few takeaways, but it won't keep up the pace.
Prediction: Baylor 37, Louisiana Tech 13

SE Louisiana at ULM

Game Time: 4:30 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: ULM -10.5, o/u: 48.5
After giving UAB a game, ULM (0-2) should be okay against a SE Louisiana (1-2) team that has just enough of an offensive push to make this interesting. The Warhawks will pull away with the ground game.
Prediction: ULM 34, SE Louisiana 16

FIU at Florida Atlantic

Game Time: 6:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: Florida Atlantic -6.5, o/u: 62.5
These two are fun. Florida Atlantic's (1-1) offense did exactly what it was supposed to in a 38-30 win over Navy. The high-powered Zach Kittley passing game will work, but the strong FIU (1-1) defense will keep it close. Both teams will hit 300 yards through the air.
Prediction: Florida Atlantic 35, FIU 28

East Carolina at Old Dominion

Game Time: 6:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: Old Dominion -2.5, o/u: 48.5
These two will bring the effort in a fun non-conference battle, helped by East Carolina's (0-2) desperation to get a win. Old Dominion (1-1) hasn't been able to get the offense going yet, and this week, the Pirate passing game will be just efficient enough to pull this off.
Prediction: East Carolina 26, Old Dominion 23

Charlotte at App State

Game Time: 6:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: App State -17.5, o/u: 52.5
Charlotte (0-2) is about to be lit up by an App State (2-0) passing game that's connecting on 80% of its throws. The 49ers are trying, but they'll buckle as the game goes on.
Prediction: App State 38, Charlotte 16

Marshall at Missouri State

Game Time: 6:30 PM ET
TV: CBS Sports Network
Consensus Line: Marshall -3.5, o/u: 53.5
Missouri State (1-1) has enough of an offense to pull this off if Marshall (1-1) isn't sharp – the running game isn't working well enough.
Prediction: Missouri State 27, Marshall 24

Sep 3, 2026; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers running back Jamal Roberts (20) celebrates with Missouri Tigers wide receiver Naeshaun Montgomery (0) after scoring a touchdown against the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Troy at Missouri

Game Time: 7:00 PM ET
TV: SEC Network
Consensus Line: Missouri -27.5, o/u: 50.5
The Tigers won't have any problem cranking up the offense against a Troy (2-0) team that's playing good defense so far, but couldn't handle the Sam Houston passing game. Missouri (2-0) will open it up in the second half.
Prediction: Missouri 42, Troy 13

Georgia State at UCF

Game Time: 7:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: UCF -17.5, o/u: 49.5
Georgia State (2-0) has been one of the most underrated surprises so far with a great win over Kennesaw State last week. The offense is operating in high gear, but UCF (1-1) will bring the defense to hold up in the second half in a bit of a shootout.
Prediction: UCF 38, Georgia State 16

Murray State at Oklahoma State

Game Time: 7:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: Oklahoma State -55.5, o/u: 70.5
The fun for Oklahoma State (1-1) doesn't stop now after the program-boosting win over Oregon . Murray State (1-2) doesn't have the firepower to keep up – it lost to Middle Tennessee 38-14. The Cowboys will score fast now that it has the timing down.
Prediction: Oklahoma State 58, Murray State 13

UConn at Southern Miss

Game Time: 7:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: UConn -3.5, o/u: 54.5
Will Southern Miss (1-1) find the right mix this week? It rocked Alcorn State in the opener, got rolled by Auburn, and now it has to keep UConn (1-1) from getting its ground game going. It won't.
Prediction: UConn 31, Southern Miss 24

UT Martin at Memphis

Game Time: 7:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: Memphis -34.5, o/u: 56.5
The Memphis (2-1) defensive front will be all over the UT Martin (2-1) offense that's been great so far against FCS teams but couldn't stop West Virginia last week.
Prediction: Memphis 47, UT Martin 10

Western Michigan at Rice

Game Time: 7:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: Western Michigan -9.5, o/u: 43.5
Rice (1-1) is going to run and run some more, but it will struggle to go anywhere against a Western Michigan (1-1) defense that's really as good as it looked against Michigan – at least for 59:59 and a smidge more. (Sorry, too soon … too soon …)
Prediction: Western Michigan 27, Rice 17

Delaware State at USF

Game Time: 7:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: USF -37.5, o/u: 62.5
Delaware State (2-1) is plucky, tough, and it's in for a great season. But first, USF (2-0) will open it up a bit more after struggling to get the offense going over the first two weeks.
Prediction: USF 50, Delaware State 13

