Bold College Football Predictions for Week 3
Pivotal conference matchups and long-awaited nonconference clashes highlight Week 3 of the 2016 college football season, and we're offering some bold predictions for the slate.
Everyone's favorite—or most hated—lower-division powerhouse will attempt to continue its dominance against Football Bowl Subdivision foes, while this season's breakout player will try to guide his program past a perennial contender.
Elsewhere, a pair of Heisman Trophy contenders will put together games on opposite ends of the spectrum. One will celebrate another huge day, but another will be left thinking about several mistakes.
The predictions are ordered based on kickoff time, which is listed along with viewing information on each slide.
North Dakota State Gets Another One
1 of 6
When: Saturday, Sept. 17, noon ET (ESPN2)
Considering all the attention paid to North Dakota State, it'd be a classic outcome if Iowa walked all over the Bison.
But we'll jump aboard the bandwagon. The Hawkeyes fall.
Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz—he of a new contract extension that mandates a private jet for business purposes to be made available within eight hours, otherwise known as the dream—is bracing for the challenge, per ESPN's Jesse Temple.
"They're used to going on the road and having success," Ferentz said. "And I'm sure that's their plan right now."
North Dakota State has won five straight matchups against FBS opponents. Bison quarterback Easton Stick will lead a late scoring drive, and the stout defense holds to stun Iowa.
Lamar Jackson Posts 450 Total Yards, but Louisville Loses
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When: Saturday, Sept. 17, noon ET (ABC)
It's hard enough to contain Lamar Jackson at full strength. Florida State needs to limit the quarterback without safety Derwin James, who will be sidelined for 5-7 weeks after a procedure on his left knee.
Jackson nearly broke the 200-yard rushing mark against Syracuse. However, a strong majority of that production was the product of designed runs. Jackson has hardly showed off his scrambling, which will likely be on display Saturday.
Although the 'Noles will struggle to stop him in the open field, they'll tighten up where it matters most: the red zone.
Quarterback Deondre Francois and the Florida State offense will propel the program to a high-scoring road victory.
Both Ranked Underdogs Earn a Win
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When: Saturday, Sept. 17, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Beyond the ranked-vs.-ranked matchups, Odds Shark lists two Top-25 teams—Oregon and Texas A&M—as underdogs in Week 3.
They'll both steal a win on the road, though.
In six all-time matchups at Nebraska, the Ducks have only triumphed once. That was 63 years ago. Streaks are meant to be broken, however, and running back Royce Freeman will power Oregon to a win.
Texas A&M will travel to Auburn for an SEC showdown at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. An improved run defense will guide the Aggies to a close victory, while Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn panics and again starts playing musical chairs at quarterback.
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Alabama Never Trails at Ole Miss
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When: Saturday, Sept. 17, 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS)
As far as we know, losing to Ole Miss is a prerequisite for Alabama to reach the College Football Playoff. The Rebels quelled the Tide during both the 2014 and 2015 seasons.
This year, head coach Nick Saban keeps yelling about how his team doesn't know how to play winning football. That's going to change in Week 3.
Not only will Alabama leave Oxford with a victory, the reigning national champions dominate Ole Miss in front of the home crowd.
The Crimson Tide score early and often, never trailing throughout a win that isn't quite a blowout but is never in doubt.
Baker Mayfield Throws Three Interceptions
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When: Saturday, Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
Austin Kendall just had to poke the bear—err, Buckeyes—didn't he? Oklahoma's backup quarterback told Sooner Sports that Ohio State plays a basic defense that Baker Mayfield will light up.
About that.
Mayfield hasn't thrown three interceptions in a game since 2013 as Texas Tech's gunslinger, but the Buckeyes will snatch a few of Mayfield's passes en route to a major nonconference road victory over the 14th-ranked Sooners.
The loss will just about eliminate Oklahoma from the College Football Playoff conversation, and Ohio State could hardly add a better bullet point to its resume for the committee.
Christian McCaffrey Reaches 200 Yards Before 20th Carry
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When: Saturday, Sept. 17, 8 p.m. ET (ABC)
In 2015, the Trojans held Christian McCaffrey to 115 yards on 26 attempts during the regular season. He exploded for 207 yards with 32 carries in the Pac-12 Championship Game.
This time around, the junior will be more efficient.
Heading into the season, USC's defensive line was a weakness. Alabama exploited it, running for 242 yards. McCaffrey will practically reach the mark by himself, eclipsing 200 before carry No. 20—which would be the second time he's accomplished that.
Behind that stellar performance, Stanford will protect its home field during the prime-time conference battle.
All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from cfbstats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
