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College Football Week 3 Odds & Picks: Best Early Bets (2024)

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We nailed both early lines from Week 2, which featured Texas at -6.5 and Tennessee at -7.5. Let’s keep that momentum with some early action on Week 3 in the college football season.

Tail along below!

    College Football Top Early Week Picks (Week 3)

    (Odds courtesy of DraftKingsFanDuel Sportsbook)

    Tulane Green Wave vs. Oklahoma Sooners

    The Tulane Green Wave couldn’t hold on to beat Kansas State at home, ultimately losing by seven points. Tulane had the ball in the red zone with a chance to tie or even take the lead with a two-point conversion. However, the Green Wave fell short on an endzone interception and lost by seven points.

    In that game, Tulane held Kansas State to 2-for-10 on third down and allowed just 181 yards passing. On offense, QB Darian Mensah threw for 342 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 11.8 yards per attempt, and his only interception came in desperation at the end of the game.

    On the flip side, Oklahoma struggled to hold off Houston. The Sooners won 16-12 after Jackson Arnold threw for just 174 yards. His QBR of 37.5 was weak, and the run game was even weaker, averaging just 2.8 yards per carry. This was a Houston team that had lost to UNLV at home, 27-7, to begin the season.

    Therefore, I’ll gladly back Tulane at +13.5 (-108). You can even consider adding some change on Tulane +440.

    Pick: Tulane +13.5 (-108)

    Indiana Hoosiers vs. UCLA Bruins

    The UCLA Bruins didn’t play last week, fresh off a 16-13 win at Hawaii. They already had their first bye week after an unimpressive first game as a Big Ten team.

    UCLA’s Ethan Garbers threw more interceptions than touchdowns. He also led the Bruins in rushing yards, earning 47 yards on seven carries. Behind him was T.J. Harden, who totaled nine carries and nine yards in that game.

    However, while the offense wasn’t impressive, the defense came up big. The Bruins added three turnovers, including two interceptions, limiting Hawaii to 5.4 yards per pass in the air and 1.8 yards per carry.

    But Indiana proved just how good they’ll be under new head coach Curt Cignetti. Wherever Cignetti goes, he wins. In a game against Western Illinois last week, the Hoosiers won 77-3 behind really good quarterback play from Kurtis Rourke. Yes, it’s Western Illinois, but Rourke completed 15-of-17 and added two touchdowns. The run game also averaged more than 19 yards a rush.

    Plus, Indiana’s run defense has been outstanding, and the secondary looks excellent, too. I’d say the defense looks better than the offense for the Hoosiers to start the season. The defense might not be able to get to Garbers as much this weekend, but if the secondary holds it down, they’ll eventually get to him.

    Even on the road, at the Rose Bowl, Indiana will be much more confident heading into this weekend’s battle. Let’s grab Indiana at -2.5 (-115).

    Welcome to the Big Ten, UCLA.

    Pick: Indiana -2.5 (-115)

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