Nevada at Middle Tennessee

Game Time: 7:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: Nevada -3.5, o/u: 50.5
Nevada (1-1) destroyed Western Kentucky , and then couldn't stop turning the ball over in a loss to an FCS national title-level Montana State. Middle Tennessee (1-1) has improved under Derek Mason, but the Wolf Pack offense will be a bit more efficient in the final moments of a stunningly good game.
Prediction: Nevada 27, Middle Tennessee 23

Ohio at South Alabama

Game Time: 7:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: South Alabama -6.5, o/u: 48.5
Can the Bobcats (1-1) steal a game on the road against an improving South Alabama team (1-1)? It can, but the Jaguar defense will come up with two key late stops to get out alive.
Prediction: South Alabama 26, Ohio 23

Georgia Southern at Jacksonville State

Game Time: 7:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: Jacksonville State -3.5, o/u: 52.5
Jacksonville State (1-2) hasn't been able to get the ground game going like it's supposed to, and the Georgia Southern (1-1) defense has been decent so far. The Eagle passing game will pull this off on the road.
Prediction: Georgia Southern 28, Jacksonville State 24

Nicholls at Sam Houston

Game Time: 7:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: Sam Houston -18.5, o/u: 49.5
Nicholls (2-1) has a fun offense that rips up FCS teams, but it didn't do much against Kansas State in a 71-3 loss. Sam Houston (0-2) needs a win, and it'll open it up a bit after two tough losses – the passing game has been terrific so far.
Prediction: Sam Houston 37, Nicholls 16

Eastern Washington at Washington

Game Time: 7:15 PM ET
TV: BTN
Consensus Line: Washington -42.5, o/u: 57.5
Did you see what Oregon just did to Portland State ? Washington (2-0) won't hang 81 on the board, but it needs this game to get everything moving after two blah performances. Eastern Washington (1-2) will struggle from the start.
Prediction: Washington 52, Eastern Washington 7

Sep 12, 2026; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers tight end Carter Nelson (29) celebrates after a touchdown against the Bowling Green Falcons during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

North Dakota at Nebraska

Game Time: 7:15 PM ET
TV: BTN
Consensus Line: Nebraska -25.5, o/u: 52.5
North Dakota (3-0) isn't your normal FCS team. It has enough offense to crank up a few points, but the defense won't be able to stop the Nebraska (2-0) attack after the two teams trade shots in the first half.
Prediction: Nebraska 41, North Dakota 16

BYU at Colorado State

Game Time: 7:30 PM ET
TV: CBS
Consensus Line: BYU -17.5, o/u: 52.5
Colorado State (2-0) will have the emotion, crowd, and coaching to give BYU (2-0) a run, but it won't be enough. The Cougars will take over on both lines with the ground game dominating the last ten minutes.
Prediction: BYU 37, Colorado State 16

Virginia Tech at Maryland

Game Time: 7:30 PM ET
TV: FS1
Consensus Line: Virginia Tech -2.5, o/u: 53.5
Both teams have been great so far, and now one team has to prove it's for real. Maryland (2-0) looked great against mediocre teams. Virginia Tech (2-0) has a bit more defensive talent and will be a bit sharper in a huge moment early in the James Franklin era.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 30, Maryland 24

Kennesaw State at Tennessee

Game Time: 7:45 PM ET
TV: SEC Network
Consensus Line: Tennessee -35.5, o/u: 60.5
Everything is kicking in for the Tennessee (2-0) offense with an almost perfect start. Kennesaw State (1-1) has to get past a tough offensive performance against Georgia State in a 31-17 loss, but it's not happening this week.
Prediction: Tennessee 51, Kennesaw State 10

UTSA at Texas

Game Time: 8:00 PM ET
TV: SEC Network
Consensus Line: Texas -29.5, o/u: 58.5
How does Texas (2-0) gear it back up after the emotional win over Ohio State and a controversial week that made almost everyone forget what happened on the field? The defense will take over from the start, Arch will be great, and Steve Sarkisian will be very, very nice to the sideline reporters.
Prediction: Texas 48, UTSA 10

Arkansas State at TCU

Game Time: 8:00 PM ET
TV: ESPNU
Consensus Line: TCU -20.5, o/u: 57.5
TCU (1-1) got over its Ireland trip and loss to North Carolina with a blowout win over Grambling, and now it's about to tune up even more on an Arkansas State team that will bring a little offense but won't be a bother on D.
Prediction: TCU 48, Arkansas State 10

East Texas A&M at Tulsa

Game Time: 8:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: Tulsa -41.5, o/u: 56.5
Tulsa (2-0) should be ranked, considering it beat Oklahoma State, who beat Oregon … the Golden Hurricane are about to dominate Texas A&M-Commerce (1-2) on both sides of the ball.
Prediction: Tulsa 52, East Texas A&M 6

