It’s the game everyone circled when the 2026 college football schedule was released.
Lane Kiffin returns to Oxford, leading the No. 7 LSU Tigers vs. No. 8 Ole Miss Rebels.
The weekend also begins with another ranked matchup on Friday night, as No. 22 Houston visits No. 12 Texas Tech at Lubbock on FOX.
But beyond the matches, some games are flying under the radar and can offer intriguing betting opportunities.
With that, here are five of the best sleeper games to watch and bet on in Week 3 of the college football season.
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SPREAD: Virginia Tech -3
Money line: Virginia Tech -148, Maryland +124
Perspective: We have a Big Ten-ACC non-conference battle on our hands. Both quarterbacks enter this game having thrown for more than 300 yards and two touchdowns in their previous game. Virginia Tech’s Ethan Grunkemeyer is completing more than 70% of his passes and has thrown four touchdowns, while Maryland’s Malik Washington has also completed more than 70% of his passes with three scores through the air.
James Franklin’s first real test against a Power 4 opponent comes on the road against a familiar conference foe. During his tenure at Penn State, Franklin went 9-2 against Maryland, averaging 25.9 points.
Can Franklin continue its dominance over the Terrapins, even on the other side of the Big Ten-ACC rivalry?
Player to watch: Luke Reynolds has emerged as one of Grunkemeyer’s favorite targets and a real game changer for the Hokies. The Penn State transfer leads the team through two games with 13 receptions for 158 yards and three touchdowns. Look for Reynolds to remain a big part of Franklin’s offense.
SPREAD: South Carolina -4
Money line: South Carolina -175, Mississippi State +145
Perspective: Kamario Taylor has been incredible through the first two weeks of the season. Mississippi State has scored 100 points in two games, following its historic Week 1 win with a dominating 38-13 road victory over Minnesota. Now, Jeff Lebby and the Bulldogs travel to Columbia for their SEC opener against South Carolina.
Shane Beamer is off to a 2-0 start for the third straight season and is looking to lead South Carolina to its first 3-0 start since 2012. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers has recorded more than 350 passing yards and 100 rushing yards in two games. He showed just how dangerous he can be on the ground last week, rushing for 119 yards on just seven carries.
These programs have met just 17 times, most recently in 2023. South Carolina has won 10 of those games, including eight of the last 10.
If Beamer and the Gamecocks want to continue that success, they’ll have to slow down one of the most explosive offenses in the country.
Player to watch: It’s been the Kamario Taylor show for the first two weeks, and everyone is starting to tune in. Taylor leads the SEC with 581 passing yards and ranks second with seven. It will be fascinating to see how he and the Bulldogs handle the hostile environment at Williams-Brice Stadium.
SPREAD: Vanderbilt -3.5
Money line: Vanderbilt -166, NC State +140
Perspective: Clark Lea had to turn to five-star freshman quarterback Jared Curtis to lead a second-half comeback against FCS foe Delaware. The Commodores trailed in the first half before Curtis came in and led the charge with two touchdowns in the third quarter. With the QB situation seemingly resolved, allowing 26 points to Delaware may now be Vanderbilt’s biggest concern.
NC State responded to a disappointing week one performance by demolishing FCS opponent Richmond 73-0. The Wolfpack rushed for 428 yards and eight touchdowns, led by Jayden Scott’s 128 yards and two scores. Quarterback CJ Bailey also recorded his first two touchdowns of the season, throwing for one and running for another.
Through two games against non-Power 4 opponents, Vanderbilt hasn’t looked like a team capable of reaching 10 wins again.
Whether it’s due to inconsistent quarterback play or mistakes early in the season, the Commodores will need to clean things up with an ACC opponent coming to town. Meanwhile, NC State has an opportunity to secure a non-conference win statement before ACC play begins.
Player to watch: Jared Curtis entered the season with much hype as a five-star quarterback who flipped his commitment from Georgia, but he started the year as Vanderbilt’s backup. After leading a second-half comeback against Delaware, Curtis could take over at QB1 this week — and he’s shown why he deserves the opportunity. The rookie has completed 21 of 31 passes for 270 yards and a touchdown while adding two scores on the ground.
SPREAD: Northwest -3.5
Money line: Northwestern -175, Colorado +145
Perspective: Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes continued their Week 1 thriller against Georgia Tech with a upset of Weber State. The Buffs hit the road again, this time facing a Big Ten opponent in Northwestern.
Julian Lewis passed for 336 yards in the win against Weber State, the most yards by a Colorado QB since Shedeur Sanders’ 438 in 2024.
Meanwhile, the Wildcats found themselves in a fourth-quarter matchup against FCS powerhouse South Dakota State in Week 1. Two late fourth-quarter touchdowns gave Northwestern a 34-18 win. The Wildcats had almost 500 yards of total offense, but also gave up 432 yards of total offense.
A week two bye gave the Wildcats two weeks to correct their mistakes and prepare for this matchup as Colorado begins to find its offensive rhythm.
Will the extra preparation benefit Northwestern, or will the off week derail the offense’s momentum?
Player to watch: With the weather likely to make this another messy game, Colorado could find itself in a similar situation with its matchup against Georgia Tech. The Buffaloes responded by running the ball 49 times for 183 yards. If they rely on the ground game again this week, keep an eye on Micah Welch, Colorado’s leading rusher.
SPREAD: San Diego State -2.5
Money line: San Diego State -135, JMU +114
Perspective: James Madison scored 87 points last week. Yes, you read that correctly. The Dukes beat Wagner by 84 points, continuing their seamless transition from Bob Chesney to Billy Napier.
Speaking of Chesney, his UCLA Bruins needed a 21-point fourth quarter to pull away from San Diego State last week. The Aztecs were one of the top teams in the Mountain West last season, finishing 9-4. With 10 starters returning, they’re looking to build on that success and now have a big opportunity against one of the nation’s top Group of Six programs.
San Diego State proved it can compete with a Power 4 opponent, so JMU shouldn’t be intimidated. They seem unlikely to score another 87 points especially against this defense, giving the Aztecs an opportunity to make a statement against one of the best teams in the G6.
Player to watch: San Diego State’s Lucky Sutton led the Mountain West with 1,297 rushing yards last season and has picked up where he left off. Sutton has rushed for 139 yards through two games, fourth most in the Pac-12, while his three rushing touchdowns are tied for the conference lead. If the Aztecs are going to beat JMU, he will have to play a big role on offense.
