2024 College Football Week 3 Odds and Predictions

Just two weeks into the 2024 college football season and already we have a major upset. Northern Illinois got paid $1.4 million to travel to South Bend, Ind., and shock the nation with a 16-14 victory over previously No. 5 Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish are now 1-1 heading into college football Week 3 and dropped to No. 18 in the latest AP Top 25. Notre Dame has to travel to Purdue this Saturday and it won’t be easy to pick up a win in West Lafayette.

A number of ranked teams – Penn State, Oklahoma State, LSU, and Kansas State – survived scares in Week 2. Georgia Tech, which was 2-0 heading into last week, did not survive, falling to Syracuse 31-28. This week, there are only two matchups of ranked opponents. One of those is on Friday night as No. 20 Arizona travels to No. 14 Kansas State, which survived a scare from Tulane, 34-27, last week. The other game between ranked opponents pits No. 24 Boston College against No. 6 Missouri.

As usual, the Scores & Stats experts are here for 2024 college football Week 3. You will find the best previews, predictions, picks, and more each and every week of the 2024 college football season. Scores & Stats boasts many of the top handicappers in the sport. They will provide you with top-notch analysis and insight every week of the season all the way through the 2024 college football national championship in January. Let’s get on to Week 3!

College Football Week 3 Odds

College Football Week 3 odds are not available yet. Check back as we get closer to the start of the 2024-25 College Football season, when the College Football odds for Week 3 start trickling out.

The big showdown in Week 2 – Texas at Michigan – proved pretty much what we already knew. Texas is very good on both sides of the ball. Michigan, as we’ve seen for two weeks now, will struggle on offense without J.J. McCarthy at quarterback. The Longhorns, now No. 2 in the latest AP Polls, beat the Wolverines 31-12 as QB Quinn Ewers threw for the three Texas touchdowns. The Longhorns host UTSA this Saturday. Michigan will host Arkansas State.

We learned that the Tennessee offense is for real in Week 2. QB Nico Iamaleava was at it once again in the Vols 51-10 win over NC State last week. Iamaleava threw for 211 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 65 yards and another score. Tennessee gets Kent State at home this Saturday. The Golden Flashes are coming off a loss to FCS St. Francis. The Volunteers will easily be the biggest favorite on this week’s board. Tennessee is a 47.5-point favorite over Kent State.

There will still be quite a few big point spreads as teams continue to play non-conference games in college football Week 3. Texas is a 34.5-point favorite over UTSA. We’ll even see some large spreads in conference games this week. No. 1 Georgia hosts Kentucky in an SEC showdown. The Bulldogs are a 24.5-point favorite against a Wildcats team that really played poorly in a 31-6 loss to SEC opponent South Carolina.

College Football Week 3 Schedule

With over 65 College Football games scheduled for Week 3, the following is a list of the featured games of the week:

College Football Week 3 Predictions

Let’s take a look at the featured College Football Week 3 games and make our spread, total, and moneyline NCAAF picks for each game.

Arizona Wildcats vs. Kansas State Wildcats Odds

Kansas State is just 1-4 ATS in its last five games, 0-2 to start the 2024 season. The Wildcats typically haven’t done well in Friday games either. Kansas State is 0-8 ATS in its last eight Friday games. Arizona, on the other hand, has won nine straight games. Arizona has also gone 11-4 ATS in its last 15 games and these Wildcats have covered in five straight games in which they were underdogs of seven or more points.

Kansas State will have its hands full with Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan and QB Noah Fifita. The pair have been playing together since eighth grade. Fifita is completing 65 percent of his passes and McMillan has 315 receiving yards in two games. He only had 11 of those yards last week. Can KSU shut him down again?

Arizona Wildcats vs. Kansas State Wildcats Predictions

Both teams should play better than last week when they were both surprised by inferior teams. Kansas State may have a slight advantage playing at home, but the Wildcats are 0-4 ATS in their last four games as a favorite of seven or more points.

