Late-Night ATS Picks for Week 3 College Football – Saturday Best Bets vs Spread

• Saturday’s late-night college football picks cover three games starting at 10:30 p.m. ET or later
• Purdue’s red-zone production and San Jose State’s pass protection are key to two of the matchups
• Read below for or my top college football late slate picks for Week 3

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Saturday nights are for college football, and there are some good ones to choose from when making your sports betting picks.

The late window includes Purdue at UCLA, Fresno State at San Jose State and North Dakota State at Sacramento State. The Bison and Hornets start at 10:30pm ET, followed by the other two games at 11.

The spreads range from less than a touchdown to nearly four. That makes the margin as important as the winner, especially for two road favorites playing away from home.

Below are my late-night ATS picks for Week 3 and the matchup analysis behind Saturday’s best bets against the spread.

College Football Saturday Late-Night ATS Picks for Week 3

Odds as of September 19. Compare operators in our college football betting apps guide. Get a BetMGM promo code to wager on all college football games

I’m backing two favorites and one home underdog. UCLA needs to win by more than two touchdowns to cash at -14, while a four-touchdown NDSU win covers -27.5.

Pick #1: UCLA -14 vs Purdue

I’m laying the two touchdowns with UCLA. The Bruins are 2-0, and running back Wayne Knight has scored three rushing touchdowns in each of their first two games. His ability to finish drives on the ground gives UCLA a way to turn scoring chances into seven points.

The Bruins were tied 0-0 with San Diego State at halftime last week before winning 28-10. That second-half scoring is encouraging for a favorite that needs separation, although I’d rather see UCLA get going earlier against Purdue.

Purdue is 1-1, and Ryan Browne has thrown for 646 yards while completing 77.5% of his passes. The Boilermakers have no turnovers and have scored on all 13 red-zone trips, with eight touchdowns and five field goals.

Those numbers explain the risk in laying 14. I’m counting on UCLA to make Purdue settle for field goals while Knight supplies touchdowns at the other end. That difference can stretch the margin even if Browne keeps moving the ball.

• Pick: UCLA -14 (-110 at BetMGM)

Pick #2: San Jose State +6.5 vs Fresno State

I’m taking the home underdog here. San Jose State has allowed only two sacks through three games, giving Luke Weaver time to work. He has 788 passing yards and 96 rushing yards during that span.

Jabari Bates also ran for 163 yards against Cal Poly last week, part of a 255-yard team rushing performance. That gives the Spartans a chance to sustain possessions and keep Fresno’s offense on the sideline.

The Bulldogs were impressive in a 49-3 win over Sacramento State. Jayden Mandal went 23-of-26 for 316 yards, and Bryson Donelson added 102 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

San Jose State doesn’t need to match that performance to cover. I expect Weaver’s protection and Bates’ rushing work to keep the Spartans within one score, with enough offense to stay inside the number at home.

• Pick: San Jose State +6.5 (-105 at BetMGM)

Pick #3: North Dakota State -27.5 vs Sacramento State

North Dakota State is 3-0 after beating Air Force 38-32. Sacramento State is 1-2 and coming off that 49-3 loss to Fresno State. Both programs are new FBS members this season.

I’m backing the Bison to expose the defensive problems Fresno found a week ago. Sacramento allowed 542 yards in that loss, including big touchdowns through the air and on the ground.

NDSU built a 35-13 third-quarter lead against Air Force before the final margin tightened. The Bison will need a better finish to cover this larger number, but their ability to build that lead is the starting point for this pick.

At -27.5, a four-touchdown victory covers. I expect NDSU to keep attacking long enough to get there, rather than allowing Sacramento State to stay close through the middle quarters.

• Pick: North Dakota State -27.5 (-110 at FanDuel)