If you keep your ear close to the ground in the South this weekend, you should be able to feel tremors emanating from Oxford, Mississippi, upon Lane Kiffin's return to Ole Miss. One of the 2026 college football season's most-anticipated September matchups is here to headline Week 3 as seventh-ranked LSU and No. 8 Ole Miss crunch pads in the SEC. Louisville is another top-25 tilt this weekend, along with Houston vs.
Texas Tech on Friday night. The winner of that one in Lubbock takes the early poll position alongside BYU in the Big 12. We've made our picks for the week's eight most interesting games, including a couple involving teams just outside of the national rankings.
Season results: Brad Crawford (14-1 straight, 10-4-1 ATS), Chris Hummer (12-3 straight, 5-9-1 ATS) Both of us nailed the Texas win over Ohio State, though it did not look like an accurate pick for three quarters. I felt good about Mississippi State's chances on the road against Minnesota with Kamari Taylor at quarterback, and that cashed, but the same could not be said for Oklahoma's trip to Michigan. The Sooners still have major offensive issues that don't appear to be resolved, though some of that has to do with the Wolverines' fierce front and talented secondary.
Hummer (Wake Forest +22.5): Miami's been a buzzsaw so far this year, but I think there's decent value with Wake Forest in this matchup. The Demon Deacons have shown the ability to score this season, averaging 38 points per game, and 10 starters return to a team that won nine games last season. The one thing that gives me pause is the Wake secondary.
Miami is the most explosive passing offense in the FBS, and Wake has given up 243 passing yards per game so far, including 329 last week against Purdue. But Wake Forest scores enough to cover at home on a Friday night. … Miami 42, Wake Forest 21. Crawford (Wake Forest +22.5): Picking a cover from the Demon Deacons here is dangerous given the Hurricanes' electric start to the season, but at some point, Miami will find itself in an unexpected competitive game by halftime.
It may or may not happen this week, but Wake Forest quarterback Gio Lopez, a transfer from UNC, looks more comfortable in his new scheme and hasn't turned it over. He'll need to help this offense produce a couple of touchdown drives to stay within the number because you know Miami is coming into town to score points. Hurricanes cover late. ...
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