NCAA College Football 2009 Week 3 Picks early games

NCAA College Football 2009 Week 3 Picks

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Fearless Rick's 2009 College Football Week 3 Picks - Early Games

Rick Gagliano | September 17-19

All times Eastern - Click here for late games.

Thursday, September 17

7:30 pm Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Miami (FL) Hurricanes (-5 1/2, 54) - Have the Hurricanes really returned to prominence in the college ranks? We'll know much more on that score at the conclusion of this game. Should Miami persevere over a ranked ACC foe such as Georgia Tech, we can be assured that the Hurricanes will be in the hunt for the conference championship and a major bowl for the remainder of the campaign.

The Yellow Jackets have a very stubborn coach in Paul Johnson, who insists on running his version of the spread offense and he has the bodies to do it well, though there must have been some serious soul-searching and coaching after Tech blew a big (24-0) lead over Clemson last week, but rallied to win, 30-27.

Miami hasn't seen the field since their 9/7, 38-34 win over Florida State, but they surely didn't display much defense in that contest. The offense was spectacular, however.

Georgia Tech has looked uneven in both of their wins, and Miami may just have the goods. But, as tough as the ACC has been over the last few years, don't look for a blowout easy win here. Tech can surely win this if they stick to their running game and play sound defense. In any case, they should keep it close.

PREDICTION: Yellow Jackets 31 Hurricanes 27

Friday, September 18

9:00 pm Boise State Broncos (-7 1/2, 53 1/2) at Fresno State Bulldogs - The Bulldogs almost pulled off an upset of Wisconsin last week, finally losing in double overtime, 34-31, and after pounding Cal-Davis 51-0 in week 1, they seem to be on the verge of something big. The fact that they are just a TD underdog, despite being at home, lends credibility to their cause, but the Broncos come in loaded for Bear, or Bulldog, as the case may be.

Boise isn't ranked #10 in the country for nothing. In addition to having a stellar offense (48 points last week in a shutout of Miami (OH)), they just might have the best defensive unit in the country. They pounded what was supposed to be a high-octane Oregon offense into submission in their 19-8 home opener and aren't likely to lose another game this season. They're a big time program with an even bigger upside that plays with even more passion and pride when under the national spotlight as this game will be.

PREDICTION: Broncos 41 Bulldogs 21

Saturday, September 19

12:00 pm Boston College Eagles at Clemson Tigers (-7, 44 1/2) - It's almost as hard to believe that Boston College is getting a TD here as it is to notice that four ACC are nationally ranked (Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, North Carolina and Miami) and BC isn't one of them. All they've done thus far is wallop their first two opponents - Northeastern and Kent St. - 54-0 and 34-7, respectively. After winning in week 1, Clemson eventually lost its first real test to Georgia Tech last week, in a game in which they were outclassed and out-thought early on, and overwhelmed late.

Whatever BC may be, Clemson is probably not their equal, though home field does offer an advantage. The Eagles are 3-1 both SU and ATS vs. Clemson since joining the ACC, their only loss at home last season in a 27-21 upset. Look for BC to return the favor to the Tigers, who thus far look very ordinary.

PREDICTION: Eagles 21 Tigers 19

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12:00 pm Louisville Cardinals at Kentucky Wildcats (-13 1/2, 46) - Rivalries don't get any more serious than this Intra-state affair for bragging rights in the state of Kentucky. Many of the players know each other and were recruited by both schools, so the hitting should be ferocious. Kentucky has won and covered the last two times these teams have met, but it's an up and down series, and Kentucky has a few receivers either listed as doubtful or out, so Louisville may catch a break on defense against Kentucky QB Mike Hartline. Louisville plays heady defense and has an arsenal of weapons with which to attack the Wildcats, though Kentucky is solid defensively and has not lost to a non-conference opponent since losing to Louisville in 2006, a spread of 15 straight games.

Both teams have had an extra week to prepare, and both are 1-0. Expect the defenses to dominate an unusually low-scoring affair. Louisville could win with some breaks, but this one should stay close throughout.

PREDICTION: Wildcats 20 Cardinals 13

12:00 pm Ohio State Buckeyes (-20 1/2, 58 1/2) at Toledo Rockets - If ever there was a trap game, this is it. The Buckeyes are likely suffering the emotional hangover from their final-seconds loss to USC. Humbled at home, with the realization that they are not a national championship caliber team, the squad is going to be less focused in practices than usual. Lying in wait, on their home field, are the Rockets, one of a handful of solid Mid-American teams with upsets on their minds. Bear in mind that these guys stunned Colorado, 54-38, last week, so they can play at home on the big stage. By game time, this line should creep past 21, which means the Buckeyes have to win by 3 TDs. The Rockets don't offer much in the way of defense, but the Buckeyes don't care that they're 3 TD favorites, they just want to win the game. Give me a motivated bunch (Toledo) over a group just going through the paces any day.

PREDICTION: Buckeyes 35 Rockets 23

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3:30 pm Michigan State Spartans at Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-10, 55) - What will the Irish do for an encore after losing an emotional game last week at Michigan. With their fans backing them as they host the Spartans, Notre Dame should have a field day against Michigan State, coming off a loss of their own, at home, 29-27, to a fired-up Central Michigan squad.

Now, losing to teams from the Mid-American conference is nothing unusual. Colorado was hammered by Toledo and the history of big wins by the smaller conference is littered with Big Ten corpses, so the Spartans may be better than that game suggests. However, the Irish are a very good offensive team, lacking much on defense, but the Spartans probably won't be able to a. stop the Irish at all, and b. take advantage of opportunities. Jimmy Clausen's receivers - Golden Tate and Michael Floyd may be the best tandem in the country, and if the Spartans don't get to Clausen, it's going to be a long day in the secondary. Notre dame should bounce back from their close loss at Michigan with a resounding win here.

PREDICTION: Fighting Irish 48 Spartans 24

All times Eastern - Click here for late games

Copyright 2009, 2010, 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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