Last week we swept the board in our college football picks, but as they say, there’s nothing sweeter than a repeater, so let’s lock down our three NCAAF best bets in Week 3 and keep cashing those tickets at the best sportsbooks!
Tulane Green Wave vs. Kansas State Wildcats
Saturday, September 17, 2022 – 03:00 PM EDT at Bill Snyder Family Stadium
What We’ve Learned About Tulane So Far
Tulane enters this meeting against a far superior opponent than those they have faced in their two previous games. The Green Wave was firing on all cylinders in a 42-10 trouncing of U Mass followed by a 52-0 shutout of Alcorn State.
Not surprisingly, Tulane covered the number in both contests and allowed a grand total of 66 passing yards combined.
What We’ve Learned About Kansas State So Far
Kansas State had little problem spanking FCS entry, South Dakota, in a 34-0 shutout but then they tested their mettle against SEC entry Missouri last week and delivered a 40-12 victory in front of over 51,000 of their jubilant fans.
Tulane vs. Kansas State: Pick and Prediction
So now we will get an idea of just how good Tulane is, or how bad their competition has been in the early going. But the thing with Kansas State is that they lean heavily on their ground-and-pound attack led by the immaculate Deuce Vaughn while their passing attack is more akin to a mild affront.
Wildcats quarterback, Adrian Martinez, has only 35 attempts and 154 passing yards combined in those two games which means if Tulane can slow down K State’s rushing attack, then they can counter with their passing attack led by junior signal-caller, Michael Pratt, who has thrown for 482 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Granted, those aerial heroics have been against low-level competition but considering that Kansas State is fresh off of a big win over an SEC team and is very likely looking ahead to their date with Oklahoma in Norman next week, it looks like trouble for the Cats. Can you say trap game? I know I can.
Predicted Score: Kansas State 26 – Tulane 23
NCAAF Pick: Tulane +15 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Auburn Tigers
Saturday, September 17, 2022 – 03:30 PM EDT at Jordan-Hare Stadium
What We’ve Learned About Penn State So Far
Penn State kicked off its season in winning style with a 35-31 road win over Purdue and followed that up with a 46-10 blowout of Ohio. They enter this matchup in SEC Country with a 2-0 straight-up and ATS mark while landing as the No. 22 team in the nation.
Quarterback Sean Clifford is a red-shirt senior starting for the fourth consecutive year and served more as a game manager than a game-breaker in his last outing by tossing just 213 yards and one touchdown. Meanwhile while running back Nicholas Singleton did all the heavy lifting in a spectacular effort against Ohio that netted him 179 yards on just 10 carries and a pair of trips inside the end zone.
What We’ve Learned About Auburn So Far
Auburn dispatched two lightweights in Mercer and San Jose State but failed to cover the number in both efforts.
I don’t think anyone is sold on the Tigers this season and the fact that they surrendered a combined 472 passing yards in their two victories to a pair of weak sisters and were only able to muster 24 points against SJS gives me cause for pause.
Penn State vs. Auburn: Pick and Prediction
The biggest concern with betting Penn State is that they are facing an SEC team at home. Well, allow me to allay those fears:
- Auburn is 1-5 ATS in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Auburn is 1-6 ATS in their last 7 vs. Big Ten.
- Auburn is 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Penn State is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games in September.
Predicted Score: Penn State 34 – Auburn 22
NCAAF Pick: Penn State -3 (-110) at BetMGM
BYU Cougars vs. Oregon Ducks
Saturday, September 17, 2022 – 03:30 PM EDT at Autzen Stadium
What We’ve Learned About BYU So Far
BYU is back and if you underestimate them this season, you do so at your own peril. They are 2-0 straight up and against the number after waxing USF, 50-21, on the road and then handing nationally ranked Baylor a 26-20 double overtime loss.
What We’ve Learned About Oregon So Far
Oregon will welcome the Cougars after an ugly 49-3 loss to Georgia followed by a cruise control, 70-14 win over FCS entry, Eastern Washington. The question is, are the Ducks just a big bully in the playground that gets its nose bloodied when the big boys come to play? Or did they just have a very bad game against an elite team when they threw down with Georgia?
BYU vs. Oregon: Pick and Prediction
Well, the Cougars looked sharp against Baylor and although they are coming off of a big win, I am not sold on the Ducks. BYU should be able to have their way in the trenches and disrupt Oregon’s passing attack.
I like the Cougars to win this one outright, but following the NCAAF odds, I’ll take the 3 ½ points just in case.
Predicted Score: BYU 31 – Oregon 27
NCAAF Pick: BYU +3 ½ (-110) at FanDuel
