Predictions for the biggest games in Week 3 of the 2024 college football season

The Maroon and White Nation team is making our picks for the biggest games each week of the college football season as well as our predictions for Mississippi State football.

Here are our records through two weeks...

Chase Brumfield: 13-7

Reed Green: 9-11

Andrew Miller: 13-7

Let's make our Week 3 picks!

National Games

West Virginia at Pitt

Chase: West Virginia will control most of this game and eventually pull away in the second half. West Virginia wins

Reed: I think the coaching for the Mountaineers will be the difference in this game. Even after a 2-0 start, Pitt still seems to be a tail spin after losing Kenny Pickett a few years back. West Virginia wins

Andrew: Pitt is lucky to be 2-0, but on the other hand, I'm not exactly wowed by WVU either. I get a feeling the Mountaineers may have been more lucky than good last season, and Pitt is actually the improved team here after changing the offense. Pitt wins

Washington State at Washington

Chase: I predict a stunning upset victory for Washington State over Washington. The Cougars will show why they are no longer the little brother in this historic rivalry. Washington State wins

Reed: Even with Washington dominating this rivalry, I think the Cougars will ride the momentum they got last week after thrashing Texas Tech to a victory. Washington State wins

Andrew: Wow, I guess we're all just doubting Will Rogers because I too am on the Cougs. Washington has looked fine the first two games, but while I've got concerns about the Wazzu defense, their offense is electric. I think the conference realignment aspect of this will have Wazzu extra fired up. Washington State wins

UCF at TCU

Chase: Regardless of home field advantage for TCU, KJ Jefferson will perform at a high level due to his experience. I do not believe TCU’s offense will have the manpower and experience to go toe-to-toe with UCF. UCF wins

Reed: KJ in Gus' offense will make life difficult for Big 12 defenses, and TCU will be the first to experience this. TCU also struggled vs Stanford, and I think that continues this week. UCF wins

Andrew: I'll be honest I haven't been impressed by Jefferson's early returns in Orlando. I think TCU might actually be the better team here, and with it being in Fort Worth, I'll take the Frogs. TCU wins

SEC Games

4 Alabama at Wisconsin

Chase: Alabama’s running game will come alive. Justice Haynes and Jam Miller will be too much for Wisconsin’s defense. Alabama wins

Reed: In what should be an electric atmosphere, I think Bama is too loaded for Wisconsin to pull an upset. It could be close at halftime, but Alabama should impose their will in the second half. Alabama wins

Andrew: Wisconsin's offense simply isn't good enough to keep up with Milroe and Bama. I know the Tide looked iffy for a long time against UCF, but they can flip a switch the Badgers can't. And Wiscy doesn't have the defense they once did to make this a slugfest. Alabama wins

16 LSU at South Carolina

Chase: The Tigers defense will show up and the offense will do enough to maintain a lead to leave Colombia with a win. LSU wins

Reed: Even with their win over UK, I still do not know what to make of the Gamecocks. LSU did not play well versus USC or in the first half versus Nicholls, but I think their talent will start to show in the second half en route to a victory. LSU wins

Andrew: LSU's issues are in secondary, but South Carolina isn't equipped to take advantage. And while the Gamecock DL is strong, so is the LSU OL. Tigers will overcome the atmosphere in Willy-B. LSU wins

24 Boston College at 6 Missouri

Chase: I have Missouri winning an exciting game against Boston College. Boston College will pose a threat for the Tigers, but the offensive power of Luther Burden III and Brady Cook will pull through. Missouri wins

Reed: BC played extremely well versus FSU, and their QB is an electric playmaker. However, I think Mizzou’s depth and the fact they are playing at home will help the Tigers win. Missouri wins

Andrew: Boston College is getting a lot of credit for beating FSU in a national spotlight, but I think we must consider that FSU just isn't any good. Mizzou hasn't been tested yet, but they're clearly the better team. Missouri wins

Texas A&M at Florida

Chase: Both sides of the ball are looking for a turnaround in their season, and Texas A&M will do just that. Texas A&M’s defense will be the MVP of this game. Texas A&M wins

Reed: It’s simple. A&M wins this because of coaching and better talent on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Texas A&M wins

Andrew: Honestly I have no idea what to predict for this game. I think the A&M defense is clearly the best unit on the field, and probably the only unit worth calling "good" at all. But I just have a weird feeling Florida finds a win. I'm gonna give the Gators one final chance. Florida wins

Tulane at 15 Oklahoma

Chase: I have Tulane pulling an upset against Oklahoma. A green wave will commence for the Sooners due to Tulane’s sneaky offense. Tulane will look to turn last week’s loss into motivation. Tulane wins

Reed: This was my trap game pick before the season for two reasons. The first reason is that Tulane nearly won there a few years ago, and because they are an excellent G5 team. However, I think Arnold makes too many plays through the air to help the Sooners win. Oklahoma wins

Andrew: Oklahoma's offense...woof. But Oklahoma's defense...pretty good. That's weird to say, but it was definitely true last week. Still I doubt the Sooners continue being incapable of scoring. Tulane is good, but I think OU gets it done. Oklahoma wins

1 Georgia at Kentucky

Chase: I have Georgia winning in a blowout win against Kentucky. Kentucky is on a downward spiral and the timing for them can’t get any better. Georgia smells blood in the water, so watch out. Georgia wins

Reed: This game has been close in recent years, but given the way UK looked vs South Carolina, I will be surprised if they keep this game within four touchdowns. Georgia is a well-oiled machine with too much talent, depth and superior coaching. Georgia wins

Andrew: Kentucky stinks, and Georiga does not. Even if Kentucky was having a good year, Mark Stoops' program hasn't shown they can win these types of games anyways. Georgia wins

Mississippi State Bulldogs vs Toledo Rockets predictions

Chase: Mississippi State’s blunder in Tempe last week will affect their game this weekend. The Bulldogs’ offense will be out of sync and cause problems down the stretch. The Bulldogs’ defense will hold up on their own, but their time of possession will cause fatigue. Toledo will catch the Bulldogs off guard and pull a late field goal to secure the win in Starkville. Mississippi State loses 24-21

Reed: I think State will implement what they learned on defense on how to slow the run which should help. Shapen will continue to look sharp through the air, and Toledo lost too much talent to keep this game close. It might be a touchdown or 10 point game around halftime, but I think Toledo does not have the horses to pull of the upset. Mississippi State wins 44-20

Andrew: There is real letdown potential here coming off a tough loss and with the SEC-opener looming. But I think the loss to ASU likely woke-up this team, and there's a good chance at a bounce back win as well. Toledo hasn't been impressive despite two fairly easy wins, and I think State hits enough big plays offensively and limits the damage defensively to win. Mississippi State wins 38-23