Has any week of college football featured a more highly anticipated game than this one?
The college football schedule features multiple top-25 teams in the US LBM Coaches Poll in action, but no two teams will have more attention than the ones duking it out in Oxford, Mississippi: No. 7 LSU and No. 9 Ole Miss.
The Tigers and Rebels will face off in an early-season battle of SEC supremacy, but that storyline pales in comparison to Lane Kiffin's return after a blistering exit from the Rebels program for a team he felt could win a national championship. (Never mind the fact the Rebels did not allow him to coach the team in the College Football Playoff.)
While that game will certainly draw attention, a Friday-night matchup between No. 12 Texas Tech and No. 23 Houston will also see whether Joey McGuire and Cody Campbell can keep the Rd Raiders as a year-in, year-out contender in the Big 12.
Those games are the headliners, but plenty more action awaits in Week 3. With that, here are USA TODAY Sports' expert picks and predictions for Week 3 top-25 action:
College football Week 3 top-25 game predictions, picks
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 9:30 p.m. ET.
No. 2 Georgia at Arkansas
- Odds: Georgia (-25)
- Spread: 54.5 points
- Moneyline: Georgia (-3000) | Arkansas (+1550)
- Craig Meyer: Georgia 48, Arkansas 6
The Razorbacks have so far looked like one of the worst teams at the Power Four level and there's no reason to think their luck will change taking on Kirby Smart's Bulldogs, even at home.
- Jordan Mendoza: Georgia 41, Arkansas 14
The Bulldogs feast on a clearly rebuilding Arkansas team in a game that’s put away pretty early.
- John Leuzzi: Georgia 52, Arkansas 14
The Razorbacks looked out of place in Week 2 against Utah. That only gets worse against the Bulldogs.
- Austin Curtright: Georgia 42, Arkansas 6
Arkansas isn’t very good, and its home crowd won’t help much against a Georgia team that’ll contend for a national championship this season. Bulldogs take a big early lead and coast the rest of the game.
- Adam Bittner: Georgia 52, Arkansas 13
Gunner Stockton’s machine-like statistical efficiency has only been contained by the Bulldogs’ first two games getting out of hand. It won’t help his Heisman campaign, but that won’t change against a team that got run out of Salt Lake City by Utah last week by a similar margin.
Michigan State at No. 3 Notre Dame
- Odds: Notre Dame (-29)
- Spread: 52.5 points
- Moneyline: Notre Dame (-5000) | Michigan State (+2200)
- Craig Meyer: Notre Dame 38, Michigan State 13
The Fighting Irish are one of the best teams in the country and shouldn't have too much of an issue against a Spartans squad that hasn't looked all that impressive early in Pat Fitzgerald's first season.
- Jordan Mendoza: Notre Dame 38, Michigan State 7
There’s a legit chance the Fighting Irish pitch another shutout with a defense that will completely overwhelm the Spartans.
- John Leuzzi: Notre Dame 45, Michigan State 3
Notre Dame cruises to a win over Michigan State with ease. CJ Carr throws for at least three touchdowns.
- Austin Curtright: Notre Dame 45, Michigan State 7
Michigan State hasn’t looked spectacular through its first two games of the Pat Fitzgerald era, although quarterback Alessio Milivojevic is solid. CJ Carr leads Notre Dame to an easy win against the Spartans.
- Adam Bittner: Notre Dame 45, Michigan State 17
Cam Edwards is off to a nice start for the Spartans and might help keep them in it for a half before it gets ugly like the Irish’s Wisconsin matchup became a couple of weeks ago.
No. 5 Miami at Wake Forest
- Odds: Miami (-20.5)
- Spread: 53.5 points
- Moneyline: Miami (-1400) | Wake Forest (+900)
- Craig Meyer: Miami 41, Wake Forest 23
The Demon Deacons are plucky, are 11-4 under second-year head coach Jake Dickert and have the benefit of playing at home. But the Hurricanes simply have too much firepower, especially with an offense led by Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney.
- Jordan Mendoza: Miami 50, Wake Forest 13
Can anyone stop Darian Mensah? The Demon Deacons certainly can’t.
- John Leuzzi: Miami 42, Wake Forest 14
This game looks like a potential early slip-up for the Hurricanes, but Malachi Toney and Darian Mensah continue to be one of the best quarterback-wide receiver duos in college football.
- Austin Curtright: Miami 56, Wake Forest 10
Maybe someone can figure out Miami’s offense this season, but it won’t be Wake Forest. Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney keep adding to their Heisman Trophy resumes in the win.
