Week 3 of the college football season is upon us, which means it's time to dive into some of the biggest games of the week.
First, we'll start in Atlanta, where the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets host the No. 12 Clemson Tigers in a series that Tech hasn't won since 2014.
Then, we'll head to SEC Country, as the No. 6 Georgia Bulldogs make the trip to Knoxville to take on the No. 15 Tennessee Volunteers.
Finally, we'll close it out with another ranked matchup, when the No. 16 Texas A&M Aggies make the trip to South Bend to face the No. 8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
With so many big-time games on the slate, there are a lot of bets that need pondering. Let's dive into my Week 3 college football predictions and NCAAF picks for Saturday, September 13.
College Football Predictions, Picks
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that Action Network senior writer Collin Wilson is targeting from Saturday's slate of Week 3 games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 12 p.m. | |
  | 3:30 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NCAAF Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Clemson vs Georgia Tech Prediction
The Clemson Tigers take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday, Sept. 13. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Clemson is favored by 3.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -162. The Yellow Jackets, meanwhile, come in at +136 to pull off the upset. The total is set at 53.5 points.
Here’s my Clemson vs. Georgia Tech prediction and college football picks for Saturday, September 13.
Clemson Tigers
The Clemson offense has not hit its stride during the 2025 season in two games against LSU and Troy.
The source of the stalling offense can be traced to a ground attack missing running back Jay Haynes due to injury.
Clemson averaged 2.9 yards per carry against LSU, having half of its 18 attempts stuffed in the opening loss. Those numbers slightly increased against Troy, as the Tigers averaged just 4.3 yards per carry while producing only a single explosive run.
Freshman Gideon Davidson has just two attempts on the season, while converted wide receiver Adam Randall averages just 2.5 yards after first contact.
The loss of slot receiver Antonio Williams has kept quarterback Cade Klubnik's numbers down. The senior has produced a turnover-worthy play in both games against Troy and LSU.
Sophomore wideout Bryant Wesco has served as the home-run hitter for Klubnik in the passing game. Meanwhile, head coach Dabo Swinney has called Williams day-to-day with a hamstring injury.
Defensive coordinator Tom Allen was hired to create a run defense that has slacked in previous seasons.
With a Line Yards rank in the top 35 and a current Stuff Rate rank of 10th, the defense has shored up methodical drives from opponents.
The bad news is a lack of pass rush, which sits in the bottom 10 of all teams, per PFF.
Allen has carried over his pension for creating Havoc with his defenses, as Clemson sits top-10 thanks to pass breakups and tackles for loss that sit in the double digits.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Georgia Tech's combination of quarterback Haynes King and running back Jamal Haynes continues to torment opposing defenses.
Offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner has already produced top-25 numbers in Success Rate, Havoc Allowed and Line Yards through two games against Gardner-Webb and Colorado.
King didn't play against Gardner-Webb with a lower-body injury, but Georgia Tech is one of the rare offenses with minimal drop-off at quarterback thanks to experienced backup Aaron Philo.
New defensive coordinator Blake Gideon has had success through two games in limiting the rush and preventing opponents from executing in scoring opportunities. The Yellow Jackets sit top-25 in both Finishing Drives allowed and rush efficiency but have lacked a secondary that can cause disruption.
In fact, Georgia Tech grades out at 113th in coverage, per PFF, as a trio of cornerbacks leads the team with just a single pass breakup per player.
Clemson vs Georgia Tech Pick
From a historical perspective, Georgia Tech has had issues in this series, going without a win since 2014. Tech received good news from a health perspective, as King returned to the practice field as a full participant.
As for the biggest spark on the Clemson offense, Williams is still considered day-to-day leading up to this game.
Considering the poor play by the Yellow Jackets' secondary, there could be plenty of explosives on the outside for Clemson's targets. Georgia Tech cornerbacks Zachary Tobe and Jy Gilmore have already surrendered a touchdown this season, so an anytime touchdown for Bryant Wesco Jr. — who scored twice against Troy last week — should be considered.
The lack of a running game on the Clemson side, combined with the Yellow Jackets' ability to defend the rush, could force Klubnik to take to the skies.
Georgia Tech's offense will look to take advantage of a Clemson run defense that ranks 67th in Success Rate.
The Tigers have been mauled by outside zone read so far this season, producing a low 40% Success Rate. Georgia Tech has been excellent in a number of run concepts this season, including a high 57% Success Rate on outside zone.
Both teams will have avenues to push the ball into scoring territory, while special teams may help with field position. Clemson checks in at 133rd in the latest SP+ special teams rankings, a benefit for Georgia Tech in numerous categories.
Pick: Over 54 or Better · Bryant Wesco Anytime TD (-110)
| | |
Georgia vs Tennessee Prediction
The Georgia Bulldogs take on the Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Saturday, Sept. 13. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
Georgia is favored by 3.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -170. Tennessee, meanwhile, comes in at +142 to pull off the upset. The total sits at 49.5 points.
The Bulldogs have won 8 straight iterations of this rivalry dating back to 2017. In the most recent matchup, Georgia picked up a 31-17 victory in Athens.
Now, the matchup shifts to Knoxville, where the Vols are breaking in a new quarterback and looking to get back to the College Football Playoff for the 2nd consecutive season.
Here’s my Georgia vs. Tennessee prediction and college football picks for Saturday, September 13.
Georgia Bulldogs
Despite Georgia's recent domination in the series, the Bulldogs have been heavily faded in the betting market since opening as touchdown favorites against Tennessee.
The Volunteers haven't closed within two touchdowns in this series since 2016, with eight consecutive victories going in the way of the Bulldogs.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart was quick to point out that recent history doesn't mean much for future games, but slowing down the tempo against the Volunteers is at the top of the agenda.
