College Football Predictions & Odds Today: Expert Picks for Every Game Tonight

NC State and Wake Forest got Week 3 off to an exciting start, and my college football predictions and odds today break down the full Friday slate.

I make my college football picks - along with some help from Sportsbook Review experts - for tonight's five games, including Colorado vs. Houston and Kansas State vs. Arizona. We've got the night owls covered, too, as we hand out a best bet for New Mexico vs. UCLA. 

If you just can't get enough picks, our college football predictions for Week 3 provide in-depth analysis for Saturday's marquee matchups.

🏈 Best college football predictions today

We've compiled the best bets from our college football experts from throughout the week; odds subject to change.

• Indiana -48.5 (-105 via FanDuel) vs. Indiana State ⭐⭐⭐
• Colgate +37.5 (-110 via ESPN BET) vs. Syracuse ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Houston -4.5 (-105 via Caesars) vs. Colorado ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Kansas State -1.5 (-114 via FanDuel) vs. Arizona ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• New Mexico +15.5 (-108 via DraftKings) vs. UCLA ⭐⭐⭐⭐

💰 College football odds & expert picks for Week 3

College football odds update live in real time.

📊 Indiana State vs. Indiana odds

• Date: Friday, Sept. 12
• Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Memorial Stadium (Bloomington, Ind.)
• How to watch: Big Ten Network

🔮 Indiana State vs. Indiana prediction

Here's why I am predicting Indiana will cover the spread against Indiana State:

Indiana came out last week and hung 593 yards of total offense on Kennesaw State en route to a 47-point blowout. I don't envision the Hoosiers having any trouble with an Indiana State defense that surrendered 24 points to McKendree in Week 1. This spread is astronomically large, but I have faith in the hosts.

📊 Colgate vs. Syracuse odds

• Date: Friday, Sept. 12
• Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
• Location: JMA Wireless Dome (Syracuse, N.Y.)
• How to watch: ACC Network

🔮 Colgate vs. Syracuse prediction

Here's why I am predicting Colgate will cover the spread against Syracuse:

Let me preface this pick by saying I love Fran Brown. I love what he's building up there inside the JMA Wireless Dome, but this program is still a few years away. Syracuse has struggled mightily to dominate games this season. I don't think the Orange have enough talent to blow anybody out, and Brown's 1-5-1 ATS record in non-conference games as a head coach only reinforces my belief.

📊 Colorado vs. Houston odds

• Date: Friday, Sept. 12
• Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Location: TDECU Stadium (Houston)
• How to watch: ESPN

🔮 Colorado vs. Houston prediction

Here's an excerpt from our Colorado vs. Houston prediction on why Phil Wood believes the Cougars will cover the spread against Colorado on Friday:

"Colorado has forced three turnovers in each game, which has been a key reason for their success. But Conner Weigman only has seven interceptions in 17 career games, and the Cougars haven’t turned the ball over this season. The Buffaloes can’t win without turnovers, and Weigman is experienced enough to avoid them."

📊 Kansas State vs. Arizona odds

• Date: Friday, Sept. 12
• Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
• Location: Arizona Stadium (Tucson, Ariz.)
• How to watch: FOX

🔮 Kansas State vs. Arizona prediction

Here's an excerpt from our Kansas State vs. Arizona prediction on why Phil Wood thinks Kansas State will cover the spread against Arizona on Friday:

"Last week, Kansas State lost the time of possession battle 40:29-19:31, and it still only lost by three. I expect them to have much more success against an Arizona offense that doesn’t match up favorably with a pass defense allowing just 176.7 passing yards per game."

📊 New Mexico vs. UCLA odds

• Date: Friday, Sept. 12
• Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
• Location: Rose Bowl (Pasadena, Calif.)
• How to watch: Big Ten Network

🔮 New Mexico vs. UCLA prediction

Here's an excerpt from our college football picks on why Rob Paul believes the Lobos will cover the spread against the Bruins on Friday:

"UCLA is among the worst Power Four teams in the country after getting destroyed by Utah and upset by UNLV. The Bruins are 0-2 ATS, and now take on a New Mexico team that had Michigan fans sweating. The Lobos only lost to the Wolverines by 17, as 34.5-point underdogs, thanks to Jason Eck's creativity. Look for Eck to be deep in his bag again to keep this close."

❓ College football betting FAQs

How do college football spread odds work?

When betting on college football, the favorite needs to win by a certain number of points to cover the "point spread" - also known as the betting line. Conversely, the underdog needs to lose by fewer than the points displayed in the spread or win outright to cash. For example, a 3-point favorite would need to win by more than a field goal to reward bettors.

How do college football moneyline odds work?

When betting on college football, the underdog will have the "longer" odds and is typically priced at "plus-money" odds that indicate the profit on a $100 bet. For example, a team with +150 odds would turn a $100 bet into a $150 profit - or a $10 bet into a $15 profit - according to our odds converter.

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