It's hard to believe that it has been two months since the start of the 2010 Football Season in Ohio, and the tenth and final week of play for all but 192 schools has arrived. Eventhough the playoffs begin next week, several schools across the state have already received their invites to the 2010 Ohio High School Football Playoffs. These schools include, but are not limited to: Pickerington Central, Cleveland Glenville, Solon, Bishop Watterson, Marion-Franklin, Bishop Hartley, New Albany, Canton McKinley, Lakewood St. Ed, Cincinnati Winton Woods, Cincinnati LaSalle, Cincinnati Colerain, Youngstown Ursuline, Ada, Delphos St. John's, Jonathan Alder, and Heath.
However, one Columbus school, known for its tough scheduling year-in, year-out, is in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time in 17 years. Of course, we're talking about the Purple People Eaters of the Central Catholic League- the St. Francis DeSales Stallions. DeSales, at 4-5, has made 16 straight postseason appearances, the current longest streak for any Central Ohio school. However, with the OHSAA computer rankings, the Stallions are 8th in Region 10 (a Division III region with schools in Franklin and Delaware Counties and Northwest Ohio), and barely clinging to life, with a Saturday night date in Cleveland against 2-7 Benedictine, that could end DeSales' streak- win or lose, perhaps.
DeSales isn't the only area school clinging to life, as Upper Arlington, Beechcroft, Groveport Madison, Lancaster, Northland, Walnut Ridge, Big Walnut, Zanesville, Hamilton Township, Hilliard Darby, Dublin Coffman, Mount Vernon, St. Charles, Canal Winchester, Olentangy, Dublin Jerome, Triad, Fairbanks, Johnstown, Utica, Westfall, Coshocton, Sparta Highland, Amanda-Clearcreek, Marion Pleasant, Licking Valley, and Granville all need wins, and might need some of those aforementioned schools need other aforementioned schools to lose to seal their playoff invites. Even lower-ranked Dublin Scioto, Grandview Heights, and Bishop Ready, according to JoeEitel.com, still have a glimmer of hope. Even 8-0 Fairfield Christian Academy needs a win (over last year's Division VI State Semifinalist, 3-6 Grove City Christian) to get in, or their breakout season could end.
So, with that said....
GAME OF THE WEEK: The Battle of Hilliard- Darby Panthers (8-1, 5-1) at Davidson Wildcats (9-0, 6-0)
This has turned out to be the most important game of the year. Forget the Battle of Broad Street, the Battle of Main Street, the Battle of Hard Road, the Battle of 256 (which is also this Friday), the Battle of the Bishops (also this Friday), the Battle of Pickerington, the Battle of Westerville, the Holy War, all of those pale in comparison to the Battle of Hilliard- because a Davidson win could possibly eliminate Darby. Yes, Davidson Coach Brian White feels at home, wearing shorts on the sidelines in the chilly month of November (the defending Division I state champs already clinched a playoff spot), but Darby Coach John Santangela has gone under the radar to turn a Darby program around that felt the sting of redistricting (Hilliard Bradley), and bounced back to a 6-0 start this year. Davidson has too many weapons on offense, and have not played a close game since Grove City's return to the field (after last year's absence) in Week 1.
Pick: Hilliard Da....vidson
GAMES WITH HUGE PLAYOFF IMPLICATIONS OF THE WEEK:
Upper Arlington Golden Bears (6-3, 4-2) at Dublin Coffman Shamrocks (7-2, 5-1)
Somewhere, along the banks of Interstate 270, a playoff atmosphere will be discovered. Tomorrow night will be an atmosphere at Coffman, where the Rocks- ranked fifth in Region 3, host Upper Arlington, ranked 12th in Region 3. The only problem for Arlington is, is the Golden Bears have not beaten anyone with a winning record since Week 1, and after a 156-6 romp of Westland/Central Crossing, Hilliard Davidson brought the Golden Bears back to reality in a 34-7 Davidson romp of UA last week. The only playoff game at Upper Arlington could be two teams playing in the second or third rounds.
