WhatIfSports college football Week 3 predictions: Ohio State takes down Oklahoma

Each Monday, WhatIfSports.com's college football simulation engine generates predictions for every Division I FBS game for the coming week. Our highly sophisticated algorithms simulate every play of every game to produce each team's likelihood to win. Each matchup is simulated 101 times.

Week 2 in Review

While, on paper, the games seemed like potential blowouts, that wasn't necessarily the case. It was a breeding ground for upsets and for teams to look past their "cupcake" opponents. However, our predictions still spit out an accuracy of 88.0 percent and an amazing 91.3 percent in regards to teams in the Top 25 (21-2). We even correctly predicted the largest attended college football game in the Battle of Bristol as the Vols were projected to win.

Nailed It: Navy 28 - UConn 24

Along with the Game of the Week correct pick, we also provided Navy as the winner over UConn. Will Worth filled in for the injured Tago Smith and was solid as he rushed for 44 yards and two TDs. We predicted Navy to win 56.4 percent of the time, by an average score of 28.1-26.3

Wide Right: Pitt 42 - Penn State 39

The computer stumbled in its prediction between Penn State and Pitt. James Conner was just too much for the Nittany Lions' defense. He tallied 117 rushing yards and two total TDs. We took Penn State to win 55.4 percent of the time, by an average score of 26.2-24.8. However, if you took them +6, you got the win.

Track our 2016 performance or view our accuracy last season, when we correctly picked the winner in 80.0 percent of all games involving FBS teams.

Week 3 Top 25 vs. Top 25 Matchups

No. 3 Ohio State at No. 14 Oklahoma (Saturday, FOX, 7 p.m. ET)

This game could've had two Top 5 teams if it weren’t for those meddling Cougars. Houston's head coach, and former Buckeyes offensive coordinator, provided the Sooners with an early black eye and now Oklahoma needs to win-out. Last week, they corrected the ship against UL-Monroe. However, this Ohio State defense won't be as easy. New defensive coordinator, Greg Schiano, has put together a game plan which has allowed an average of three points per contest. According to our computers, the Buckeyes get the road win 53.8 percent of the time by an average score of 27.4-26.9.

No. 2 Florida State at No. 10 Louisville

Make sure all the light bulbs are fresh because this scoreboard is going to get a workout. We have two potential Heisman candidates in this matchup. The Cardinals' quarterback, Lamar Jackson, burst into the picture with two impressive games to start the season. He's accounted for 13 totals TDs, seven passing and six rushing. The Seminoles have Dalvin Cook. While he's only scored two touchdowns in two games, Cook is still averaging 5.1 yards per carry. When we ran the simulations, FSU remained unbeaten 60.4 percent of the time by an average score of 30.2-26.1.

No. 1 Alabama at No. 19 Ole Miss

2-0. That is Ole Miss' record against Alabama in the past two seasons. In those two wins, the Rebels had near-perfect games from their quarterback. In 2014, Bo Wallace was "Good Bo" as he threw three touchdowns and zero interceptions. Last year, Chad Kelly was "Rad Chad" as he also threw for three TDs and zero INTs. That wasn't the case for Bama's boys. Jake Coker and Cooper Bateman combined for three TDs and three interceptions last year. For this year's result, our simulations have Alabama avenging their past 51.5 percent of the time by an average score of 26.7-25.6.

No. 12 Michigan State at No. 18 Notre Dame

After a two-year hiatus, the Megaphone trophy is back on the table. Notre Dame has won the past three meetings and owns the overall record between these two (48-28-1). Home field plays a big role in this rivalry. The Spartans have won in ND only 13 times. The Irish have defended their home field 29 times. Michigan State hasn't won in South Bend since 2007. Mark Dantonio's team took last week off, so they will be well rested for this matchup. However, our projections say that won't be enough as Notre Dame wins 50.7 percent of the time by an average score of 27.6-27.3.

Week 3 Upset Pick

Oregon (+3) at Nebraska

In an unusual circumstance, the Ducks are ranked, yet they are the underdog according to Vegas. Well, our simulations don't agree with that. Oregon averages the eighth-most yards per game this season (577 YPG). Both teams are averaging around 48 points per game, too. However, while Nebraska crushed two teams from the Mountain West conference (Wyoming and Fresno State), the Ducks defeated the ACC's Virginia squad. When the dust settles, Oregon win 55.1 percent of the time by an average score of 31.5-29.9.

In addition, view our Week 3 power rankings or visit our college football archive for predictions from past weeks. For more statistics, view our weekly college football predictions.