The football season is still fresh, but now that we’ve gotten to evaluate teams across the country enough now is the perfect time to start placing bets for college football.
Week 3 has a large selection of games that should pique your interest, and here is an evaluation of some of the top games that you can look forward to.
>> College football week 3 odds
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College Football Week 3 (Sep. 14th – Sep. 16th) Spread Analysis & Match Up Overview
Two weeks into the season, teams have started to showcase what the expectations should be for them this season. However, with some big-time games, conference play starting up, and more football in general, Week 3 should be a very enticing week with plenty of great betting lines worth considering.
LSU Tigers at Mississippi State Bulldogs (Sept. 16th)
Spread: LSU -9
Analysis: Mississippi State hosts the LSU Tigers to kick off their SEC play, and the identity of their team will likely remain on the offensive side of the football. QB Will Rogers has put up some of the highest counting production in college football during his career, but the offense needs to open up in order to compete against the top teams in the SEC.
They also have an impressive defensive unit with tons of experienced talent throughout the lineup.
The LSU Tigers won’t have it easy traveling to Starkville, but this is one of the best teams in the country. After a huge Week 1 victory over Florida State, the sky’s the limit for them. QB Jayden Daniels has the consistency to keep the offense producing at a high level, while the defensive line should be able to keep constant pressure on Rogers to help swing this one in their favor.
Writer’s Pick: LSU -9
Mississippi State is a dark horse this season, but LSU’s roster may be one of the strongest in the country, so they should be able to control this game early. The Bulldogs have a passing attack, so that this one should be high-scoring, but the Tigers should ultimately prevail and cover by the time the game is over.
>> Place your wagers at Bovada
Kansas State Wildcats at Missouri Tigers (Sept. 16th)
Spread: Kansas State -7.5 | O/U: 52.5
Analysis: A year off from winning the Big 12, Kansas State enters 2023 with high hopes but plenty of new pieces looking to make an impact with this year’s team. The large part of their success will be on the shoulders of QB Will Howard, who looked good when needed last season.
The Wildcats have looked impressive through their first two games, but Missouri will be their toughest task to date.
For the Missouri Tigers, they also are 2-0, but this will also be their toughest game to date. The Tigers have an impressive defense highlighted by stars DL Darius Robinson, LB Ty’Ron Hopper, and CB Kris Abrams-Draine. The Tigers have been slacking a bit in terms of program success in recent seasons, but with how they’re built, they could be in for a big season. This game against Kansas State will be a great barometer for what to expect for this season.
Writer’s Pick: Missouri +7.5 / Over 52.5
This contest should be a tight one for the former Big 12 foes, but the Missouri Tigers seem to have enough momentum going for them that they should be able to keep this one close when the Wildcats come to visit. Roll with the Tigers so long as they have this large of a spread working with them.
>> Get the best odds for college football at MyBookie
South Carolina Gamecocks at Georgia Bulldogs (Sept. 16th)
Spread: Georgia -25.5 | O/U: 54.5
Analysis: South Carolina enters this one 2-0 with an impressive victory over North Carolina in the season opener, but things won’t get any easier going against the Georgia Bulldogs here to kick off their SEC slate. QB Spencer Rattler will need to elevate his play to a high level just for South Carolina to keep this one close, but with a 25.5-point spread, they could be able to cover.
The Bulldogs are business as usual this season, with a dominant defense and a methodic offense to match. Going against South Carolina will be their first real test after wins over Tennessee-Martin and Ball State, but that shouldn’t slow them down. QB Carson Beck will be one to watch here, though, to see if he truly is the guy they can depend on long-term on their journey to three-peat.
Writer’s Pick: South Carolina +25.5 / Over 54.5
South Carolina is a team that is largely underestimated this season but don’t expect them to pull off a victory here. However, with the running clock rules impacting these games, expect the Bulldogs to drain the clock once the game is out of hand. That could lead to the Gamecocks sneaking into this spread.
>> Place your wagers at BetOnline
Washington Huskies at Michigan State Spartans (Sept. 16th)
Spread: Washington -12 | O/U: 56.5
Analysis: Michigan State had a tough offseason with a large number of transfers, including starting QB Payton Thorne and star WR Keon Coleman from last season. However, they enter this game 2-0 on the season. The team is still impressive defensively, with LB Jacoby Windmon and DL Simeon Barrow highlighting the unit. If the defense can hold up, this could be a tighter contest than the spread indicates.
