Archive: 2009 Week Three NCAA Football Top 25 Previews
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Thursday, September 17th, 2009
* These college football rankings are according to the official Bankroll Sports College Football Top 25 Rankings.
# 14 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2-0) @ # 20 Miami Hurricanes (1-0)
Time: 7:30pm EST
Spread: Miami -4.5
Over/Under: 54
Preview: The Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal Division will see a mega clash in week three of the season. The Miami Hurricanes will play in their home opener and welcome the undefeated Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Georgia Tech escaped with a 30-27 win on Saturday over Clemson, and Miami took the weekend off, after upsetting Florida State in Tallahassee in week one. Georgia Tech have averaged 457.5 yards on offense this year, scoring an average of 33.5 points per game. The defense is allowing 338.5 yards per game, and averaging 22.5 points allowed. The Hurricanes used several defensive stops late in the game to upend their state rival. Jacory Harris was impressive behind center throwing for 386 yards, and two touchdowns. The last time the Yellow Jackets and the Hurricanes played the Yellow Jackets beat Miami 41-23.
Friday, September 18th, 2009
# 10 Boise State Broncos (2-0) @ Fresno State Bulldogs (1-1)
Time: 9:00pm EST
Spread: Boise State -7.5
Over/Under:
Preview: In a tilt between two small school that show a lot of pop when it comes to the national scale of collegiate football - the Boise State Broncos will invade Fresno State to take on the Bulldogs. Boise State comes in unbeaten after knocking off Oregon in week one 19-8, and most recently blanking Miami Ohio 48-0. Boise State has scored 9 touchdowns in the first two games, while allowing just 1. The offense is averaging 401 total yards per game, while the Broncos defense has yielded just 173 total yards, including 34.5 through the passing game. Kellen Moore threw for 307 total yards and 4 touchdowns in the win over Miami Ohio. Fresno State won in week one 51-0 over California-Davis, but was knocked off in week two, at Wisconsin. The Badgers needed two overtimes to dispose of the Bulldogs, using a Phillip Welch 22 yard field goal to seal the deal. The Bulldogs play out of the Western Athletic Conference with the likes of Idaho, Boise State and Hawaii.
Saturday, September 19th, 2009
Tennessee Volunteers (1-1) @ # 1 Florida Gators (2-0)
Time: 3:30pm EST
Spread: Florida -29.5
Over/Under:
Preview: The Tennessee Volunteers and their coach Lane Kiffin could be in for quite a treat when they travel to Gainesville on Saturday. Kiffin, after coming off a loss to UCLA has made comments about Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. The Gators have done what they do best - ignored it, and have prepared to play football. All the Gators have done in the first two weeks of the season is score 118 points and allow just 9. The Gators defense has yet to allow a touchdown on the season, giving up just 231 total yards. The Volunteers won by 56 points in week one over Western Kentucky, before getting shocked by the Pac Ten’s Bruins. Coach Kiffin has insisted that he intends to keep red shirt senior Johnathan Crompton as his quarterback. Crompton threw three interceptions against UCLA. These two teams met last season, with the Gators winning 30-6.
Texas Tech Red Raiders (2-0) @ # 2 Texas Longhorns (2-0)
Time: 8:00pm EST
Spread: Texas - 17.5
Over/Under:
Preview: The Red Raiders look to shake off the doubters and pull a huge upset on the road. Texas Tech has won their first two games by a combined 93-23 score. Taylor Potts has been impressive as the Texas Tech quarterback to start the season. Potts has completed 70 of 105 passes for Mike Leach’s high powered offense. Potts has also thrown for 861 yards and nine touchdowns. The Red Raiders play with Texas, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State inside the Big 12 South. Texas comes in 2-0 as well with wins over Louisiana-Monroe and Wyoming. Texas got off to a slow start against Wyoming, but ended up scoring 41 points in the win. In two games, the Longhorns have scored 100 points, while allowing 30. Colt McCoy shoots for a Hesiman this season, as he has started the season 51 of 76 for 654 yards and 5 touchdowns. The Longhorns are averaging 550 yards per game.
