Childhood nostalgia will get you every time. Seriously, I remember it like it was yesterday… when I would consistently make strong football picks on this website. No wait, that’s not the kind of nostalgia I’m referring to – although, that’s pretty accurate, as well. It hasn’t been a very strong two weeks, although I have a feeling that will change with my Week 3 Football Betting Picks. I was more referring to how any kind of nostalgia hits you like a brick and launches you back to simpler times as a kid. The most recent one for me was the Gremlins 3 teaser trailer that dropped yesterday (and quickly went viral).

A ten second teaser trailer. TEN SECONDS! It hit that hard for so many people. It was the most commonly shared message I saw on X yesterday.

The movie has been rumored for a while and is finally happening. So, despite the fact that this announcement came with a year delay on the release date (October 2028), it still made a lot of people very excited. Including yours truly.

Again, the nostalgia.

Gremlins Taking Over My Picks

I watched Gremlins and Gremlins 2: The New Batch countless times as a kid. In fact, the first time I saw the original is a ridiculous story that will reveal just how old I am. My parents recorded it on TV (yes, VHS). They were pausing the recording and removing the commercials. Only, someone fell asleep, cutting out the end of the movie. The way the recording was, it fit perfectly following the movie theater explosion. For years, I had no idea that the Stripe, Gizmo, and Billy department store scene even existed.

So, with the gremlins taking over my picks, just call me Murray Futterman. I’ve let these creatures dive into the machinery. They are cutting through the statistics, the inner-workings of TWHS. They previously tricked me into taking the Bucs. I’m worried about what they’ll do next. Will I go back to picking SEC-to-SEC matchups? Will they trick me into switching a pick mid-writeup? Will I feed them after midnight?

Foreshadowing alert!

Contest Reminder

This is a season long contest with potential prizes going out to our winners, so if you want to join in on the fun, drop a comment here or over at the land of the SportsChump.  We take our top five bets of the week against the spread (in both the NFL and College Football). If you beat us and go undefeated, that leads to fun prizes and/or heaps of praise on our websites.

With that said, here are our TOP FIVE picks for the week, including my Week 3 Football Betting Picks. The list is ranked in order of confidence, from 50 “dollars” down to $10.

Week 3 Football Betting Picks – The Gremlins Edition

KP’s Picks: The Wife Hates Sports

$50: Kansas City Chiefs (-10.5) at Miami Dolphins

It’s still early to look hard at stats. With that being said, the Chiefs are allowing the fourth fewest passing yards per game (162.5) through two weeks. The Dolphins have a very young offense that features two rookies that are currently a bit banged up (Chris Bell and Caleb Douglas). Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo is likely going to have a field day creating headaches for this Miami offense. On the flip side, Patrick Mahomes looks healthy, Travis Kelce has re-emerged as an offensive weapon, and Kenneth Walker III has been incredibly explosive. All this adds up to what appears to be a blowout – on paper. That’s why they play the games. Chiefs cover on the road.

$40: Oklahoma Sooners at Georgia Bulldogs (-10.5)

Hard Rock had the line at 10 1/2 while other books had bumped it to fourteen points. Perhaps this is them rewarding me for all those purchased Hard Rock Cafe shirts as a kid. Anyway, this is one of many headliners this weekend. The most interesting statistical matchup will be Georgia QB Gunner Stockton (9 TD, 0 INT, 95.1 QB Rating) versus Oklahoma’s pass defense that is allowing 104.3 ypg (3rd overall). Again, it’s early in the season to rely too much on stats. Heck, maybe simply seeing Oklahoma losing to that Michigan team (that should have one loss) swayed me. Michigan hasn’t impressed me. Either way, the Bulldogs have opened the season strong – and they’re at home. Georgia covers.

$30: Sam Houston Bearkats (+34.5) at Texas Tech Red Raiders

What in the Sam Hill is Sam Houston doing in these picks – and why do they spell Bearkats with a ‘K’? That should be enough to pick against them. Story over. Fine, you need more. Sam Houston has been in the FBS for just three years. Lindy’s Sports picked them to finish last in Conference USA. They can sling it, however. Sam Houston ranks 6th in passing offense, averaging 345.7 ypg. QB Landyn Locke (973 yards, 9 TD, 1 INT) has fared well, albeit against lesser competition. Maybe that’s why the line is what it is. Score a few touchdowns and Texas Tech will need to post a 50-burger. In fact, you know what? I just changed my mind mid-writeup. Let’s see if I pay for it. Give me Sam Houston and the points on the road.