KSU is averaging 37.5 points per game and the offense revolves around the running game. Kansas State has rushed for over 200 yards in each of its first two games and will look to do the same against Arizona. Arizona has had issues stopping the run and they’ve given up an average of 211 yards on the ground in their first two games.

Arizona does play well as an underdog. As mentioned, they are 5-0 ATS the last five times they’ve been an underdog of at least seven points. They are 6-1 ATS in the last seven such games. Kansas State’s passing defense is struggling so far this season, allowing 342 yards per game so far this season. Arizona can keep this one close in a game where it appears both teams can hit the 30-point mark.

Bet: Kansas State -260, Arizona +7 (-110), Over 57.5 (-110)

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Wisconsin Badgers Odds

Wisconsin comes into this meeting of unbeatens with two ho-hum victories. The Badgers beat Western Michigan 28-14 in a game where they didn’t pull away until late in the fourth quarter. Then, Wisconsin found itself up by just four points late in the third quarter against FCS South Dakota.

Alabama needed 28 fourth-quarter points to pull away from South Florida in a 42-16 Crimson Tide victory. The Tide failed to cover as 30.5-point favorites. Alabama is now 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games and 1-1 ATS this season. The Badgers have failed to cover in each of their first two games. Wisconsin is now 4-10-1 ATS in its last 15 games played on a Saturday. The Badgers are also just 2-6-1 ATS in their last nine home Saturday games.

These two teams have only ever played once before and that was back in 2015. It was an early season non-conference game at Alabama. The Crimson Tide won easily 35-17 and covered the 12.5-point spread. The game also went Over the total of 44.5.

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Wisconsin Badgers Predictions

The Badgers get a third straight home game and Camp Randall Stadium should be jumping by the time the fourth quarter rolls around. At some point, the Air Raid offense of coordinator Phil Longo has to start to click. Longo is also a big believer in running the football and some of his North Carolina offenses were among the best in the country.

This game could come down to which team runs the ball more effectively. Wisconsin ranks 34th in rushing offense, averaging 196 yards per game. Alabama is actually better, gaining 264 yards per game on the ground thus far. That ranks ninth in the nation. Neither team has really been tested, but both have struggled at times.

Watch as both teams rise to the occasion here. The two-touchdown-plus spread is a bit much for an Alabama team that hasn’t proven anything just yet. The Tide has only covered in two of its last five games. Wisconsin’s offense is right on the brink. They’ll play their best game of the Longo era on Saturday.

Bet: ML pass, Wisconsin +15.5, Over 50.5

LSU Tigers vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Odds

The SEC hasn’t really put on a strong showing collectively after two weeks of the 2024 college football season. LSU lost its season opener to USC and then led FCS Nicholls State 9-7 at the end of the first quarter last week. The Tigers would pull away and win 44-21, but the LSU faithful expects more from head coach Brian Kelly’s team.

The Tigers are 5-1 SU in their last six games and they have had a lot of success against South Carolina in recent years. LSU is 7-0 SU and 5-2 ATS in the last seven games against the Gamecocks. South Carolina is also 5-1 SU in its last six games. The Gamecocks are 1-1 ATS so far this season, failing to cover as 20.5-point favorites in Game 1 against ODU and then covering as an underdog to Kentucky last week.

LSU Tigers vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Predictions

This game is in Columbia, but it probably won’t matter. South Carolina’s offense is awful. The Gamecocks had just 251 yards of offense last week and 13 first downs. One of their touchdowns last week came on an interception return. LSU’s defense has given up some yards and they’ve allowed 24 points per game so far.

The Tigers should be able to contain the Gamecocks offense and LSU’s offense should be able to crack the South Carolina code. LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier has completed 75 percent of his passes for 610 yards and eight touchdowns through two games. He may find the going a little more difficult against South Carolina’s pass defense after shredding Nicholls for 302 yards and six touchdowns.

