Week 3 college football picks, predictions: Over $2,000 in sportsbook promos at DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM — SkimNews
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- DraftKings is offering $200 in bonus bets for a $5 wager on Week 3 college football, part of a combined sportsbook promo blitz worth over $2,000 alongside FanDuel's $350 offer (via daily $5 wagers for seven days) and BetMGM's up to $1,500 if the first bet loses.
- SportsLine's Week 3 slate is headlined by No. 8 Ole Miss vs. No. 7 LSU, with No. 23 Louisville hosting No. 16 SMU and No. 12 USC traveling to Rutgers.
- Eric Cohen of SportsLine picked the Under 43.5 in Clemson vs. North Carolina, citing Clemson's QB issues and Dabo Swinney's reluctance to use the transfer portal, projecting North Carolina 19, Clemson 17.
- Matt Severance projects USC as 19-point favorites over Rutgers but flagged USC's struggles on the road in 2025 and a lookahead spot to hosting Oregon next Saturday.
- Baylor vs. Louisiana Tech hinges on QB availability — Louisiana Tech's Blake Baker is out with a fractured hand and Baylor's DJ Lagway is expected to start after missing last week with an ankle injury.
- Thomas Casale likes Louisville (-128) to beat SMU at home, citing the Cardinals' rushing attack led by Lincoln Kienholz, Isaac Brown and Keyjuan Brown, and SMU's rebuilt defensive line that allowed Florida State to rush for 200 yards.
Why it matters: Sportsbooks are competing aggressively for new college football bettors ahead of a Week 3 slate headlined by Ole Miss-LSU, with DraftKings' $5 entry threshold the lowest barrier. SportsLine's picks flag QB uncertainty at both Baylor and Louisiana Tech and target Clemson's QB issues and Dabo Swinney's transfer portal reluctance.
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