College Football Predictions: Picks for Top games of Week 3

Minnesota at No. 20 North Carolina (-7.5) (ESPN, 3:30 PM EST)

This is one of the most interesting matchups of College Football Week 3. Minnesota has a really good defense but the offense is averaging just 19 points per game.

The running game struggled against Nebraska, but freshman Darius Taylor went for 193 yards last week, while Sean Tyler had 93. This is notable because, in last week’s double-overtime win over Appalachian State, the Tar Heels surrendered 219 yards on the ground.

Drake Maye is Drake Maye. But one of the biggest secrets in college football is that he hasn’t been all that great so far in two games with 477 yards passing, two touchdowns, and two interceptions although he does have 82 rushing yards and a touchdown too.

Maybe the best thing about Maye is that he’s completing 72 percent of his passes. Yet, he hasn’t played a secondary like Minnesota’s, which has a knack for interceptions. Minnesota has allowed just 51 percent of completions to opposing QBs this season.

North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton has been stellar and has 271 yards through two games. He and Drake Maye will do just enough to beat the pesky Gophers, yet Minnesota will cover the spread.

North Carolina 23, Minnesota 20