Week 3 college football: Undefeated clashes and betting lines defined

FOX Sports has released its preview of the top five games for Week 3 of the 2026 college football season, identifying a slate of matches that will define the early standings. The selection includes a Friday night contest between Texas Tech and Houston, as well as a Saturday showdown between LSU and Ole Miss. The remaining featured games involve Ohio State against Kent State, Louisville versus SMU, and Notre Dame playing Michigan State.

The Friday night opener pits two undefeated teams against each other, yet their performance against the spread diverges significantly. Texas Tech, the 7.5-point favourite, is 0-2 against the spread despite a 2-0 straight-up record. Houston, also undefeated, holds a 1-1 record against the spread. Both squads have previously defeated Oregon State, with Texas Tech winning 35-24 and Houston prevailing 33-20.

On Saturday, the focus shifts to the LSU-Ole Miss matchup, where the health of LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt remains a critical variable. LSU is a three-point favourite, with the over-under set at 58.5 points. FOX Sports betting analyst Patrick Everson noted that bookmakers expect heavy action on the Tigers, reflecting strong market confidence in the team.

Ohio State enters Week 3 as the highest-rated team in the country according to FOX Sports betting analyst Sammy P, despite a Week 2 loss to Texas. The Buckeyes face a 52.5-point spread against Kent State, a team that lost its opening game 57-0 to South Carolina before winning 36-15 against Wofford.

In other featured contests, Notre Dame is a 29.5-point favourite over Michigan State. Notre Dame has secured wins against Wisconsin and Rice, while Michigan State remains undefeated with victories over Toledo and Eastern Michigan. Meanwhile, Louisville, a 1.5-point favourite against SMU, seeks to bounce back from a 41-38 loss to Ole Miss.