Preview and Picks for NCAA Football Week 3

Week 3 of the 2025 college football season features three Top 25 matchups and more notable line adjustments across the NCAA football landscape. Fairways Forecast chips in more college football previews, stats, insight and Week 3 picks with information you can bet on. 

Review the college football stability score ratings as the betting lines adjust early season including Week 3 opening odds and matchups as you compare to current college football lines at leading online sportsbooks like BetOnline below. 

Selected picks and opinions to follow as we handicap and research additional stats, situations, box scores and more matchups after hitting a winner on Oklahoma over Michigan in the only Week 2 Top 25 matchup. A 5-1 ATS week overall on Top 25 games with a last second ATS back door FG loser. A few off the board losers plus a top totals O/U winner capped a winning week posting Picks and Opinions at OSGA. BTW, Navy (-21) won 38-24 and game went over total, and Navy outrushed UAB 295-92 as we projected, but -3 turnovers - nearly 90% ATS losing stat despite a 3/1 rushing edge - a greater than 75% ATS stat when teams outrush opponents by at least a 2/1 margin. Oh, and Ole Miss (-8.5) winning 30-23 on Kentucky's last second FG for back door cover after a 38-yard completion in closing 20 seconds also saw Ole Miss rush for 220 and pass for 235, a balanced offense attack off 200+ that gets the money 75% of the time and even stronger so far this season.   

Top 25 Games and Week 3 Lines

Betting lines and college football odds from BetOnline and top online sportsbooks refresh periodically and are subject to change, including on props and live betting. Point spread on favorites plus game totals taken from Monday openers. All times ET. 

Check back by Friday each week as we add Picks and Opinions with select analysis, stats and information you can bet on. 

Friday, Sept. 12 

No. 22 Indiana (-48.5) vs. Indiana State, 59.5 | 6:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network 

Saturday, Sept. 13 

No. 1 Ohio State (-31.5) vs. Ohio, 52 | 7 p.m. | Peacock
No. 2 Penn State (N/A) vs. Villanova | 3:30 p.m. | FS1
No. 3 LSU (-7.5) vs. Florida, 48.5 | 7:30 p.m. | ABC
No. 4 Oregon (-28.5) at Northwestern, 48.5 | 12 p.m. | FOX
No. 5 Miami (-17.5) vs. No. 18 South Florida, 56 | 4:30 p.m. | The CW Network
No. 6 Georgia (-3.5) at No. 15 Tennessee, 49.5 | 3:30 p.m. | ABC
No. 7 Texas (-41.5) vs. UTEP, 51 | 4:15 p.m. | SEC Network
No. 8 Notre Dame (-6.5) vs. No. 16 Texas A&M, 49.5 | 7:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock
No. 9 Illinois (-27.5) vs. Western Michigan, 50 | 7 p.m. | FS1
No. 11 South Carolina (-4.5) vs. Vanderbilt, 48 | 7:45 p.m. | SEC Network 
No. 12 Clemson (-3.5) at Georgia Tech, 53.5 | 12 p.m. | ESPN
No. 13 Oklahoma (-21.5.) at Temple, 51.5 | 12 p.m. | ESPN2
No. 14 Iowa State (-21) at Arkansas State, 55 | 4 p.m. | ESPN2
No. 17 Ole Miss (-7) vs. Arkansas, 61.5 | 6 p.m. | ESPN
No. 19 Alabama (-21) vs. Wisconsin, 46.5 | 12 p.m. | ABC
No. 20 Utah (-23.5) at Wyoming, 48 | 8 p.m. | CBSSN
No. 21 Texas Tech (-23.5) vs. Oregon State, 62.5 | 3:30 p.m. | FOX
No. 23 Michigan (-27.5) vs. Central Michigan, 42.5 | 12 p.m. | Big Ten Network
No. 24 Auburn (-25) vs. South Alabama, 55 | 12:45 p.m. | SEC Network
No. 25 Missouri (-27.5) vs. Louisiana, 47.5 | 4 p.m. | ESPN+/SECN+

Ohio State received 57 of the 65 first place votes. 

Others receiving votes: Arizona St. 94, BYU 92, Georgia Tech 78, Florida 70, Southern Cal 64, TCU 58, Mississippi St. 52, Louisville 49, SMU 26, Nebraska 10, Tulane 9, Baylor 7, UNLV 5, Pittsburgh 3, Navy 2, Memphis 1, Vanderbilt 1.

