College Football Week 3 Game Predictions

Irish Breakdown makes predictions for several intriguing college football matchups for week three

Notre Dame moved up to No. 9 in the latest rankings after beating NC State on the road by a 45-24 score. The Irish move up the rankings was also due to outside factors, and there are several that could impact where Notre Dame stands this week as well.

There are several games Notre Dame fans should keep their eye on this week, and we have made predictions for those contests.

#7 PENN STATE (2-0) at ILLINOIS (1-1)

Gametime: 12:00 PM ET
Network: Fox
Line: Penn State -14.5, O/U: 48.5

A stumbling block for an 11-1 Notre Dame making the playoff is a Power 5 conference getting two teams in, and the Big Ten and SEC are the two most likely to earn that. Both have already done so in recent seasons, so Notre Dame fans should hope the two leagues cannibalize each other a bit. The best way for that to happen is for a few upsets, and Illinois has a chance to do that on Saturday against Penn State, who is one of three primary playoff contenders in the Big Ten.

Penn State has looked good in its 2-0 start to the season, while the Illinis are coming off a convincing road loss at the hands of Kansas, which came after it barely escaped against Toledo. Illinois getting back on track would be good for the Irish.

Bryan Driskell, Publisher - Penn State 27, Illinois 17

As much as I would love to see Illinois pull off his upset I just don't see it happening. While the Penn State offense gets a lot of the attention, its defense has been good early on as well, and the Illinois offense has been average. It will be competitive for a bit but Penn State has too much talent.

Vince DeDario, Football Analyst - Penn State 31, Illinois 13

Penn State has looked solid through the first two games but not to the point where they cannot be beat. Fortunately, they are playing Illinois this week so they have a chance to continue to improve before the meat of their schedule. The Illini just do not have the firepower on either side of the ball to make a legit difference in this game.

Ryan Roberts, Recruiting Director - Penn State 31, Illinois 13

Illinois is off to a rough to a slow start. Penn State enters as the much more talented team and quarterback Drew Allar is playing well. The skill positions are just way too strong.

Sean Stires, Staff Writer - Penn State 42, Illinois 17

Illinois gave up 539 yards of offense and 34 points in last week’s loss to Kansas. They also scored 16 of their 23 points in the second half when the game was long decided. Not good trends going up against Drew Allar and a Penn State running game that is currently tops in the Big Ten.

Andrew McDonough, IB Contributor - Penn State 19, Illinois 9

I expect Bret Bielema and defensive coordinator Aaron Henry to throw the kitchen sink at Nittany Lion QB Drew Allar in his first career road start. The Illini aren't good enough on offense to win this one but effectively muddy it up. Penn State prevails in a sloppy game. 

#14 LSU (1-1) at MISSISSIPPI STATE (2-0)

Gametime: 12:00 PM ET
Network: ESPN
Line: LSU -9.5, O/U: 54.5

Despite its loss to Florida State to open the season the Tigers still must be considered a legit playoff contender. With MSU, Ole Miss, Alabama, Florida and a possible SEC title game appearance still on their schedule, LSU has plenty of chances to show the opener was a fluke. There are several potential stumbling blocks on their schedule, and this is one of them.

Mississippi State is transitioning into a new era, and they earned a quality overtime win over Arizona a week ago. Beating LSU is a whole different animal, but doing so could provide Zach Arnett with a huge statement win to start his tenure.

Bryan Driskell, Publisher - Mississippi State 24, LSU 23

I'm going with the upset here. LSU beat up a bad opponent last week after being able to run the football against Grambling. I'm not sure they can do that against at Mississippi State, a team that held a fourth quarter lead over LSU a season ago in Baton Rouge.

Vince DeDario, Football Analyst - LSU 28, Mississippi State 21

I do like Mississippi State's defense, which forced five turnovers against Arizona and their 3rd down defense has been really good. They have not faced an offense like LSU. The Tigers are fairly balanced offensively and will give the Bulldogs everything they can handle. Red zone offense for LSU is going to tell the tale in this one.

Ryan Roberts, Recruiting Director - LSU 28, Mississippi State 17

LSU is a much better team than they showed against Florida State. They have a ton of team speed and have potential to make a lot of plays. Mississippi State quietly has a really solid defense but in the end, the speed wins out.

Sean Stires, Staff Writer - LSU 35, Mississippi State 20

Mississippi State intercepted Arizona quarterback Jayden de Laura four times in last week’s win, but he also threw for 342 yards and hurt them with his legs. Look for LSU’s Jayden Daniels to do more damage this week.

