Even though the 2025 college football season is just getting started, Week 3 is stacked with games that will impact the rest of the season — and plenty of spots to target for CFB DFS.
We'll break down the top Week 3 CFB DFS picks for Saturday on PrizePicks CFB real money game and the top player projections to target in this week's biggest games.
We get a premier SEC matchup between No. 6 Georgia vs. No. 15 Tennessee at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. The Bulldogs head to Knoxville to try to make it nine straight wins vs. the Vols.
An additional ranked matchup features No. 16 Texas A&M heading to South Bend and trying to avenge the loss to No. 8 Notre Dame last year.
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Oklahoma QB John Mateer: 278.5 Passing Yards
No. 13 Oklahoma vs. Temple Pick – 12 p.m. ET
- Oklahoma QB John Mateer threw for 270 yards against a Michigan defense that had not allowed 250 passing yards in a game since November 2023.
- Mateer has thrown for over 270 yards in three of his last four games dating back to last season.
- Mateer is tied for ninth in the FBS with 662 passing yards.
- Temple's defense ranks 56th in passing yards allowed per game (199.0), but they have faced FCS program Howard and independent UMass, which was 113th in passing yards per game last year (176.5).
- Temple was 97th in 30+ yard completions allowed last season (20).
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Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia Projection: 194.5 Passing Yards
Vanderbilt vs. No. 11 South Carolina Pick – 7:45 p.m. ET
- Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia has thrown for less than 194 yards in seven straight games against an FBS opponent.
- Pavia has only thrown for over 195 yards twice in 14 games against a Power Four opponent.
- Pavia is a run-dominant quarterback and was third in the FBS in rushing attempts among quarterbacks last season (193).
- Last year against South Carolina, Pavia went 16/31 for 166 yards in a 28-7 loss.
- South Carolina is 67th in passing yards allowed per game (221.0) this season.
Duke QB Darian Mensah Projection: 275.5 Passing Yards
Duke vs. Tulane Pick – 8 p.m. ET
- Duke QB Darian Mensah is fourth in the FBS in passing yards (723) and has thrown for over 300 yards in both games this season.
- This is a revenge game for Mensah, who played for Tulane last year.
- In 2024, Mensah was first in the AAC in passer efficiency (166.7) and fourth in passing yards (2,723) in 2024.
- Tulane is 61st in passing yards allowed per completion (10.9).
- Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall acknowledged that Mensah is familiar with this defense from practicing against them last season.
Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love Projection: 77.5 Rushing Yards
No. 16 Texas A&M vs. No. 8 Notre Dame Pick – 7:30 p.m. ET
- Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love rushed for just 33 yards on 13 carries in the Week 1 matchup against Miami — an underwhelming performance.
- Love has rushed for under 50 yards in four straight games dating back to last season.
- Love suffered a knee injury in the 2024 regular season finale against USC. In the spring, he dealt with a hamstring injury from practice.
- Both of Love's injuries could be a reason he was splitting carries in the opener.
- Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price outgained Love in the matchup against Miami, 45-33, and QB CJ Carr led the team with 11 carries.
- Texas A&M has allowed only 8 carries of over 10 yards in 68 attempts this year.
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Georgia Tech RB Jamal Haynes Projection: 60.5 Rushing Yards
No. 12 Clemson vs. Georgia Tech Pick — 12 p.m. ET
- Georgia Tech RB Jamal Haynes has rushed for over 60 yards in both games this season.
- However, it was against Colorado, which was 60th in rushing yards allowed last year (150.9), and the FCS program Gardner-Webb.
- According to PFF, Haynes has a 42.7% breakaway percentage this year, which are designed runs that go for 15 yards or more. That is below his 48.4% career rate.
- Haynes has only forced 1 missed tackle in 2 games this year. Last year, he had 6 in the first 2 games.
- Haynes is part of a three-headed committee. Although he leads the team with 25 carries, QB Haynes King isn’t far behind with 19, and RB Malachi Hosley has 16.
- Clemson’s run defense has far improved from last year. In 2024, they were 60th in rushing yards allowed per game (150.8); this season, they are 29th (93.0).
Ohio State WR Carnell Tate Projection: 60.5 Receiving Yards
Ohio vs. No. 1 Ohio State Pick — 7 p.m. ET
- Ohio State WR Carnell Tate had 69 receiving yards last week against Grambling State.
- Tate has a 40-yard reception in both games this season.
- Tate is averaging a whopping 16.86 yards per target — tied for 30th in all of CFB.
- Tate (40 pass snaps) and Jeremiah Smith (42) are the clear 1-2 for the Buckeyes; no other WR has more than 23 snaps.
- Tate is averaging 3.19 yards per route run, which is far higher than his career mark of 1.29.
- Ohio is 101st in yards allowed per completion (13.0).
- In Ohio’s Week 1 loss to Rutgers, they allowed three receivers to catch for over 50 yards.
LSU WR Aaron Anderson Projection: 69.5 Receiving Yards
Florida vs. LSU Pick – 7:30 p.m. ET
- LSU WR Aaron Anderson has over 70 receiving yards in both games this season.
- Anderson caught 7 passes for 72 yards and 1 TD against Florida last season.
- Anderson’s 3.51 yards per route run is a full yard better than his career total of 2.08 yards.
- Anderson’s 3 catches of 20+ yards are tied for the fourth-most in the FBS.
- Florida’s pass defense struggled last week against South Florida by allowing 2 catches of over 20 yards, including a 66-yard completion.
- Florida ranks 87th in yards per dropback, allowed 6.62 yards per — an atrocious mark as they go into a matchup vs. a top Heisman candidate in LSU QB Garret Nussmeier.
USC WR Makai Lemon Projection: 85.5 Receiving Yards
USC vs. Purdue Pick – 3:30 p.m. ET
- USC WR Makai Lemon caught 4 passes for a career-high 158 yards last week against Georgia Southern.
- Lemon leads all USC pass catchers with 14 targets this season on 33 pass snaps. Ja'Kobi Lane is second with 8 targets.
- Lemon has over 90 receiving yards in both games this season.
- Lemon is second in the FBS yards per route run (7.52), yards after catch (151), and third in receiving yards (248).
- Purdue was 133rd in adjusted defensive EPA last year (0.21).
- Purdue was 113th in 10+ yard completions (125) in 2024.
Make Week 3 CFB DFS Picks on PrizePicks
Fall is here, and Saturdays are officially for college football — so finish your apple picking before kickoff.
Whether you're watching Georgia vs. Tennessee or Texas A&M vs. Notre Dame, PrizePicks is the best way to cash in on your college football takes.
Just pick your players — including John Mateer and Makai Lemon, predict More or Less on their stat projections, and get paid when your picks are right in PrizePicks CFB DFS game.
Stay locked in on the Playbook for more CFB DFS picks and college football predictions throughout the 2025 season.
