2026 Week 3 College Football Predictions for Every Game

What may be the most emotional game of the 2026 college football season is set to highlight the Week 3 slate.

No. 8 Ole Miss is set to host former coach Lane Kiffin and his seventh-ranked LSU team in a prime-time showdown. Both programs fancy themselves as SEC and national championship contenders.

Additionally, the ACC and Big 12 boast a Top 25 matchup with SMU's trip to Louisville and Houston taking on Texas Tech, respectively.

No. 22 Houston (2-0) at No. 13 Texas Tech (2-0), Friday, 8 p.m. ET

Long circled as a critical Big 12 affair, the winner in Lubbock will take a valuable step toward reaching the conference title game. Texas Tech is plenty talented but hasn't played anywhere near its potential yet, so a seven-game winning streak is very much in jeopardy. Still, the Red Raiders tend to have a strong home-field advantage and should hold off a smaller Houston team.

No. 16 SMU (2-0) at No. 23 Louisville (1-1), 3:30 p.m.

Similarly, this is a massive ACC clash. SMU and Louisville began the season as two of the league's three most-respected teams. Nothing has changed that opinion so far. This outcome hinges on whether the UL pass defense—which stumbled against Ole Miss—can limit SMU's Kevin Jennings, who threw for 307 yards and three scores in 2025's matchup. That's a major red flag, even at home.

No. 7 LSU (2-0) at No. 8 Ole Miss (2-0), 7:30 p.m.

The bitterness within Vaught-Hemingway Stadium will be palpable. Lane Kiffin's return to Ole Miss is not simply a narrative game, though; both programs need this win. In such a tight matchup, protecting the ball is essential. It's only reasonable to have serious concerns about LSU's Sam Leavitt and his four interceptions. A loud, rage-filled road environment may make this issue worse.

No. 5 Miami (2-0) at Wake Forest (2-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET

The not-so-terribly-long-ago Miami program would manage to make a Friday night in Winston-Salem more interesting than it should be. This version, however—a dynamic offense with two Heisman Trophy contenders and a defense loaded up front—has no business being in a close game.

Syracuse (1-1) at Pitt (2-0), Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Prediction: Pitt 34, Syracuse 20

Portland State at No. 21 Oregon (1-1), Friday, 10:30 p.m. Prediction: Oregon 63, Portland State 7

No. 2 Georgia (2-0) at Arkansas (1-1), Noon ET

Arkansas hopes first-year coach Ryan Silverfield elevates the program, but things will probably get worse before they improve. Utah just wrecked the Razorbacks 43-10. Georgia is the first of six ranked SEC opponents on the Hogs' schedule. It'll be ugly in Fayetteville.

North Carolina (2-0) at Clemson (1-1), Noon

Torches and pitchforks might be out for Dabo Swinney if Clemson loses at home to North Carolina. The problem is that Clemson has a serious QB issue. Despite its own offensive flaws, UNC has a quality defense. I think Clemson outlasts UNC in ugly fashion. I have little confidence in that, as well.

Prediction : Clemson 20, North Carolina 16

Coastal Carolina (1-1) at Delaware (1-1), 11:30 a.m. Prediction: Coastal Carolina 31, Delaware 27

Kent State (1-1) at No. 6 Ohio State (1-1), Noon Prediction: Ohio State 66, Kent State 7

Buffalo (1-1) at No. 14 Penn State (2-0), Noon Prediction: Penn State 45, Buffalo 10

Arizona State (1-1) vs. Kansas (1-1), Noon (in London, England) Prediction: ASU 30, Kansas 23

Tulane (1-1) at Kansas State (2-0), Noon Prediction: Kansas State 34, Tulane 17

Mercer at Georgia Tech (0-2), Noon Prediction: Georgia Tech 41, Mercer 7

Bowling Green (0-2) at Iowa State (1-1), Noon Prediction: Iowa State 37, BGSU 14

Akron (1-1) at Minnesota (1-1), Noon Prediction: Minnesota 42, Akron 13

North Texas (1-1) at Texas State (0-2), Noon Prediction: Texas State 38, North Texas 34

Eastern Michigan (1-2) at Wisconsin (1-1), 12:30 p.m. Prediction: Wisconsin 31, EMU 13

