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NFL Mocks Staff Predictions: College Football Week 3

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:25 p.m. ET

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Sep 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) runs in the fourth quarter as Mississippi Rebels defensive back Zedrick Woods (36) defends at Camping World Stadium. Florida State Seminoles won 45-34. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

Week Three features a loaded crop of games that have College Football Playoff implications at every turn. Will Lamar Jackson and Louisville be able to keep their streak going and rise to the top of the ACC? Will Alabama finally avenge their last two losses against Ole Miss?

The NFL Mocks staff has gone through this week’s slate of games and have picked who they think will come away with the victory in Week Three.

Sep 9, 2016; Syracuse, NY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) leaps over Syracuse Orange defensive back Cordell Hudson (20) during the second quarter at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

(2) Florida State vs. (10) Louisville

The second-ranked Florida State Seminoles travel to take on the No. 10 Louisville Cardinals in an early ACC showdown with College Football Playoff, and conference title implications on the line.

Florida State has started off the 2016 season 2-0 while being led by freshman quarterback Deondre Francois. His debut on Labor Day featured a thrilling come from behind victory over the Ole Miss Rebels. If they fall behind against the Cardinals they may not have the time or the firepower to catch up to the explosive Louisville offense.

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The Seminoles have faced the Cardinals twice as members of the ACC and have claimed victories on both occasions. With Heisman candidate Dalvin Cook carrying the load, look for the Seminoles to come out firing to make a strong case as title contenders against the Cardinals.

The Louisville Cardinals feature one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the nation in Lamarr Jackson. Jackson has completed nearly 60% of his passes for 697 yards and seven touchdowns. He also leads the team in rushing with 318 yards and another six touchdowns. So far this season no team has been able to slow down the sophomore quarterback and FSU will have their hands full.

Without Derwin James patrolling the secondary look for Jackson to showcase his arm to lead his Cardinals to an upset victory over the Seminoles.

Staff Predictions:

David: Louisville

Eric: Louisville

Shawn: Louisville

George: Louisville

Brady: Louisville

Sep 3, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Ryan Anderson (22) reacts during the first quarter against the USC Trojans at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

(1) Alabama vs. (19) Ole Miss

The battle for the SEC West title begins in Week Three. The Alabama Crimson Tide head to Oxford to take on Ole Miss in hopes they can avenge two consecutive losses.

Alabama has far and away looked like the best team in the country. In their first game of the season they dismantled the USC Trojans in a 52-6 blowout. They followed that up with a 38-10 win over Western Kentucky. True freshman Jalen Hurts leads an Alabama offense that averages 45 points a game, but facing the Rebels will be his toughest test to date.

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With a loaded defense, as long as Hurts can manage the offense the Crimson Tide should pull away with a victory against the Rebels.

Ole Miss has Alabama’s number as of late. Winners of the last two matchups, the Rebels would love nothing more than to hand Nick Saban three consecutive losses to the same school for the first time during his tenure as Alabama’s head coach. With a loss already on their resume they can’t afford anymore if they hope to be a contender for the College Football Playoff.

Senior quarterback Chad Kelly will have to play an exceptional game to overcome a loaded defense if the Rebels hope to continue their recent magic against the Crimson Tide.

Staff Predictions:

David: Alabama

Eric: Alabama

Shawn: Alabama

George: Alabama

Brady: Alabama

Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Malik McDowell (4) celebrates fumble recovery against the Indiana Hoosiers during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

(12) Michigan State vs. (18) Notre Dame

After not playing each other for the last two seasons, the Michigan State Spartans and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish renew a long and storied rivalry.

Michigan State is still finding its footing this season. Despite starting 1-0 their victory over Furman wasn’t pretty by any means. The Spartans needs to come out strong against the Irish to boost their confidence. To do that look for them to feed their running backs to establish dominance along the trenches.

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Running back L.J. Scott and the Spartan defense led by Malik McDowell will be the key’s to the game if Michigan State wants to steal a victory away from the Irish. 

Notre Dame come into this game needing a win to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive. Led by the possible No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft in DeShone Kizer, the Fighting Irish need come out firing if they hope to come away with a victory against a talented Spartan team. If the talented Irish offensive line can hold Malik McDowell and open running and passing lanes for the rest of the offense, Notre Dame should pull away late with a victory.

Staff Predictions:

David: Notre Dame

Eric: Notre Dame

Shawn: Notre Dame

George: Notre Dame

Brady: Notre Dame

Sep 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Samaje Perine (32) rushes during the first quarter against the Houston Cougars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

(3) Ohio State vs. (14) Oklahoma

When Ohio State takes on Oklahoma it will be the biggest non-conference matchup of the season. Between the two they have a combined 12 national titles and 12 Heisman trophy winners. Needless to say there is a lot of anticipation from around the country when these two teams take the field on Saturday night.

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Oklahoma comes into this matchup with their College Football Playoff hopes hanging in the balance. With a loss to Houston early in the season, the Sooners can’t afford another loss if they hope to remain in the national championship discussion.

The duo of Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon will be counted on early and often to keep Ohio State’s offense off the field. If they can do that, and Baker Mayfield can take care of the ball while making some plays then the Sooners should be able to steal a win from the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Ohio State enters the matchup as the No. 3 team in the country and are looking for a big time win to cement their status as a College Football Playoff contender. The Buckeyes defense is their bread and butter this season.

Ohio State has taken the ball away nine times in just two games this season, and will be looking to add to that total against a banged up Sooner offense. If they can contain Mayfield and turn him into strictly a pocket passer, then J.T. Barrett and the offense should have no problem putting up enough points to put away the Sooners.

Staff Predictions:

David: Ohio State

Eric: Oklahoma

Shawn: Ohio State

George: Ohio State

Brady: Ohio State

Jan 10, 2015; Frisco, TX, USA; Illinois State Redbirds tight end James O

Week Two  College Football Upsets of the Week

Eric: East Carolina over South Carolina

Shawn: NDSU over Iowa

George: Auburn over (17) Texas A&M

Brady: NDSU over Iowa

Sep 3, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; USC Trojans running back Ronald Jones II (25) runs during the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Breakout Performer

Eric: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville

Not entirely a breakout performer with his start to the season but Jackson used a juiced-up home crowd to accumulate 300 all-purpose yards and 3 TDs on a defense that is without Derwin James

Shawn: Stacy Coley of Miami. QB Brad Kaaya and WR Stacy Coley have yet to connect deep downfield this season, but that will all change this weekend against Appalachian State.

George: JT Barrett will have a massive game against a Big 12 defense

Brady: Ronald Jones, RB, USC will post big numbers against conference rival Stanford

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