College football picks against the spread, Week 3: Alabama-Wisconsin, the Backyard Brawl and more

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Title
Final Week
YTD

Christian D’Andrea
7-3
15-9

Michelle Martinelli
5-5
15-9

Blake Schuster
7-3
13-11

Mitchell Northam
5-5
13-11

Tyler Nettuno
5-5
13-11

All odds by way of BetMGM

No. 14 Kansas State vs. No. 20 Arizona, Friday, 8 p.m. ET on Fox

Opening Line: Kansas State -8.5

Blake Schuster: Arizona +7.5

Kansas State was very fortunate to flee Tulane with a win and now they get a ranked Arizona group on a brief week. Give me the Cats and the factors in what’s most likely and ugly, low-scoring recreation.

Mitchell Northam: Kansas State -7.5

Wildcats by a landing or so at dwelling feels proper in opposition to an Arizona group that hasn’t regarded all that nice in opposition to opponents a lot worse than Okay-State.

Christian D’Andrea: Kansas State -7.5

The Arizona passing assault may devastate a KSU protection that permit three completely different Tulane receivers common greater than 20 yards per catch final week. However the Wildcats have performed a more durable schedule so far and are at dwelling, so… Kansas State, I assume?

Michelle Martinelli: Kansas State -7.5

Arizona will get its first style of the Huge 12 within the Huge 12 with this matchup, and I think it gained’t go in addition to it hopes, particularly on the street. These Wildcats barely received previous Northern Arizona final week, whereas the opposite Wildcats survived a superb Tulane group. Take the purple Wildcats.

Tyler Nettuno: Kansas State -7.5

The Wildcats regarded like they had been in some hassle for some time in opposition to Tulane, which is regarding. However whereas Arizona might be harmful offensively, it gave up 39 factors to New Mexico and struggled in opposition to Northern Arizona.

Wisconsin vs. No. 4 Alabama, Saturday, Midday ET on Fox

Opening Line: Alabama -10

Blake Schuster: Alabama -16.5

This looks like it’s going to be a kind of video games that Alabama finds itself tied at halftime earlier than the Crimson Tide put up three unanswered landing drives within the fourth quarter to blow it open. Wisconsin’s offense gained’t be capable of sustain.

Mitchell Northam: Wisconsin +16.5

The Badgers being a virtually three-possession dwelling canine seems like an excessive amount of right here. Particularly in opposition to an Alabama group nonetheless figuring itself out below a brand new teaching workers. Final week, the Tide waited till the fourth quarter to essentially flip it on. Replicating that recipe in Madison may very well be troublesome.

Christian D’Andrea: Alabama -16.5

I simply watched this group battle in opposition to Western Michigan and South Dakota in back-to-back weeks. You possibly can solely get burned on so many cutback runs earlier than it breaks you.

Michelle Martinelli: Wisconsin +16.5

Look, Alabama goes to win in Madison, however this Crimson Tide squad is clearly nonetheless understanding some kinks and wasn’t capable of put away South Florida till late in final week’s recreation. It is a uncommon nonconference street recreation for Alabama, and it’ll be a rowdy atmosphere — an enormous problem for its barely nonetheless discombobulated group.

Tyler Nettuno: Alabama -16.5

The Crimson Tide didn’t look excellent in opposition to South Florida, and the Badgers are a a lot more durable take a look at. Nonetheless, I anticipate Alabama to finally draw back by simply sufficient to cowl this.

South Carolina vs. No. 16 LSU, Saturday, Midday ET on ABC

Opening Line: LSU -9

Blake Schuster: LSU -7

I really feel a push coming. South Carolina can’t transfer the ball persistently and LSU can’t be trusted interval. I’ll take the extra gifted group, I assume.

Mitchell Northam: South Carolina +7

I’m probably not positive what to consider both these groups, however the Gamecocks are coming off an enormous win and are internet hosting in a major window on ABC. They won’t win, however they’ll present up, I believe.

Christian D’Andrea: LSU -7

Nothing would overjoy me greater than a despondent Brian Kelly press convention, however I worry we’ll have to attend some time for the following one.

