College Football Week 3 - 2026

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Week 3 of the 2026 season features 75 FBS games. Wagner carries the week's biggest travel burden at 2,558 miles more than its opponent. Oregon State posts the week's top HFA at 3.7 points. Analysts focused on travel and venue edges will find the ranked sections below most actionable; casual viewers can use the at-a-glance table to scan results. See detailed weather forecasts for every game this week.

Date Away @ Home Away Power Home Power HFA Power Line Line O/U Line Implied Score
Sep 17
7:30 PM
Syracuse @ Pittsburgh -4.6 7.2 2.5 Pittsburgh -14.4 - - -
Sep 18
7:30 PM
Miami @ Wake Forest 21.6 3.8 2.5 Miami -15.3 - - -
Sep 18
7:00 PM
Houston @ Texas Tech 6.7 20.9 2.8 Texas Tech -17.0 Texas Tech -13.5 - -
Sep 18
7:30 PM
Portland State @ Oregon -26.8 29.4 1.9 Oregon -58.2 - - -
Sep 19
11:30 AM
Coastal Carolina @ Delaware -11.3 -15.2 2.5 Coastal Carolina -1.4 - - -
Sep 19
11:00 AM
Arizona State @ Kansas 6.4 4.4 0.0 Arizona State -2.0 - - -
Sep 19
11:00 AM
Georgia @ Arkansas 25.7 5.2 0.8 Georgia -19.7 - - -
Sep 19
12:00 PM
Kent State @ Ohio State -18.7 32.2 3.0 Ohio State -53.9 - - -
Sep 19
11:00 AM
North Texas @ Texas State -0.3 -2.2 2.9 Texas State -1.0 - - -
Sep 19
12:00 PM
Mercer @ Georgia Tech -17.8 6.5 1.1 Georgia Tech -25.4 - - -
Sep 19
12:00 PM
North Carolina @ Clemson -3.4 10.2 2.3 Clemson -15.9 - - -
Sep 19
11:00 AM
Bowling Green @ Iowa State -16.3 5.2 2.9 Iowa State -24.4 - - -
Sep 19
12:00 PM
Buffalo @ Penn State -14.4 19.5 2.1 Penn State -36.0 - - -
Sep 19
11:00 AM
Akron @ Minnesota -19.3 5.6 2.8 Minnesota -27.7 - - -
Sep 19
11:00 AM
Tulane @ Kansas State 2.1 10.8 3.1 Kansas State -11.9 - - -
Sep 19
11:30 AM
Eastern Michigan @ Wisconsin -16.5 4.7 2.0 Wisconsin -23.2 - - -
Sep 19
11:45 AM
Troy @ Missouri -7.1 12.8 2.4 Missouri -22.3 - - -
Sep 19
11:45 AM
NC State @ Vanderbilt 6.5 12.1 1.5 Vanderbilt -7.1 - - -
Sep 19
1:00 PM
Wyoming @ Central Michigan -12.2 -10.7 2.9 Central Michigan -4.3 - - -
Sep 19
1:00 PM
Southern Illinois @ Illinois -13.5 10.8 2.2 Illinois -26.5 - - -
Sep 19
2:00 PM
Maine @ Boston College -26.8 -5.7 2.4 Boston College -23.5 - - -
Sep 19
3:00 PM
Temple @ Toledo -10.7 -1.6 2.9 Toledo -12.0 - - -
Sep 19
12:30 PM
Wagner @ California -34.4 0.9 2.6 California -37.9 - - -
Sep 19
2:30 PM
Kentucky @ Texas A&M 3.9 19.9 3.0 Texas A&M -19.0 - - -
Sep 19
3:30 PM
Miami (OH) @ Cincinnati -5.3 5.0 2.8 Cincinnati -13.1 - - -
Sep 19
1:30 PM
Utah State @ Utah -6.3 16.7 3.0 Utah -26.0 - - -
Sep 19
2:30 PM
Florida State @ Alabama 8.7 19.2 3.5 Alabama -14.0 Alabama -15.5 52.5 18–34
Sep 19
3:30 PM
UTEP @ Michigan -20.8 17.2 1.9 Michigan -39.9 - - -
Sep 19
3:30 PM
SMU @ Louisville 12.8 11.6 3.3 Louisville -2.1 Louisville -1.5 56.5 27–29
Sep 19
3:30 PM
USC @ Rutgers 16.8 -0.5 1.9 USC -15.4 - - -
Sep 19
3:30 PM
Stonehill @ Massachusetts 1.0 -32.4 2.1 Stonehill -31.3 - - -
Sep 19
12:30 PM
Duquesne @ Washington State -28.4 0.8 2.3 Washington State -31.4 - - -
Sep 19
4:00 PM
Ball State @ Liberty -22.1 -7.9 2.4 Liberty -16.6 - - -
Sep 19
3:00 PM
Louisiana Tech @ Baylor -7.5 3.1 1.9 Baylor -12.5 - - -