The number is a tricky one and our Scores & Stats experts would advise trying to find LSU -7, but LSU’s offense has proven too much for the Gamecocks in the past. The two teams haven’t played since 2020, but LSU won by 28. Defense and pace should keep this total low.

Bet: ML pass, LSU -7.5, Under 51

Boston College Eagles vs. Missouri Tigers Odds

Boston College moved into the AP Top 25 with a win over FCS Duquesne last week. Don’t forget the Eagles pulled the upset of Florida State in Week 1. The win over the Seminoles was never really in doubt and now the Eagles get another crack at a top-10 program. This one is going to be much tougher though.

Missouri has won six straight games, eight of their last nine, and the Tigers have absolutely smoked their first two opponents this season. In fact, Missouri has yet to allow a point. Sure, the opponents were FCS Murray State and Group of 5 Buffalo, but Missouri left no doubt. They covered as 49.5- and 32.5-point favorites and have now covered eight of their last nine games.

Don’t slouch on the Eagles. The defense ranks in the top-40 in total defense (293 ypg) and the running game is outstanding (263 ypg, 10th). BC will likely try and keep the ball away from QB Brady Cook and All-American candidate WR Luther Burden. It would be an effective strategy. Missouri is averaging 51 points per game. Boston College is now 8-3 SU in its last 11 games and they are 4-1 ATS in their last five on the road.

Boston College Eagles vs. Missouri Tigers Predictions

The Eagles are well-coached – Bill O’Brien is the new head coach – and there is no question they can run the football and play good defense. Sometimes, though, college football games come down to Jimmies and Joes. Missouri’s Jimmies and Joes are simply better.

It starts with Burden who is waiting to explode in 2024. He only has seven catches so far, but that’s simply because he hasn’t been needed. He was also suffering from an illness last week and didn’t play much after the first quarter.

Both of these teams are better on defense than many realize. Expect the two teams to battle early, but Missouri should pull away and slip just past the number here. Yes, BC has covered six of its last nine as a double-digit dog and Missouri has only covered five of 14 as a double-digit favorite. Doesn’t matter. Missouri is simply better…by a lot.

Bet: ML pass, Missouri -16.5 (-110), Under 54 (-110)

Oregon Ducks vs. Oregon State Beavers Odds

Just because the Pac-12 fell apart doesn’t mean the end of the Civil War. Instead of the annual year-end Civil War, we get it in Week 3 of the season this year. Both the Ducks and Beavers enter the game with 2-0 records. Oregon holds the upper hand in the rivalry, having won 13 of the last 16 games in the series. The Beavers have covered in four of the last six games in the series.

Oregon hasn’t covered in its two games this season and has only covered once the last four times the Ducks have been a double-digit favorite. The Ducks have been favored by 10 or more in seven of the last 10 against the Beavers. Oregon is 4-3 ATS in those seven games. The Ducks are, however, 4-0-1 ATS in their last five road games and 6-3 ATS in their last nine games on the road at Oregon State.

Oregon State has rather quietly gone 14-5 US in its last 19 games and the Beavers have won 10 of their last 11 at home. Oregon State is just 1-4 ATS in its last five games, but they have covered the number early in seasons. The Beavers are 11-2 ATS in their last 13 games in the month of September.

Oregon Ducks vs. Oregon State Beavers Predictions

Not much was expected of Oregon State after Jonathan Smith packed up, took a bunch of his players with him, and went to Michigan State. Instead, new head coach Trent Bray has dialed up the defense and the running game and now the Beavers are 2-0.

Historically, Oregon State just doesn’t get the same talent as the Ducks, but this game is in Corvallis where the Beavers have covered against Oregon in the last two. The Ducks have failed to cover in both of their games thus far. In a huge, heated rivalry game, expect Oregon State to hang around for a while. Oregon has the better roster and can come away with a victory, but covering more than two touchdowns is a stretch.

