Maiden.bet

College Football · Week 3, 2026

Drew's Desk: the whole Week 3 board, with Kiffin walking back into Oxford

By Drew · September 17, 2026

Drew is a college football contributor. These are his own picks, not the model's, and they are graded separately from Maiden's record.

You are reading Week 3, 2026. Drew’s latest column is Week 9, 2026.

Share Drew's picks
Drew's Desk

57 picks. Our model agrees on 38 and takes the other side on 6. Our model has no call on 7 of them. 6 picks are against the spread, which we show but do not grade.

Welcome to college football Week 3. Last week, out of 49 picks, we went 37 and 12, 75 and a half percent. That is an all-time low so far this season, although we are still hitting 87 percent: 128 picks correct, 19 picks incorrect. But Week 2, what a week. Who had Oregon losing at Oklahoma State, who just a week before got embarrassed by Tulsa? College football is back in full swing and anything can happen. Week 3, there are some potential upsets hanging around, but let's take a deep dive into the schedule.

Drew’s Week 3, 2026 picks

57 of 57 picks

Syracuse Orange at Pittsburgh Panthers

Drew’s pick: Pittsburgh Panthers

Thursday night we have Syracuse at Pitt. I have Pitt winning and covering the line of 10 and a half.

Where Maiden lands

Our model published no call on this game: it did not clear the 55% confidence floor, so there is no Maiden number to compare. Drew’s pick still gets graded.

Miami Hurricanes at Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Drew’s pick: Miami Hurricanes

Moving to Friday, we have Miami at Wake Forest. Go Miami, baby.

Where Maiden lands

Miami Hurricanes, 83% to win — the same side Drew has.

Houston Cougars at Texas Tech Red Raiders

Drew’s pick: Texas Tech Red Raiders

We have a ranked battle of Houston at Texas Tech, who did not look good last week. But you know what? It's Texas Tech at home in a night game in Lubbock. Let's go Texas Tech, baby.

Where Maiden lands

Texas Tech Red Raiders, 81% to win — the same side Drew has.

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at Delaware Blue Hens

Drew’s pick: Delaware Blue Hens

Moving to Saturday, we have a full slate of games. Coastal Carolina at Delaware: I like Delaware at home.

Where Maiden lands

Delaware Blue Hens, 60% to win — the same side Drew has.

Georgia Bulldogs at Arkansas Razorbacks

Drew’s pick: Georgia Bulldogs -24.5

We have the Dawgs, Georgia, heading over to Arkansas. Give me Georgia and give me the 24 and a half points.

Where Maiden lands

Georgia Bulldogs, 81% to win — our call is on the win, Drew’s is on the margin, so the two are not the same question.

Kent State Golden Flashes at Ohio State Buckeyes

Drew’s pick: Ohio State Buckeyes -52.5

Kent State going to Ohio State, who had a barn burner of a game against Texas. I like Ohio State bouncing back at home, bouncing back big and covering the 52 and a half points.

Where Maiden lands

Ohio State Buckeyes, 97% to win — our call is on the win, Drew’s is on the margin, so the two are not the same question.

Buffalo Bulls at Penn State Nittany Lions

Drew’s pick: Penn State Nittany Lions

Buffalo traveling to University Park, Pennsylvania and Beaver Stadium. Give me Penn State, baby.

Where Maiden lands

Penn State Nittany Lions, 97% to win — the same side Drew has.

Tulane Green Wave at Kansas State Wildcats

Drew’s pick: Kansas State Wildcats

Tulane going to Kansas State. This is going to be much closer than the 20 and a half points that Vegas is putting on Kansas State. They'll pull it off, but it won't be 20 and a half.

Where Maiden lands

Kansas State Wildcats, 74% to win — the same side Drew has.

Bowling Green Falcons at Iowa State Cyclones

Drew’s pick: Iowa State Cyclones

Bowling Green going to Iowa State. Give me Iowa State, baby. Bowling Green does not look good in Eddie George's second year.

Where Maiden lands

Iowa State Cyclones, 96% to win — the same side Drew has.