For the Washington Huskies, the offensive firepower is what separates this team from the pack. Behind star QB Michael Penix Jr., the offense is able to consistently produce at a high level and has played a huge part in their early-season success. On the defensive side, the Huskies have a very impressive front seven that will keep Spartans’ QB Noah Kim uneasy all night, and if that leads to turnovers, it could help them break this one open.
Writer’s Pick: Washington -12 / Under 56.5
The Washington Huskies have a phenomenal roster that could be one of the bigger contenders for a college football playoff spot, and this game against Michigan State should be one they control. The Spartans could surprise, but with all the talent they lost in the transfer portal, it’s hard to imagine they can hang in this one.
>> Start betting on college football week 3 at BUSR
San Jose Spartans at Toledo Rockets (Sept. 16th)
Spread: Toledo -7
Analysis: Despite both of these schools being from “smaller” conferences, this one should be an incredible match-up. Both teams have the offensive firepower to go score for score with one another, and their defenses aren’t bad either.
Toledo is led by star QB Dequan Finn who will be operating behind an offensive line that returns four starters from the past season. The passing game was a bit inconsistent last season, which will need ironing out to progress to the next level. However, if they can smooth things out, then this team has tremendous upside.
The Spartans had a tough start to the season with two losses against USC and Oregon State, but they showed some promise in those matchups. QB Chevan Cordeiro and WR Nick Nash are a dynamic duo that help the offense splash, and defensively they have some impressive defensive line play to pressure the quarterback.
Writer’s Pick: San Jose State +7
This one is poised to be a close game, so take the spread that gives you points, and that is the Spartans. Toledo is a very good program, but San Jose State has the roster talent to match and keep this one tight. Definitely keep an eye on this one, it’s going to be entertaining.
>> Start betting on college football at SportsBetting.ag
South Alabama Jaguars at Oklahoma State Cowboys (Sept. 16th)
Spread: Oklahoma State -2.5
Analysis: Off of a 10-3 2022 season, South Alabama sits at 1-1 as they travel to Oklahoma State looking to avoid falling back under .500. The Jaguars are an impressive team with a well-balanced roster that leads to stifling defensive play and controlled offensive production. While the Jaguars had their issues against Tulane, they should be able to bounce back with a strong outing here against the Cowboys for a tight contest.
For Oklahoma State, they also sit at 1-1 after a loss against Arizona State last week. Now they come back home for Week 3, where they’ll get another tough outing with the Jaguars. QB Alan Bowman is an experienced leader of the offense, and the Cowboys have a strong OL to win in the trenches.
However, they need to get that to lead to further production on the field for them to walk out of this September 16th game victorious.
Writer’s Pick: South Alabama ML
South Alabama might be underestimated with their Week 1 loss to Tulane, but the Jaguars are a very well-constructed team going against an Oklahoma State squad that is filled with question marks surrounding their roster. This one should be close, but roll with the Jaguars to pull off a big road upset.
>> Get the latest odds for college football week 3 at BetAnySports
Tennessee Volunteers at Florida Gators (Sept. 16th)
Spread: Tennessee -9.5
Analysis: The Volunteers had plenty of key pieces depart last season, but they’ve reloaded and continued to impress in the process. Rolling into Gainesville, expect much of the same.
The passing attack behind QB Joe Milton is one that’s constantly working downfield, and with great receivers like Bru McCoy and Ramel Keyton, they’re bound to create problems for the Gators defense. The Volunteers defense is also loaded with pieces like Tyler Baron, Roman Harrison, and Omari Thomas dominating in the trenches.
For the Florida Gators, they’ll look to get another tally in the win column as they currently sit at 1-1 on the season. CB Jason Marshall Jr. is a star for the defense that will play a key role in slowing down the Tennessee offense, but the pressure will largely fall on QB Graham Mertz to get the offense rolling if Florida wants to pull off the upset.
Writer’s Pick: Tennessee -9.5
The offensive firepower for Tennessee is hard to match up with, and the Gators don’t appear to have it. Expect the Volunteers to find ways to score while Florida can’t keep up. Leading to a dominant victory on the road for Tennessee.
