2025 Week 3 College Football Predictions for Every Game

The first weeks of college football rarely feature marquee games, but that all changes in Week 3 as conference matchups take center stage.

The SEC showcases two major rivalries this week: Georgia at Tennessee and Florida at LSU. The ACC also offers a pivotal matchup as Clemson visits Georgia Tech.

Beyond those contests, nonconference play is still providing some intrigue. Texas A&M heads to Notre Dame, and upstart South Florida is taking on Miami to give the weekend another set of Top 25 clashes.

With several ranked teams on the road, Week 3 promises to bring new twists to the 2025 campaign.

No. 12 Clemson (2-0) at Georgia Tech (2-0), Noon ET

Two weeks into the season, Clemson's high-powered offense has been anything but that. In short: This is not a comfortable trip to Atlanta. I'm not straying from believing in the Tigers, but the warning signs are undeniable.

Prediction: Clemson 27, Georgia Tech 20

No. 6 Georgia (2-0) at No. 15 Tennessee (2-0), 3:30 p.m.

Tennessee has lost eight straight to Georgia, each by at least two touchdowns. Although this year's meeting should be closer, the Bulldogs defense remains the game's top unit. Still, a Vols upset would change the SEC landscape.

Prediction: Georgia 24, Tennessee 19

No. 18 South Florida (2-0) at No. 5 Miami (2-0), 4:30 p.m.

One critical piece of USF's victories over Boise State and Florida is a run defense that has yielded 3.7 yards per carry. Continuing that success opposite Miami's offensive line will be a major challenge, even though USF looks like a serious thorn.

Prediction: Miami 34, USF 24

No. 16 Texas A&M (2-0) at No. 8 Notre Dame (0-1), 7:30 p.m.

This is a prove-it game for both programs. Texas A&M needs a marquee win to solidify an encouraging start, whereas Notre Dame would be in real trouble if a loss to A&M follows a setback to Miami. ND's physicality won out in the 23-13 victory over the Aggies in 2024, and I anticipate a repeat in South Bend—with a closer score.

Prediction: Notre Dame 23, Texas A&M 20

Florida (1-1) at No. 3 LSU (2-0), 7:30 p.m.

There is a danger in overreacting to one (horrible) loss by Florida, which remains a talented roster. Remember, the Gators beat LSU in 2024, too. Despite no hesitation in picking a strong Tigers team, a blowout feels unlikely.

Prediction: LSU 30, Florida 23

Indiana State (2-0) at No. 22 Indiana (2-0), Friday, 6:30 p.m. ET

After a wobbly win over Old Dominion, IU put together a more complete performance in a rout of Kennesaw State. Indiana should have little issue dispatching its FCS visitors on Friday night.

Prediction: Indiana 45, Indiana State 7

North Carolina State (2-0) at Wake Forest (2-0), Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: NC State 24, Wake Forest 20

Colgate (0-2) at Syracuse (1-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
Prediction: Syracuse 49, Colgate 10

Colorado (1-1) at Houston (2-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Houston 27, Colorado 22

Kansas State (1-2) at Arizona (2-0), Friday, 9 p.m.
Prediction: Kansas State 26, Arizona 23

New Mexico (1-1) at UCLA (0-2), Friday, 10 p.m.
Prediction: UCLA 31, New Mexico 17

No. 4 Oregon (2-0) at Northwestern (1-1), Noon

The lakefront setting in this temporary stadium is truly beautiful. That's the kindest thing I can offer for Northwestern in this matchup.

Prediction: Oregon 46, Northwestern 10

No. 13 Oklahoma (2-0) at Temple (2-0), Noon

Temple has bowled over UMass and Howard to open the season, and playing at home is better than traveling to Norman. Still, it would be shocking if the Owls manage to slow OU quarterback John Mateer.

Prediction: Oklahoma 42, Temple 13

Wisconsin (2-0) at No. 19 Alabama (1-1), Noon

Alabama took out its post-Florida State frustration in Week 2, laying a 73-0 smackdown on Louisiana-Monroe. The clash with Wisconsin shouldn't be close, either, barring a meltdown from the Crimson Tide defense.

Prediction: Alabama 38, Wisconsin 14

Central Michigan (1-1) at No. 23 Michigan (1-1), Noon

Michigan coach Sherrone Moore is now serving a two-week suspension. In this matchup, though, the Wolverines will likely win comfortably. Pitt limited CMU to 209 yards in a 45-17 victory last weekend.

