NFL Photos | NFL Photography Gallery | NFL.com
Predictions for top 10 college football games of Week 3
The third weekend of college football play features a solid selection of non-conference matchups, but a pivotal SEC showdown carries the most clout.
CFB 24/7 experts Gil Brandt, Bucky Brooks, Daniel Jeremiah, Bryan Fischer, Chase Goodbread and Mike Huguenin have provided their predictions for each game.
Season records entering Week 3:
Brooks: 18-2
Brandt: 16-4
Huguenin: 16-4
Fischer: 15-5
Goodbread: 14-6
Jeremiah: 14-6

Details: Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network
The skinny: The Huskers are coming off a last-minute escape against FCS opponent McNeese State. This week, they'll be going against a defense that surprisingly has been torched two weeks in a row. Fresno State needs better play from touted FS Derron Smith (above) and from DL Tyeler Davison, who is playing both end and nose tackle in the Bulldogs' 3-4 scheme. Nebraska would do well to give TB Ameer Abdullah (above) the ball as often as possible. He is explosive as a runner and dangerous as a receiver.
Game picks:
Brandt: Nebraska, 37-27
Brooks: Nebraska, 31-17
Jeremiah: Nebraska, 41-13
Fischer: Nebraska, 35-24
Goodbread: Nebraska, 27-10
Huguenin: Nebraska, 38-24

Details: Saturday, noon ET, ESPN
The skinny: The Hokies are coming off a huge victory at Ohio State, and ECU wouldn't mind a letdown. ECU's pass offense gives the Pirates a puncher's chance. QB Shane Carden and WR Justin Hardy (above) are one of the best pass-catch duos in the nation. But the Hokies have one of the best secondaries in the country, headed by sophomore CBs Kendall Fuller (above) and Brandon Facyson. Virginia Tech should be able to run the ball on ECU.
Game picks:
Brandt: Virginia Tech, 34-20
Brooks: East Carolina, 31-27
Jeremiah: Virginia Tech, 31-27
Fischer: Virginia Tech, 31-30
Goodbread: Virginia Tech, 33-14
Huguenin: Virginia Tech, 31-21

Details: Saturday, noon ET, Big Ten Network
The skinny: An interesting Big Ten-Big 12 matchup. WVU QB Clint Trickett (above) has looked good thus far and will be throwing against a secondary that has been stout, albeit against popgun offenses. WVU senior WR Kevin White looks to be having a breakout season. Maryland WR Stefon Diggs (above) is one of the most talented players in the Big Ten, and he will hurt the Mountaineers' secondary if QB C.J. Brown gets him the ball enough.
Game picks:
Brandt: Maryland, 30-24
Brooks: Maryland, 27-24
Jeremiah: West Virginia, 35-31
Fischer: West Virginia, 38-28
Goodbread: West Virginia, 35-13
Huguenin: Maryland, 31-26

Details: Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, FOX
The skinny: Looking for a game that might turn into a strange shootout with little defense being played? Look no further than this matchup in Seattle. Illinois' Wes Lunt (above) has put up some pretty good numbers so far this year, and will be facing a defense that allowed seven touchdown passes last week and is missing its top cornerback. Of course, Cyler Miles (above) and the Huskies' offense is equally capable of putting up points with a variety of weapons on the outside, too.
Game picks:
Brandt: Washington, 41-24
Brooks: Washington, 28-24
Jeremiah: Washington, 28-17
Fischer: Washington, 42-30
Goodbread: Washington, 45-41
Huguenin: Washington, 41-35

Details: Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network
The skinny: Rutgers' first Big Ten game is intriguing. The Scarlet Knights' defense isn't much, which means Nittany Lions QB Christian Hackenberg (above) should have a big day. Penn State's rush offense has been awful. Rutgers has a legit star in TB Paul James (above), but thanks to the play of the likes of LB Mike Hill and DT Anthony Zettel, Penn State has allowed a total of 93 rushing yards in two games. If James doesn't have room to run, Rutgers has no shot.
Game picks:
Brandt: Penn State, 24-23
Brooks: Penn State, 27-20
Jeremiah: Penn State, 34-27
Fischer: Penn State, 26-17
Goodbread: Penn State, 27-13
Huguenin: Penn State, 24-17

