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

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
Pittsburgh Panthers
No call
- Miami at Wake ForestWon ✓
Miami Hurricanes
Miami Hurricanes, 83% to win
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech Red Raiders, 81% to win
Delaware Blue Hens
Delaware Blue Hens, 60% to win
- Georgia at ArkansasAgainst the spread
Georgia Bulldogs -24.5
Georgia Bulldogs, 81% to win
- Kent State at Ohio StateAgainst the spread
Ohio State Buckeyes -52.5
Ohio State Buckeyes, 97% to win
Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State Nittany Lions, 97% to win
Kansas State Wildcats
Kansas State Wildcats, 74% to win
Iowa State Cyclones
Iowa State Cyclones, 96% to win
- Arizona State at KansasLost ✗
Kansas Jayhawks
No call
Clemson Tigers
Clemson Tigers, 77% to win
- Akron at MinnesotaWon ✓
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Minnesota Golden Gophers, 89% to win
Texas State Bobcats
No call
Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin Badgers, 90% to win
- NC State at VanderbiltLost ✗
NC State Wolfpack
Vanderbilt Commodores, 72% to win
Central Michigan Chippewas
Central Michigan Chippewas, 58% to win
- Temple at ToledoLost ✗
Temple Owls
Toledo Rockets, 80% to win
- Kentucky at Texas A&MAgainst the spread
Texas A&M Aggies against the spread
Texas A&M Aggies, 91% to win
Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama Crimson Tide, 87% to win
- USC at RutgersWon ✓
USC Trojans
USC Trojans, 81% to win
- SMU at LouisvilleWon ✓
Louisville Cardinals
Louisville Cardinals, 56% to win
- Utah State at UtahWon ✓
Utah Utes
Utah Utes, 96% to win
- UTEP at MichiganWon ✓
Michigan Wolverines
Michigan Wolverines, 97% to win
- Miami (OH) at CincinnatiAgainst the spread
Cincinnati Bearcats -14.5
Cincinnati Bearcats, 84% to win
Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana Hoosiers, 97% to win
- Stanford at DukeWon ✓
Duke Blue Devils
Duke Blue Devils, 85% to win
Liberty Flames
Liberty Flames, 79% to win
- Louisiana Tech at BaylorAgainst the spread
Baylor Bears -19.5
Baylor Bears, 79% to win
South Carolina Gamecocks
South Carolina Gamecocks, 64% to win
East Carolina Pirates
Old Dominion Monarchs, 55% to win
Florida Atlantic Owls
Florida Atlantic Owls, 57% to win
- Charlotte at App StateAgainst the spread
App State Mountaineers against the spread
App State Mountaineers, 84% to win
Marshall Thundering Herd
Marshall Thundering Herd, 57% to win
- Troy at MissouriWon ✓
Missouri Tigers
Missouri Tigers, 95% to win
- Florida at AuburnWon ✓
Florida Gators
No call
- Georgia State at UCFWon ✓
UCF Knights
UCF Knights, 88% to win
UConn Huskies
UConn Huskies, 60% to win
Western Michigan Broncos
Western Michigan Broncos, 69% to win
Nevada Wolf Pack
No call
South Alabama Jaguars
South Alabama Jaguars, 56% to win
Georgia Southern Eagles
Jacksonville State Gamecocks, 63% to win
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 96% to win
- LSU at Ole MissLost ✗
LSU Tigers
No call
BYU Cougars
BYU Cougars, 88% to win
Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooners, 91% to win
Virginia Cavaliers
Virginia Cavaliers, 73% to win
- Colorado at NorthwesternLost ✗
Colorado Buffaloes
Northwestern Wildcats, 64% to win
Maryland Terrapins
No call
Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee Volunteers, 97% to win
- UTSA at TexasWon ✓
Texas Longhorns
Texas Longhorns, 93% to win
TCU Horned Frogs
TCU Horned Frogs, 90% to win
- UAB at LouisianaWon ✓
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns, 72% to win
James Madison Dukes
James Madison Dukes, 61% to win
Arizona Wildcats
Arizona Wildcats, 95% to win
North Dakota State Bison
North Dakota State Bison, 80% to win
- Purdue at UCLAWon ✓
UCLA Bruins
UCLA Bruins, 77% to win
San José State Spartans
Fresno State Bulldogs, 67% to win
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Every college football prediction our model published for Week 3, 2026 is on the Week 3, 2026 board.