Five college football games headline Friday night as Week 3 kicks off, with three featuring FBS showdowns as we head into Saturday.
The headlining game is a Big 12 conference matchup between Kansas State and undefeated Arizona. Last season, Kansas State QB Avery Johnson put up 2 passing TDs vs. Arizona in a 31-7 win. On the other side, Arizona QB Noah Fifita can avenge the loss from last year.
Below, we'll break down the top college football picks for CFB DFS on Friday, September 12. Make your college football picks on PrizePicks to win real money by picking your players and predicting More or Less on their stats all season long.
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Friday CFB DFS Picks for Week 3 – September 12
Here are the top Friday CFB DFS picks for Week 3 of college football on Friday, September 12 on PrizePicks. Use this analysis to build your PrizePicks CFB Lineups for Friday's games.
Kansas State QB Avery Johnson Projection: 227.5 Passing Yards
- Kansas State QB Avery Johnson has thrown for more than 227 passing yards in two of three games this season.
- Last year against Arizona, Johnson went 14/23 for 156 yards and 2 TDs in the 31-7 win.
- Johnson was more effective on the ground in that game with 17 carries for 110 yards.
- In 2024, Johnson did not pass for more than 200 yards until the fourth game of the season. He would finish by throwing for over 200 yards in seven of the final nine games.
- Arizona’s pass defense is better than last year’s, improving from 250.8 passing yards allowed per game (110th) to 223.0 (69th).
- The Wildcats rank 25th in yards per dropback, at 4.43 yards per, according to Game on Paper.
- Arizona head coach Brent Brennan called Johnson a “dynamic dual threat guy.”
Arizona QB Noah Fifita Projection: 247.5 Passing Yards
- Arizona QB Noah Fifita threw for 373 yards last week against FCS program Weber State.
- Last year against Kansas State, Fifita went 26/42 for 268 yards and an INT in the 31-7 loss.
- His 6.4 yards per attempt against KSU was the second-lowest of the 2024 season.
- Kansas Sateis allowed 5.23 yards per pass attempt so far this season — 40th among FBS teams.
- Fifita lost WR Tetairoa McMillan, who led Arizona in receiving yards the previous two seasons, as he was drafted to the NFL.
- Kansas State is 96th in yards allowed per completion (12.6).
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Houston RB Dean Connors Projection: 54.5 Rushing Yards
- Houston RB Dean Connors ran for 134 yards against Rice, who he played for from 2022 to 2024.
- Connors ran for more than 54 yards in 6-of-12 games with Rice in 2024.
- Connors leads the Cougars in RB snaps with 34 across two games.
- Colorado is 110th in rushing yards allowed per carry (5.2), including a game against FBS Delaware.
- In Colorado’s Week 1 matchup against Georgia Tech, they allowed two players to rush for over 60 yards.
- Connor has averaged 5+ yards per carry in 16-of-39 career games (41.0%).
UCLA RB Jaivian Thomas Projection: 32.5 Rushing Yards
- UCLA RB Jaivian Thomas rushed for 43 yards last week against UNLV on just five carries.
- Thomas has rushed for under 30 yards in three of his last four games.
- New Mexico is allowing the eighth-most yards per carry this season (6.3).
- New Mexico allowed the eighth-most 20+ yard runs last season (23).
- Thomas has just 12 rush attempts over his first two games, as three different UCLA running backs have 11 rushes.
Kansas State WR Jayce Brown Projection: 77.5 Receiving Yards
- Kansas State WR Jayce Brown has more than 78 receiving yards in two of three games this season.
- Brown had 3 catches for 60 yards against Arizona last year.
- This low volume is likely due to the game script, where Kansas State ran the ball 41 times as opposed to 23 pass attempts.
- Browns leads all Kansas State pass catchers with 94 pass snaps, 29 targets, and 19receptions — the next highest in receptions is Jaron Tibbs with 12.
- Kansas State has moved to a more pass-friendly offense. Last year, the Wildcats passed on 46.30% of plays (80th), and this season, they have moved up to 55.45% (28th).
Houston TE Tanner Koziol Projection: 44.5 Receiving Yards
- Houston TE Tanner Koziol has more than 45 receiving yards in both games this season.
- Koziol leads the team in catches (13) and receiving yards (115). He's tied for second in pass snaps.
- In 2024, Koziol was fifth among FBS tight ends with 839 receiving yards.
- Koziol’s 3.03 yards per route run in 2025 is a personal best in four seasons.
- Colorado allows 14.7 yards per completion this season (116th).
- Colorado has allowed 7 receptions of 20+ yards, the seventh-most in the nation.
Make Week 3 CFB DFS Picks on PrizePicks
Friday night is stacked with college football action, with all eyes on a Big 12 matchup between Kansas State and Arizona. Week 3 gets starts on Friday night, with some one-sided games and one key conference matchup.
Last year, Arizona lost to Kansas State in a 31-7 lopsided matchup; now they’ll try to avenge the loss at home.
No matter what your takes are, there's no better way to cash in on your college football picks than with PrizePicks' real money CFB DFS game.
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Check out the Playbook for more CFB DFS picks and college football predictions throughout the season!