Details: Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
The skinny: Fresh off their big win at USC, Cody Kessler (above) and the Trojans head across the country to take on Boston College. Don't expect the uptempo offense to grind to a halt like it did last week, though. On the other side, USC's stingy defense will try to contain dual-threat quarterback Tyler Murphy (above), who can make some big plays happen if you're not on top of things. Still, you probably don't have to stay up too late to see the outcome of this one decided.
Game picks:
Brandt: USC, 31-13
Brooks: USC, 35-20
Jeremiah: USC, 45-24
Fischer: USC, 48-13
Goodbread: USC, 17-14
Huguenin: USC, 27-13

Details: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
The skinny: The Arkansas rushing attack must be strong enough to keep the Razorbacks close and Texas Tech's offense off the field. TT quarterback Davis Webb (above) is off to a strong start this season (7 TDs, 2 INTs), and the Red Raiders can strike quickly. Arkansas senior cornerback Tevin Mitchel (above) might finally return from a troublesome hamstring injury, which would be welcome news for any defense facing the Red Raiders' air attack. Another key for Arkansas will be defensive end Trey Flowers and his ability to get to disrupt the TT passing game.
Game picks:
Brandt: Arkansas, 35-31
Brooks: Texas Tech, 31-24
Jeremiah: Texas Tech, 28-27
Fischer: Arkansas, 24-21
Goodbread: Arkansas, 28-24
Huguenin: Arkansas, 34-31

Details: Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ABC
The skinny: Are the Vols for real yet? The Sooners will let them know as OU coach Bob Stoops looks to back up his offseason talk about the SEC. Sooners LB Eric Striker (above) could have a big game against a re-tooled UT offensive line. Tennessee quarterback Justin Worley has looked much improved against lesser opponents this far this season, and receiver Marquez North is one of college football's most underrated talents. Another prospect to watch is Tennessee senior linebacker A.J. Johnson (above), who, like Worley, has looked outstanding this season.
Game picks:
Brandt: Oklahoma, 38-14
Brooks: Oklahoma, 35-24
Jeremiah: Oklahoma, 42-35
Fischer: Oklahoma, 38-20
Goodbread: Oklahoma, 40-21
Huguenin: Oklahoma, 30-14

Details: Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, FOX
The skinny: First the offense was the issue for UCLA, then it was the defense. Can Brett Hundley (above) and the Bruins put together a complete game? They'll need to facing a tough Texas team that is looking for somebody to take things out on after last week's embarrassing loss to BYU. One thing's for sure, Charlie Strong is expecting a big game out of Cedric Reed (above) against UCLA's shaky offensive tackles.
Game picks:
Brandt: UCLA, 30-14
Brooks: UCLA, 35-20
Jeremiah: UCLA, 35-24
Fischer: UCLA, 28-10
Goodbread: UCLA, 30-17
Huguenin: UCLA, 31-17

Details: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS
The skinny: The Gamecocks could wash most of the taste of a 52-28 loss to Texas A&M out of their mouths with a win over Georgia, which would be a big step toward re-entering the SEC East race. They'll need a big game from star rusher Mike Davis (above), who quietly went over 100 yards last week in a win over East Carolina. The battle to watch will be in the trenches when South Carolina's offensive line, featuring NFL prospects Corey Robinson and A.J. Cann on the left side, against an improved Georgia defensive front led by pass rushing ace Leonard Floyd (above).
Game picks:
Brandt: Georgia, 37-26
Brooks: Georgia, 27-24
Jeremiah: Georgia, 20-10
Fischer: Georgia, 31-27
Goodbread: Georgia, 31-27
Huguenin: Georgia, 23-21