Week 3 of the college football season is a tricky spot. On one hand, we have two data points; on the other hand, we only have two data points. Is one an outlier? Should we buy more stake into Week 1 or Week 2? Who’s to say.
Due to the uncertainty, lines were on the move fast. Arizona and North Texas both flipped from underdogs to favorites (and not just by a point!) while a few totals went flying before Monday.
This slate offers some terrific rivalry matchups. Headlining are Georgia at Tennessee, Pitt at West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl, and Florida at LSU.
Other regional rivalries bolster the slate, including FAU at FIU in the Don Shula Bowl, Old Dominion at Virginia Tech and UConn at Delaware. And one, in particular, happens to hold quite a bit of weight: USF at Miami.
Let's dive into the college football odds, NCAAF lines and more for Week 3.
Notable College Football Week 3 Line Movement
- Wake Forest moved on to a key number, from +7.5 to +7 at home against NC State on Thursday.
- Arizona opened a +2.5 underdog against Kansas State on Friday but moved through 0 to a -1 favorite.
- Troy moved away from a key number, from a +6.5 underdog against Memphis to +4.5.
- Georgia Tech crossed through a key number, down from +7.5 to +4 at home against Clemson. The total also plummeted from 58.5 to 52.
- Pitt jumped from a -1.5 favorite to -5.5 at West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl.
- North Texas had one of the biggest flips on the board, from a +3.5 underdog at home against Washington State to a -4.5 favorite — through two key numbers.
- Missouri grew from a -21.5 favorite against Louisiana to a -27.5 favorite.
- Nevada moved off a key figure, from a -7 home favorite against Middle Tennessee to -9.5.
- Georgia Southern dropped from a +7 underdog to +3.5 at home against Jacksonville State.
- Arkansas fell from a +12.5 underdog at Ole Miss to +9. The total climbed from 59.5 to 63.
- Old Dominion dropped from +13.5 at Virginia Tech to +7.5.
- LSU moved away from a key betting number, from -7.5 to -9.5 at home against Florida. The total dropped from 54.5 to 49.5 since the preseason.
- Texas A&M moved off a key betting number, from +7 to +6.5 at Notre Dame.
- East Carolina moved on to a key betting figure, from a -4 to -7 favorite at Coastal Carolina.
- Vanderbilt dropped through a key betting number, from a +8.5 to +5.5 underdog at South Carolina. The total dropped from 54.5 to 47 points.
- Tulane moved on to a key betting number, from -1.5 to -3, at home against Duke.
- Air Force moved off a key number, from -3 to -4, at home against Utah State.
- Cal moved through a key number, dropping from a +3.5 to +2.5 underdog at home against Minnesota. The total dropped from 47.5 to as low as 43.5.
Impact Injuries On Week 3 Odds
Wisconsin vs. Alabama
Star receiver Ryan Williams missed the end of Week 1 and all of Week 2 in concussion protocol. He should progress to play this Saturday, but monitor his progress just in case.
Clemson vs. Georgia Tech
Injuries for Clemson are piling up. Starting left tackle Tristan Leigh, top wide receiver Antonio Williams and young running back Jay Haynes all sat Week 2.
Haynes tore his ACL in the 2024 ACC Championship and isn’t expected to be ready this week. The other two suffered injuries in Week 1 and are questionable leading into Saturday.
Georgia Tech was without starting QB Haynes King in Week 2 as a precaution. King reportedly could have played, but a “nagging” lower body injury benched him.
Oregon State vs. Texas Tech
Oregon State’s second-leading returning WR, Darrius Clemons, suffered a season-ending injury this past week. Its top lineman, guard Tyler Voltin, also hasn’t played yet this season after suffering an offseason injury.
Georgia vs. Tennessee
This is now the third week in a row where Tennessee will be without its two starting cornerbacks, Jermod McCoy (still recovering from an ACL injury) and Rickey Gibson II. Gibson remains out for the foreseeable future.
Louisiana vs. Missouri
Louisiana starting QB Walker Howard missed Week 2 with an injury sustained in Week 1.
Florida vs. LSU
LSU starting center Braelin Moore sat out the Tigers’ Week 2 win over Louisiana Tech. His progress should be monitored.
Florida star DT Caleb Banks has not played yet this season.
Texas A&M vs. Notre Dame
Texas A&M lost its starting left tackle, Trey Zuhn III, early on in Week 2. Starting QB Marcel Reed also exited, though it’s confirmed his absence was out of caution and that he was good to go back in if need be.
Notre Dame again has multiple injuries to its lines. Starting tackle Charles Jagusah is expected to miss most of the season, as is defensive end Jordan Botelho.
Portland State vs. Hawaii
Hawaii QB Micah Alejado fought an ankle injury in Weeks 1 and 2 but was forced out of this past weekend’s game against Sam Houston. Top receiver Nick Cenacle also missed Week 2.
Portland State poses less of a threat than other opponents, but these two need monitoring.
Other Impact Injuries for College Football Week 3
- John Iannuzzi, C, Central Michigan (season)
- Dallan Hayden, RB, Colorado
- Dylan Edwards, RB, Kansas State
- Rod Moore, S, Michigan
- Nikai Martinez, S, Michigan State
- Quintrevion Wisner, RB, Texas
- Mike Dingle, LB, Texas Tech
Staff & Roster Impacts on College Football Week 3
Old Dominion vs. Virginia Tech
ODU star linebacker Jason Henderson announced his retirement from football after he was unable to return from a season-ending injury last year. Henderson is one of just two players ever to appear twice on the all-time tackles in a season list.
Weather Impacts On College Football Week 3 Odds
Weekly college football weather reports will be released later this week as forecasts become more certain. But here are a few spots to keep tabs on early in the week.
Stormy South Florida
Just about the only part of the country not in a quiet weather pattern this coming week is South Florida. Games impacted could include USF at Miami and FAU at FIU.
The storms appear more prominent throughout the work week with those chances dying down over the weekend.
Midwest Heatwave
Missouri and Arkansas are in for a major warmup this coming weekend. Keep an eye on games playing in the middle of that heat, including SMU at Missouri State, Louisiana at Missouri and Iowa State at Arkansas State.
Temperatures are forecasted to soar well into the 90s with humidity that may contribute to the swelter.
College Football Situational Spots to Watch in Week 3
Oregon vs. Northwestern
The Duck faithful better be early risers for this one that kicks off at 9 a.m. PT and 11 a.m. CT.
Northwestern still plays in its lakeside temporary stadium that holds a maximum 12,023 fans. Early weather reports also suggest rain could be a factor.
Coming off an emotional 69-3 drubbing of Oklahoma State, this is a prime letdown spot for Oregon — perhaps not for the outright loss but to fail to cover a four-touchdown spread.
Old Dominion vs. Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech comes off an 0-2 stretch against two SEC opponents. This is the home opener for the Hokies and Old Dominion has bit them in the recent past, so this shouldn’t be an overlook opportunity.
But with ACC play on the doorstep — and given Brent Pry’s awful record against nonconference foes (4-12 ATS) — don’t discount Old Dominion plus the number here.
Akron vs. UAB
This is a sandwich spot for UAB, which comes off a physical game against Navy and leads into a big game at Tennessee.
It’s well-documented that teams coming off games against service academies tend to underperform due to being beat up. However, Akron has yet to score a single point this season through two games and could be headed for true disaster.
The looming postseason ban due to poor APR scores seems to have zapped any desire from Akron.