Sep 19
4:00 PM
Stanford @ Duke -6.0 5.2 2.8 Duke -14.0 - - -
Sep 19
3:00 PM
Northern Iowa @ Iowa -26.8 14.7 2.1 Iowa -43.6 - - -
Sep 19
4:00 PM
Western Kentucky @ Indiana -5.5 27.6 2.6 Indiana -35.7 - - -
Sep 19
4:15 PM
Mississippi State @ South Carolina 3.5 10.2 2.4 South Carolina -9.1 - - -
Sep 19
3:30 PM
SE Louisiana @ UL Monroe -17.8 -19.4 3.3 UL Monroe -1.7 - - -
Sep 19
6:00 PM
Charlotte @ App State -24.3 -12.6 3.0 App State -14.7 - - -
Sep 19
6:00 PM
Florida International @ Florida Atlantic -12.7 -9.9 2.3 Florida Atlantic -5.1 - - -
Sep 19
6:00 PM
East Carolina @ Old Dominion 0.3 2.0 2.3 Old Dominion -4.0 - - -
Sep 19
5:30 PM
Marshall @ Missouri State -6.0 -15.7 2.5 Marshall -7.2 - - -
Sep 19
6:00 PM
Ohio @ South Alabama -4.8 -10.8 2.4 Ohio -3.6 - - -
Sep 19
6:00 PM
UT Martin @ Memphis -27.6 0.4 2.2 Memphis -30.2 - - -
Sep 19
6:00 PM
Western Michigan @ Rice -4.0 -15.3 2.7 Western Michigan -8.6 - - -
Sep 19
6:00 PM
Nicholls @ Sam Houston -28.4 -24.1 2.5 Sam Houston -6.8 - - -
Sep 19
6:00 PM
Murray State @ Oklahoma State -32.0 -3.0 3.1 Oklahoma State -32.1 - - -
Sep 19
6:00 PM
UConn @ Southern Miss -9.0 -15.7 2.5 UConn -4.2 - - -
Sep 19
6:00 PM
Florida @ Auburn 11.5 10.9 1.3 Auburn -0.7 Auburn -1.5 53.5 26–28
Sep 19
6:00 PM
Georgia Southern @ Jacksonville State -9.9 -7.5 2.5 Jacksonville State -4.9 - - -
Sep 19
7:00 PM
Georgia State @ UCF -18.6 0.6 3.2 UCF -22.4 - - -
Sep 19
6:00 PM
Nevada @ Middle Tennessee -15.5 -20.2 2.3 Nevada -2.4 - - -
Sep 19
7:00 PM
Delaware State @ South Florida -32.8 2.3 3.0 South Florida -38.1 - - -
Sep 19
6:15 PM
North Dakota @ Nebraska -16.2 6.9 2.8 Nebraska -25.9 - - -
Sep 19
4:15 PM
Eastern Washington @ Washington -20.4 15.5 3.5 Washington -39.4 - - -
Sep 19
6:30 PM
Colorado @ Northwestern -0.5 3.5 3.0 Northwestern -7.0 - - -
Sep 19
7:30 PM
Michigan State @ Notre Dame -1.1 26.7 2.2 Notre Dame -30.0 - - -
Sep 19
6:30 PM
LSU @ Ole Miss 16.8 20.2 2.5 Ole Miss -5.9 Ole Miss -1.5 57.5 28–30
Sep 19
6:30 PM
New Mexico @ Oklahoma -4.1 18.1 2.7 Oklahoma -24.9 - - -
Sep 19
7:30 PM
Virginia Tech @ Maryland 2.5 1.7 2.3 Maryland -1.4 - - -
Sep 19
5:30 PM
BYU @ Colorado State 15.6 -13.8 2.0 BYU -27.4 - - -
Sep 19
7:30 PM
West Virginia @ Virginia -2.7 6.7 0.0 Virginia -9.4 - - -
Sep 19
7:45 PM
Kennesaw State @ Tennessee -11.1 15.8 2.9 Tennessee -29.8 - - -
Sep 19
7:00 PM
UTSA @ Texas 1.4 22.2 3.4 Texas -24.2 - - -
Sep 19
7:00 PM
Arkansas State @ TCU -9.0 9.4 3.3 TCU -21.7 - - -
Sep 19
7:00 PM
East Texas A&M @ Tulsa -32.8 -11.8 1.8 Tulsa -22.8 - - -
Sep 19
7:00 PM
UAB @ Louisiana -15.4 -8.9 2.8 Louisiana -9.3 - - -
Sep 19
8:00 PM
South Dakota @ Boise State -17.8 5.2 2.9 Boise State -25.9 - - -
Sep 19
7:00 PM
James Madison @ San Diego State 4.6 -1.1 2.7 James Madison -3.0 - - -
Sep 19
7:30 PM
North Dakota State @ Sacramento State -12.8 -24.5 2.5 North Dakota State -9.2 - - -
Sep 19
7:30 PM
Northern Illinois @ Arizona -15.6 8.9 2.4 Arizona -26.9 - - -
Sep 19
8:00 PM
Purdue @ UCLA -5.1 2.6 1.5 UCLA -9.2 - - -
Sep 19
8:00 PM
Montana @ Oregon State 1.0 -9.5 3.7 Montana -6.8 - - -
Sep 19
8:00 PM
Fresno State @ San José State -3.9 -14.8 2.1 Fresno State -8.8 - - -