Michelle Martinelli: LSU -7

South Carolina’s offense enters Week 3 with the 122nd-best FBS offense. Completely not.

Tyler Nettuno: LSU -7

South Carolina’s protection appears fairly legit, however Outdated Dominion and Kentucky pale as compared offensively in comparison with this Tigers passing recreation. This one most likely gained’t be as shut because the fits at ESPN need you to suppose will probably be.

No. 6 Missouri vs. No. 24 Boston School, Saturday 12:45 p.m. ET on SEC Community

Opening Line: Mizzou -17.5

Blake Schuster: Boston School +17

Who do we expect is extra nervous for this recreation? A BC group that simply beat FSU in Tallahassee or a Mizzou group that’s ranked within the high 10 and has a legit playoff path. Missouri wins, but it surely’s far too shut for consolation.

Mitchell Northam: Boston School +17

Mizzou ain’t performed no person and Invoice O’Brien has the Eagles overachieving.

Christian D’Andrea: Missouri -17

BC is a superbly cromulent group. However Mizzou has playoff bonafides and Luther Burden, who hasn’t gotten the possibility to stretch his legs but in a blowout heavy early schedule.

Michelle Martinelli: Missouri -17

A ranked-ranked matchup? With BC AND Mizzou? Undecided what world we’re dwelling in, however this recreation has absurdity written throughout it. Tigers at dwelling, I assume. In the event that they’re for actual this season, they need to have little hassle placing BC away.

Tyler Nettuno: Missouri -17

May Boston School be fairly respectable? Positive, however I don’t suppose a win in opposition to a doubtlessly very dangerous Florida State group tells us that come what may. Mizzou ought to roll right here in the event that they’re pretty much as good as marketed.

Oregon State vs. No. 9 Oregon, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET on Fox

Opening Line: Oregon -20.5

Blake Schuster: Oregon State +16.5

Look, if oddsmakers are going to maintain giving us double-digit spreads in opposition to the Geese, I’m going to maintain taking the factors till Dillon Gabriel proves in any other case.

Mitchell Northam: Oregon State +16.5

REVENGE OF THE PAC-2.

Christian D’Andrea: Oregon State +16.5

It is a silly line for a rivalry recreation to start with, however issue within the Geese’ lack of ability to drag away from opponents early in 2024 and this seems like a entice.

Michelle Martinelli: Oregon State +16.5

The Geese’ offense isn’t fairly firing precisely the best way it was anticipated to — a minimum of not but. Particularly in Corvallis, the Beavers will probably be pumped up and prepared battle for the honour of what’s left of the Pac-12.

Tyler Nettuno: Oregon State +16.5

It could be a bit overreactive, however the Geese look like they may have some points. This unfold simply feels means too massive for a rivalry recreation given the best way Oregon has performed within the first two video games.

Washington vs. Washington State, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET on Peacock

Opening Line: Washington -8.5

Blake Schuster: Washington State +4.5

Justice for the Pac-2!

Mitchell Northam: Washington State +4.5

THE PAC-2 STRIKES BACK.

Christian D’Andrea: Washington -4.5

This isn’t the Huskies of previous, and it’s not fairly a house recreation at Lumen Area, however UW wants a press release win within the post-DeBoer period and this could assist fairly a bit.

Michelle Martinelli: Washington -4.5

This isn’t the playoff Huskies from final season, and neither group has confronted a problem but. We love a rivalry recreation, however I don’t see the Cougars’ protection standing agency right here.

Tyler Nettuno: Washington State +4.5

I’m going out on a little bit of a limb right here, however I believe the Cougars get it carried out right here. The Huskies simply aren’t the identical group, and this would be the hardest take a look at but in opposition to a Wazzu group that dealt with enterprise simply in opposition to Texas Tech final week.

Pitt vs. West Virginia, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2

Opening Line: West Virginia -5.5

Blake Schuster: WVU -2

I’m not saying the Penn State loss was a fluke, however when you might have a 2+ hour rain delay at halftime, you’re not getting the total measure of a group. The Mountaineers unleash hell on Pittsburgh this week.