While both defenses are pretty good and Oregon State relies heavily on the run, expect both teams to put up some points. The total reflects the capabilities of both defenses, but 50 is just too low here.

Bet: ML pass, Oregon -16.5, Over 50

Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Purdue Boilermakers Odds

It doesn’t get any easier for the Fighting Irish. One week after the biggest upset of the new season, head coach Marcus Freeman and his Irish go on the road to face Purdue. The Boilermakers beat FCS Indiana State in Week 1 and had last week off to prepare for the Irish. If they are going to have any shot at making this year’s College Football Playoff, Notre Dame probably can’t afford another loss…especially to a team that it should beat.

Purdue beat FCS Indiana State 49-0 in Week 1. Boilermakers QB Hudson Card threw for four touchdowns in the victory. Purdue has had an extra week to prepare for Notre Dame, but catching them coming off a brutal home loss might not be ideal. Purdue’s defense has been known to give up some points, but Notre Dame’s offense hasn’t really proven it can score this season. QB Riley Leonard has yet to throw a touchdown pass.

This rivalry dates back to the late 1800s. Notre Dame, of course, leads the series – 57-26-2 SU. Since the Shillelagh Trophy was instituted in 1957, the Irish own a 38-19 SU margin. Notre Dame has won each of the last eight games in the series. Purdue’s last win came in 2007 in West Lafayette. Notre Dame is 4-1 ATS in its last five games. Purdue is 3-1 ATS in the last four against Notre Dame, but the Boilermakers are just 5-10 ATS in their last 15 games overall.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Purdue Boilermakers Predictions

Oftentimes, there is a tendency to overreact to college football results. Notre Dame’s loss to Northern Illinois has prompted many experts to believe the sky is falling on the Fighting Irish. Scores & Stats’ experts are not so quick to jump on that bandwagon.

Since Marcus Freeman became Notre Dame’s head coach in 2021, the Irish haven’t lost many games. When they have lost, they have come back strong. Since 2021, Notre Dame is 7-1 SU and 5-3 ATS in games after a loss. In their last three such instances, the Fighting Irish are 3-0 SU and ATS.

You can bet that Freeman and his team dialed it in this week in practice. Playing in a hostile environment won’t faze the Irish. It might not be pretty, but in the end, Notre Dame gets back on track with a win and enough to cover the double-digit spread.

Bet: ML pass, Notre Dame -10 (-110), Over 45.5

Georgia Bulldogs vs. Kentucky Wildcats Odds

The No. 1 team in the country must travel to Lexington to face Kentucky. Usually a tough task, this one might not be as difficult. The Wildcats are coming off an ugly 31-6 loss to South Carolina last week. The Gamecocks led 10-6 at halftime then ripped off 21 unanswered second-half points. And, that was in Lexington. Now, the Bulldogs come to town fresh off a 48-3 beatdown of Tennessee Tech. Georgia has allowed just six points through its first two games.

The Kentucky offense has averaged 250 yards per game. That won’t cut it against anyone, let alone the top team in the nation. The Georgia defense is as good as any in the country. Plus, the Bulldogs own this series. Georgia is 14-0 SU against Kentucky since 2010. The Bulldogs have also won their last 15 straight on the road and they are 8-0 SU in the last eight games at Kentucky.

What’s interesting is that Kentucky is 4-1 ATS in the last five games against Georgia. The Bulldogs 51-13 win last year was the first time Georgia covered in five games against the Wildcats. The last three times this game has produced a line of 20 points or more, Kentucky has covered the spread.

Georgia Bulldogs vs. Kentucky Wildcats Predictions

The Kentucky offense is awful. The Wildcats had 183 total yards last week against South Carolina. QB Brock Vandagriff threw for 30 yards in that game. Kentucky has relied on the run under head coach Mark Stoops, and the running game has been okay through two weeks. Running against Georgia, a top-10 defense, won’t be easy. If Kentucky can’t throw, it’s going to be even tougher.