Oh, those pesky gremlins.

$20: Carolina Panthers (-2.5) at Cleveland Browns

Deshaun Watson – who I tore into pretty good last week – was actually quite effective against the Bucs (24-30, 238 yards, 2 TD). So why go against him again this week, especially with Cleveland playing in their home opener? Well, for one, the line is more friendly. The Panthers lost RB Jonathan Brooks to the IR this week. That one stings, but AJ Dillon was effective filling in. It’s only two weeks and we know that the Chicago-Carolina game bloated the numbers, but the Panthers lead the NFL in passing yards. Carolina’s defense also has six takeaways and leads the league in turnover differential. In my mind, last week was more about how poorly the Bucs played. Panthers cover on the road.

$10: South Carolina Gamecocks at Alabama Crimson Tide (-11.5)

Wait, two SEC matchups this week? Yes, I know it has burned me in the past. But the Crimson Tide are averaging nearly 48 points per game through three weeks and get the Gamecocks at home. South Carolina nearly cracks the top 20 in total defense (258.3 ypg allowed). However, that does include games against Kent State and Towson. Again, a little too early for stats. Alabama’s secondary (featuring Zabien Brown and DiJon Lee Jr.) ranks near or at the top nationally. Through three games, the Tide has more INT’s than TD’s allowed. In addition, its run defense ranks fifth in yards allowed. This will be a tall order for the Gamecocks. Too tall, in fact. Alabama covers at home.

 

On the Outside Looking In (Others I Considered):

  • Ole Miss Rebels (+3.5) at Florida Gators – I want to bet this, but how juiced were Rebels to top Lane?
  • Oregon Ducks (-3) at USC Trojans – USC key injuries, while Ducks figuring out Moore’s tells
  • Virginia Tech Hokies (-13.5) at Boston College Eagles – Weather forecast leaves this one up in the air.
  • Wisconsin Badgers (+10) at Penn State Nittany Lions – Originally had PSU -9.5, but Koby Howard is out
  • Minnesota Golden Gophers (+10) at Washington Huskies – Gut leaning Gophers due to UW RB injuries
  • Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-27.5) at Purdue Boilermakers – Frequently pick against the B1G b’ball school
  • Northwestern Wildcats at Indiana Hoosiers (-20.5) – Hoosiers burned me last week, so… will leave here.
  • Minnesota Vikings (-1.5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Bucs and Baker not off to a good start – at all.
  • Philadelphia Eagles (-4.5) at Chicago Bears – Caleb likely out, what about Saquon? Too many questions!
  • Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5) at Pittsburgh Steelers – Rodgers may be washed up, or cooked as kids say now
  • Seattle Seahawks (-7) at Washington Commanders – Quinn should’ve kicked FG (on Daniels injury play)

Week 3 Football Betting Picks: SportsChump

(Coming Soon)

 

Week 3 Football Betting Picks: Special Guest

(Coming Soon)

 

Last Week’s Recap

  • $50: Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-8) – INCORRECT
  • $40: Eastern Washington Eagles (+43.5) at Washington Huskies – CORRECT
  • $30: Philadelphia Eagles (-7) at Tennessee Titans – INCORRECT
  • $20: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Indiana Hoosiers (-44.5) – INCORRECT
  • $10: Virginia Tech Hokies (-2.5) at Maryland Terrapins – CORRECT

Season Stats for Kevin Paul at TWHS (Top Five Only)

  • NFL: 1-3 (-$100)
  • CFB: 4-2 ($20)
  • Overall: 5-5 (-$80)

Season Stats for Kevin Paul at TWHS (By Confidence)

  • $50: 0-2
  • $40: 1-1
  • $30: 1-1
  • $20: 1-1
  • $10: 2-0

Week-by-Week for Kevin Paul and TWHS (Top Five Only)

  • Week 01: NFL: 1-1 (-$20) | CFB 2-1 (-$10) | Week: 3-2 (-$30) | Overall: 3-2 (-$30)
  • Week 02: NFL: 0-2 (-$80) | CFB 2-1 ($30) | Week: 2-3 (-$50) | Overall: 5-5 (-$80)

Image Credit: Warner Bros. | Gremlins | Gizmo

Chime in with your top picks for the week. Thank you for visiting The Wife Hates/Loves Sports!

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