NCAA College Football 2008 Week 3 Picks early games

NCAA College Football 2008 Week 3 Picks

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Fearless Rick's 2008 College Football Week 3 Picks - Early Games

Rick Gagliano | September 11-13, 2008

All times Eastern - Click here for late games.

Thursday, Sept. 11

7:30 pm North Carolina at Rutgers (-4 1/2, 47) - After being thumped soundly at home by Fresno State last week, 24-7, the Tar Heels come calling on the Scarlet Knights, looking to go 2-0 after topping McNeese State on August 30 and a week off.

North Carolina didn't look very good beating the Cowboys, having to come from behind in the 2nd half for a 35-27 win. Brandon Tate had a big game with an 82 yard punt return for a score, 106 yards rushing on just 3 carries and 4 catches for 93 yards and another score. Rutgers will key on him with blanket coverage.

The difference is on defense, where the Tar Heels are weak. QB Mike Teel and his offensive counterparts should have plenty of scoring opportunities and make the most of them. North Carolina is a good ACC team, but they've got a ways to go before challenging experienced, bowl-bound teams like Rutgers.

Prediction: Scarlet Knights 28 Tar Heels 17

Friday, Sept. 12

8:00 pm Kansas at South Florida (-3 1/2, N/A) - This figures to be an exceptional college football contest, pitting two of last season's brightest surprise teams. The home team Bulls have one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Matt Grothe, but the Jayhawks counter with their own Todd Reesing, who just happens to be clicking at a 77% completion rate.

Both teams have solid defenses, but the Jayhawks may be superior, as Kansas has returned 9 starters on the defending side. The Kansas defense led the Big 12 in total defense, scoring defense and turnover margin in 2007 and after two dominant performances (40-10 over Florida International and 29-0 over Louisiana Tech) must be regarded as one of the best in the country. The Bulls are a good team which will challenge for the Big East title, but the Jayhawks may be playing for more come January.

Prediction: Jayhawks 23 Bulls 17

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Saturday, Sept. 13

3:30 pm UCLA at Brigham Young (-8 1/2, 46) - Everybody underestimated UCLA when they took the field against Tennessee in their home and season opener. By game's end, opinions had changed as Rick Neuheisel's troops came away with a 27-24 victory over one of the better SEC teams.

Now, with a week off, the Bruins go on the road to face one of the favorites (along with Utah) in the Mountain West conference. BYU thumped Northern Iowa in their opener, but just barely escaped with a 28-27 win at Washington last week.

The Bruins are probably being underrated once again. Sure, BYU is at home, and they are loaded on offense. QB Max Hall and RB Harvey Unga are the keys to the offense, but the defense is still learning. One thing is for sure, though, neither side will be outcoached, and that leans toward a close game, probably decided by a late field goal. UCLA is the choice here to at least keep it close.

Prediction: BYU 27 UCLA 24

3:30 pm Georgia (-7, N/A) at South Carolina - The Gamecocks were embarrassed on national TV (ESPN) by Vanderbilt last Thursday night, and the relative incompetence of their young offense really showed. Missed opportunities, a fumble and 2 interceptions led to a 24-17 road loss and a 1-1 record for South Carolina.

Georgia suffers from no such difficulties. After routing Georgia Southern and Central Michigan, the Bulldogs are ready for a taste of the SEC, and they will surely get plenty to eat. While SC's defense is solid, it is not on a par with the Georgia offense, and on the other side of the ball, how do the Gamecocks intend to score. Head coach Steve Spurrier is a legend in the SEC, but he is neither a magician nor a miracle worker, and that is what he'd need to win this game... or even keep it close. Georgia emphatically stamps their claim on the nation's #1 ranking.

Prediction: Bulldogs 34 Gamecocks 10

All times Eastern - Click here for late games

Copyright 2008, 2009, 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.

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