Pick: Dublin Coffman
Beechcroft Cougars (7-2, 6-0) at Northland Vikings (7-2, 5-1)
This game will determine the outcome of the City League North, as the winner of this game will be the City League North champion. A Northland win would be huge, because the Vikings would be the first school that doesn't have a "B" in their name to win the City League North. The Vikings, ranked below Upper Arlington at 13th would need a lot of schools (Troy, Pickerington North, Groveport, Lancaster, Mount Vernon, and UA) to lose to get in to the Division I playoffs. A Beechcroft win would give the Cougars the City League North outright, and the Cougars, ranked 10th in Region 7, could move into the Division II Playoffs. It will be a tough one, but Northland's 3-0 loss to Brookhaven in Week 4 could hurt them here.
Pick: Your 2010 City League North champion...Beechcroft
Jonathan Alder Pioneers (8-1) at St. Charles Cardinals (5-3)
The Cardinals, at 5-3, would probably be ranked 12th or 13th, and possibly be already mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. However, the record of the teams St. Charles has beaten, so far, is 27-17 (take away Marion Harding, and you'd have 26-9), which could possibly be 30-19 or 38-21 after Friday night. If you are 5-3 and the teams you beat are 27-17, get ready to play in November. However, the Cardinals could lose their fourth straight in the process, because everyone scored on Jonathan Alder's team last week in a 77-7 rout of Greenfield McClain.
Pick: Jonathan Alder
Grove City Christian Eagles (3-6) at Fairfield Christian Academy Knights (8-0)- UPSET ALERT of the Week
Remember when Grove City Christian went 9-1 in the Regular Season, and ultimately finished 12-2 on a deep Division VI playoff run? Well, most of the kids on that miracle run (who were Grove City players that transferred after losing fall sports last year) transferred back to Grove City after sports were restored to the Southwestern City School District. Fairfield Christian is this year's Grove City Christian. Don't let the Eagles hear you say that as the Eagles look to clip Fairfield Christian's wings, and possibly spoil the Knights hopes for a deep playoff run like the one Grove City Christian had last year.
Pick: Grove City Christian
The Battle of the Bishops- Ready Silver Knights (4-4, 4-5*) at Hartley Hawks (8-1)- RIVALRY GAME OF THE WEEK
Like it is with every Week 10 in Central Ohio, this is the Rivalry of the week. This is the working class version of their northern neighbors- Watterson and DeSales, but the Battle of the Bishops has had huge playoff implications in the past, such as last year, when a 7-2 Hartley needed to beat Ready to get into the playoffs. However, the Silver Knights ended the Hawks' season with a big win at Hilliard Bradley. At 4-4 (according to the OHSAA, because last week's blunder against the Columbus Crusaders doesn't count as a real football game according to OHSAA guidelines), and ranked 18th in Division V, Region 20, the Silver Knights are the lowest-ranked school still alive in Ohio, as teams ranked 10th, 11th, and 12th in other regions (i.e. 6-3 Licking Heights, 7-2 Cincinnati Madeira) have already been mathematically eliminated, the Knights have a slim hope of getting that 8th and final spot in Division V by knocking off the Hawks at Jack Ryan Field. The Hawks, ranked third in Region 15, will already be playing next Friday night, and would like to play one more game at Jack Ryan Field next week. Expect the unexpected.
Pick: Hartley (in a close one, as Ready struggles to stop Hartley's ground game)
Walnut Ridge Scots (7-2, 4-2) at Independence 76ers (3-6, 3-3)
The Scots, ranked 14th in Division II, Region 7, are still in it, and need both a help help from a lot of teams in that region (St. Charles, Canal Winchester, Zanesville, Beechcroft, Hamilton Township, Olentangy, Louisville, Dublin Jerome, Big Walnut, and Dresden Tri-Valley- ranked 4th to 13th in no particular order) to even get in. The Scots, have only beaten one school with a winning record (5-4 Briggs), and lost to two schools that are a combined 14-3 (Marion-Franklin and Eastmoor Academy). The 76ers would love to play spoiler in this East Side City League Rivalry. However, no pizza summit will help the 76ers against the Scots this go around.
