The first few weeks of the 2026 college football season have been nothing short of thrilling. Week 3’s slate features a trio of games on Friday night - an ACC showdown, a battle of top-25 squads and an in-state clash highlight the schedule. With that said, here's a look at three of my favorite college football picks for Friday's contests.
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Friday’s Best College Football Picks (Week 3)
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
No. 5 Miami Hurricanes vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
It’s not often that both a quarterback and a wide receiver from the same university boast top-six Heisman Trophy odds. That is the case with Miami in 2026. Quarterback Darian Mensah leads all candidates with +500 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook, after racking up 653 passing yards and eight touchdowns (with zero interceptions) across two victories. His go-to target, Malachi Toney, rounds out the top six at +1300 odds. The electric pass-catcher has tallied 330 yards and four touchdowns on 16 receptions.
Those two can connect for a score at any moment, making the Hurricanes’ offense a tough matchup for anyone in the country. Wake Forest will certainly have its hands full. The Demon Deacons have already shown signs of trouble on defense, allowing 380 yards per game and a 44.8% opponent third-down conversion rate through two contests. Each of those marks ranks outside the top 70. Mensah has an opportunity to ball out versus a secondary that has surrendered a whopping 80% completion rate.
Wake Forest’s offense is no slouch, considering quarterback Gio Lopez has yet to throw an interception and wide receiver Carlos Hernandez is averaging an impressive 23.0 yards per catch. Keeping up for all four quarters will be difficult, though. Expect the visiting team to pull away late and begin ACC play with a bang. Overall, the Hurricanes have won eight straight meetings against the Demon Deacons, by an average of 21.8 points. They’ve also won six straight regular-season games by an average of 36.5 Points.
Pick: Miami Hurricanes -20.5 (-115)
No. 22 Houston Cougars vs. No. 13 Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech remains the favorite to win the Big 12 Conference on DraftKings Sportsbook (+100). However, its first two victories did little to inspire the fan base. The Red Raiders defeated Abilene Christian 33-10 in Week 1, but did not cover as a substantial 45.5-point favorite. They snuck by Oregon State 35-24 in Week 2, but did not cover as a heavy 25.5-point favorite. Texas Tech’s offense needs fine-tuning. It enters Friday ranked 105th in yards per completion (9.4) and 90th in yards per rush attempt (3.4).
On the other side, Houston’s offense is firing on all cylinders after wins over Oregon State (33-20) and Southern University (77-6). The Cougars have recorded top-20 marks in yards per completion (15.3) and yards per rush attempt (5.6). Oregon transfer running back Makhi Hughes and senior wide receiver Amare Thomas are one of four duos in the Big 12 with at least 150 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns each. Another great performance on the road in Lubbock would give Houston crucial national recognition.
Momentum is real in college football. Take note that Houston has scored a touchdown or kicked a field goal during all six of its first-quarter drives this campaign. The Cougars have led or tied at the end of the first quarter in 10 of their past 16 regular-season games. Texas Tech was held without a first-quarter point in Week 2, as quarterback Will Hammond strives to find his footing returning from a torn ACL. Expect the visiting underdogs to weather the early storm at Galaxy Stadium.
Pick: Houston Cougars +2.5 First-Quarter Spread (-105)
Portland State Vikings vs. No. 21 Oregon Ducks
Oregon tumbled down the rankings following its 39-31 loss to Oklahoma State in Week 2. Quarterback Dante Moore completed only 14 of his 29 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns. The Ducks also averaged a mediocre 3.0 yards per carry. This result comes after they narrowly escaped with a 34-27 win over Boise State in Week 1. Head coach Dan Lanning’s squad needs a statement victory, and that is exactly what is lined up for them on Friday. Oregon is a 57.5-point favorite at home versus Portland State.
The Vikings are 0-3 on the year. They have suffered a 31-24 loss to UC Davis, a 53-20 loss to San Diego State and a 47-23 loss to North Dakota. Facing a fuming Oregon roster intent on righting its wrongs is not ideal. After all, the Ducks have won 34 straight contests against opponents outside of the FBS. They have won all six of their all-time matchups against Portland State, outscoring the Vikings 366 to 49 during that stretch. This is a mismatch in every sense of the word, so it’s worth diving deeper to unlock an edge.
I’m going to bank on Portland State earning a first down on their opening drive. It’s a feat the Vikings have accomplished in all three games so far. While Oregon is a massive step up in competition, it is not an impenetrable defense. Boise State converted two third-downs during their opening drive. Oklahoma State ripped off a 75-yard run on its first play from scrimmage. One completion from quarterback Gabe Downing or one burst from running back Delon Thompson is all it takes to cash this wager at plus odds.
Pick: Portland State to Achieve a First Down on First Drive (+109)