Other noteable games on Sat., Sept. 13

- Pittsburgh (-7) at West Virginia (Backyard Brawl)

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NCAA Football Week 3 Picks

Updates and select analysis with ATS Picks and Opinions unless noted ahead of Sat. games. 

South Florida at Miami (-17.5). Back-to-back Top 25 wins by South Florida moves them into the Top 25 this week. But this is a tougher matchup against even more talented Hurricanes, and Bulls could get worn down against stronger opponent following two tough games.

Georgia (-3.5) at Tennessee. Preseason line on this big SEC contest was Georgia -8.5, and it opened this past Sunday in Las Vegas Georgia -7 with sharp action on Tennessee. Georgia has won 8-straight in this series with Tennessee's last win in 2016 on a Hail Mary. But Georgia has not been sharp in two non-conference games while dealing with OL struggles and injury. Tennessee's heralded defensive line will cause chaos and Volunteers are clearly capable of Victory in front of rabid fans. I have Tennessee outrushing Georgia by a decent amount and Vols total yards edge overall. Opinion: Tennessee

Texas A&M at Notre Dame (-6.5 / 7) The Irish beat the Aggies last year 23-13 in Week 1 but the game was tied 13-13 in the 4th quarter. Aggies QB Marcel Reed was a little banged up in victory last week (3 TDs), and he now has a 7-0 TD/INT ratio this season playing behind a top-rated OL and strong running backs. Pretty amazing rushing stats for Notre Dame shows the Irish have not won a game when rushing the ball less than 29 times since 2007. The Irish and top RB Jeremiyah Love rushed 28 times in losing to Miami this year, and both losses last year to Ohio State and No. Illinois saw the Irish fail to run the ball more than 28 times. Betting angles and info supports Notre Dame, who is 23-5 ATS when favored by single-digits and 11-2-1 ATS at home vs ranked teams. Still, too close of matchup and hidden special teams edge to Aggies. Points are a premium with solid A&M team and less scoring, hoping Reed keeps his composure and minimizes mistakes and turnovers. Pick: Texas A&M and Opinion Under. 

Arkansas at Ole Miss (-7). This line opened Sunday Ole Miss -10. The underdog is 12-2 ATS in this series since 2011 with seven outright upsets. But Ole Miss rolled to victory as a favorite last year 63-31 piling up nearly 700 yards offense. Another 'over' the total is likely with stats and matchups support, and the line is up and we add Opionion: Over. 

Florida at LSU (-7.5). They Bayou Bengals lost to unranked Florida last year in the Swamp, 27-16 as favorite. LSU allowed 6 sacks, but also held Florida's offense to just 13 first downs. Stats project LSU and QB Nussmeier over 300 passing yards in victory Saturday and Florida's offense and OL pass protection has struggled while also allowed 18 tackles for loss already this season in two games. Gators loss last week to USF as big favorite has them and coach Napier swimming upstream with Miami, Texas and Texas A&M following LSU. Oh, the Gators also still play Georgia, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Florida State. Opinion: LSU 

Utah (-23.5) at Wyoming: Line opened -25. Both teams are 2-0 SU/ATS off bounce back losing seasons. Utes have pretty clear edges, but still bloated line in highest altitude in Laramie and Utah has Big 12 opener on deck at home vs. Texas Tech. So rare to see Cowboys catching this many points at home, and last year they lost to Boise State late season 17-13 as a 23-point 'Dog, and Wyoming upset Texas Tech two seasons ago opening week 35-33 as a 14-point 'Dog. Cowboys offensive line is top unit, and quarterback Kaden Anderson is skilled, mobile, strong arm and underrated while Utes transfer QB Devon Dampier is hyped along with Utes strong start and buzz. Sell high, and I'll be in Boulder next weekend to see Wyoming battle the Buffaloes, but this week it's an Opinion: Wyoming

More matchups, stats, updates and biggest early season games to follow along with any additional Week 3 Picks and Opinions as college football draws more watch and wager action with added value betting at reduced juice sportsbooks. 

You can bet on it. 

FairwayJay is a proven sports handicapper and loves college football. He's been handicapping and betting college football for more than two decades and is recognized as one of the sports industry's most insightful analysts. He chips in additional sports betting coverage and reporting on industry news and events. Follow FairwayJay here at OSGA.com and on X @FairwayJay for more sports and betting insights.