>> Find the latest odds for college football at EveryGame
BYU Cougars at Arkansas Razorbacks (Sept. 16th)
Spread: Arkansas -12
Analysis: For the Razorbacks, this season will rest on the shoulders of star QB KJ Jefferson. While the rest of the team is talented, it will be Jefferson’s play and development that dictates just how good the season can be. So far, the Razorbacks have looked sharp, with wins in their first two games.
However, BYU will be their toughest match-up before they kick off their in-conference play. The Razorbacks will need to stay focused in this one, as overconfidence could haunt them.
The Cougars are in for an interesting season as they enter their first year as a part of the Big 12 conference. Things have been easy in their first two games, but now they face the Razorbacks in what should be a difficult game.
BYU has an impressive offensive line that gives them an opportunity to compete with anyone, but QB Kedon Slovis will need to step up and deliver for BYU to keep this one close or potentially sneak out the victory.
Writer’s Pick: Arkansas -12
Arkansas has control of this game when it comes to experience and trench strength. While BYU may stick around, the Razorbacks should be able to take control as the game moves later and break open enough to cover the 12-point spread.
>> Place your bets on college football at BetUS
Pittsburgh Panthers at West Virginia Mountaineers (Sept. 16th)
Spread: Pittsburgh -9.5
Analysis: The Pittsburgh Panthers enter Week 3 coming off of a big win against the Cincinnati Bearcats and now double dip in Big 12 competition traveling to West Virginia for the annual Backyard Brawl.
The team will depend on QB Phil Jurkovec to help keep things operating smoothly on offense, but they keep a balanced attack with RB Rodney Hammond capable of making some big plays on the ground as well. The Panthers enter this game as 9.5-point favorites for a reason, will they be able to control the contest as expected?
For West Virginia, Head Coach Neal Brown has to be feeling a little pressure for his team to perform as they enter this game 1-1, and a disappointing outing in a rivalry game could put this team on a downward spiral.
The Mountaineers do have a solid offensive line to play to their favor, with experienced starters Zach Frazier, Doug Nester, and Wyatt Milum helping in the trenches. However, they’ll need to find more production in the passing game to get the team on the right track for the remainder of the season.
Writer’s Pick: Pittsburgh -9.5
The Mountaineers might come in with some intensity, but the Panthers seem to have a much more balanced roster that should allow them to get a lead in this game early and control it to the conclusion. However, that 9.5-point spread could be intriguing if you think the Mountaineers will come out hot for the rivalry game.
>> Start betting on college football week 3 at Lucky99
TCU Horned Frogs at Houston Cougars (Sept. 16th)
Spread: TCU -8
Analysis: Houston is officially a member of the Big 12, and they’ll get to host TCU to officially begin their play inside of the conference. The Cougars did a nice job in the transfer portal, adding numerous transfers with big school experience, like QB Donovan Smith, RB Tony Mathis, and LB David Ugwoegbu. Could that experience and playing at home be enough for them to pull off a major upset against TCU?
The Horned Frogs are still riding high off of their 2022 season, and despite replacing a large chunk of that roster, they have been able to remain one of the top teams in the country. The big question mark for TCU will be QB Chandler Morris, as the level he plays will make an impact on how good this team can be. Three weeks in, he should be rolling with momentum to help TCU produce against Houston’s lackluster secondary.
Writer’s Pick: TCU +8
TCU may not be the same team we saw in 2022, but they still have plenty of talent on this roster that should keep them in control of a lot of games this season. Houston is on the right track as a program with potential in the Big 12, but they likely aren’t going to keep this one within a score.
>> Find the latest college football odds at XBet
How to Bet on College Football Week 3
Now that you’ve gotten yourself familiar with some of the top games for this week of college football, it’s time to get yourself registered. Signing up for an account can be a little confusing, so here is a step-by-step guide so that you can get to betting with a trusted sportsbook in Bovada!
Step 1: Register for a Sportsbook Account
- Visit Bovada and click the green ‘Join’ button
- Fill out all the signup information as needed
Step 2: Activate Your Account
- Check your email account for the validation link
- If you can’t find it, try checking your spam folder
- Once you’ve found it, verify your account by clicking the confirmation link
Step 3: Make Your First Deposit
- Deposit money into your account using your preferred payment method
- Take advantage of the site’s promotional offer
Step 4: Place Your Bets Online
- Go to the Sportsbook
- Start placing your bets
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Best College Football Betting Strategies For Week 3 Of The 2023 – 2024 Season
When you go to place your bets, it’s worth it to find advantages in any way you can find. Do plenty of research in order to discover trends to give yourself an edge in the books. Here are a few expert tips that you should consider when placing your bets in Week 3.
