ESPN experts update College Football Playoff picks after Week 3
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Week 3 of the 2023 college football season has come to a close, and the postseason picture has a different look. As we look ahead to Week 4, ESPN’s experts predicted their College Football Playoff fields following Saturday’s action.
Georgia is the only universal pick to make the College Football Playoff. All but 1 of the 15 ESPN analysts to make CFP predictions slotted Kirby Smart’s team as the No. 1 seed. Bill Connelly has the Washington Huskies No. 1.
The Bulldogs had to rally from a double-digit deficit in the second half to beat South Carolina, but UGA is still looking like the clear favorite to win the SEC championship, especially after Alabama and Tennessee’s recent struggles.
Michigan is the next most popular pick. The Wolverines received 14-of-15 Playoff votes from the ESPN experts. Jim Harbaugh has taken his team to the CFP each of the last 2 seasons.
Florida State was a universal pick after Week 2, but a handful of experts aren’t so sure after the Seminoles were fortunate to escape Boston College with a 2-point win. FSU made 12-of-15 ballots.
Texas’ stock has fallen drastically. The Longhorns were picked by 11-of-14 experts after defeating Alabama in Week 2 but only made 1-of-15 ballots after the Wyoming game. Texas led 10-7 at the half and did not pull away until the 4th quarter to defeat the Cowboys 31-10.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
