College Football Picks Week 3: Keeping momentum rolling after successful Week 2
A Pittsburgh Panthers helmet is placed on the bench during the college football game. (Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire)
September 12th, 2024
Most teams are still seeking an identity entering Week 3 of the college football season, and YouBet.com will look to keep the momentum rolling after a successful Week 2. Here are our best bets in Week 3, lines courtesy of BetMGM and all times listed are Eastern.
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LSU at South Carolina (12 p.m.): LSU
Don’t be fooled by the final score (31-6) in South Carolina’s win over Kentucky last week; the Gamecocks’ offense was mostly ineffective as their defense dominated. South Carolina capitalized upon a pair of flukish scoring plays and after pushing around Kentucky’s offensive line; it won’t have the same success against LSU. The Tigers are formidable on both lines of scrimmage and own an enormous quarterback edge with Garrett Nussmeier, who has completed at least 27 passes for 300-plus yards in both games for eight touchdowns. In his first two games, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers has completed 55% of his passes for 280 yards, and the Gamecocks struggled to score points against Old Dominion in the opener. With the new 12-team playoff format, LSU still has something to play despite a narrow loss to USC in the opener, essentially snatching defeat from the jaws of victory after taking the lead late in the fourth quarter. The Tigers will make a statement with a double-digit win in their SEC opener.
Oregon at Oregon St. (3:30 p.m.): OREGON ST.
Oregon escaped the last two weeks, coming from behind in the fourth quarter to defeat Boise St. 37-34 after beating Idaho only 24-14, and the Ducks must head on the road to face a rugged Oregon St. defense. Oregon St. looks poised to keep building upon an 8-4 regular-season campaign last year, opening the season with a pair of dominant defensive performances, including a 21-0 win at San Diego St. The Beavers feature a dynamic offensive backfield with Jam Griffin and Anthony Hankerson, recording 599 rushing yards in the first two games. Oregon brought in a lot of new players through the transfer portal and appeared loaded entering the season, but they’re not playing well together: The Ducks rushed for only 109 yards on 36 carries last week, and rushing yards will be difficult to come by Saturday. Oregon St. has won the last two meetings at home, it won’t be intimidated by its in-state rival, and we love the points in this matchup.
West Virginia at Pittsburgh (3:30 p.m.): WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia’s Garrett Greene struggled versus a tough Penn St. defense in the opener, completing only 15 of 28 passes for 161 yards, but the preseason Heisman hopeful got back on track versus an FCS opponent last week, going 17-for-23 over three quarters to finish with 236 passing yards and three touchdowns. Don’t overreact to West Virginia’s opening-season loss or Penn St.’s regression versus Bowling Green last week; West Virginia went on to win nine games after being blown out by Penn St. in the 2023 opener, and its offense has the potential to be improved this season. Pittsburgh is missing some key pieces on defense and the Panthers were being blown out last week by Cincinnati, which seemingly fell asleep after taking a 27-6 late in the third quarter. After the emotional comeback win, Pittsburgh has reason to be flat this week versus an explosive West Virginia offense, and the Mountaineers played well on the road last season, winning at Baylor, Central Florida, and TCU. We like West Virginia by more than a field goal.
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Tulane at Oklahoma (3:30 p.m.): TULANE
Oklahoma expected to field a viable rushing attack, but it's been forced to utilize a committee approach that includes freshmen and was held to 75 rushing yards by Houston last week. Jackson Arnold struggled as well, completing 19 of 32 passes for 174 yards to a suspect receiving corps, and we have major concerns about Oklahoma’s offense. Unlike the Sooners, Tulane has been tested, and the Green Wave will score points on Oklahoma. Last week, Tulane led #14 Kansas St. 20-10 at the half and 27-20 in the fourth quarter before ultimately succumbing 34-27, and we came away impressed by quarterback Darian Mensah (342 passing yards) and running back Makhi Hughes (128 rushing yards). Oklahoma’s defense may be the difference in the end, but Tulane has the firepower to stay within the number.
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Indiana at UCLA (7:30 p.m.): UCLA
We won’t overreact to UCLA’s narrow win at Hawaii in the opener; Indiana would look much different if it hadn’t acted scared and begged out of a scheduled matchup at Louisville to play one of the weakest teams in the nation last week. Indiana’s first two opponents were a joke, the Hoosiers are still heavily reliant upon transfers, and they are overvalued this week in a tough road setting versus an opponent that has been tested. After trailing 10-0 at half, UCLA came back to win over Hawaii due to an outstanding defensive showing (11 tackles for a loss, two interceptions, and a recovered fumble) and quarterback Ethan Garbers making key plays in the second half. The Bruins gained valuable seasoning and have had a week off to prepare for an Indiana team that received no resistance winning 77-3 over a putrid Western Illinois last week. UCLA will deliver a wake-up call, and we like the Bruins to win straight up.
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