Arizona State Sun Devils at Kansas Jayhawks

Drew’s pick: Kansas Jayhawks

Arizona State heading to Kansas. This is going to be a slobber-knocker, mainly because it's not in Kansas, baby. It's in Wembley Stadium in London. Neutral site, give me Kansas.

Where Maiden lands

Our model published no call on this game: it did not clear the 55% confidence floor, so there is no Maiden number to compare. Drew’s pick still gets graded.

North Carolina Tar Heels at Clemson Tigers

Drew’s pick: Clemson Tigers

Another slobber-knocker: the undefeated Tar Heels of North Carolina at Clemson. As much as I want to root for Bill Belichick and his hot 25-year-old girlfriend, we are going with Clemson at home.

Where Maiden lands

Clemson Tigers, 77% to win — the same side Drew has.

Akron Zips at Minnesota Golden Gophers

Drew’s pick: Minnesota Golden Gophers

Akron traveling to Minnesota. Give me the Golden Gophers, baby.

Where Maiden lands

Minnesota Golden Gophers, 89% to win — the same side Drew has.

North Texas Mean Green at Texas State Bobcats

Drew’s pick: Texas State Bobcats

North Texas at Texas State. Give me Texas State over the Mean Green out in San Marcos, Texas, baby.

Where Maiden lands

Our model published no call on this game: it did not clear the 55% confidence floor, so there is no Maiden number to compare. Drew’s pick still gets graded.

Eastern Michigan Eagles at Wisconsin Badgers

Drew’s pick: Wisconsin Badgers

Eastern Michigan traveling to Wisconsin. Give me Wisconsin.

Where Maiden lands

Wisconsin Badgers, 90% to win — the same side Drew has.

NC State Wolfpack at Vanderbilt Commodores

Drew’s pick: NC State Wolfpack

NC State at Vanderbilt. This is going to be fun. Vanderbilt is moving on to their QB2 because QB1 did not look good. They're in Nashville, but they do not look good. Give me NC State on the road with the upset.

Where Maiden lands

Vanderbilt Commodores, 72% to win — the other side. Drew is going against our number here.

Wyoming Cowboys at Central Michigan Chippewas

Drew’s pick: Central Michigan Chippewas

Wyoming going to Central Michigan. Give me Central Michigan, baby.

Where Maiden lands

Central Michigan Chippewas, 58% to win — the same side Drew has.

Temple Owls at Toledo Rockets

Drew’s pick: Temple Owls

Temple traveling to Toledo. Give me Temple, baby.

Where Maiden lands

Toledo Rockets, 80% to win — the other side. Drew is going against our number here.

Kentucky Wildcats at Texas A&M Aggies

Drew’s pick: Texas A&M Aggies against the spread

Kentucky heading to College Station against Texas A&M. Give me Texas A&M and give me the points.

Where Maiden lands

Texas A&M Aggies, 91% to win — our call is on the win, Drew’s is on the margin, so the two are not the same question.

Florida State Seminoles at Alabama Crimson Tide

Drew’s pick: Alabama Crimson Tide

Florida State heading to Alabama. I like Alabama at home getting redemption for their loss last year against the Seminoles in Week 1. This is likely to be the last game of Mike Norvell's tenure at Florida State. Good riddance.

Where Maiden lands

Alabama Crimson Tide, 87% to win — the same side Drew has.

USC Trojans at Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Drew’s pick: USC Trojans

USC going to Rutgers, who look absolutely terrible. Give me USC on the road.

Where Maiden lands

USC Trojans, 81% to win — the same side Drew has.

SMU Mustangs at Louisville Cardinals

Drew’s pick: Louisville Cardinals

Another barn burner: SMU and Kevin Jennings heading over to Louisville and Lincoln Kienholz. Give me Louisville, they look great on offense. This game is hitting the over, 59 and a half points will be obliterated. If you like offense, tune in at 3:30 on ESPN2.

Where Maiden lands

Louisville Cardinals, 56% to win — the same side Drew has.

Utah State Aggies at Utah Utes

Drew’s pick: Utah Utes

Utah State heading to Utah. Give me Utah, baby.