- Adam Bittner: Miami 38, Wake Forest 24
QB Gio Lopez gutted it out amid an injury for the Demon Deacons last week to secure a tough road win against Purdue. He’ll keep the heat on the Hurricanes, but pulling the upset will be a tough ask on a short week.
No. 7 LSU at No. 9 Ole Miss
- Odds: LSU (-2.5)
- Spread: 58.5 points
- Moneyline: LSU (-160) | Ole Miss (+130)
- Craig Meyer: LSU 36, Mississippi 27
The crowd will be raucous and the venom inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium palpable, but the Rebels' secondary has been a bit suspect, which the Tigers will take advantage of. Lane Kiffin, as he often does, will get the last laugh.
- Jordan Mendoza: Ole Miss 34, LSU 23
Pete Golding goes nuclear in a plan to completely dominate Lane Kiffin in his return.
- John Leuzzi: LSU 27, Ole Miss 24
The marquee matchup of Week 3 proves to be a shootout. In the end, though, Lane Kiffin comes up with a win in his return to Oxford. The Tigers get a stop on defense at the end to seal the win.
- Austin Curtright: Ole Miss 31, LSU 28
For all the outrage and attention Lane Kiffin draws, what’s being missed is he has built a roster that could contend for an SEC championship and potentially more this season. However, Ole Miss is going to play inspired football with a rowdy crowd at home. Trinidad Chambliss wins it for the Rebels and cements his status as a school legend.
- Adam Bittner: Ole Miss 34, LSU 20
Lane Kiffin has maxed out at eight wins in the first year at each of his three previous power conference stops. Someone’s going to hit him hard. Why not the team that despises him most bitterly?
Kentucky at No. 8 Texas A&M
- Odds: Texas A&M (-16.5)
- Spread: 50.5 points
- Moneyline: Texas A&M (-800) | Kentucky (+600)
- Craig Meyer: Texas A&M 27, Kentucky 20
The Wildcats hung with Alabama for 2.5 quarters before the metaphorical levee broke in what ended up being a 28-point loss. This team should only get better the more time it gets with coach Will Stein, which will be enough to put a scare in the Aggies.
- Jordan Mendoza: Texas A&M 27, Kentucky 20
Kentucky showed some good signs against Alabama, and it has a chance against the Aggies. However, Texas A&M stays prepared after Arizona State put a little scare into it last week.
- John Leuzzi: Texas A&M 31, Kentucky 24
Kentucky shows improvements from its SEC opener against Alabama, but the Wildcats can’t overcome the hostile environment of Kyle Field to get an SEC win.
- Austin Curtright: Texas A&M 28, Kentucky 17
Kentucky has improved, but Texas A&M will be too much for the Wildcats, especially at home. Marcel Reed scores a trio of touchdowns in the win.
- Adam Bittner: Texas A&M 30, Kentucky 24
Marcel Reed hasn’t shown the progress you’d want to see quite yet. Until he does, it’s easy to imagine the Wildcats keeping this one in striking distance.
Florida State at No. 10 Alabama
- Odds: Alabama (-19.5)
- Spread: 50.5 points
- Moneyline: Alabama (-1200) | Florida State (+850)
- Craig Meyer: Alabama 41, Florida State 10
The Tide will take out 12 months' worth of frustration and bitterness out on the Seminoles.
- Jordan Mendoza: Alabama 40, Florida State 20
Keelon Russell is about to have Florida State in a blender as it can’t contain the Crimson Tide.
- John Leuzzi: Alabama 45, Florida State 7
Keelon Russell has his first multi-touchdown pass game as Alabama’s full-time starting quarterback. The Crimson Tide’s defense shows to be too much for Ashton Daniels and the Seminoles’ offense. Mike Norvell’s seat gets even hotter.
- Austin Curtright: Alabama 31, Florida State 13
Alabama fans are scarred from last season’s loss to Florida State, which bodes well this season for a Crimson Tide team that’ll be looking for vengeance. Seminoles play-caller Gus Malzahn is gone, too, which helps.
- Adam Bittner: Alabama 38, Florida State 17
This will be a popular upset pick after the Seminoles’ win last season. But in a battle of embattled head coaches, Kalen DeBoer turns up the heat on Mike Norvell’s seat.
No. 11 USC at Rutgers
- Odds: USC (-23.5)
- Spread: 59.5 points
- Moneyline: USC (-2500) | Rutgers (+1300)
- Craig Meyer: USC 44, Rutgers 14
The Trojans' high-powered offense shouldn't have any problem with a team that couldn't even manage to stop UMass.
- Jordan Mendoza: USC 51, Rutgers 16
USC is going to dominate Rutgers easily, but the question will be if the Trojans defense can put together a full game.