North Carolina State (1-1) at Vanderbilt (2-0), 12:45 p.m. Prediction: NC State 27, Vanderbilt 24

Wyoming (1-1) at Central Michigan (1-1), 1 p.m. Prediction: CMU 20, Wyoming 17

Maine at Boston College (1-1), 2 p.m. Prediction: Boston College 37, Maine 10

Southern Illinois at Illinois (1-1), 2 p.m. Prediction: Illinois 48, SIU 7

Temple (1-1) at Toledo (1-1), 3 p.m. Prediction: Toledo 33, Temple 23

Kentucky (1-1) at No. 9 Texas A&M (2-0), 3:30 p.m. ET

Alabama pulled away after halftime, but Kentucky led 17-16 entering the break. Overlook the 'Cats at your own peril. Simultaneously, the Texas A&M defense is a real nuisance that has already generated six takeaways. Kentucky, which had three turnovers in the loss to Bama, has a razor-thin margin for error.

Florida State (1-1) at No. 10 Alabama (2-0), 3:30 p.m.

Speaking of the Crimson Tide, redemption awaits them. Florida State absolutely floored the FBS world by physically dominating Bama in a 31-17 upset last season. Beating a mediocre FSU team won't prove anything in Alabama's world, but it should feel cathartic.

Prediction : Alabama 37, Florida State 16

No. 12 USC (3-0) at Rutgers (0-2), 3:30 p.m. Prediction: USC 42, Rutgers 21

Utah State (0-2) at No. 17 Utah (2-0), 3:30 p.m. Prediction: Utah 41, Utah State 17

UTEP (1-1) at No. 19 Michigan (1-1), 3:30 p.m. Prediction: Michigan 34, UTEP 9

Miami (Ohio) (1-1) at Cincinnati (2-0), 3:30 p.m. Prediction: Cincinnati 33, Miami U 14

Wagner at Cal (1-1), 3:30 p.m. Prediction: Cal 63, Wagner 0

Duquesne at Washington State (0-2), 3:30 p.m. Prediction: Washington State 55, Duquesne 7

Stonehill at Massachusetts (2-0), 3:30 p.m. Prediction: UMass 34, Stonehill 10

Western Kentucky (0-2) at No. 4 Indiana (2-0), 4 p.m. Prediction: Indiana 54, WKU 14

Northern Iowa at No. 18 Iowa (2-0), 4 p.m. Prediction: Iowa 38, UNI 10

Stanford (1-1) at Duke (2-0), 4 p.m. Prediction: Duke 31, Stanford 17

Louisiana Tech (1-1) at Baylor (1-1), 4 p.m. Prediction: Baylor 37, La Tech 20

Ball State (1-1) at Liberty (1-1), 4 p.m. Prediction: Liberty 30, Ball State 13

Mississippi State (2-0) at South Carolina (2-0), 4:15 p.m. Prediction: Mississippi State 34, South Carolina 27

Southeastern Louisiana at Louisiana-Monroe (0-2), 4:30 p.m. Prediction: ULM 33, SE Louisiana 13

Troy (2-0) at No. 20 Missouri (2-0), 7 p.m. ET

The full expectation is that Mizzou will win comfortably. What matters is that the Tigers maintain their offensive rhythm as SEC play looms in Week 4. Ole Miss transfer Austin Simmons has thrown for 544 yards with seven touchdowns and zero interceptions in Missouri's two victories.

At best, both programs are viewed as third-tier SEC hopefuls. To stay in that mix, given the difficulty of their future schedules, winning this conference tilt is vital. It'll likely be a defensive battle, so Auburn QB Byrum Brown's ability to extend plays and create plays may be especially consequential.