Keep these tips in mind when you bet on a college football championship or any of the matches:
The Clock Change Will Have An Impact
In past seasons, the clock would stop after first downs. However, they have altered the rule that makes the clock run more consistently after each snap, and that takes chunks out of the clock.
For games where the game is largely operated on the ground or there is a blowout, you can expect that score not to get ran-up as it generally has in the past. The Notre Dame vs. Navy game is a good example, where Notre Dame dominated the contest but didn’t go too high in terms of scoring volume.
Create An Account With Multiple Sports Books
It’s easy to create one account and stick with it, but opening accounts with numerous betting platforms is a great way to put yourself in the best position to make the most returns. By taking advantage of the sign-up offers that books will offer or surfing odds to find where you will make the most money, you are gaining a huge advantage when you place your bets for the games.
Take Advantage of Promotional Offers
Every day you can find promotional offers on college football betting platforms to try to encourage bets. You might as well check out what the selection is because there is a good chance you’ll be able to find some options you like over the course of the season.
Best Sites to Bet On The 2023-2024 College Football Season Week 3
Bovada: Bovada is quick to put out lines each week, which could lead to them having the fastest lines for Week 3. When you register for an account, you’re eligible to a 50% deposit match up to $250 using fiat currency or a 75% match up to $750 with Bitcoin using code BTCSWB750. A 5x rollover applies to both bonuses.
MyBookie: MyBookie offers a wide variety of betting options making it easy to find lines that you like. New users who register are eligible for a 50% deposit match of up to $1,000 with a $50 minimum deposit.
BetOnline: BetOline is a very user-friendly platform that offers great lines both week-to-week and a large selection of future game bets that are available. By opening an account with them you could be eligible for a 50% deposit match up to $1,000, although you’ll have to make a $55 deposit and meet a 10x rollover.
BUSR: BUSR offers tons of daily promotions to encourage bettors, take advantage of that this college football season for increased odds. Sign up for a new account and get $1,500 welcome bonus now.
Sportsbetting.ag: Sportsbetting.ag is super effective for the live-betting game which is perfect for the constantly shifting world of college football. Sign up now and you could be eligible for a 50% welcome bonus up to $1,000 using code SB1000, although a $55 minimum deposit and 10x rollover apply.
Guide to Betting on College Football Week 3: FAQs
When Does Week 3 The College Football Season Begin?
Two games are scheduled at 7:30 PM EST to kick off Week 3 of the college football season. Miami (FL) hosts Bethune-Cookman, and Memphis hosts Navy.
The Hurricanes are favored in their match-up by 41 points, while the Tigers are favored over the Navy by 4.
How Long Does A College Football Season Generally Last?
The college football season largely takes place over 13 weeks. However, there are games that take place before that time and after.
However, most teams will play their 12 games sometime over that 13-week span.
Is Betting On College Football Safe?
Betting on College Football is safe so long as you use a platform that is trusted.
We offer a list of trusted platforms where you can be confident when placing your bets that they will be honored. There is, of course, risk when it comes to placing any bets, so be sure to only bet responsibly.
When Is The Deadline To Bet On Week 3 College Football Games?
The deadline to bet on college football for Week 3 of college football is at the kickoff of each contest.
However, many betting platforms allow live bets throughout the game, but they could change any second, so it’s best to get your bets in now on lines that you like.
Who Is On Upset Alert For Week 3 of College Football?
There are two games in which the underdogs pose a solid threat to some top-25 teams. The first game is Illinois vs. #7 Penn State. Illinois replaced a lot of starters from 2022, but they’ve reloaded well and could pull off a big win hosting the Nittany Lions at home.
The other potential upset is Houston over #17 TCU. TCU lost a lot of weapons from last season, so a Houston team that was competitive last year and seems to be working with momentum this time around could potentially take them by surprise when they face off in Houston this weekend.
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Ready to Bet on Week 3 of the College Football Season?
There is plenty to watch for as Week 3 inches closer, and if you’re just as ready for it, then maybe add some stakes by placing some bets down for the games. Regardless of what and where you decide to play, we ask that you do so responsibly!
>> College Football Predictions Week 1
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