UAB at Louisiana

Game Time: 8:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: Louisiana -7.5, o/u: 55.5
Louisiana (1-1) fought the good fight at USC last week in a 49-30 loss, and now it'll get the efficient offense going against a UAB (1-1) team that has enough pop to make this a fight.
Prediction: Louisiana 31, UAB 23

South Dakota at Boise State

Game Time: 10:00 PM ET
TV: CBS Sports Network
Consensus Line: Boise State -25.5, o/u: 56.5
South Dakota (3-0) has a terrific offense with the talent and effectiveness to give Boise State (1-1) a big problem for at least a half. The Broncos will start to find their groove – the Coyote defense isn't anything special – but it'll take some work to put this away.
Prediction: Boise State 41, South Dakota 16

Sep 12, 2026; Pasadena, California, USA; San Diego State quarterback Jayden Denegal (4) throws during the first half against UCLA at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images

James Madison at San Diego State

Game Time: 10:00 PM ET
TV: CW
Consensus Line: San Diego State -1.5, o/u: 46.5
It's a huge moment in the race for the Group of Six spot in the College Football Playoff. San Diego State (1-1) has the funky red uniforms for this in what's been a spotlight game for the program all offseason. James Madison (2-0) has been great so far under Billy Napier – it beat Wagner last week 87-3 – but the Aztecs will put it all together as they finally start to connect on a few deep shots.
Prediction: San Diego State 23, James Madison 20

Northern Illinois at Arizona

Game Time: 10:30 PM ET
TV: TNT
Consensus Line: Arizona -33.5, o/u: 50.5
Arizona (1-1) gave it a good run last week at BYU in a tough loss, and now it'll rip through a Northern Illinois (0-2) team that tries hard, but doesn't have the parts to hang around in a game like this.
Prediction: Arizona 48, Northern Illinois 3

North Dakota State at Sacramento State

Game Time: 10:30 PM ET
TV: ESPN
Consensus Line: North Dakota State -27.5, o/u: 50.5
Sacramento State (1-2) is just getting going as a MAC school, and now it gets its first home date against an FBS team. It won't have enough offense, though, to keep up with a North Dakota State (3-0) squad coming off a tough win over a good Air Force team.
Prediction: North Dakota State 41, Sacramento State 13

Purdue at UCLA

Game Time: 11:00 PM ET
TV: BTN
Consensus Line: UCLA -14.5, o/u: 52.5
Purdue (1-1) had its heart ripped out by Wake Forest in a tough double-overtime loss last week, and now it has a late-night fight with a UCLA (2-0) squad that's about to become a big national thing. Now we know how the Bruins work. Hang around early, let the running game take over from there.
Prediction: UCLA 36, Purdue 20

Montana at Oregon State

Game Time: 11:00 PM ET
TV: USA Network
Consensus Line: Oregon State -17.5, o/u: 54.5
Montana (3-0) is one of the best teams in the FCS, but now it gets a shot to do something big against an Oregon State (0-2) that's been plucky in good fights against Houston and Texas Tech. Now the Beavers finally get to be on the right side of a good performance, with the running game finally working.
Prediction: Oregon State 37, Montana 20

Fresno State at San Jose State

Game Time: 11:00 PM ET
TV: FS1
Consensus Line: Fresno State -6.5, o/u: 49.5
It's a big late night moment for both teams. Fresno State (1-1) didn't do anything against USC, didn't need to try in a blowout over Sacramento State, and now it needs to show that it really is a team good enough to be a player in the new Pac-12. San Jose State (2-1) will fight the good fight with a good offense, but the Bulldog defense will take over in the second half.
Prediction: Fresno State 30, San Jose State 23

Biggest Games of Week 3

Kent State at Ohio State , Georgia at Arkansas , Buffalo at Penn State, Tulane at Kansas State , Bowling Green at Iowa State , Arizona State at Kansas , Mercer at Georgia Tech , North Carolina at Clemson , Akron at Minnesota , Eastern Michigan at Wisconsin , NC State at Vanderbilt , Southern Illinois at Illinois , Kentucky at Texas A&M , Florida State at Alabama , USC at Rutgers , SMU at Louisville , Utah State at Utah , Miami University at Cincinnati , UTEP at Michigan , Western Kentucky at Indiana , Mississippi State at South Carolina , Florida at Auburn , Michigan State at Notre Dame , LSU at Ole Miss , New Mexico at Oklahoma , West Virginia at Virginia, Colorado at Northwestern

Consensus line based on BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Game 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.

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