After consecutive 3-1 weeks to start the season, let’s hope to keep the momentum rolling with some plays I like in Week 3. As always, feel free to comment or leave a question below, or reach out on Twitter @Smithers513. Good luck!

South Alabama +15 at Mississippi State

After Louisiana’s meltdown last week, it has become clear for South Alabama that the Sun Belt could be theirs to lose. The Jaguars will come in winners of their lone game, covering and winning by 10 at a pesky Kent State team. I would like backing this Jaguars team in just about any situation getting over two touchdowns, but given that the Bulldogs have their SEC opener next week in the Bayou against LSU, I like it a whole lot more. The Jaguars are an experienced team that are built well in all the right areas, and have shown they can hang with SEC teams, only losing on a late touchdown at Tennessee last year in a game they led for much of the game. I like Mississippi State as a team, but this is simply a bad spot for the Bulldogs, hosting one of the better non Power-5 schools that has a great O-Line and will be hungry to show they can hang with the big dogs.

Georgia Southern +20 at Georgia Tech

The reasons I’m backing Georgia Southern against the Yellow Jackets are pretty similar to those above with South Alabama. Georgia Southern is in just it’s 1st full year as an FBS member, but don’t let that full you into thinking they don’t have the athletes to compete. Florida can definitely vouch for the Eagles, losing as a 28 point favorite over the Eagles in the season finale. Georgia Tech is an inexperienced team that was able to just beat Tulane on the perimeter last week, who had no answers for the Yellow Jackets offense. This will also be one of the rare games where we get to see two teams that both feature the triple option as the primary offense. Georgia Tech has a big ACC opener next week against Virginia Tech, and I simply don’t think their defense is good enough to cover such a large number in a massive look ahead spot against a team that will be desperate to try and take down one of the premiere programs in the state.

Syracuse at Central Michigan +7

Syracuse was almost victim to one of the biggest upsets of the season week 1 when they dodged a bullet and beat Villanova in overtime. After having last week off, they travel to Mt. Pleasant to take on a Central Michigan team that is the best they’ve had in awhile and is a serious threat to win the MAC. The Chippewas went into Purdue last week and handled the hapless Boilermakers, albeit in impressive fashion. Syracuse had difficulty creating consistent offense against Villanova, and we’re outgained by 79 yards. CMU is one of the more experienced teams in the country, returning 19 starters and should get the boost of their best playmaker Titus Davis this week, who missed last week. I like CMU as a live dog in this spot and will take the touchdown as a bonus. In 5 road games last year, Cuse went 1-4 and also 1-4 ATS.

Toledo at Cincinnati -11

Toledo was a trendy contrarian pick last week as short home underdogs against Missouri, but was proven no match and was totally outclassed by Mizzou. I don’t think it gets any easier for the Rockets this week when they head down I-75 to take on Cincinnati. Toledo suffered a major blow going into the game being down their top two cornerbacks, and got more bad news when QB Phillip Ely went down in the 3rd quarter. If you’ve read my AAC preview, you know I’m high on the Bearcats this season. Cincy is in the second season of Coach Tuberville’s tenure, and I think they get off to a fast start. Cincinnati has excellent depth and a ton of talented skill players that should find their way to pay dirt, and I don’t know that Toledo will be able to bridge the gap offensively with a new quarterback if they fall behind, which I’m expecting will happen. I look for Cincinnati to win easily in their home opener.