Biggest Travel Disadvantages This Week

Teams ranked by how much further they travelled than their opponent. At a neutral site both teams travel, so the gap between them is the burden - not the raw trip. Body-clock offset and rest-day differential compound it.

#1 Wagner
2,558 miles · +3h body-clock shift · equal rest
Wagner travels 2,558 miles to face California, arriving with a +3h body-clock shift.
#2 USC
2,431 miles · -3h body-clock shift · opponent +2d rest
USC travels 2,431 miles to face Rutgers, arriving with a -3h body-clock shift.
2,380 miles · -3h body-clock shift · +7d rest edge
Stanford travels 2,380 miles to face Duke, arriving with a -3h body-clock shift.
2,172 miles · +3h body-clock shift · equal rest
James Madison travels 2,172 miles to face San Diego State, arriving with a +3h body-clock shift.
1,896 miles · +3h body-clock shift · equal rest
Duquesne travels 1,896 miles to face Washington State, arriving with a +3h body-clock shift.

Highest Weather-Risk Games This Week

Games ranked by combined wind, temperature, and precipitation impact. Thresholds: sustained wind ≥ 15 mph, gusts ≥ 25 mph, temp ≤ 32°F or ≥ 95°F, precipitation chance ≥ 60%.

68°F, 1 mph wind, 82% precip, Light rain shower
Stonehill @ Massachusetts: 68°F, 1 mph wind, 82% precip, Light rain shower: conditions historically favor the home team when passing difficulty is elevated.
74°F, 13 mph wind, 2% precip, Clear
North Dakota @ Nebraska: 74°F, 13 mph wind, 2% precip, Clear: conditions historically favor the home team when passing difficulty is elevated.

Strongest Home-Field Advantages This Week

Home teams ranked by stadium HFA rating. Higher values reflect stronger historical home performance at that venue. Venues above 4,000 ft are flagged for altitude disadvantage.

HFA 3.7 pts · Reser Stadium · 35,548 capacity
Oregon State carries a 3.7-point HFA edge at Reser Stadium (35,548 capacity) against Montana.
#2 Alabama
HFA 3.5 pts · Bryant-Denny Stadium · 100,077 capacity
Alabama carries a 3.5-point HFA edge at Bryant-Denny Stadium (100,077 capacity) against Florida State.
HFA 3.5 pts · Husky Stadium · 70,083 capacity
Washington carries a 3.5-point HFA edge at Husky Stadium (70,083 capacity) against Eastern Washington.

Vegas versus Prediction Markets

The bookmaker's spread against the spread implied by the Kalshi prediction market - two markets, no model. When they disagree, it is worth asking which one moves.

Book: Texas Tech -13.5 · Market: Texas Tech -9.1 · Gap: 4.4 pts
The bookmaker line is Texas Tech -13.5; the prediction market implies Texas Tech -9.1, a notable divergence from the book. Two markets, no model - a wide gap is one side waiting to move.
#2 LSU @ Ole Miss
Book: Ole Miss -1.5 · Market: Ole Miss -1.3 · Gap: 0.2 pts
The bookmaker line is Ole Miss -1.5; the prediction market implies Ole Miss -1.3, in line with the book. Two markets, no model - a wide gap is one side waiting to move.

Model versus Market

Where the Blue Chip model line diverges most from the bookmaker line and the Kalshi prediction market - a three-way read. A large gap suggests the market may be mispricing the matchup: directional signal only, not a betting recommendation.

