2016 College Football Predictions: Week 3

(AP)

Whether it was that bonkers finish that shouldn't have been in Central Michigan's win at Oklahoma State, both Clemson and Georgia surviving serious upset bids and a classic finish in Fort Worth (above), Week 2 brought it in the world of college football. But what about Week 3? Here are my picks.

Thursday, September 15th
6 Houston vs. Cincinnati - ESPN, 7:30
Pick: Houston

Friday, September 16th
21 Baylor vs. Rice - ESPN, 8:00
Pick: Baylor

Arkansas State vs. Utah State - CBS Sports Network, 9:00
Pick: Utah State

Arizona State vs. UTSA - ESPN2, 9:30
Pick: Arizona State

Saturday, September 17th
Kansas vs. Memphis - ESPNU, 12:00
Pick: Memphis

North Dakota State vs. 13 Iowa - ESPN2, 12:0
Pick: Iowa

Iowa State vs. TCU - FS1, 12:00
Pick: TCU

Akron vs. Marshall - CBS Sports Network, 12:00
Pick: Marshall

Ohio vs. 15 Tennessee - SEC Network, 12:00
Pick: Tennessee

2 Florida State vs. 10 Louisville - ABC, 12:00
I love Lamar Jackson and he was spectacular in the Loud House last week, and this time he'll get to be at home. He is good enough to lead the Cardinals to an upset but I'm not so sure the rest of the team is.
Pick: Florida State

New Mexico vs. Rutgers - ESPNEWS, 12:00
Rutgers isn't that bad, right? Right?
Pick: Rutgers

Georgia State vs. 9 Wisconsin - BTN, 12:00
Pick: Wisconsin

Temple vs. Penn State - BTN, 12:00
The Owls are strong enough defensively to make this a game so while the Nittany Lions should win, if they come out like they did against Pittsburgh, they won't.
Pick: Penn State

South Carolina State vs. 5 Clemson - ACC Network (FSN), 12:00
Will Clemson struggle for a third week in a row? I just can't see it here.
Pick: Clemson

Middle Tennessee vs. Bowling Green - American Sports Network, 12:00
Pick: Middle Tennessee

Vanderbilt vs. Georgia Tech - ACC Network, 12:00
Pick: Georgia Tech

25 Miami vs. Appalachian State - ESPN, 12:00
Who doesn't love Boone? If the Canes are not careful, they'll fall to the Mountaineers. I like the Canes but this should be a good one.
Pick: Miami

Virginia vs. UConn - SNY, 1:30
Pick: UConn

Idaho vs. Washington State - Pac-12 Networks, 2:00
Pick: Washington State

North Carolina A&T vs. Tulsa - ESPN3, 2:00
Pick: Tulsa

FAU vs. Kansas State - Fox Sports Networks, 2:30
Pick: Kansas State

Fresno State vs. Toledo - WTOL/KSEE, 3:00
Pick: Toledo

UNLV vs. Central Michigan - ESPN3, 3:00
Pick: UNLV

Eastern Kentucky vs. Ball State - ESPN3, 3:00
Pick: Ball State

San Diego State vs, Northern Illinois - CBS Sports Network, 3:30
Pick: San Diego State

James Madison vs. North Carolina - ACC Network (FSN), 3:30
Pick: North Carolina

Boston College vs. Virginia Tech - ESPNU, 3:30
The Hokies were looking good in Bristol before they got super sloppy with the football. I do think the talent is there and back at Lane Stadium, they'll get the win.
Pick: Virginia Tech

FIU vs. UMass - American Sports Network, 3:30
Pick: UMass

Colorado vs. 4 Michigan - BTN, 3:30
Pick: Michigan

22 Oregon vs. Nebraska - ABC, 3:30
Mike Riley could use a statement win with the Huskers and I think they'll get it here. The Ducks just don't look as strong as they have been in recent years on the offensive side of the ball.
Pick: Nebraska

1 Alabama vs. 19 Ole Miss - CBS, 3:30
Ah yes, a good opportunity for an upset of the top-ranked team. The Rebels will need another sterling performance from QB Chad Kelly this Saturday afternoon but I think this time, the Tide will be too hungry to not get revenge.
Pick: Alabama

Pittsburgh vs. Oklahoma State - ESPN, 3:30
They did come close to blowing a big lead at home to Penn State but I like what I have seen from Pitt. It is never easy to go into Stillwater and get a win but I'm not quite sure how the Cowboys will respond from that mess of a game against Central Michigan.
Pick: Pittsburgh

