College Football Best Bets: Three Favorite Picks for Week 3 of the 2022 Season

We have three college football plays that we are really high on this weekend, so make sure you check out our Week 3 best bets for Saturday. We're looking to build our bankroll before Sunday's NFL games, so join us for the September 17 slate. 

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Week 3 College Football Best Bets for Saturday September 17, 2022

Purdue Boilermakers vs. Syracuse Orange - 12:00PM ET

We're hoping for some immediate fireworks on Saturday, as we're taking the Over in what should be an exciting Big Ten vs. ACC showdown in upstate New York. Through two games this season, the Boilermakers have scored a total of 87 points, while the Orange have put up 79. These are two teams that have looked extremely explosive to start the season, and playing against one another should only bring out the best of these offenses. 

Last year, Purdue had a below-average rushing defense, as the Boilermakers gave up 157.9 rushing yards per game — which ranked 12th in the Big Ten and 77th nationally. This defense should have a lot of trouble containing Syracuse superstar Sean Tucker, who has rushed for at least 100 yards and a score in both of the games the Orange have played this year. Tucker also added six catches for 84 yards and a receiving touchdown in a season-opening win over Louisville, which just gives you an idea of how dangerous of a weapon he can be. 

While Syracuse should be able to cook on the ground in this game, Purdue will do its damage through the air. Even though the Orange have a decent passing defense, there just aren't many defenses in the nation that are capable of keeping quarterback Aidan O'Connell and the Boilermakers passing game down. O'Connell has thrown for 576 yards with five touchdowns and no picks this year, and he should put up some big numbers in the Carrier Dome this weekend. 

Look for this game to be a shootout from the start and let's get the day started with an early winner. 

BET: Over 59 in Purdue-Syracuse at -125 at DraftKings Sportsbook

🏈 Purdue vs. Syracuse Predictions
📈 Betting preview: Purdue vs. Syracuse

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California Golden Bears vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish - 2:30PM ET

This is a game in which it was hard to choose between the Golden Bears and the Under, but we feel that the Under is just the safer play. This is a game that features two teams that really haven't proven that they can score the football, with the Golden Bears having only scored a total of 54 points despite playing two non-Power 5 teams and the Fighting Irish only having 31 points through two games. 

Both of these programs are led by defensive-minded head coaches and Cal's Justin Wilcox really hasn't figured out the offensive side of the ball since arriving in Berkeley. That could change at any given time, as it isn't too difficult to hit on a good offensive coordinator. But it's unlikely to swing in the other direction this year, and we definitely don't see it happening against a Fighting Irish team that is very good on defense. 

Notre Dame is, however, in an equally bad place offensively right now. Not only was the team weak at quarterback and wide receiver to open the year, but injuries have hit this squad hard. After losing wide receiver Avery Davis for the season, the Fighting Irish are now without starting quarterback Tyler Buchner. Considering he was the best option of the bunch before getting hurt, we don't see Notre Dame miraculously turning things around in the passing department this week. The Fighting Irish just haven't been able to move the ball and they now face one of the best defensive teams the Pac-12 has to offer. 

With all of that in mind, don't be surprised if the winner of this game scores 21 points or fewer. For what it's worth, the Under is 8-3 in games in which Cal has been an underdog of 10.5 to 21 points since Wilcox took over. It's also 36-19-1 in all of the games he has coached with the team, which just shows you how often this team plays low-scoring games. 

BET: Under 40.5 in California-Notre Dame at -110 at DraftKings Sportsbook

🏈 California vs. Notre Dame Predictions
📈 Betting preview: California vs. Notre Dame

Tulane Green Wave vs. Kansas State Wildcats - 3:00PM ET

Kansas State is coming off a 40-12 win as a 7-point favorite against the Missouri Tigers last week, and that's a result that likely puts fear in the hearts of potential Tulane bettors. But the Green Wave have been really impressive to start the year, as they have covered in each of their wins and have put up a total of 94 points. 

Of course, it's easy to point to the fact that Tulane played Massachusetts and Alcorn State in its two victories, but that would be selling Willie Fritz's team short. The Green Wave defense has allowed a total of 326 yards over the first two weeks of the season and that's impressive against anyone. Now, Fritz will be counting on his defense to find a way to slow down Wildcats star Deuce Vaughn, who happens to be one of the best running backs in the nation. And considering that will be the biggest focal point of the game, we think Tulane will do a decent job in doing so. 

Look for the Green Wave to throw everything they have at Vaughn, forcing quarterback Adrian Martinez to do most of the damage for Kansas State. Martinez is talented, but he hasn't proven that he is capable of using his arm since arriving in Manhattan. Martinez is a good runner and has used his legs well, but he has only thrown for 154 yards through two games and he hasn't yet thrown for a touchdown. Tulane will try to make him use that arm in this game, and that's one of the reasons we think this one will be close. 

Also, for as good as the Kansas State defense has been thus far, the Wildcats could have some trouble against a Tulane team that returned four starters along the offensive line and is capable of playing a number of different ways. If Fritz senses any weakness along the Wildcats defensive line, he'll pound the rock with his deep stable of productive running backs. If not, he'll trust in sophomore quarterback Michael Pratt, who has thrown for 484 yards with five scores and zero interceptions this season.

Pratt isn't afraid of Big 12 competition, as he threw for 296 yards with three touchdowns and no picks in a 40-35 loss at Oklahoma last year. He also rushed for 34 yards and a score in that game. 

BET: Tulane +14.5 at -120 at DraftKings Sportsbook

🏈 Tulane vs. Kansas State Predictions
📈 Betting preview: Tulane vs. Kansas State