Where Maiden lands

Utah Utes, 96% to win — the same side Drew has.

UTEP Miners at Michigan Wolverines

Drew’s pick: Michigan Wolverines

UTEP heading to number 19 Michigan, who surprised almost everyone at home last week upsetting Oklahoma. Give me Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Where Maiden lands

Michigan Wolverines, 97% to win — the same side Drew has.

Miami (OH) RedHawks at Cincinnati Bearcats

Drew’s pick: Cincinnati Bearcats -14.5

Miami of Ohio traveling to Cincinnati. Give me Cincinnati and give me the 14 and a half points.

Where Maiden lands

Cincinnati Bearcats, 84% to win — our call is on the win, Drew’s is on the margin, so the two are not the same question.

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Indiana Hoosiers

Drew’s pick: Indiana Hoosiers

Western Kentucky going to the fighting Hoosiers of Indiana and Curt Cignetti. Give me Indiana at home in Bloomington.

Where Maiden lands

Indiana Hoosiers, 97% to win — the same side Drew has.

Stanford Cardinal at Duke Blue Devils

Drew’s pick: Duke Blue Devils

An ACC battle of Stanford heading to Duke. Give me Duke.

Where Maiden lands

Duke Blue Devils, 85% to win — the same side Drew has.

Ball State Cardinals at Liberty Flames

Drew’s pick: Liberty Flames

Ball State heading to Liberty. Liberty did not look good last week, but you know what? They're going to look good this week, because it's Ball State. Give me Liberty out in Lynchburg.

Where Maiden lands

Liberty Flames, 79% to win — the same side Drew has.

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Baylor Bears

Drew’s pick: Baylor Bears -19.5

Louisiana Tech heading to Baylor. The question is, will QB1 be healthy for Baylor? I think he will be. Give me Baylor and give me the 19 and a half points.

Where Maiden lands

Baylor Bears, 79% to win — our call is on the win, Drew’s is on the margin, so the two are not the same question.

Mississippi State Bulldogs at South Carolina Gamecocks

Drew’s pick: South Carolina Gamecocks

Another barn burner: Mississippi State traveling to South Carolina. Mississippi State looks rejuvenated this year, third year under head coach Jeff Lebby. But you know what? Shane Beamer has the Gamecocks rolling out in South Carolina. Give me South Carolina at home, baby.

Where Maiden lands

South Carolina Gamecocks, 64% to win — the same side Drew has.

East Carolina Pirates at Old Dominion Monarchs

Drew’s pick: East Carolina Pirates

East Carolina traveling to Old Dominion. This one is going to be a defensive battle. Give me East Carolina on the road with a slight upset.

Where Maiden lands

Old Dominion Monarchs, 55% to win — the other side. Drew is going against our number here.

Florida International Panthers at Florida Atlantic Owls

Drew’s pick: Florida Atlantic Owls

The Shula Bowl out in Boca Raton: FIU at FAU, who are coming off an impressive victory over Navy. I like FAU at home.

Where Maiden lands

Florida Atlantic Owls, 57% to win — the same side Drew has.

Charlotte 49ers at App State Mountaineers

Drew’s pick: App State Mountaineers against the spread

Charlotte heading to App State. Give me App State and give me all the points in the world, baby. Charlotte does not look good.

Where Maiden lands

App State Mountaineers, 84% to win — our call is on the win, Drew’s is on the margin, so the two are not the same question.

Marshall Thundering Herd at Missouri State Bears

Drew’s pick: Marshall Thundering Herd

Marshall traveling to Missouri State. Give me Marshall on the road.

Where Maiden lands

Marshall Thundering Herd, 57% to win — the same side Drew has.

Troy Trojans at Missouri Tigers

Drew’s pick: Missouri Tigers

Troy heading down to Missouri. Give me Austin Simmons and Missouri, baby.

Where Maiden lands

Missouri Tigers, 95% to win — the same side Drew has.

Florida Gators at Auburn Tigers

Drew’s pick: Florida Gators

The SEC game of the week: Florida heading to Auburn, two first-year head coaches going at it. I like Florida on the road.