- John Leuzzi: USC 48, Rutgers 7
This game is over by the end of the first quarter.
- Austin Curtright: USC 45, Rutgers 28
Rutgers’ defense is abysmal, which USC and Lincoln Riley will take advantage of in the cross-country trip to Piscataway, New Jersey. The Trojans won’t ever be in jeopardy of losing, but the Scarlet Knights are capable of putting up some points.
- Adam Bittner: USC 45, Rutgers 10
Believe what your eyes have told you so far, even if the Trojans are traveling across the country.
No. 23 Houston at No. 12 Texas Tech
- Odds: Texas Tech (-7.5)
- Spread: 52.5 points
- Moneyline: Texas Tech (-325) | Houston (+260)
- Craig Meyer: Houston 30, Texas Tech 27
The Red Raiders have looked shaky thus far, only beating FCS Abilene Christian by 23 and needing a late push to escape with a win at Oregon State. They simply don't look as stout or talented as they did last year, which will cost them against an ascendant Cougars program.
- Jordan Mendoza: Texas Tech 30, Houston 27
The Cougars have the skills to beat Texas Tech, but home field advantage is going to help the Red Raiders. They escape with a last-minute score.
- John Leuzzi: Houston 27, Texas Tech 21
Houston comes into Lubbock and pulls off the upset over Texas Tech, whose defense surrendered nearly 500 total yards to Oregon State last week. Conner Weigman struggles early but settles in during the second half, helping the Cougars get a signature Big 12 win.
- Austin Curtright: Texas Tech 23, Houston 20
Through two games, both teams look worse than they played last season. While that might be the case, Texas Tech has home-field advantage and likely a better defense.
- Adam Bittner: Houston 38, Texas Tech 30
Conner Weigman is averaging more than 10 yards per attempt so far and has the veteran savvy to turn this into the type of dogfight the Red Raiders had to fight to survive last week.
No. 16 SMU at Louisville
- Odds: Louisville (-1.5)
- Spread: 59.5 points
- Moneyline: Louisville (-120) | SMU (+100)
- Craig Meyer: SMU 37, Louisville 34
With a loss, impressive as it was, already to their name, the Cardinals need this one to maintain their College Football Playoff hopes. They'll be undone, though, by many of the same self-inflicted wounds that have too often defined them under Jeff Brohm, this time against a Mustangs program that's had their number since joining the ACC.
- Jordan Mendoza: Louisville 28, SMU 26
The Cardinals have a really strong quarterback in Lincoln Kienholz, but running back Isaac Brown has struggled. He comes back big in helping pull off the upset.
- John Leuzzi: SMU 35, Louisville 28
This one feels like a toss-up and could be a quarterback shootout between Kevin Jennings and Lincoln Kienholz. Jennings’ veteran presence proves to be the difference maker that gives the Mustangs their second ACC win.
- Austin Curtright: Louisville 34, SMU 31
This one has the chance to be an underrated banger this week. Lincoln Kienholz and Kevin Jennings will trade blows for two high-scoring offenses, but I’ll take the upset with the Cardinals in a close game.
- Adam Bittner: SMU 31, Louisville 28
Both the Cardinals’ Lincoln Kienholz and the Mustangs’ Kevin Jennings have been statistical monsters so far. We’ll lean on the guy who’s been in a lot more of these spots so far in his career.
West Virginia at No. 25 Virginia
- Odds: Virginia (-10)
- Spread: 53.5 points
- Moneyline: Virginia (-400) | West Virginia (+310)
- Craig Meyer: Virginia 38, West Virginia 14
The Rich Rodriguez-West Virginia reunion has thus far gone how many such arrangements do. It won't get any easier against a Cavaliers team that should be able to run all over what's been an unimpressive Mountaineers team through two games.
- Jordan Mendoza: Virginia 34, West Virginia 17
You have to love how solid the Cavaliers are, and West Virginia is going to have a tough time trying to contain them.
- John Leuzzi: Virginia 52, West Virginia 24
Through its first two games, Virginia is averaging nearly 47 points on offense. That doesn’t stop in Week 3 against Rich Rod and the Mountaineers.
- Austin Curtright: Virginia 24, West Virginia 17
These are two run-heavy teams with quarterbacks in Beau Pribula and Michael Hawkins Jr. that will tote the rock double-digit times per game. Virginia has a bit more quality, though, and wins in a very quick game.
- Adam Bittner: Virginia 30, West Virginia 14
Michael Hawkins Jr. has raised eyebrows as a dual threat under center for the Mountaineers. Let’s see what he has for a power conference opponent.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College football Week 3 game picks: Odds, expert predictions for top-25 games
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