Prediction: Michigan 41, CMU 10

South Alabama (1-1) at No. 24 Auburn (2-0), 12:45 p.m.

As a four-game gauntlet peaks over the horizon, Auburn has a final tune-up game. South Alabama hung with Tulane before dropping a tight finish in Week 2, but Auburn's rushing attack is built to control this clash.

Prediction: Auburn 42, South Alabama 17

William & Mary (1-1) at Virginia (1-1), Noon
Prediction: Virginia 49, William & Mary 10

Houston Christian (1-1) at Nebraska (2-0), Noon
Prediction: Nebraska 45, Houston Christian 17

Towson (2-0) at Maryland (2-0), Noon
Prediction: Maryland 42, Towson 14

Samford (0-2) at Baylor (1-1), Noon
Prediction: Baylor 56, Samford 7

Memphis (2-0) at Troy (1-1), Noon
Prediction: Memphis 30, Troy 20

Buffalo (1-1) at Kent State (1-1), Noon
Prediction: Buffalo 34, Kent State 17

New Hampshire (2-0) at Ball State (0-2), 2 p.m.
Prediction: Ball State 24, New Hampshire 20

Connecticut (1-1) at Delaware (1-1), 3 p.m.
Prediction: Connecticut 27, Delaware 21

Villanova (1-0) at No. 2 Penn State (2-0), 3:30 p.m.

Penn State will complete its soft nonconference slate with a third blowout win, then begin preparing for a showdown with Oregon on Sep. 27.

Prediction: Penn State 45, Villanova 7

Oregon State (0-2) at No. 21 Texas Tech (2-0), 3:30 p.m.

Through two weeks, Oregon State has surrendered an ugly 6.2 yards per snap—which is ranked 113th nationally. Texas Tech has played an FCS school and Kent State, so OSU is a step up in competition. Still, the Red Raiders are fifth in the country at 8.6 yards per play. Good luck, Beavs.

Prediction: Texas Tech 47, Oregon State 21

No. 14 Iowa State (3-0) at Arkansas State (1-1), 4 p.m.

After emotional wins against Kansas State and Iowa, it would be understandable if Iowa State has a slow start on the road against a Group of Five school. Eventually, though, the Cyclones' talent figures to take control of this outing,

Prediction: Iowa State 38, Arkansas State 14

Louisiana (1-1) at No. 25 Missouri (2-0), 4 p.m.

Missouri is a heavy favorite, unsurprisingly. Louisiana has thrown for a dismal 3.5 yards per attempt, and Mizzou is a bit better than Rice and McNeese.

Prediction: Missouri 42, Louisiana 10

UTEP (1-1) at No. 7 Texas (1-1), 4:15 p.m.

Expect no drama when the Longhorns host UTEP—other than the inevitable circus that follows Arch Manning, of course. The Miners have ceded at least 8.2 yards per pass attempt in both of their games to date.

Prediction: Texas 48, UTEP 14

SMU (1-1) at Missouri State (1-1), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: SMU 41, Missouri State 17

Pitt (2-0) at West Virginia (1-1), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Pitt 24, West Virginia 16

Richmond (1-1) at North Carolina (1-1), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: UNC 45, Richmond 7

USC (2-0) at Purdue (2-0), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: USC 34, Purdue 17

Youngstown State (2-0) at Michigan State (2-0), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Michigan State 38, Youngstown State 14

Norfolk State (1-1) at Rutgers (2-0), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Rutgers 42, Norfolk State 7

Northwestern State (1-1) at Cincinnati (1-1), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Cincinnati 45, Northwestern State 6

Washington State (2-0) at North Texas (2-0), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Washington State 27, North Texas 24

Incarnate Word (1-1) at UTSA (0-2), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: UTSA 34, Incarnate Word 16

Morgan State (0-2) at Toledo (1-1), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Toledo 49, Morgan State 3

Liberty (1-1) at Bowling Green (1-1), 5 p.m.
Prediction: Liberty 30, BGSU 20

Middle Tennessee (0-2) at Nevada (1-1), 5 p.m.
Prediction: Nevada 31, MTSU 17

Ohio (1-1) at No. 1 Ohio State (2-0), 7 p.m. ET

Honestly, the most interesting part of this matchup is the in-state programs have only played seven times—and four occurred from 1899-1902. On the field, well, it won't be interesting for long.