# 3 USC Trojans (2-0) @ Washington Huskies (1-1)
Time: 3:30pm EST
Spread: USC - 20
Over/Under:
Preview: The Trojans of Southern California will seek their second straight road win on Saturday. USC went into Ohio State and picked up an 18-15 win behind freshman quarterback Matt Barkley. Barkley completed a long drive late in the game to seal the deal for the Trojans. Barkley has completed 60% of his passes on the season, for 428 yards, but just one touchdown. The Trojans on defense have allowed just 18 points in two games. Washington, also coming off a win, is looking to use the momentum to pull off a huge upset. The Huskies, after going winless in 2008 picked up a 42-23 win over Idaho. In week one, Washington fell 31-23 to LSU. Jake Locker, the Huskies quarterback has completed 42 of 70 passes for 574 yards and 5 touchdowns through the first two games. Chris Polk has started the season well for Washington, rushing 40 times for 170 yards. This game will be the first Pac-Ten game of the 2009 season.
North Texas Mean Green (1-1) @ # 4 Alabama Crimson Tide (2-0)
Time: 12:20pm EST
Spread: N/A
Over/Under:
Preview: The Mean Green of North Texas will find themselves with a stiff test in their third game of the 2009 season. North Texas will travel to Alabama to take on the Crimson Tide. North Texas pulled off a mild upset in week one when they knocked off Ball State on the road. Their week two game was not as successful, as Ohio knocked them off 31-30 in overtime. North Texas plays in the Sun Belt conference. Alabama has won their first two games of the season, with wins over Virginia Tech and Florida International. The week one win over Virginia Tech ended up 34-24, while the win over FIU was 40-14. In Saturday’s win running back Trent Richardson ran for 118 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Greg McElroy set a school record for consecutive passes in the game, with 14. This will be the final non-conference game for the Crimson Tide, before Arkansas comes to town on September 26th.
Temple Owls (0-1) @ # T5 Penn State Nittany Lions (2-0)
Time: 12:00pm EST
Spread: Penn State - 29.5
Over/Under:
Preview: The Temple Owls will have 15 days off before their date with the Penn State Nittany Lions. Temple won their season opener on September 3rd over Villanova, and then took week two off. Temple, out of the MAC Conference is led by Vaughn Charlton, but threw three interceptions in game one. Penn State has won their first two games by a combined score of 59-14. Their week one victim was Akron, while on Saturday Penn State was able to knock off Syracuse. In Saturday’s game, Nittany Lions quarterback Daryll Clark threw for 240 yards and three touchdowns. Evan Royster, the starting running back scored two touchdowns, on just 41 yards, but also caught 61 yards.
Southeastern Louisiana Lions (2-0) @ # T5 Mississippi Rebels (2-0)
Time: 7:30pm EST
Spread: N/A
Over/Under:
Preview: The Southeastern Louisiana Lions have had a lot of success early in the season. They have won their first two games by a combined score of 110-27. Quarterback Brian Babin has thrown for 665 yards and 8 touchdowns in the first two games. Running back Zeke Jones has rushed 23 times, including 3 touchdowns, while wide receiver Simmie Yarborough has caught 16 passes for 224 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Rebels have played just one game to start the season, with that being a very successful win. Mississippi down Memphis on September 6th 45-14. In that win Jevan Snead turned the ball over twice - both interceptions - but the Revels were still able to put a ton of points on the board. The Ole Miss defense allowed just 14 points in the game, and also forced Memphis to turn the ball over three times.
Florida State Seminoles (1-1) @ # 7 Brigham Young Cougars (2-0)
Time: 7:00pm EST
Spread: BYU - 7.5
Over/Under: N/A
Preview: The Florida State Seminoles escaped starting the 2009 campaign 0-2 on Saturday in a 19-9 win over Jacksonville State. For much of the game the Seminoles trailed their in-state inferior opponent. One could say the Seminoles may have been reeling, after their week one loss to rival Miami, that saw the Seminoles drop a pass in the end zone that would have won the game for them. Christian Ponder, quarterback, has completed 46 of 76 passes for 618 yards and 2 touchdowns on the season. This game is one of five for Florida State against teams within the Top 25. Brigham Young is 2-0 to start the season, after a huge win over Oklahoma, followed by a 51 point pasting of Tulane. The Cougars are one of four teams in the Mountain West Conference that remain unbeaten. Max Hall has been exceptional for Brigham Young, completing 50 of 70 passes, for 638 yards and 4 touchdowns. In two games this season, the Cougars are averaging 34 points, while allowing just 8. This is the first of three straight home games for BYU.