East Carolina (0-2) at Old Dominion (1-1), 6 p.m. Prediction: ODU 27, ECU 23

Florida International (1-1) at Florida Atlantic (1-1), 6 p.m. Prediction: FAU 36, FIU 24

Charlotte (0-2) at Appalachian State (2-0), 6 p.m. Prediction: App State 34, Charlotte 20

Marshall (1-1) at Missouri State (1-1), 6:30 p.m. Prediction: Missouri State 27, Marshall 24

Georgia State (2-0) at UCF (1-1), 7 p.m. Prediction: UCF 33, Georgia State 17

Murray State at Oklahoma State (1-1), 7 p.m. Prediction: Oklahoma State 47, Murray State 10

Connecticut (1-1) at Southern Miss (1-1), 7 p.m. Prediction: UConn 30, Southern Miss 21

UT Martin at Memphis (2-1), 7 p.m. Prediction: Memphis 41, UT Martin 6

Western Michigan (1-1) at Rice (1-1), 7 p.m. Prediction: WMU 28, Rice 17

Delaware State at South Florida (2-0), 7 p.m. Prediction: USF 52, Delaware State 7

Nevada (1-1) at Middle Tennessee (1-1), 7 p.m. Prediction: Nevada 29, MTSU 24

Ohio (1-1) at South Alabama (1-1), 7 p.m. Prediction: South Alabama 31, Ohio 24

Georgia Southern (1-1) at Jacksonville State (1-2), 7 p.m. Prediction: Georgia Southern 27, Jax State 21

Nicholls at Sam Houston (0-2), 7 p.m. Prediction: Sam Houston 38, Nicholls 13

Eastern Washington at Washington (2-0), 7:15 p.m. Prediction: Washington 41, EWU 14

North Dakota at Nebraska (2-0), 7:15 p.m. Prediction: Nebraska 34, North Dakota 17

Michigan State (2-0) at No. 3 Notre Dame (2-0), 7:30 p.m. ET

Notre Dame certainly should win handily. In moments like these, the Fighting Irish are supposed to establish their dominance early and control the game. That wasn't the case against Wisconsin, as MSU is a comparable team. But I don't anticipate a slow start will happen for ND at home.

Prediction : Notre Dame 41, Michigan State 17

West Virginia (2-0) at No. 25 Virginia (2-0), 7:30 p.m. (in Charlotte)

An intriguing clash of styles is set to unfold at a neutral site. West Virginia has passed efficiently but prefers to lean on mobile QB Michael Hawkins Jr. and running back Cam Cook. Virginia has yielded just three yards per carry, even excluding sacks. Advantage to UVA's defense, though not by much.

No. 11 BYU (2-0) at Colorado State (2-0), 7:30 p.m. Prediction: BYU 34, CSU 20

New Mexico (2-0) at No. 24 Oklahoma (1-1), 7:30 p.m. Prediction: Oklahoma 31, New Mexico 21

Virginia Tech (2-0) at Maryland (2-0), 7:30 p.m. Prediction: Virginia Tech 33, Maryland 27

Colorado (2-0) at Northwestern (1-0), 7:30 p.m. Prediction: Colorado 24, Northwestern 17

Kennesaw State (1-1) at No. 15 Tennessee (2-0), 7:45 p.m. Prediction: Tennessee 48, Kennesaw State 14

UTSA (2-0) at No. 1 Texas (2-0), 8 p.m. Prediction: Texas 41, UTSA 13

Arkansas State (1-1) at TCU (1-1), 8 p.m. Prediction: TCU 42, Arkansas State 17

UAB (1-1) at Louisiana (1-1), 8 p.m. Prediction: Louisiana 28, UAB 24

East Texas A&M at Tulsa (2-0), 8 p.m. Prediction: Tulsa 52, East Texas A&M 10

South Dakota at Boise State (1-1), 10 p.m. Prediction: Boise State 37, South Dakota 16

James Madison (2-0) at San Diego State (1-1), 10 p.m. Prediction: JMU 27, SDSU 20

Northern Illinois (0-2) at Arizona (1-1), 10:30 p.m. Prediction: Arizona 41, NIU 10

North Dakota State (3-0) at Sacramento State (1-2), 10:30 p.m. Prediction: NDSU 38, Sac State 17

Purdue (1-1) at UCLA (2-0), 11 p.m. Prediction: UCLA 31, Purdue 20

Montana at Oregon State (0-2), 11 p.m. Prediction: Oregon State 33, Montana 24

Fresno State (1-1) at San Jose State (2-1), 11 p.m. Prediction: Fresno State 28, SJSU 20