Week 3 Nevada College Pick'em Contest picks

Clemson (-7.5) vs. Wake Forest

The hook here definitely doesn't help, but after barely beating Liberty last week in a 37-36 nail biter, the Demon Deacons have some serious issues. Quarterback Sam Hartman missed the first game of the season due to a blood clot, and he just doesn't look the same as last year. And don't even mention the running game. Wake Forest averaged fewer than a yard per carry last week and a one-dimensional passing attack against a team like Clemson won't work. Clemson's defense is its strength, and Wake Forest's defense is its weakness. Expect this game to be close for a while, but the Tigers are more than capable of winning this game by eight or more. 

Duke vs. Kansas (-7.5)

Are the Jayhawks now a football school? Hell no. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't bet on them against another "basketball school" in Duke. The hook here stinks, but the Kansas offense is for real. The Jayhawks have a pair of high quality, double-digit wins over West Virginia and Houston already, and Jalon Daniels might be the most underrated quarterback in the nation.  Duke's defense is its biggest strength, but they haven't seen an offense like Kansas's yet. Kansas hasn't cracked the top 25 since 2009, and an eight-point victory over the Blue Devils would likely change that. 

UCLA (21.5) vs. Colorado

Make no mistake about it — the Colorado Buffaloes are a joke. Now they're nowhere near as bad as UConn, but they're still bad. Colorado hasn't scored more than 13 points in a game yet, and don't expect that to change this week. UCLA looked bad defensively against South Alabama, but Dorian Thompson-Robinson and the UCLA offense should have little problem offensively against the Buffaloes. Those might be a close cover, but it's still worth taking UCLA by three scores.

Texas (-6.5) vs. Texas Tech

Two teams dominated the transfer portal this offseason. The first, USC. The second? That would be Texas. Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns are for real, and despite being on the road this week, Texas by seven is the right play here. This game might be tight for a while, but expect the Longhorns defense to remain stout and for Bijan Robinson and the Texas running game to take over in the fourth quarter. Home field advantage will definitely help the Red Raiders, but not enough to keep them within seven points. 

Kansas State vs. Oklahoma (-12.5)

Whoever thought the Sooners wouldn't be the same without Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams were dead wrong. Riley and Williams are thriving at USC, but Brent Venables has the Oklahoma defense playing lights out. The Sooners haven't won a game by less than 30 points and haven't allowed more than 14 points in each of their first three games, and that shouldn't change against Kansas State. Oklahoma might not go up 13 until the fourth quarter, but after a 17-10 loss last week against Tulane, the Wildcats have their work cut out for them on the road against Oklahoma. 

USC (-6.5) vs. Oregon State

USC might be one of the biggest surprises across college football, and even on the road, -6.5 points against Oregon State is a steal. This is our top pick for the week, despite facing a 3-0 Beavers squad. The Trojans are averaging over 50 points a game and have forced 10 turnovers. USC might not put up 50 on Oregon State, but expect the Trojans to score at least 40 and force at least two turnovers. This game might be close for a little, but USC should win this one by double digits with ease. Caleb Williams and Jordan Addison have only played three games together, but they look like the best QB-WR combination in the nation. 

Western Michigan (+6.5) vs. San Jose State

The Broncos dropped the ball in their home opener after losing to Pittsburgh, 34-13 last week, but +6.5 on the spread against San Jose State is the right call here. Give credit to San Jose State, they gave Auburn everything they could handle two weeks ago, but there's a big difference between winning and barely losing. SJSU may very well win this game, but Western Michigan is more than capable of staying within six points. Two weeks ago Western Michigan rallied back on the road against Ball State, and I wouldn't be surprised if it happens again this week. This game should be close all the way through, which is why we like WMU +6.5.