While Smart would prefer a grind on the ground, the explosiveness comes from slot Zachariah Branch and wideout Colbie Young. Each player has nine targets from quarterback Gunner Stockton, who has yet to complete a big-time throw despite facing Austin Peay and Marshall.
Meanwhile, the Georgia defense has not performed to the standard set in previous seasons, currently ranking mid-FBS in Havoc and Finishing Drives.
The leading pressures from the defense come at the linebacker positions with Chris Cole and Raylen Wilson. The best part of the defense has come against the run, ranking top-11 in Stuff Rate and Defensive Line Yards through two games.
Georgia has been superior in getting opponents into passing downs, but it currently ranks 72nd in creating a contested catch.
The slot cornerbacks will be tested against Tennessee, as Joenel Aguero and Rasean Dinkins have each given up opponent passer ratings over 116 while allowing all seven targets to be caught.
Tennessee Volunteers
The portal trade at the quarterback position looks to be a positive for Tennessee through two games. Former Appalachian State signal-caller Joey Aguilar has five touchdowns with no interceptions or turnover-worthy plays.
Wideout Chris Brazzell II has been the biggest beneficiary of the new quarterback, hauling in two touchdowns with an explosive 3.8 yards per route run.
With a Success Rate and Finishing Drives rank inside the top 20, head coach Josh Heupel's team boasts the explosiveness and efficiency that was missing from the 2024 Volunteers offense.
The defensive success that carried Tennessee to the College Football Playoff a year ago also remains present for coordinator Tim Banks. In fact, the Vols rank seventh in Havoc entering Week 3.
Edge Joshua Josephs has already generated seven pressures, while cornerbacks Ty Redmond and Colton Hood have two pass breakups apiece.
Georgia vs Tennessee Pick
The Tennessee-Georgia series has played in fifth gear during the first half for nearly a decade. Since 2019, every iteration of this series has seen at least 30 points on the scoreboard in the first half.
Smart indicated that simulating the speed and physicality of the Tennessee offense can be a challenge.
Heupel's stretch-spread offense is based on a power running game with multiple vertical routes downfield. This could present issues for a Georgia defense that has had problems when it comes to creating a contested catch.
Six different cornerbacks have received significant time for Georgia so far, allowing 13-of-21 targets to be caught.
The Tennessee defense may also be susceptible to the explosive play, ranking outside the top 100 in Rush Success Rate and EPA.
Georgia running backs Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens have averaged at least 3.5 yards after first contact, forcing 10 missed tackles through two games.
Stockton could be the factor that generates enough first downs to put the Bulldogs in scoring position. The first-year starter has already posted two rushing touchdowns and 44 yards on designed attempts.
Pick: 1H Over 24.5 or Better
| | |
Texas A&M vs Notre Dame Prediction
The Texas A&M Aggies take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in South Bend, Indiana, on Saturday, Sept. 13. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
Notre Dame is favored by 6.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -270. Texas A&M, meanwhile, comes in at +210 to pull off the upset. The total is set at 49.5 points.
Here’s my Texas A&M vs. Notre Dame prediction and college football picks for Saturday, September 13.
Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M may have dodged an injury bullet in the two games leading up to its visit to South Bend. Quarterback Marcel Reed and left tackle Trey Zuhn III both suffered injuries but are expected to be ready for the game against the Irish.
Reed has been on fire this season, throwing for seven touchdowns without committing an interception or turnover-worthy play.
Meanwhile, NC State transfer receiver KC Concepcion has helped open up the offense, generating three touchdowns on more than three yards per route run.
The most uncharacteristic part of Texas A&M through eight quarters is the lack of defensive stops when opponents enter scoring position.
UTSA and Utah State crossed Texas A&M's 40-yard line eight times, ending with an average of 4.3 points per trip.
The Aggies are up to 22 missed tackles on the season and rank near dead last in Rush EPA allowed.
Both UTSA and Utah State ripped a combined seven explosive rushing attempts, an area of concern heading into hostile territory against Notre Dame.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The selection of CJ Carr as the starting quarterback was a shock to some after a mixed fall camp. However, the returns have been a pleasant surprise, with two passing touchdowns and no turnover-worthy plays in the Irish's first ranked matchup.
The freshman also showed off his wheels on a designed run that ended with a score. Freeman has been consistent in his message that Carr has special abilities for a true freshman.
On the other side, defensive coordinator Chris Ash had the assignment to stop an elite offense in Miami in the opener.
The Hurricanes were rarely stuffed on the ground, while quarterback Carson Beck led a passing attack that ended with a high 58% Success Rate and four explosive passes.
The positive comes in the lack of EPA, as Miami failed to record an explosive drive against Notre Dame. Ash is sure to use the bye week to improve tackling fundamentals that checked just outside of the PFF top 100.
Texas A&M vs Notre Dame Pick
No head coach loves coming off a bye week more than Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman. Since taking over in 2021, Freeman has generated an 11-2 mark against the spread with extra rest.
There's enough evidence to believe the Notre Dame rushing attack could be a menace against A&M's defense, as the Aggies rank 134th in Defensive Rush EPA.
Running backs Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love were both limited in their roles against Miami, but they had two weeks to prepare to face an Aggies team that has been tormented by inside zone read.
The Notre Dame defense boasted an average Success Rate in Cover 1 and Cover 3 against Miami but was dominated in quarters coverage.
Fighting Irish cornerbacks Leonard Moore and Christian Gray are two of the best corners in the nation, but look for Concepcion to cook in the middle of the field on slant and hitch routes.
The Notre Dame defense also struggled when Miami crossed the 40-yard line, indicating that both offenses have a high probability of creating scoring opportunities on Saturday night.
Pick: 1H Over 24.5 or Better · Over 49.5 or Better
