Week 3 of the 2026 college football season is bringing a little bit of everything: conference play, a handful of big non-conference tests, and a couple of marquee SEC matchups that will tell us plenty about where things stand right now.
Auburn opens SEC play on Saturday, Alabama has a “revenge” game on its schedule, and South Alabama, Troy, Jax State and UAB are all staring at tough non-conference challenges. Then there’s the “Kiffin Bowl” in Oxford on Saturday night.
With that backdrop, here’s how the AL.com staff is seeing the week’s biggest games - all picks against the spread. That means the selection is about covering the number, not necessarily winning outright. Predicted scores are included for Alabama and Auburn.
Houston (+7.5) at Texas Tech, 7 p.m. Friday, Fox
Texas Tech drew the heavy lean from the staff, with only Andrew Hammond and Nick Kelly backing Houston.
SMU (+1.5) at Louisville, 2:30 p.m., ESPN2
This one split the room a little more evenly, though SMU got the edge overall. Michael Casagrande went with Louisiana.
Mississippi State (+3.5) at South Carolina, 3:15 p.m., SEC Network
The staff mostly expects Mississippi State to stay inside the number, with only Thomas Ashworth and Andrew Hammond taking South Carolina.
LSU (-3) at Ole Miss, 6:30 p.m., ABC
LSU was the clear favorite here, with Jerry Humphrey and Nick Kelly going against the grain and taking Ole Miss.
Ohio (+4.5) at South Alabama, 6 p.m., ESPN+
South Alabama got the majority of the picks, but several staffers believe Ohio can keep this one tight enough to cover.
Georgia Southern at Jacksonville State
Jacksonville State drew most of the support, with Thomas Ashworth and Nick Kelly on Georgia Southern.
Troy (+27) at Missouri, 6 p.m., ESPN+
Missouri was the popular pick, though Ben Flanagan, Andrew Hammond, Jerry Humphrey and Creg Stephenson sided with Troy.
UAB (+7.5) at Louisiana, 7 p.m., ESPN+
This one leaned toward Louisiana, but Gabe Burggraf, Izzy Gould, Jerry Humphrey and Peter Rauterkus took UAB.
Florida State (+20.5) at Alabama, 2:30 p.m., ABC
The Alabama staff was unanimous here, and the score predictions reflect that confidence.
Thomas Ashworth: Alabama 45, Florida State 23
Gabe Burggraf: Alabama 41, Florida State 16
Michael Casagrande: Alabama 38, Florida State 10
Ben Flanagan: Alabama 27, Florida State 10
Izzy Gould: Alabama 31, Florida State 13
Andrew Hammond: Alabama 41, Florida State 14
Jerry Humphrey: Alabama 28, Florida State 10
Nick Kelly: Alabama 38, Florida State 13
Peter Rauterkus: Alabama 31, Florida State 10
Creg Stephenson: Alabama 37, Florida State 13
Florida (-2.5) at Auburn, 6 p.m., ESPN
Auburn drew a more mixed response, but the staff still offered a few confident home-state calls.
Thomas Ashworth: Auburn 27, Florida 23
Gabe Burggraf: Florida 30, Auburn 28
Michael Casagrande: Auburn 19, Florida 17
Ben Flanagan: Auburn 20, Florida 17
Izzy Gould: Florida 30, Auburn 24
Andrew Hammond: Florida 24, Auburn 20
Jerry Humphrey: Florida 21, Auburn 13
Nick Kelly: Florida 24, Auburn 17
Peter Rauterkus: Florida 27, Auburn 24
Creg Stephenson: Florida 20, Auburn 16
Updated standings
Nick Kelly leads the group at 15-5. Thomas Ashworth sits at 12-8, while Michael Casagrande, Jerry Humphrey and Creg Stephenson are all 11-9. Peter Rauterkus is 10-10, Ben Flanagan and Izzy Gould are 9-11, Andrew Hammond is 7-13 and Gabe Burggraf is 6-14.
In Other News...
Alabama Suddenly Has A Backfield Problem Kalen DeBoer Didn't Need
Alabamas backfield has already had to adjust early this season, and AK Dears status is still one of the more important moving parts heading into the next game. The sophomore running back has missed the first two contests because of a high-ankle sprain he suffered in fall camp, but he has at least taken part in warm-ups and remains in the mix as the Crimson Tide prepare for Florida State.
In the meantime, Daniel Hill, EJ Crowell and Trae'shawn Brown have helped carry the load in Dears absence, giving Alabama some depth while it waits on a clearer answer. Even so, the uncertainty around Dear is not ideal for Kalen DeBoer, especially this early in the season when every healthy body in the backfield matters and the staff would prefer to have more certainty before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State Brings Alabama A Very Different Offensive Test
Florida State has already looked like a different operation than the one Alabama saw in 2024, when the Seminoles struggled to get much going with D.J. Uiagalelei at quarterback and finished at just 15.4 points per game. The 2025 reboot under offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn and quarterback Tommy Castellanos changed the tone quickly, with the offense jumping to 33 points a game and giving the Tide a much more active test to prepare for.
Now comes another layer of uncertainty for Alabama to sort through. Tim Harris Jr. has been promoted to offensive coordinator, Mike Norvell has taken back play-calling duties and the Seminoles are leaning on a strong running game while quarterback Ashton Daniels works through passing efficiency issues. For a defense trying to get ready in September, the challenge is less about one familiar scheme and more about adjusting to an attack that keeps evolving. [Read more 🡒]
Derrick Henrys Alabama Recruitment Still Says Everything About His Legacy
Doug Nussmeier is getting a familiar look this week when the Saints head to M&T Bank Stadium to face the Ravens, and the reunion brings him back to one of the more memorable recruiting stories from his Alabama days. Nussmeier, now the Saints offensive coordinator, was part of the staff that helped bring Derrick Henry to Tuscaloosa, and he recently revisited what made Henry such a unique prospect even before the rest of college football caught up to him.
What stood out then still defines Henry now: the size, the style, the sense that he could eventually become something bigger than a normal running back. Nussmeiers reflections were a reminder of how Alabamas staff viewed Henry long before he was powering NFL defenses, and why his recruitment still lingers as part of the broader story of his legacy. [Read more 🡒]