Pick: Walnut Ridge
Olentangy Liberty Patriots (5-4, 3-3) at Westerville South Wildcats (8-1, 6-0)
Olentangy Liberty has a slim shot of getting in to the playoffs, and this could only be the second time that Olentangy Liberty misses the playoffs in their short history, as the Patriots travel to Otterbein...Avenue that is, to play the red, hot Westerville South Wildcats, who have already clinched both a playoff spot and the OCC Cardinal Crown. Look for the Wildcats to win their ninth straight and to host a playoff game next Saturday night.
Pick: Westerville South
Teays Valley Vikings (5-4, 3-3) at Canal Winchester Indians (8-1, 6-0)
Pick: Canal Winchester
Lancaster Golden Gales (6-3, 4-2) at Newark Wildcats (1-8, 0-6)
Pick: Lancaster
Bexley Lions (3-6, 1-5) at Licking Valley Panthers (7-2, 6-0)
After Week 2, Bexley was 2-0 and Licking Valley, 0-2. Since then, Licking Valley is 7-0 and Bexley 1-6. Look at which ship is still up, and which ship has hit the bottom of the ocean?
Pick: Licking Valley
Harvest Prep Warriors (5-4, 3-3) at Grandview Heights Bobcats (6-3, 5-2)
This is a huge game for both schools, as a Harvest Prep win would give the Warriors their first ever winning season in the program's history, and a Grandview win, plus help (in the terms of losses from other schools) could launch the Bobcats back to the playoffs. In a close one, the Bobcats will ring the victory bell one more time at Anderson Field.
Pick: Grandview
Franklin Heights Golden Falcons (0-9, 0-6) at Big Walnut Golden Eagles (7-2, 4-2)
Big Walnut- 8-2 and out of the playoffs? It is highly possible, after a 7-0 start for the 2007 Division III State Champs, after being upset by a resurgent Mount Vernon team last week, the Eagles aren't helping themselves out by hosting winless Franklin Heights in the season finale of 2010. Yes, Big Walnut will win, but the Eagles may be hanging up their cleats for good once the pairing are announced on Sunday.
Pick: Big Walnut
Amanda-Clearcreek Aces (6-3, 4-2) at Bloom-Carroll Bulldogs (1-8, 0-6)
Even with a win, the Aces could ace their way out if lower ranked schools win big.
Pick: Amanda-Clearcreek
Gahanna Lincoln Lions (4-5, 3-3) at Groveport Madison Cruisers (6-3, 3-3) in The Battle of Hamilton Road- UPSET WATCH ALERT
Groveport is fighting for its playoff life right now. A win, plus help from other schools (i.e. Hilliard Darby, Troy, Pickerington North, Dublin Coffman) could give the Cruisers a playoff spot. At the beginning of the year, the Cruisers wanted to return to the playoffs, but after a 4-0 start, the Cruisers lost three of their last five- an upset by Grove City, plus blowout losses to Pickerington Central and (last week) Lancaster knocked the Cruisers out of the coveted top eight. However, Gahanna Lincoln loves playing spoiler. Seven months ago, their boys basketball team knocked off the then-# 1 boys basketball team in the Nation- Northland in the Division I Regional Finals. Gahanna, like Grove City (and even winless Westerville North), could give Groveport everything they've got, but these postseason-determined Cruisers have only one goal: to play next Saturday.
Pick: Groveport
speaking of Grove City....
Pickerington North Panthers (6-3, 4-2) at Grove City Greyhounds (3-6, 3-3)
Pick North, ranked above Groveport at # 8 in Region 3 travels to upset-minded Grove City to play the Greyhounds, who didn't live up to expectations this year, struggling to a 3-6 mark right now. Like Groveport, Pickerington North needs a win to return to the playoffs. They shouldn't have a problem running over these hounds.
