Oklahoma and QB John Mateer put themselves in the national spotlight last week with a win over 15th ranked Michigan 24-13. Mississippi State and South Florida both won in upsets over opponents ranked inside the top 15 as well. 17th ranked SMU stumbled in a double overtime shootout with Baylor and Sawyer Robertson who had 440 passing yards in the come from behind win. Several powerhouse programs such as Georgia, Miami and Clemson had cupcake games in week 2, but will face much sterner opponents in week 3. The Notre Dame fighting Irish had an early bye week this past week following a loss to (5)Miami that was much needed with another early test from (16)Texas A&M next up in week 3. Lets take a deep dive into the top games and best bets from week 3 of the college football season.
(18)South Florida @ (5)Miami
USF No Longer a Darkhorse
The South Florida Bulls have kicked off their 2025 campaign with 2 upset wins against ranked opponents the only team in the country to do so. In week 1 USF and QB Byrum Brown cruised to a 34-7 win over Boise State and they followed that performance up with a defeat of in-state rival Florida 18-16. Last week it was the Bulls’ defense that won the game holding Florida to just 1 touchdown and a trio of field goals. If the Bulls keep this game close or better yet manage to pull off a third upset of a ranked foe in a row then they’ll be in prime position to receive an invitation to the college football playoff. The spread for the game opened with Miami as 17.5 point favorites and the point total at 56.5. I like USF to cover and the point total to go under with Vegas still undervaluing USF’s defense.
Best Bets: USF +17.5 (-110) and Under 56.5
(6)Georgia @ (15)Tennessee
Tennessee O or Georgia D?
Both teams are coming off a week where they made quick work of inferior opponents, but with much different methods. The Bulldogs had a 28-6 home victory over Austin Peay in week 2 and held their opposition to less than 200 yards of total offense. The Volunteers on the other hand looked dynamic offensively racking up an absurd 734 yards of total offense against lowly East Tennessee State. QB Joey Aguilar has looked fantastic for the Volunteers to open the season after his transfer from Appalachian State. Aguilar has 535 passing yards and 5 touchdowns with no interceptions through his first 2 starts. After all the drama surrounding last year’s QB Nico Iamaleava with his eventual departure to UCLA, it seems Tennessee have found their gun slinger. The Bulldogs start a QB who has begun much more modestly, totaling 417 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns to go along with no interceptions. Gunner Stockton started for Georgia in last season’s college football playoff and the 2nd half of the SEC Championship when now Hurricanes’ QB Carson Beck went out with an injury. Stockton has a slight experience edge over Aguilar, but the Tennessee QB has looked far more dynamic so far in 2025 with Stockton projecting as more of a game manager. With the spread opening at -6.5 UGA and already moving to -3.5 UGA I like Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs who have won 7 straight against the Volunteers to cover the spread. Aguilar will put up passing touchdowns though in a comeback attempt.
Best Bet: UGA -3.5 (-110)
Player Prop: Joey Aguilar Over 1.5 Passing TD’s (+150)
(12)Clemson @ Georgia Tech
Is Haynes King 100%?
A sneaky good ACC matchup takes place with a noon kickoff at Bobby Dodd Stadium to open week 3. Clemson has stumbled through their first 2 weeks of the season failing to show up in week 1 against LSU and then needing to overcome a 16 point halftime deficit at home to Troy last week. Georgia Tech on the other hand rallied for a season opening win against Colorado before slamming Gardner-Webb 59-12 last Saturday. A major question surrounding this contest is whether or not Yellow Jackets QB Haynes King will be healthy after he was a late scratch with a lower body injury last week. Backup Aaron Philo filled in admirably and earned ACC Rookie of the Week honors, but Clemson’s defense is on a different level when compared to Gargner-Webb. Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key said in his press conference on Tuesday, “We’ll make a determination this weekend.” If King isn’t ready to go or not up to 100% then the Tigers’ defense will dominate on Saturday. This spread is way too low, even for a Clemson team that is not up to par on offense, and I like Clemson to cover the spread of -3.5.
Best Bet: CLEM -3.5 (-110)
(16)Texas A&M @ (8)Notre Dame
Notre Dame it’s Now or Never
The Fighting Irish are hoping to bounce back from a 27-24 loss against (10)Miami in their season opener. This game will have major implications for Notre Dame who doesn’t have a tough schedule outside of its first two games. If they don’t win this week then an 0-2 start plus a lack of quality wins will cause them to miss the playoff after playing in the title game last year. After an early bye week to prepare head coach Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame will look to get back on track against Texas A&M in South Bend. The Aggies lost 23-13 against Notre Dame last season and will be eager for revenge. Texas A&M opened their season with victories over UTSA and Utah State, scoring 40 points in both contests. QB Marcel Reed has 509 yards to go along with 7 touchdowns and no interceptions. NC State transfer receiver KC Concepcion has slotted in perfectly to the offense tallying 3 touchdowns already, keep an eye out for him to make explosive plays on Saturday. A key player for Notre Dame in this game will be star running back Jeremiyah Love who only had 10 carries for 33 yards in their first game. The Fighting Irish will need more from Love if they want to turn their season around. All 3 games these 2 teams have played this season have gone over the total so far, so I’m picking the point total to go over 49.5.
Best Bet: Over 49.5 (-110)
Player Prop: KC Concepcion Over 41.5 Receiving Yards (-110)
The Bookie of Eli 
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