College Football Picks Week 3: 5 Favorites Who Will Disappoint

College football spreads are ridiculous.

I mean, I can't be the only one who thinks so, right? Every week, there are three or four teams that are favored to win by 30 or more points. While spreads like these are often justified, I always end up asking myself why Vegas is even bothering.

For Week 3 of the college football season, there are just a handful of astronomically-sized spreads out there. All the others are pretty reasonable, and there are certainly plenty of interesting favorites to go around.

There are also, naturally, a few puzzling spreads for this weekend's action. In particular, there are games in which I think the favorite has no chance whatsoever of living up to the spread. Not all five of them are going to lose, but I can see all of them failing to cover.

As you can tell by the picture, USC is one of them. To find out who the other four are, you must read ahead.

Note: all spreads were retrieved from Bodog.

5. USC

Opponent: vs. Syracuse

Spread: USC by 17

At the start of the season, I would have had no problem with USC being favored by 17 over a team like Syracuse.

But now, I'm not so sure. The Orange have gotten off to a 2-0 start, and they have the luxury of playing a Trojans team that has a had a hard time getting going in the first couple weeks.

As you no doubt recall, USC barely beat Minnesota 19-17, and it took a late touchdown on a blocked field goal for the Trojans to edge Utah 23-14. Both games were at home.

If Matt Barkley and USC offense can finally find its stride and put some points on the board, I can see the Trojans winning by 17 points no problem. But at this point, I have a hard time taking it on faith that that's going to happen.

Verdict: USC won't cover.

4. Nebraska

Opponent: vs. Washington

Spread: Nebraska by 17

The Cornhuskers may be a Top 10 team at present, but I do think there are reasons to worry about them.

While it's all well and good that Taylor Martinez and the Nebraska offense appear to once again be a well-oiled unit, a team like the Cornhuskers has no business needing a second-half comeback to beat a team like Fresno State. Yet they did.

And now Martinez and Co. get to face the team that upset them in the Holiday Bowl last season: the Washington Huskies. Nebraska did demolish the Huskies earlier in the 2010 season, but I do think the Huskies may have figured out the secret to beating Nebraska during the Holiday Bowl.

Namely, that would be giving the ball to Chris Polk and letting him run right at the defense. If it worked once, maybe, just maybe, it will work again.

Not enough for Washington to win, mind you, but certainly enough for the Huskies to make it close.

Verdict: Nebraska won't cover.

3. Wisconsin

Opponent: vs. Northern Illinois (at Soldier Field)

Spread: Wisconsin by 17.5

Before you make the mistake of thinking that I have the Badgers marked down as overrated, just know that I actually think they have a legit chance to make a national title run this year.

But this weekend's game against Northern Illinois is going to be a tough one. I'm no proponent of the Huskies' defense, but they have an offense that puts the ball in the end zone. A total of 91 points in two games is impressive.

An offense such as this is going to come in handy against Wisconsin. The Badgers can also put the ball in the end zone, but it's fair to say their defense has not yet been tested. On Saturday, Northern Illinois will do the testing, and we could be in for a high-scoring affair if they find any holes.

Verdict: Wisconsin won't cover.

2. Michigan

Opponent: vs. Eastern Michigan

Spread: Michigan by 30

The Wolverines should probably be 1-1 right now.

I say this because there's just no way Michigan beats Notre Dame if the Irish don't commit five turnovers. You can say that's a shoulda-woulda-coulda mentality, but it's true.

If Michigan doesn't get those five turnovers, and thus doesn't beat Notre Dame, there's no way the Wolverines are favored by a whopping 30 points against Eastern Michigan.

Yes, the Wolverines have the offense to get the job done. But hey, this Eagles team just so happens to be fifth in the country in rushing at present. They could turn this game into a grinder, and that's going to discourage a blowout.

Verdict: Michigan won't cover.

1. Miami (FL)

Opponent: vs. No. 17 Ohio State

Spread: Miami by 3

To be perfectly blunt, I have no idea why the Hurricanes are favored to beat the Buckeyes.

OK fine, there are a couple reasons. First and foremost, this is a home game for Miami, and the Hurricanes will also have quarterback Jacory Harris back in the fold after he sat out against Maryland due to a suspension.

Other than that, I have no idea. The Buckeyes are by no means a flawless team, but I think it's fair to say they have fewer flaws than Miami at present. They did have their issues against Toledo, but I think they have enough talent on offense and defense to down Miami.

It's not going to be a blowout, but I can see the Buckeyes winning this game.

Verdict: Ohio State wins outright.