# 8 California Bears (2-0) @ Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-0)
Time: 12:00pm EST
Spread: California - 14
Over/Under:
Preview: For the second straight week, the Pac Ten will travel to the Big Ten for a tussle. California comes into the game unbeaten, after blasting both Maryland and then crushing Eastern Washington. In two games this season, the Bears are averaging 55.5 points per game, while allowing just 10. Kevin Riley leads the Bears, at the quarterback position, passing for 446 yards and 5 touchdowns. Jahvid Best has carried the ball 27 times for 281 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Bears will play two straight road games starting with this game. Next week California will travel to Eugene Oregon to take on the Ducks. For Minnesota, their two wins have been less impressive, but they are unbeaten nonetheless. Minnesota beat Syracuse in week one - 23-20 in overtime, and then last week the Golden Gophers knocked off Air Force 20-13. Minnesota is one of seven teams out of the Big Ten that have yet to lose.
Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Caguns (2-0) @ # 9 LSU Tigers (2-0)
Time: 7:00pm EST
Spread: LSU - 26
Over/Under:
Preview: Both teams come in unbeaten, which makes a start rivalry affair even more intriguing. The Ragin’ Caguns beat Southern University in week one 42-19, and then they pulled the upset in week two, knocking off Kansas State, out of the Big 12 17-15. Louisiana-Lafayette are the lone team in the Sun Belt conference that is unbeaten. LSU beat Washington on the road in week one, and then came home and won their home opener, including a conference for - Vanderbilt on Saturday. The Tigers have scored 54 points, while allowing 32 in the first two games. Jordan Jefferson has been sharp at quarterback for the Tigers; Jefferson has completed 31 passes for 310 yards and 3 touchdowns. The 6’5 sophomore from Saint Rose Louisiana will be key in the state rivalry. Jefferson has yet to throw an interception this season.
# 11 Ohio State Buckeyes (-) @ Toledo Rockets (-)
Time: 12:00pm EST
Spread: Ohio State - 20.5
Over/Under:
Preview: The Buckeyes will look to bounce back after their devastating loss on Saturday at home to USC. Ohio State led until the final minutes, when Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley led them in a game winning touchdown. Ohio State also struggled in week one, barely holding on to knock off Navy 31-27. Terrelle Pryor has thrown just one touchdown in the first two games for the Buckeyes. Buckeye nation does not think the season is quite lost yet, as Ohio State will not see another team currently in the Top 25 again until November 7th when they head to Happy Valley to take on Penn State. The Rockets will be no push-over for the Buckeyes. Toledo is coming off a 54-38 pasting of Colorado. In week one Toledo took it on the chin to the Purdue Boilermakers 52-31. Quarterback Aaron Opelt has already throw for 742 yards and 7 touchdowns in the first two games of the season. Toledo plays in the MAC Conference, and sit in the West portion of the conference with he likes of Central Michigan, Northern Illinois and Ball State.
Tulsa Golden Hurricanes (2-0) @ # 12 Oklahoma Sooners (1-1)
Time: 3:30pm EST
Spread: Oklahoma - 16.5
Over/Under:
Preview: With one loss on the season, the Oklahoma Sooners find themselves a little nervous heading into week three. Their week three quarterback the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes are notorious for putting points on the board in a hurry. The Sooners will hope to keep this game a defensive battle, as they are without their quarterback and Heisman trophy winner Sam Bradford. Back-up quarterback Landry Jones has filled in quite well in his first start on Saturday; a 64-0 win over Idaho State. Jones threw for 286 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Hurricanes have scored 81 points in their first two games; both on the road. G.J. Kinne has thrown for 521 yards and 5 touchdowns, including 4 in the win at New Mexico. The Golden Hurricanes are one of four teams within Conference USA that remain unbeaten.
