Our staff predicts the winners for the top games of the week.
Big 12
Arizona State Sun Devils at Texas State Bobcats – Thurs. Sept. 12, 6:30 PM, ESPN
- Anthony: Going to be fireworks in this one! San Marcos is going to be buzzing for what may be the biggest game in program history. Cam Skattebo is a beast for the Devils, but TX State has the better QB and receivers. I’ll take the Bobcats to eat ‘em up at home.
- Austin: Texas State showed out in their demolition of UTSA a week ago. However, Arizona State has defeated two solid teams in Wyoming and Mississippi State. I have the Sun Devils in this one.
- Drew: I can’t wait for this one. Both teams have vastly outperformed expectations up to this point in the season and San Marcos is going to be going wild on Thursday night. Give me the Bobcats in a shootout.
- Russ: I bet against Texas State last weekend and they demolished UTSA. Bobcats will win at home for the upset.
- Wyatt: I think this game will be pretty close, but Arizona State pulls it out against Texas State.
- CFB 25: Bobcats dominate in 42-18 win with Ismail Mahdi rushing for 182 yards
Kansas Jayhawks vs. UNLV Rebels – Fri. Sept. 13, 6:00 PM, ESPN
- Anthony: Jayhawks bounce back as Jalon Daniels gets back on track at home, KU wins by two scores.
- Austin: Sheesh, the Jayhawks hype train may have already come to a halt. Despite losing a week ago, I’m putting my faith back in Kansas to defeat UNLV.
- Drew: After an absolute dud of a game from Jalon Daniels last week I think he bounces back and Kansas easily handles UNLV.
- Russ: Kansas will rebound from a bad loss against Illinois and win here.
- Wyatt: KU beats UNLV pretty easily after their loss last week to Illinois.
- CFB 25: Devin Neal scores twice and KU romps 37-17
Arizona Wildcats at Kansas State Wildcats – Fri. Sept. 13, 7:00 PM, FOX
- Anthony: Another non-con showdown between Big 12 teams. Neither has looked overly impressive getting to 2-0. The “K-State to the Playoffs” hype gets revved up again after it wins this one at home.
- Austin: Their wins haven’t been pretty, but the Arizona Wildcats make amends with an impressive win over the Kansas State Wildcats.
- Drew: I have very little faith in Arizona’s defense to slow down Avery Johnson and the Wildcats, especially on the ground. Give me K-State.
- Russ: Kansas State held on at Tulane and I think the Wildcats respond with a home win over Arizona.
- Wyatt: I think K State’s defense does just enough to stop Noah Fifita and the Arizona defense. The Wildcats pull this one out in a close game.
- CFB 25: A slugfest goes to KSU 13-10 as EMAW holds Tet McMillan to just 1 reception.
Oklahoma State Cowboys at Tulsa Golden Hurricane – Sat. Sept. 14, 11:00 AM, ESPN2
- Anthony: Pokes take it with ease.
- Austin: One of the easier projections of week three—Oklahoma State.
- Drew: Oklahoma State by two touchdowns.
- Russ: Tulsa blew a game against Arkansas State last weekend, so I’ll take Oklahoma State here.
- Wyatt: Oklahoma State by at least 3 scores.
- CFB 25: Cowboys walk away with an easy win 47-17
Cincinnati Bearcats at Miami (OH) RedHawks – Sat. Sept. 14, 11:00 AM, ESPNU
- Anthony: What a debacle for Cinci last week. While that’s the kind of loss that can send a season spiraling, the Bearcats earn a hard fought road win.
- Austin: An early season bye does no favor for Miami (OH). The Bearcats roll after a tough loss.
- Drew: This is a game Cincinnati needs to win comfortably to build any kind of momentum after a brutal loss to Pitt last week. I think the Bearcats get it done.
- Russ: Cincinnati showed me some things in the first half of its loss against Pitt. Bearcats win over a MAC opponent here.
- Wyatt: Cincinnati bounces back from their loss last week against Pitt.
- CFB 25: Bearcats score 13 straight to take the 27-17 win as Brendan Sorsby balls out.
Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. North Texas Mean Green – Sat. Sept. 14, 11:00 AM, FS1
- Anthony: Chandler Morris finally gets a shot at the Red Raiders. Joey McGuire is coaching for his job and survives another day with the win over UNT.
- Austin: The Red Raiders have shown a susceptibility to high-powered offenses. The Mean Green upset Texas Tech in a high-scoring affair.
- Drew: UNT and Chandler Morris beating Tech would be very funny but I think the Red Raiders win this one at home.
- Russ: Texas Tech has been less than impressive and Chandler Morris is playing loose for the Mean Green. North Texas in a slight upset over the Red Raiders.
- Wyatt: UNT and former frog, Chandler Morris, upset the Red Raiders in Lubbock.
- CFB 25: Oh my, Chandler Morris throws 4 TDs as UNT rolls into Lubbock and smashes the Red Raiders 38-14.
West Virginia Mountaineers at Pitt Panthers – Sat. Sept. 14, 2:30 PM, ESPN
- Anthony: We cannot let Pitt win two straight over the Big 12. Garrett Greene and the ‘Eers handle business.
- Austin: West Virginia knocks off the Panthers following their slim win over the Bearcats.
- Drew: This is a game Neal Brown needs to win after a disappointing showing against Penn State in week one. I’ll take the Mountaineers on the road.
- Russ: Garrett Greene has a big game and West Virginia takes the rivalry matchup over the Panthers.
- Wyatt: West Virginia wins the 2024 backyard brawl.