Georgia proved it is a favorite to win the SEC and national championship this year with a relatively easy win over Clemson in Week 1 and another easy win over Tennessee Tech last week. The Bulldogs play well on the road and they will pile it on Kentucky.

Bet: ML Pass, Georgia -24 (-110), Over 45 (-110)

Indiana Hoosiers vs. UCLA Bruins Odds

For the first time in college football history an early September game between Indiana and UCLA is now a conference game. The Bruins and new head coach Deshaun Foster are now members of the Big Ten and they will play the host to the Hoosiers, who also have a new head coach. Curt Cignetti comes from James Madison where he built a Sun Belt powerhouse. His Hoosiers are catching on and won last week 77-3.

It will be Game 2 of the Foster era at UCLA. The Bruins struggled to beat Hawaii 16-13 last week. UCLA failed to cover as well and the Bruins are now 2-5 ATS in their last seven games. UCLA has fared well early in recent seasons. The Bruins are 9-1 SU in their last 10 games played in the month of September.

Indiana is just 6-14 SU in its last 20 games and has won just one Big Ten game in its last 10 in the conference. It’s a new era though under Cignetti, who has won everywhere he has been. He is 121-35 SU as a head coach and the Hoosiers could be the big surprise in the Big Ten this season.

Indiana Hoosiers vs. UCLA Bruins Predictions

The one advantage the Bruins have is that they don’t have to travel, especially since playing in Hawaii last week. Still, the offense sputtered last week against the Warriors. The Bruins only ran for 71 yards and QB Ethan Garbers was the team’s leading rusher.

Cignetti-coached teams have been known for their defense…especially run defense. Through two weeks, Indiana has allowed a total of 65 yards rushing. UCLA is still trying to find its identity on offense. If the Bruins can’t run the ball against Indiana, they are going to be in trouble.

Hoosiers QB Kurtis Rourke has completed 73.2 percent of his passes and has three touchdowns. Indiana has run the ball effectively, averaging 278.5 yards on the ground. If they have that kind of success against UCLA, forget it. The difference in this one comes down to coaching. Cignetti has been doing this for years. This is Foster’s first crack at a head coaching gig.

Bet: Indiana -155, Indiana -3 (-110), Under 47 (-110)

Best Bets for College Football Week 3

Week 3 on the college football schedule will be a make-or-break week for several FBS teams. After our Scores & Stats experts surveyed the Week 3 offerings, we arrived on these best bets.

• Memphis Tigers @ Florida State Seminoles -5.5
• Washington State Cougars @ Washington Huskies -4.5

Memphis heads to Tallahassee and the masses are all over the Tigers in this one. Florida State has struggled and is 0-2. They have not played well. QB DJ Uiagalelei has not played like a former five-star athlete, but head coach Mike Norvell had an extra week to prepare. His team is desperate and desperate teams can be dangerous.

Yes, Memphis is 2-0 and the favorite to win the American Athletic Conference. QB Seth Henigan is a three-year starter and the Tigers offense can score. They’ve put up 39 points a game so far this season, but they haven’t seen a defense like FSU’s. This is the week the Seminoles get back on track.

The annual Apple Cup gets played in Week 3 this year after Washington’s move to the Big Ten. The Huskies are now coached by Jedd Fisch, the former head coach at Arizona. Last year, his Wildcats completely dismantled Washington State, putting up of 500 yards of offense and 44 points. Fisch has Will Rogers, former Mississippi State QB, running the Huskies offense. He’s been outstanding, completing 78.8 percent of his passes for 511 yards and five touchdowns. The Cougars won’t have an answer.

We locked in Florida State at -5.5, but the line has adjusted to -6.5 at many sportsbooks. At -5.5, you will likely get odds of around -130. Washington at -4.5 is still going at standard odds of -110. Now, if you were to parlay these two games into a single bet, you would get odds of +237. That means your $100 wager would pay out $237.