# 19 Nebraska Cornhuskers (2-0) @ # 13 Virginia Tech Hokies (1-1)
Time: 3:30pm EST
Spread: Virginia Tech - 4.5
Over/Under:
Preview: The Nebraska Cornhuskers have started their run towards getting “back” to where they were in the past with two straight wins to start the year. Nebraska blasted Florida Atlantic 49-3 in week one, and then ran over Arkansas State 38-9 on Saturday. Nebraska has gotten solid quarterbacking from Zac Lee who threw for 27 of 35 and 340 yards and 4 touchdowns on Saturday. In two games, Lee has thrown for 533 yards and 6 touchdowns. The Cornhuskers week three opponent will be by far their toughest test to date as they take on the Virginia Tech Hokies on the road. The Hokies picked up their first win on Saturday, blasting Marshall 52-10. Virginia Tech had quite the test in week one, when they took on the Alabama Crimson Tide and came away with a 34-24 loss. Ryan Williams ran for 164 yards on 16 carries, accounting for 3 Hokie touchdowns on Saturday. Williams also scored 5 touchdowns against Alabama. This is the second of five games in 2009 for Virginia Tech against Top 25 teams.
Texas State Bobcats (1-0) @ # 15 Texas Christian University Horned Frogs (1-0)
Time: 7:00pm EST
Spread: N/A
Over/Under:
Preview: In a tilt between two Lone Star state opponents the Bobcats of Texas State will play at the Horned Frogs of Texas Christian University. The Bobcats, out of the Southland Conference beat Angelo State to start the season on September 5th, 2009. Bradley George threw for 328 yards and 3 touchdowns in the win. The Bobcats also rushed for 135 yards in the win. For Texas Christian University, after taking week one off, the Horned Frogs went on the road and knocked off the Cavaliers of Virginia. The Horned Frogs scored the first 30 points of the game, only to allow the final 14. Andy Dalton, TCU’s quarterback passed for 177 yards and a touchdown. The Horned Frogs are one of four teams in the Mountain West Conference.
Rice Owls (0-2) @ # 16 Oklahoma State Cowboys (1-1)
Time: 7:00pm EST
Spread: Oklahoma State - 32.5
Over/Under:
Preview: The Rice Owls will take on a livid Oklahoma State team on Saturday. The Owls are 0-2 to start the season with losses at UAB and Texas Tech. In the Owls two losses, they have allowed 99 points, while scoring just 34. The Owls are one of four teams in Conference USA to have started the season winless. Offensively John Thomas Shepherd has thrown for 190 yards and a touchdown through two games, along with an interception as well. The Cowboys took a week two loss at the hands of the Houston Cougars. The Cougars and Owls both play in Conference USA - West division. Oklahoma State quarterback Zac Robinson threw an interception with three minutes to go to erase a comeback opportunity. Robinson on the season has thrown for 375 yards and 3 touchdowns. Heisman candidate Dez Bryant has caught 8 passes, 2 for touchdowns in 2 games this season.
# 17 Cincinnati Bearcats (2-0) @ Oregon State Beavers (2-0)
Time: 6:45pm EST
Spread: Cincinnati - 1
Over/Under:
Preview: The Bearcats will probably not score 70 points in their week three tilt at Oregon State. What the Bearcats will do is play for more respect within the national media. The Bearcats, after blowing out Rutgers on the road, scored 70 points in week two against Southeast Missouri State. In two games this season Chip Kelly’s team has scored 117 points, while yielding just 18. Tony Pike has started well completing 44 passes, for 591 yards, including 6 touchdowns. The Bearcats have a schedule with no team within the Top 25 at this time. The Oregon State Beavers have also started the season unbeaten. The season opener for Oregon State was a 34-7 win over Portland State. This last Saturday the Beavers were tested when they traveled to Las Vegas, as they pulled off a 23-21 win over the Runnin Rebels. The Beavers have done the job defensively, allowing just 28 points in two games. Offensively, quarterback Sean Canfield has thrown for 356 yards and 3 touchdowns. Jacquizz Rodgers is the best option for the Beavers offense. In two games this season, Rodgers has ran for 269 yards and 4 touchdowns.
# 18 Utah Utes (2-0) @ Oregon Ducks (1-1)
Time: 3:30pm EST
Spread: Oregon - 4.5
Over/Under:
Preview: The Utah Utes survived a week two scare, when they edged San Jose State 24-14. In the win for Utah, Terrance Cain through for 248 yards and rushed for 69 more. The win for Utah was their 16th straight, which is the longest in the football bowl subdivision. Matt Asiata is the best option on the ground for the Utes. Asiata has rushed for 250 yards and 3 touchdowns thus far for Utah. Asiata has been ruled questionable for the game with a shoulder injury. For the Ducks, a sigh of relief came after their 38-36 win over Purdue. The Ducks started the season rough, falling to Boise State, and also losing their top rusher LaGarrette Blount. Oregon’s Jeremiah Masoli leads the team in passing and rushing for the Ducks. This game for Oregon is the first of two straight games against ranked opponents. Oregon also starts the season with three of the first four against ranked teams. Oregon takes on California next week.