Where Maiden lands

Our model published no call on this game: it did not clear the 55% confidence floor, so there is no Maiden number to compare. Drew’s pick still gets graded.

Georgia State Panthers at UCF Knights

Drew’s pick: UCF Knights

Georgia State, coming off an upset of Kennesaw State, heading to UCF, baby. Give me the Golden Knights in the Bounce House.

Where Maiden lands

UCF Knights, 88% to win — the same side Drew has.

UConn Huskies at Southern Miss Golden Eagles

Drew’s pick: UConn Huskies

UConn heading down to Southern Miss. Give me the Huskies on the road, baby.

Where Maiden lands

UConn Huskies, 60% to win — the same side Drew has.

Western Michigan Broncos at Rice Owls

Drew’s pick: Western Michigan Broncos

Western Michigan traveling to Rice. Give me Western Michigan, who are on a redemption tour after the Hail Mary miracle in Week 1 that cost them the game in Ann Arbor.

Where Maiden lands

Western Michigan Broncos, 69% to win — the same side Drew has.

Nevada Wolf Pack at Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

Drew’s pick: Nevada Wolf Pack

Nevada traveling to Middle Tennessee. Derek Mason does not look good at Middle Tennessee and his seat is getting as hot as Mike Norvell's. I like Nevada, and they will run wild, baby.

Where Maiden lands

Our model published no call on this game: it did not clear the 55% confidence floor, so there is no Maiden number to compare. Drew’s pick still gets graded.

Ohio Bobcats at South Alabama Jaguars

Drew’s pick: South Alabama Jaguars

Ohio traveling to South Alabama. Major Applewhite is another coach on the hot seat, but you know what? South Alabama will perform for the head coach. Give me South Alabama at home in Mobile.

Where Maiden lands

South Alabama Jaguars, 56% to win — the same side Drew has.

Georgia Southern Eagles at Jacksonville State Gamecocks

Drew’s pick: Georgia Southern Eagles

Georgia Southern traveling to Jacksonville, Alabama to face Jacksonville State. This is going to be a battle. Jacksonville State is favored by three, but you know what? Clay Helton is going to get Georgia Southern ready. Those boys will go on the road and pull off the upset, baby.

Where Maiden lands

Jacksonville State Gamecocks, 63% to win — the other side. Drew is going against our number here.

Michigan State Spartans at Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Drew’s pick: Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Michigan State going to Notre Dame, baby. Notre Dame is favored by 29 and a half. I think Michigan State keeps it closer than a lot of people think, but Notre Dame will pull off the victory.

Where Maiden lands

Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 96% to win — the same side Drew has.

LSU Tigers at Ole Miss Rebels

Drew’s pick: LSU Tigers

I know I said Florida and Auburn was the SEC game of the week, but this might be the game of the year that everyone has been waiting for. Lane Kiffin and the LSU Tigers travel to Ole Miss. Everybody knows the story: Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss out to dry in the middle of the playoffs to take the LSU job, and now he's heading back to Ole Miss. He's going to need Secret Service level security as he steps into Oxford, baby. But you know what? LSU and Sam Leavitt will pull off the victory over Trinidad Chambliss and Ole Miss. Don't be surprised if you see bottles and beer thrown at Lane during the game, but the Tigers will continue to roll, baby.

Where Maiden lands

Our model published no call on this game: it did not clear the 55% confidence floor, so there is no Maiden number to compare. Drew’s pick still gets graded.

BYU Cougars at Colorado State Rams

Drew’s pick: BYU Cougars

BYU heading to Colorado State. Give me BYU on the road.

Where Maiden lands

BYU Cougars, 88% to win — the same side Drew has.

New Mexico Lobos at Oklahoma Sooners

Drew’s pick: Oklahoma Sooners

New Mexico traveling to number 24 Oklahoma, who just came off a terrible performance against Michigan in Week 2. Give me the Sooners, baby.

Where Maiden lands

Oklahoma Sooners, 91% to win — the same side Drew has.