- CFB 25: Absolute carnage as WVU wins the Backyard Brawl 41-17 with Jaheim White rushing for 121 yards and 2 scores.
Utah Utes at Utah State Aggies – Sat. Sept. 14, 3:30 PM, CBS Sports Net
- Anthony: Even if Rising has to sit this one out, the Utes should win by 3+ TDs, even on the road in Logan.
- Austin: Utah takes care of business against their in-state rival.
- Drew: Utah by a bunch.
- Russ: Utah with a big win.
- Wyatt: The Utes win in a low-scoring game.
- CFB 25: Utes run away with it 26-14
Baylor Bears vs. Air Force Falcons – Sat. Sept. 14, 6:30 PM, FS1
- Anthony: The rematch of the 2022 Armed Forces Bowl goes to the Bears.
- Austin: Baylor did not look good against a stout Utah squad. But that’s why the Utes are a top-12 team. The Bears offense gets back on track against Air Force and pick up the dub.
- Drew: If this game was in Colorado, Air Force would have a solid chance for an upset. Unfortunately for the Falcons, Baylor will win easily at home.
- Russ: I took San Jose State over Air Force over the weekend and they proved me right. Baylor takes this one over the Falcons.
- Wyatt: Baylor will take the win against Air Force. I think it will be a low-scoring game in Waco.
- CFB 25: Bears force three turnovers and take a 28-13 win.
Colorado Buffaloes at Colorado State Rams – Sat. Sept. 14, 6:30 PM, CBS
- Anthony: When Shedeur Sanders isn’t throwing pick-sixes, he’s throwing his teammates under the bus. Buffs still take this one with some ease, especially if star CSU WR Tory Horton is out with an injury
- Austin: It seems like forever ago that Colorado was America’s team. Now more of a villain, the Buffaloes take care of business versus the Rams.
- Drew: I’ll take Colorado but I think this will be a very close game with the struggles in the trenches that the Buffaloes have had this season.
- Russ: I think this one will be as tough for Colorado as last year’s matchup was, but the Buffaloes survive the Rams.
- Wyatt: The Buffaloes’ performance against Nebraska leads me to believe this will be a close, hard-fought game. I think the Buffaloes take the win, but it the Colorado offensive line makes it difficult for Shedeur.
- CFB 25: A 72-yard bomb to Tory Horton with 17 seconds on the clock gives CSU the win, 27-26
Houston Cougars vs. Rice Owls – Sat. Sept. 14, 7:00 PM, ESPN+
- Anthony: Cougars take the Bayou Bucket in this H-Town showdown
- Austin: Houston picks up their first win of the season.
- Drew: Houston wins in a blowout.
- Russ: Houston takes this one.
- Wyatt: Houston.
- CFB 25: Goodness, the Owls demolish Houston 37-17. Dean Connors rushes for 181 yards and 2 TDs.
BYU Cougars at Wyoming Cowboys – Sat. Sept. 14, 8:00 PM, CBS Sports Net
- Anthony: BYU is capable of following up its big upset win with a bad upset loss, but I’ll take the Cougars to keep rolling.
- Austin: The Cougars hand the Cowboys their second Big 12 loss of the year.
- Drew: Playing at Wyoming makes this game interesting but I am still taking BYU here.
- Russ: Something tells me this game could get weird, but the Cougars win on the road.
- Wyatt: I think the Cougars squeak out a close one.
- CFB 25: Gerry Bohanon goes crazy for 287 & 2 TDs as BYU rolls to the 29-10 win.
Top National Games
Alabama Crimson Tide at Wisconsin Badgers – Sat. Sept. 14, 11:00 AM, FOX
- Anthony: While Alabama had a bit of drama last week, there will be none in Madison. Tide roll
- Austin: As much as I want to side with the Badgers, the Crimson Tide are too talented to pick against. Alabama wins this one.
- Drew: This will be a very fun atmosphere and I think this game will be closer than expected but Alabama eventually escape with a win.
- Russ: Wisconsin hasn’t impressed me much this year. Alabama takes it on the road.
- Wyatt: Roll Tide. Jalen Milroe torches the Badger defense.
- CFB 25: Badgers hung round for a bit, but Bama emerges with the 28-14 win
LSU Tigers at South Carolina Gamecocks – Sat. Sept. 14, 11:00 AM, ABC
- Anthony: SC looked incredible last week, but LSU is a much tougher task. I’ll take the Tigers.
- Austin: What a toss. LSU hasn’t exuded confidence, but they’re tough to pick against in the matchup. Tigers win.
- Drew: I think South Carolina is a sneaky good team this year with Rocket Sanders at running back and a star true freshman edge rusher in Dylan Stewart. Give me the Gamecocks in an upset.
- Russ: This will be a close game, but LSU survives on the road.
- Wyatt: The Tigers win in a close one.
- CFB 25: It’s Tigers in a blow out, winning 30-12
Washington State Cougars at Washington Huskies – Sat. Sept. 14, 2:30 PM, Peacock
- Anthony: Huskies squash the Wazzu revenge tour early.
- Austin: The Huskies fall in their first real test of the season.
- Drew: I think Will Rogers and the Huskies will be a solid team this season and win at home in the Apple Cup.
- Russ: I’ll roll with the Huskies at home in the Apple Cup.
- Wyatt: Washington.
- CFB 25: Wazzu smashes U-Dub as the Huskies cannot score until the 4th quarter
Frogs O’ War Pick ‘Em Leaderboard
Make your Week Three picks here
Staff Standings
Overall Season Win %
- Austin: 74%
- Russ: 74%
- Drew: 70%
- Wyatt: 59%
- Anthony: 56%
- CFB25: 44%