NCAA College Football 2007 Week 1 Picks late games

NCAA College Football 2007 Week 1 Picks - late games

Fearless Rick's College Football Week 1 Picks - Late Games

Rick Gagliano | Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007

All times Eastern - Click here for early games.

Saturday, September 1

3:30 pm Washington State at Wisconsin (-14, 49) - This could be one of the biggest no-brainers of the week. The Cougars are coming off a 6-6 season and have a so-so offense coupled with a matador defense, while Wisconsin is looking at a national championship run after an overlooked 12-1 season. The defense was ranked 5th in the country last year and will be just as good. The offense takes a hit with the loss of John Stocco at QB, but Tyler Donovan should fill in adequately. We're looking at a serious blowout here.

Prediction: Badgers 41 Cougars 10

3:30 pm Georgia Tech at Notre Dame (-2 1/2, 46) - Notre Dame was 4-8-1 ATS last season, with big losses to major squads, Michigan, USC and LSU. They beat Georgia Tech 14-10 in last season's opener, but they're an entirely different team this year, having lost 14 starters to graduation, including most of the skill positions on offense. Georgia Tech returns 8 starters on a very solid defense and replaces the inconsistent Reggie Ball at QB. The Irish will also start a new QB, probably Jimmy Clausen, but this year's version of the Fightin' Irish may have to scrap just to reach .500.

Prediction: Yellow Jackets 28 Irish 16

6:45 pm Oklahoma State at Georgia (-6 1/2, 54) - The Bulldogs were 9-4 last season, but rather inconsistent at times. Matt Stafford threw 7 TDs and 14 INTs and the defense has only 3 returning starters. Oklahoma went 7-6 last year, and returns their outstanding backfield intact, with QB Bobby Reid looking to improve upon a solid 2006 season in which he tossed 24 TD passes and only 11 INTs. Defense has always been a problem, but the Cowboys return 8 starters. Georgia may not be able to match OSU's offensive speed and that's a real problem.

Prediction: Cowboys 34 Bulldogs 27

--- Story continues below ---

7:45 pm Kansas State at Auburn (-13 1/2, 44 1/2) - Auburn went 11-2, including handing national champion Florida their only loss of the season in 2006. The defense will be awesome this season, but the offense returns only 4 starters, though one of those is QB Brandon Cox. Kansas State was only 7-6 in 2006, but they return 7 offensive and 6 defensive starters. The Wildcats were inconsistent on defense, though they will likely be better this season. With the disparity in experience on Auburn's O-line in relation to KSU's D-line, look for this one to be much closer than the line indicates, though Auburn should eke out a win.

Prediction: Tigers 21 Wildcats 17

8:00 pm Tennessee at California (-5 1/2, 52 1/2) - This is the highlight game of the weekend as the Vols (9-4 last season) seek to regain national prominence. The Vols beat Cal 35-18 in last season's opener, but this one's on the Bears' turf. Cal lost Marshawn Lynch to graduation, but Justin Forsett appears ready to fill that spot. Nate Longshore returns at QB along with 7 other starters. The defense was pretty horrible and that should help out Tennessee's Erik Ainge, who had a nice season in 2006, with 19 TDs and 9 INTs. Both teams can put up points, but Tennessee's defense appears more solid.

Prediction: Volunteers 34 Golden Bears 30

8:00 pm Florida State (-3 1/2, 45) at Clemson - Clemson was 8-5 last season, but lost 3 games by a total of 5 points. They'll be breaking in new QB Cullen Harper, which may be a tough experience against the rough Seminole defense which ranked 18th nationally in 2006 and returns 8 starters. The Seminole offense is putrid, mostly because QB Drew Weatherford has never lived up to his promise. Clemson dusted them 27-20 last year and it looks like it may be another win for son Terry unless dad Bobby has found something new in the offense.

Prediction: Tigers 17 Seminoles 13

All times Eastern - Click here for early games

Copyright 2007, 2008, Rick Gagliano, Downtown Magazine. All rights reserved. Downtown Magazine is located in the Uinted States of America and is not affiliated with the National Football League or the NCAA. For more information, contact us here. Use of this site is for entertainment purposes only.