The number of Week 3 marquee games are small yet mighty, but the picks roll on. Pat Forde had a dominant week, and luckily for him, Utah pulled off a comeback to clinch an unblemished week. The rest of his wins were dominating covers that left little doubt. Richard Johnson shouldn't quit his day job to move to Vegas just yet after an ugly week.
All lines courtesy of SI Sportsbook. Last week: Forde 4-0-1, Johnson 1-3-1. Season: Forde 6-4-1, Johnson 4-6-1.
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South Carolina at No. 1 Georgia (-27.5)
Johnson: South Carolina +27.5. I don’t think this is ever going to be in doubt for the Dawgs, but I do think South Carolina can cover here with just enough offense. Juice Wells will hopefully be back near full power for the Gamecocks. As long as the offensive line woes were just a bug and not a feature, Spencer Rattler can give you enough to beat the number with a Georgia offense that may not be terribly explosive.
Forde. Georgia -27.5. My working theory here is that the Bulldogs have been a bit bored to start the season, which has been reflected in a lack of sharpness in the first half against overmatched opponents. South Carolina should get their attention, even though South Carolina isn’t that good. Specifically, this looks like a long day for the Gamecocks offensive line. Georgia wins big.
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No. 8 Washington (-16.5) at Michigan State
Johnson: Washington -16.5. I cannot for the life of me figure out why Washington isn’t favored by at least three touchdowns if not more. This could very well be the “Vegas is trying to tell us something” game. Well, perhaps I’m not a good listener. I know there’s a significant motivation factor of Sparty potentially wanting to give it a go for their interim coach, Harlon Barnett, but the pass defense hasn’t been great for Michigan State in recent years while Mel Tucker was the coach. That’s a recipe for disaster against the Huskies.
Forde: Washington -16.5. Big road number, but I’m rolling with the Huskies. This is the nation’s most dangerous vertical passing game against a defense that hasn’t yet given up a play from scrimmage of 30-plus yards. That will change this week. If Washington gives Michael Penix time against a good pass rush, he will hit some deep shots and the Huskies will put a lot of points on the board against an opponent that could be reeling from the sudden loss of its head coach.
No. 11 Tennessee (-6.5) at Florida
Johnson: Florida +6.5. This one is simple. If Florida can get its operation together, it has a significant chance in this game. If the sloppiness that showed up at Utah rears its ugly head, the Gators will get escorted out of the paint quickly by a Tennessee offense that can score in droves. Which Florida team will show up Saturday night? My guess is a competent one, but I’ve been wrong before.
Forde: Tennessee -6.5. I appreciate the number being less than a touchdown. This is almost always a competitive game, but the Gators are not a good offensive team and will not be able to match points with the Volunteers.
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TCU (-7.5) at Houston
Johnson: Houston +7.5. It’s a battle of two defenses I don’t think are all that good. And where that’s concerned, I have designs on a shootout that finishes close. The hook beckons to me, and I will take it.
Forde: TCU -7.5. Cougars will be fired up for their Big 12 debut, but they’re not off to a great start. They were upset by Rice, and before that beat UTSA only 17–14 despite being plus-three in the turnover department. Horned Frogs learned a lot about their deficiencies against Colorado and should be better defensively than they were in that game. Chandler Morris gives them a QB advantage as well.
Colorado State at No. 18 Colorado (-22.5)
Johnson: Colorado -22.5. I was foolish enough—apparently—to think Colorado was not going to be all that good heading into the season, but I did think it’d be able to take care of Colorado State. The Rams are in the early running for one of the worst teams in the country. It should be a feast for CU’s very good skill players.
Forde: Colorado -22.5. I am laying the points in every game, but especially this game. Buffaloes have easily covered the first two weeks, have dramatically better personnel than the Rams, have a renewed home field advantage . . . and I believe Deion Sanders will have his son throwing late into this game to keep his stats spectacular for Heisman Trophy purposes.
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