The Newcomer - 2025 CFB Week 3 - Darnell Smokes

LAST WEEK: 0-0 (+0 Units)

SEASON: 0-0 (+0 Units)

POW: 0-0 (+0 Units)

miniPOW: 0-0 (+0 Units)

Sporacle this. Billy Tickets that. Well, you can call me Doc. That is what my friends call me anyways, and I am here to add some fuel to this fire that is burning oh so bright. A little bit about me before I dive into week 3 picks...

Like the Sporacle, and Billy Tickets, I too bleed the Garnet and Gold. Yes, I will be taking the Seminoles in every matchup, and you should too. I did my training on the 415, and I am Board Certified in always finding a way to #RESPOND. I am prepared to prescribe you with a heavy dose of WINNING picks as my betting selections are sharper than my scalpel. Since the beginning of the season, I am +34 Units (NFL and CFB), 2-0 in Fantasy Football, and 2-0 in NFL Survivor (take Doc's word for it, but I will reset the CFB tracker here). The Sporacle could not wait to sign me to a contract as soon as he heard about my success rate. It is no surprise to most, but rumor on the street is that Billy Tickets is TREMBLING at my arrival, his pulse thready, fearful that I will be POACHING his patients in the near future. Write-ups will be brief this week since I am spraying the board, but without further ado, let's go.

WEEK 3 PICKS

• Pick Of the Week (#POW) Arkansas +7.5 (-115): Risk 5 Units to Profit 4.4 Units

If anybody likes Mark Stoops better than the Sporacle, it's me, and I am heavily invested into a future bet I placed onto that Wildcat season win total. I was impressed with their ability to hang with ranked Ole Miss... or was I more impressed at how sloppy Ole Miss played, featuring two interceptions thrown by Austin Simmons to a team who is projected one win in the SEC. Now, we have an Arkansas team that I am very high on coming into Vaught-Hemingway after taking care of their lesser opponents. Good teams take care of business and that is exactly what Arkansas has done. They rank top five in ppg, td, and ypg after two contests. I will take the points on these #HOGS; they just might be able to pull off the upset and debut their name in the AP Poll come week four.

p.s. Lane is probably already house hunting in the swamp.

• #miniPOW Vanderbilt +5.5 (-110): Risk 3 Units to Profit 2.7 Units

Staying in the SEC (gross), but I have to take Vanderbilt with the points here. I am not fully sold on this South Carolina team, not to mention Vanderbilt took care of a common opponent much more impressively than the Gamecocks did. I like Pavia to keep it tight and possibly even win this contest.

• NC State -7.5 (+100): Risk 2 Units to Profit 2 Units

The Sporacle and Billy Tickets probably won't post until Friday, but we operate on Thursdays too. NC State has two solid, gritty wins and Wake Forest squeaked by a Kennesaw State squad (by ONE point) who joined the FBS two years ago and just became bowl eligible this year. I think Wake may be a bottom 3 team in the ACC. Give me the Wolfpack.

• Houston ML/Kansas State ML (+165): Risk 2 Units to Profit 3.3 Units

Another pre-Saturday taster, but I would be remised if we didn't have a parlay on the board. People are low on this K State team and many think Deion's third string QB is the answer on the road... Let's take some value here while everyone else keeps scrolling on TikTok.

• New Mexico +15.5 (-110): Risk 2 Units to Profit 1.8 Units

I am taking UCLA's opponents until Nico, and the Bruins show to me that I shouldn't. Let me be clear that I do not think this New Mexico team is anything special, but I fear Nico has gone full #HOLLYWOOD on us all. I will take this generous number of points for a team who is facing a Bruin squad coming off a loss to UNLV.

• Georgia Tech +3.5 (-115): Risk 2 Units to Profit 1.7 Units

Haynes King>Cade Klubnik and I mean that. That alone is enough for me to hop all over these Yellowjackets, not to mention this game is being played in the Hive, Troy happened, and Brent Key is coaching this football squad. AND Vegas is letting me have points? Clem better pack some hydrocortisone cream just in case...

• Georgia -3.5 (-110): Risk 2 Units to Profit 1.8 Units

I cannot think of many people on this earth who dislike UGA more than me, but I will not let my bias blind me. UGA historically handles this matchup well and I think the public will fall victim to an unimpressive win versus Austin Peay, and a hungry Tennessee at home. Gimme the Dawgs.

• Pittsburg -7.5 (+100): Risk 2 Units to Profit 2 Units

I enjoy watching this rivalry this year, and I think Holstein and Narduzzi take care of business. West Virginia is coming off a loss to Ohio, not the one with the State either...

• LSU -7.5 (-105): Risk 2 Units to Profit 1.9 Units

I cannot possibly think of a more miserable matchup for the Gators coming off an embarrassing loss to USF at home. Napier's job is on the line, but I simply do not see them getting it done in Death Valley. Lagway? That way... back to Gainsville.

• Notre Dame -6.5 (-115): Risk 2 Units to Profit 1.7 Units

Yes, I am taking the team who has yet to win a game into week three. I expect Carr to have a big game and dice up this suspect Aggie defense. I expect South Bend to be #ROCKING. I expect the Irish to cover.

• Boston College -13.5 (-110): Risk 2 Units to Profit 1.8 Units

Stanford may possibly be the worst power five team. I will take this gritty BC squad looking to bounce back after a gutting double OT loss to Michigan State.

• California +2.5 (-110): Risk 2 Units to Profit 1.8 Units

This is a sneaky California team who I think can have a solid season. They have their guy in Sagapolutele, and I expect them to hang with the Gophers at home.