Monmouth vs. Kent State - ESPN3, 3:30
Pick: Kent State

Western Kentucky vs. Miami (OH) - BCSN, 3:30
Pick: Western Kentucky

South Florida vs. Syracuse - ESPN3, 3:30
Pick: South Florida

New Mexico State vs. Kentucky - SEC Network, 4:00
Pick: Kentucky

East Carolina vs. South Carolina - SEC Network, 4:00
Even on the road in an SEC den, I do think the Pirates are the better team.
Pick: East Carolina

Western Michigan vs. Illinois - ESPNEWS, 4:00
Pick: Western Michigan

UC Davis vs. Wyoming - 4:00
Pick: Wyoming

Northern Colorado vs. Colorado State - Root Sports, 4:00
Pick: Colorado State

Idaho State vs. Oregon State - Pac-12 Networks, 5:00
Pick: Oregon State

Old Dominion vs. NC State - ESPN3, 6:00
Pick: NC State

Louisiana-Monroe vs. Georgia Southern - ESPN3, 6:00
Pick: Georgia Southern

Eastern Michigan vs. Charlotte - 6:00
Pick: Charlotte

Delaware vs. Wake Forest - ESPN3, 6:30
Pick: Wake Forest

Troy vs. Southern Miss - beIN Sports, 7:00
Pick: Southern Miss

Louisiana Tech vs. Texas Tech - Fox Sports Networks, 7:00
Pick: Texas Tech

Army vs. UTEP - American Sports Network, 7:00
The Black Knights are not that bad, folks.
Pick: Army

17 Texas A&M vs. Auburn - ESPN, 7:00
The Tigers showed some spunk at home against Auburn two weeks ago but the superior club will win it on the road.
Pick: Texas A&M

Mississippi State vs. 20 LSU - ESPN2, 7:00
LSU could use a big win to get their season headed in the right direction and I think they are poised for one under the lights in Death Valley.
Pick: LSU

Maryland vs. UCF - CBS Sports Network, 7:00
Pick: Maryland

Navy vs. Tulane - American Sports Network, 7:00
Pick: Navy

South Alabama vs. Louisiana-Lafayette - ESPN3, 7:00
Pick: Louisiana-Lafayette

Liberty vs. SMU - ESPN3, 7:00
Pick: SMU

3 Ohio State vs. 14 Oklahoma - Fox, 7:30
What a fun one this will be under the lights in Norman. There will be offense and more offense here but I think after the disappointment in Houston in the opener, the Sooners will be hungrier for the win and they will get said win.
Pick: Oklahoma

12 Michigan State vs. 18 Notre Dame - NBC, 7:30
Who doesn't love a good trophy game? This time it's for the Megaphone Trophy. I think the Spartans are better than they looked against Furman but the superior team is the home team in this showdown.
Pick: Notre Dame

16 Georgia vs. Missouri - SEC Network, 7:30
Maybe Ol' Mizzou could pull the upset if they weren't terrible.
Pick: Georgia

Texas State vs. 24 Arkansas - SEC Network, 7:30
Pick: Arkansas

North Texas vs. 23 Florida - ESPNU, 7:30
Pick: Florida

Duke vs. Northwestern - BTN, 8:00
Neither teams have looked all that good but the Wildcats looked terrible against Illinois State (!) at home last week. Give me the Dookies.
Pick: Duke

USC vs. 7 Stanford - ABC, 8:00
Do the Trojans have an answer for Christian McCaffrey? I don't think so and that will hinder them on the Farm.
Pick: Stanford

Portland State vs. 8 Washington - Pac-12 Networks, 8:00
Pick: Washington

Buffalo vs. Nevada - Campus Insiders, 9:00
Pick: Nevada

UCLA vs. BYU - ESPN2, 10:15
The Bruins have lost to Texas A&M in College Station and sleepwalked through much of a contest against UNLV in their first two games. Against a sneaky BYU club, I don't have the highest of expectations.
Pick: BYU

Texas vs. California - ESPN, 10:30
Considering the Golden Bears play basically no defense, they'll fall at home to the two-pronged quarterback attack of the Longhorns.
Pick: Texas

Utah vs. San Jose State - CBS Sports Network, 10:30
The Utes eked out a win in Salt Lake City against hated BYU while the Aztecs looked strong at home against Cal. I like what San Diego State brings to the table and I feel an upset.
Pick: San Jose State

Hawaii vs. Arizona - Pac-12 Networks, 10:45
Pick: Arizona