West Virginia Mountaineers vs Virginia Cavaliers

Drew’s pick: Virginia Cavaliers

The battle for Virginia, as the West Virginia Mountaineers go to number 25 Virginia. This game is being played on a neutral field in Charlotte, North Carolina. They should have played the game in Virginia, baby. But you know what? Virginia will pull it off, but West Virginia will keep it close.

Where Maiden lands

Virginia Cavaliers, 73% to win — the same side Drew has.

Colorado Buffaloes at Northwestern Wildcats

Drew’s pick: Colorado Buffaloes

The Colorado Buffaloes traveling to face Northwestern. Give me Colorado and give me the upset, baby. Deion Sanders has these boys rolling.

Where Maiden lands

Northwestern Wildcats, 64% to win — the other side. Drew is going against our number here.

Virginia Tech Hokies at Maryland Terrapins

Drew’s pick: Maryland Terrapins

Virginia Tech traveling to Maryland, where Virginia Tech is a three-point favorite. I like Maryland at home.

Where Maiden lands

Our model published no call on this game: it did not clear the 55% confidence floor, so there is no Maiden number to compare. Drew’s pick still gets graded.

Kennesaw State Owls at Tennessee Volunteers

Drew’s pick: Tennessee Volunteers

Kennesaw State going to the Volunteers of Tennessee, out in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. Give me the Vols, baby.

Where Maiden lands

Tennessee Volunteers, 97% to win — the same side Drew has.

UTSA Roadrunners at Texas Longhorns

Drew’s pick: Texas Longhorns

UTSA, the University of Texas at San Antonio, traveling to the new number one team in the nation, Texas. Give me the Longhorns, baby. Arch Manning will light it up.

Where Maiden lands

Texas Longhorns, 93% to win — the same side Drew has.

Arkansas State Red Wolves at TCU Horned Frogs

Drew’s pick: TCU Horned Frogs

Arkansas State going to TCU. Give me TCU, baby.

Where Maiden lands

TCU Horned Frogs, 90% to win — the same side Drew has.

UAB Blazers at Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns

Drew’s pick: Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns

UAB traveling to the Ragin' Cajuns of Louisiana. Give me the Ragin' Cajuns at home in Lafayette, baby.

Where Maiden lands

Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns, 72% to win — the same side Drew has.

James Madison Dukes at San Diego State Aztecs

Drew’s pick: James Madison Dukes

James Madison traveling to San Diego State, where San Diego State is currently a 2 and a half point favorite. Give me James Madison, baby. Billy Napier is rolling at James Madison, baby.

Where Maiden lands

James Madison Dukes, 61% to win — the same side Drew has.

Northern Illinois Huskies at Arizona Wildcats

Drew’s pick: Arizona Wildcats

Northern Illinois traveling to Arizona. I like Arizona at home.

Where Maiden lands

Arizona Wildcats, 95% to win — the same side Drew has.

North Dakota State Bison at Sacramento State Hornets

Drew’s pick: North Dakota State Bison

North Dakota State traveling to Sacramento State. Give me North Dakota State on the road.

Where Maiden lands

North Dakota State Bison, 80% to win — the same side Drew has.

Purdue Boilermakers at UCLA Bruins

Drew’s pick: UCLA Bruins

Purdue at UCLA. Give me UCLA, baby.

Where Maiden lands

UCLA Bruins, 77% to win — the same side Drew has.

Fresno State Bulldogs at San José State Spartans

Drew’s pick: San José State Spartans

Ending off Saturday night: no, we are not in Hawaii, baby, but we are at San Jose State, who are at home against the traveling Fresno State Bulldogs. Give me San Jose State at home.

Where Maiden lands

Fresno State Bulldogs, 67% to win — the other side. Drew is going against our number here.

That's Week 3, baby. Good luck to everyone out there, and remember: if your picks aren't coming from maiden.bet, what are you doing? Maiden.bet, game changer. Make sure to sign up for Pro, baby. See you in Week 4.

Get Drew's picks by email

Every week of the season, Drew's card lands in your inbox before the games. Free, and you can stop it any time without touching anything else you get from us.

Share Drew's picks

Every college football prediction our model published for Week 3, 2026 is on the Week 3, 2026 board.