Prediction: Ohio State 56, Ohio 7

Western Michigan (0-2) at No. 9 Illinois (2-0), 7 p.m.

Illinois just put together a sensational day on defense to hammer Duke. If the Illini play anything close to that level on Saturday, they'll roll WMU. The primary goal, really, is staying healthy as a trip to Indiana looms in Week 4.

Prediction: Illinois 42, WMU 13

Arkansas (2-0) at No. 17 Ole Miss (2-0), 7 p.m.

Arkansas has blasted FCS and G5 opponents behind dual-threat QB Taylen Green, who's accounted for 11 touchdowns. If the Hogs successfully use his mobility, that can change the game. Ole Miss, nevertheless, is the favorite due to its perceived talent edge and home-field advantage.

Prediction: Ole Miss 34, Arkansas 28

Alcorn State (0-2) at Mississippi State (2-0), 6 p.m.
Prediction: Mississippi State 45, Alcorn State 3

Florida Atlantic (1-1) at Florida International (1-1), 6 p.m.
Prediction: FAU 27, FIU 24

Monmouth (2-0) at Charlotte (0-2), 6 p.m.
Prediction: Charlotte 34, Monmouth 17

Merrimack (1-1) at Kennesaw State (0-2), 6 p.m.
Prediction: Kennesaw State 38, Merrimack 14

Eastern Kentucky (1-1) at Marshall (0-2), 6 p.m.
Prediction: Marshall 35, EKU 16

Old Dominion (1-1) at Virginia Tech (0-2), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 31, ODU 17

Prairie View A&M (1-1) at Rice (1-1), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Rice 37, PVAMU 10

Jacksonville State (1-1) at Georgia Southern (0-2), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Georgia Southern 30, Jax State 27

Murray State (0-2) at Georgia State (0-2), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Georgia State 41, Murray State 13

Appalachian State (2-0) at Southern Miss (1-1), 7 p.m.
Prediction: App State 27, Southern Miss 24

Vanderbilt (2-0) at No. 11 South Carolina (2-0), 7:45 p.m. ET

Panic is a strong word, but a sluggish win over South Carolina State has sparked a wave of concern about South Carolina. If this matchup had the Gamecocks on the road, I would probably take Vandy.

Prediction: South Carolina 24, Vanderbilt 20

No. 20 Utah (2-0) at Wyoming (2-0), 8 p.m.

An aside: I enjoy power-conference teams making a trip to non-power programs. Laramie, for example, is truly a neat place to visit. I humbly request more of these matchups. Anyway, Utah's defense is a force.

Prediction: Utah 34, Wyoming 10

Eastern Michigan (0-2) at Kentucky (1-1), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Kentucky 41, EMU 14

Massachusetts (0-2) at Iowa (1-1), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Iowa 38, UMass 7

East Carolina (1-1) at Coastal Carolina (1-1), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: ECU 29, Coastal Carolina 24

New Mexico State (2-0) at Louisiana Tech (1-1), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Louisiana Tech 27, NMSU 20

Duke (1-1) at Tulane (2-0), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Duke 26, Tulane 23

Abilene Christian (1-1) at TCU (1-0), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: TCU 52, Abilene Christian 7

Navy (2-0) at Tulsa (1-1), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Navy 34, Tulsa 21

Akron (0-2) at UAB (1-1), 8:30 p.m.
Prediction: UAB 35, Akron 17

Air Force (1-0) at Utah State (1-1), 9:45 p.m.
Prediction: Air Force 28, Utah State 23

Southern (1-2) at Fresno State (2-1), 10 p.m.
Prediction: Fresno State 49, Southern 10

Boston College (1-1) at Stanford (0-2), 10:30 p.m.
Prediction: Boston College 28, Stanford 17

Minnesota (2-0) at Cal (2-0), 10:30 p.m.
Prediction: Minnesota 27, Cal 20

Texas State (2-0) at Arizona State (1-1), 10:30 p.m.
Prediction: Arizona State 36, Texas State 24

Portland State (0-3) at Hawaii (2-1), 11:59 p.m.
Prediction: Hawaii 48, Portland State 14