Mitchell Northam: WVU -2

Pitt wanted a miraculous comeback to beat Cincy final week. Moreover, Pitt simply inexplicably fired its AD. Does anybody be ok with the Panthers proper now?

Christian D’Andrea: Pitt +2

The one fixed within the Yard Brawl is chaos. Until one group has Pat White, then it’s CHAOS.

Michelle Martinelli: Pitt +2

OK, I lied: That is the sport for absurdity and chaos.

Tyler Nettuno: WVU -2.

Pat Narduzzi spared himself from a seat engulfed in flames with a comeback win over Cincinnati on Saturday, however that doesn’t precisely ease all of the issues right here.

UCLA vs. Indiana, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock

Opening Line: Indiana -1.5

Blake Schuster: Indiana -3

WE’RE BACK ON THE KURTIS ROURKE TRAIN! Time for UCLA’s “Welcome To The Huge Ten” second and an indication of arrival for the Curt Cignetti period in Bloomington.

Mitchell Northam: UCLA +3

I do know the Bruins solely gained by three factors at Hawaii, however they’ve had two weeks to organize for this recreation. Present us one thing, DeShaun Foster.

Christian D’Andrea: UCLA +3

The Bruins aren’t gonna get pantsed at dwelling of their Huge Ten debut in opposition to a standard convention doormat… proper?

Michelle Martinelli: Indiana -3

UCLA is coming off an early bye and has solely performed one recreation — an unimpressive three-point win over Hawaii. And never that the Hoosiers have performed the hardest schedule to this point, however they’re rolling with the No. 3 protection proper now. It could be a becoming welcome to the Huge Ten for UCLA to lose to Indiana.

Tyler Nettuno: Indiana -3

The Hoosiers haven’t been examined but, however they scored a college document 77 factors in Week 2 and will have one thing in Kurtis Rourke. UCLA struggled fairly a bit in its solely recreation to this point in opposition to Hawaii, and I believe this can be a prime alternative for IU to earn a *shudders* Huge Ten win.

Colorado State vs. Colorado, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET on CBS

Opening Line: Colorado -7.5

Blake Schuster: Colorado -7

However the actual intriguing matchup right here is the postgame handshake.

Mitchell Northam: Colorado -7

I don’t be ok with this, as a result of I believe Deion Sanders is a fraud of a coach, however Colorado State is just not good. Time for Shadeur and Travis Hunter to string collectively some highlights for the professional scouts.

Christian D’Andrea: Colorado -7

Don’t get me unsuitable, I’ll root for a Rams win as a result of I take pleasure in chaos, however the expertise disparity right here stays stark.

Michelle Martinelli: Colorado -7

That is extra of a touch upon how dangerous the Rams are trying to this point reasonably than a reward of the Buffs. You by no means know with a rivalry recreation, however take the factors right here.

Tyler Nettuno: Colorado -7

This recreation was far nearer than anybody anticipated final 12 months, however whereas I’m not shopping for the Buffs, I do consider they need to be high quality on this recreation if they’ve improved even barely this season.

Virginia vs. Maryland, Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ACC Community

Opening Line: Maryland -1.5

Blake Schuster: Virginia +3

Maryland couldn’t maintain off Michigan State at dwelling final week. Give me the Cavaliers and our candy prince Anthony Colandrea to stun the Terps and win outright.

Mitchell Northam: Maryland -3

It seems like Maryland all the time performs nicely in opposition to previous ACC opponents.

Christian D’Andrea: Virginia +3

Anthony Colandrea hours are upon us.

Michelle Martinelli: Maryland -3

Neither group appears significantly good via two weeks, however I’m banking on the Terps being mad about dropping an in depth one to Michigan State final week and being desperate to get again to successful.

Tyler Nettuno: Virginia +3

Maryland squandered what ought to have been a straightforward dwelling win in opposition to Michigan State final Saturday, whereas the Cavaliers earned a comeback, shootout win in opposition to Wake Forest. I do know which group has impressed me extra via two weeks.