Andrew McDonough, IB Contributor - LSU 30, Mississippi State 28

Winning these types of games is what Brian Kelly built his career renaissance around in South Bend. LSU is a better team and will have the best player on the field in QB Jayden Daniels. That will be enough to take down the Bulldogs, but as Kelly is going to find out, not enough to quiet the dissatisfaction in Baton Rouge. 

#8 WASHINGTON (2-0) at MICHIGAN STATE (2-0)

Gametime: 5:00 PM ET
Network: Peacock
Line: Washington -16.5, O/U: 56

The Pac 12 is on fire so far this season, and this particular game has two interesting aspects that could impact Notre Dame. Another out of conference loss by the Big Ten will only diminish the view of the league, which could diminish the odds it gets two teams into the playoff. On the flip side, if Michigan State is able to overcome its recent adversity and pull off this big upset, it would likely eliminate Washington from playoff contention. Considering I had Washington as one of my four playoff teams, that would be quite the stunner.

Bryan Driskell, Publisher - Washington 41, Michigan State 10

Michigan State will either be as locked in as they will be all season, or the off the field issues will have them not focused at all. I'm going with the Spartans being fired up early, so I think it will be tight early, but Washington has way too much firepower and I have been underwhelmed by the MSU offense. Washington runs away with it in the second half.

Vince DeDario, Football Analyst - Washington 38, Michigan State 24

Talk about a game that has gotten lost in the shuffle due to "other" news. Bottom line is the Spartans are playing with a new head coach and former head coach as a new assistant. Meanwhile, Washington is coming to town with an offense that is humming, particularly through the air. I just do not see how Michigan State keeps up with Michael Penix and this offense.

Ryan Roberts, Recruiting Director - Washington 37, Michigan State 16

Michigan State is going through a lot of turmoil right now. There’s no telling how they will react. Ultimately, Washington is just too talented. If you didn’t know who Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan were before the game, they will after.

Sean Stires, Staff Writer - Washington 45, Michigan State 27

Michigan State has a couple nice paycheck wins over Central Michigan and Richmond, but the ante gets upped this week and head coach Mel Tucker is also suspended. UW’s Michael Penix Jr. is averaging 472 passing yards a game.

Andrew McDonough, IB Contributor - Washington 38, Michigan State 13

The Spartans have been the second best passing defense in the Big Ten this year, but it's been against really weak competition. The Huskies may have the best QB/WR tandem in the country, and it will be on full display Saturday in East Lansing. Couple that with the turmoil surrounding the Michigan State program over the past week and this one has the makings of a blowout. 

#11 TENNESSEE (2-0) at FLORIDA (1-1)

Gametime: 7:00 PM ET
Network: ESPN
Line: Tennessee -6.0, O/U: 58.5

Despite losses by Alabama and LSU, there are still multiple SEC teams that have a chance to make a run at a playoff spot, and possibly be the second team in from the league. Tennessee is one of those teams. They get Georgia at home and have to travel to Alabama in October. If Tennessee can beat Florida and split against Tennessee and Alabama it could have a chance to make some playoff noise. 

For Notre Dame, seeing Tennessee catch an early loss, especially an upset loss, would make it very, very hard for the Volunteers to put together a playoff caliber resume short of winning the league. A Tennessee home loss this early could also stunt some of the program's momentum, which could help Notre Dame on the recruiting trail. 

Bryan Driskell, Publisher - Florida 24, Tennessee 20

Florida shot itself in the foot a bunch in the opener against Utah, which is why they lost despite out-gaining the Utes 346-270. Tennessee has been really good running the football so far, but I think the Gators can slow that down and force Joe Milton to carry the day, which I'm not sure he can do.

Vince DeDario, Football Analyst - Tennessee 31, Florida 28

The Swamp is always a tough place to play, but is it with Graham Mertz at QB? I am just not a fan of Mertz, even though he has put up pretty solid numbers in the first two games. Tennessee has not played anyone, we don't know who they are yet. The line in this one is the Vols -6.5 and I think that is about right.

Ryan Roberts, Recruiting Director - Tennessee 27, Florida 14

Florida is just a bad football team right now. Offensively, Tennessee has been slow to get started as well. This feels like a grind it out game where the Volunteers separate themselves late.

Sean Stires, Staff Writer - Tennessee 31, Florida 27

It’s been 20 years since Tennessee last won at Florida. The Gators managed just 13 rushing yards two weeks ago against Utah and Tennessee struggled but pulled away late to put Austin Peay away last week.

Andrew McDonough, IB Contributor - Florida 24, Tennessee 23

Upset pick of the week! This is a circle the wagons game for Billy Napier after the Gators were outclassed in the opener at Utah and mocked around the country for how poorly they played with all offseason to prepare. The Volunteers were sloppy last week against Austin Peay, and Tennessee hasn't won in Gainesville since 2003. 

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