Duke Blue Devils (1-1) @ # 22 Kansas Jay Hawks (2-0)
Time: 12:00pm EST
Spread: Kansas - 22.5
Over/Under:
Preview: In what would be an epic collegiate basketball tilt, the Duke Blue Devils will travel to Kansas to take on the Jay Hawks. Duke has started the season splitting their first two games. Their season opener was spoiled by Richmond 24-16 at home. The Blue Devils bounced back last week, edging Army 35-19. The Blue Devils will play two more non-conference games before taking on the Atlantic Coast Conference portion of their 2009 schedule. Kansas has continued to keep their name in the hat for national prowess. The Jay Hawks blew out Northern Colorado in week one 49-3, followed by a 34-7 pasting at UTEP. Kansas will look to win the Big 12 North this season, competing with Missouri and Nebraska for that honor. The Jay Hawks quarterback Todd Reesing has completed 38 of 61 passes for 468 yards and 3 touchdowns to start the season. The Jay Hawks will look to continue their hot start, that does not see a ranked team on their schedule until late October when they take on Oklahoma.
# 23 Georgia Bulldogs (1-1) @ Arkansas Razorbacks (2-0)
Time: 7:45pm EST
Spread: Arkansas - 1
Over/Under:
Preview: The Georgia Bulldogs bounced back from their week one defeat by edging South Carolina 41-37. Without quarterback Matthew Stafford and running back Knowshon Moreno, the Bulldogs offense has had to rebuild. The offense was not the problem on Saturday as they scored 41 points. Joe Cox, playing with an injured shoulder threw for 201 yards and 2 touchdowns for the Bulldogs. Georgia won the game, although they allowed 10 more first downs than the Gamecocks and also had the ball 10 minutes less. Arkansas looks to find their way back to national prominence, and Saturday would be a great step forward. Arkansas has played just one game this season and that was on September 5th against Missouri State. The Razorbacks won 48-10. Arkansas has five teams on their 2009 schedule that are currently in the Top 25.
East Carolina Pirates (1-1) @ # 24 North Carolina Tar Heels (2-0)
Time: 12:00pm EST
Spread: North Carolina - 7.5
Over/Under:
Preview: The Panthers of East Carolina will look to pull an upset when they travel to Chapel Hill on Saturday. East Carolina comes into the affair with a 1-1 record, losing at West Virginia and beating Appalachian State. The Pirates Patrick Pinkney is back and continues to throw the ball. Pinkney has already thrown 66 passes, throwing 2 touchdowns so far. Dominique Lindsay also has two touchdowns for the Pirates, rushing for 133 yards on the season. The Tar Heels are coming off a 12-10 win over Connecticut that saw them pick-up a safety late in the game to take the lead. The Tar Heels beat The Citadel in week one 40-6. North Carolina will need to do a better job running the ball this week. Last week against Connecticut the Tar Heels were only able to gain 35 rushing yards.
Eastern Michigan (0-2) @ # 25 Michigan Wolverines (2-0)
Time: 12:00pm EST
Spread: Michigan - 24
Over/Under:
Preview: The Wolverines of Michigan will look to avoid the second straight week of a lower in state school knocking off the big in state school. Last week, Central Michigan upset Michigan State- this week Eastern Michigan will look to top Michigan. Eastern Michigan will seek their first win of the 2009 season, after falling to Army 27-14, and then falling short on Saturday to Northwestern 27-24. Michigan will come into this one with momentum at its highest. The Wolverines pulled a big upset over Notre Dame on Saturday in Ann Arbor. Freshman quarterback Tate Forcier went 23 of 33 for 240 yards and 2 touchdowns in the win. Forcier also ran for a 31-yard touchdown that put them up at the start of the fourth quarter. Michigan is one of seven teams in the Big Ten that have started unbeaten.
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