Model: Notre Dame -30.0 · Book: unavailable · Market: Notre Dame -16.3
The model makes it Notre Dame -30.0. The prediction market implies Notre Dame -16.3, a notable divergence from the model. Directional signal only.
Model: Texas Tech -17.7 · Book: Texas Tech -13.5 · Market: Texas Tech -9.1
The model makes it Texas Tech -17.7. The bookmaker line is Texas Tech -13.5, a notable divergence from the model; the prediction market implies Texas Tech -9.1, a notable divergence from the model. Directional signal only.
#3 LSU @ Ole Miss
Model: Ole Miss -5.9 · Book: Ole Miss -1.5 · Market: Ole Miss -1.3
The model makes it Ole Miss -5.9. The bookmaker line is Ole Miss -1.5, a notable divergence from the model; the prediction market implies Ole Miss -1.3, a notable divergence from the model. Directional signal only.

When to Skip This Week 3 Analysis

How We Ranked Week 3's Games

Each ranked section draws from the same enriched data that powers our per-game pages. Travel distances are calculated as straight-line (great-circle) distances from each team's home market to the game stadium. Body-clock offset is the signed time-zone difference the away team crosses, or both teams in case of neutral site games. Rest-day differential is the difference in days since each team last played. Weather scoring compounds wind, temperature, and precipitation against fixed thresholds, dome stadiums are excluded as weather is irrelevant indoors, see our Weather tool for the full methodology.

HFA ratings come from our Home Field Advantage tool, which estimates the per-venue point value based on historical margin-of-victory data. Stadiums above 4,000 ft are flagged; altitude creates a documented visiting-team disadvantage. Power ratings are from the Blue Chip power-rating model. The gap between the model's implied spread and the market line is a directional signal; it is not a betting recommendation.

The Vegas versus Prediction Markets section compares the bookmaker's spread with the spread implied by the Kalshi prediction market - converted from its win probability through a fixed logistic scale - with no model involved. The Model versus Market section sets the Blue Chip model line against both of those markets as a three-way read, and each gap is described with the same language the per-game pages use. ATS records are season-to-date.

Sources

Weather Data

Home Field Advantage

Frequently Asked Questions

How many games are in college football Week 3 2026?

Week 3 of the 2026 FBS season features 75 games tracked by Blue Chip Analytics. The full schedule, lines, and totals are listed in the game table on this page.

How does Blue Chip Analytics rank travel disadvantages?

Teams are ranked by how much further they travelled than their opponent, measured as straight-line distance from each home market to the game stadium. At a home game the host travels nothing, so this is simply the visitor's trip; at a neutral site both teams travel and the gap between them is the burden. Body-clock offset (time-zone hours crossed) is listed alongside distance as a compound fatigue indicator.

What weather conditions qualify as high-risk for this week?

Games are flagged when the kickoff-hour forecast meets at least one of: sustained wind ≥ 15 mph, gusts ≥ 25 mph, temperature ≤ 32°F or ≥ 95°F, or a precipitation chance ≥ 60%. Scores compound across all factors: a cold and windy game ranks higher than a mildly breezy one. Weeks with no game past these thresholds show no weather section at all.

What is a Home Field Advantage (HFA) rating?

Blue Chip's HFA rating estimates the point value of playing at home at a specific stadium, based on historical margin-of-victory data. A rating of 3.0 means the home team historically performs about 3 points better at that venue than their power ratings alone would predict.

What does the Vegas versus Prediction Markets section show?

It ranks games by how far the bookmaker's spread sits from the spread implied by the Kalshi prediction market. Kalshi's win probability is converted to a spread through a fixed logistic scale, and no model is involved - it is one market against another. A wide gap is a directional flag, not a betting recommendation.

What does the Model versus Market section show?

It sets the Blue Chip model line against both the bookmaker line and the Kalshi-implied line - a three-way read - and ranks games by the model's largest disagreement with either market. The size of each gap is described in the same language the per-game pages use. Both the model and the markets can be wrong: treat it as a directional flag, not a pick.

What qualifies as a notable ATS record?

Teams are flagged when at least 4 of their games this season have produced a decided ATS result and their cover rate is ≥60% (hot) or ≤40% (cold). Records are season-to-date and, especially early on, rest on small samples - a hot or cold streak here is context to note, not a demonstrated edge.

Week 3 of the 2026 season features 75 FBS games; the ranked sections above surface the travel, weather, HFA, market-vs-market, model-vs-market, and ATS-record edges most relevant to analysts and informed fans.