Pick: Pickerington North
Johnstown Johnnies (6-3, 4-2) at Northridge Vikings (1-8, 0-6)
Pick: Johnstown
Hamilton Township Rangers (7-2, 5-1) at Fairfield Union Falcons (3-6, 2-4)
The Rangers, winless last year, underwent a major transformation from last year, to this year, with a new coach, and a breakout running back in Josh Frakes. The Rangers could possibly play their last game of the year. They need a win, plus help from other schools to play next Friday night. Frakes and crew will get the job done.
Pick: Hamilton Township
Eastmoor Academy Warriors (5-3, 5-1) at Africentric Nubians (3-6, 2-4)
Eastmoor, like St. Charles is 5-3 and clinging on in the Top Eight in their computer region. Eastmoor, like Walnut Ridge lost to teams with winning records (12-5: Northland and St. Charles). Eastmoor will have no problem winning in Downtown Columbus tomorrow night, but need a little help to stay in the top eight.
Pick: Eastmoor Academy
Mount Vernon Yellowjackets (6-3, 5-1) at New Albany Eagles (9-0, 6-0)
New Albany has already gotten their playoff invite, and Mount Vernon would like one two, after winning only a few games the past few seasons. But, the best Division II team in the OCC will prevent that from happening.
Pick: New Albany
SATURDAY NIGHT GAMES:
DeSales Stallions (4-5) at Cleveland Benedictine Bengals (2-7)
Who Dey? (Wrong Bengals) The Stallions play a brutal schedule, year-in, year-out, having lost to New Albany, Orchard Lake St. Mary's (out of the Detroit area), Lakewood St. Ed's, rival Watterson, and Cincinnati LaSalle. All four of the Ohio schools DeSales lost to are a combined 43-1 and have already locked up playoff berths. Even teams they beat (St. Charles and Youngstown Cardinal Mooney) are good, others (Gahanna) fairly decent. The Stallions travel up to Cleveland to play the Bengals (I know what you're thinking, but not T.O. and Ochocinco), the Bengals of Cleveland Benedictine that is. The Stallions have one more chance to save their season before the playoff pairings are revealed to the world on Sunday. (FYI- The last time DeSales made it in at 5-5- in 2001, the Stallions lost to Mentor Lake Catholic in the Division III State Championship)
Pick: Benedictine
Granville Blue Aces (6-3, 4-2) at Newark Catholic Green Wave (7-2, 4-2)- at Newark High's White Field
Newark Catholic is already in, so they have nothing to worry about. However, Granville is one of only two schools outside the top eight in their computer region (the other being Salem, who knocked out the Blue Aces last year in Round 1 of the playoffs). There is no stopping of the Green Wave, especially at home.
Pick: Newark Catholic
OTHER AREA GAMES FOR WEEK 10:
Columbus East Tigers (0-9, 0-6) at Linden McKinley Panthers (1-8, 0-6)- CELLAR DWELLER GAME OF THE WEEK
TBDBITCL (The Best Darn Band In The City League) and the football team they play for (East High School) travel up to the Linden area to play rivals Linden McKinley. East will also end what has been a complete and utter disaster this season for the Tigers, whom at 5-5 in 2009, completely crashed and burned with mental mistakes in 2010, allowing over 40 points a game, while scoring only about eight points a game. If Linden didn't beat Westland in Week 3, this would be one of two "Battles of the 0-9's" in the area on Friday night. Ironically, the last team East beat was Linden McKinley (Week 10 of last year). There are only five winless teams left in Central Ohio (East, Fisher Catholic, Franklin Heights, Millersport, and boasting the longest losing streak in the area at 24 games- Westerville North), and there will be as many as four after tomorrow night, and sadly, the Tigers, with 113 years of tradition in the Near East Side of Columbus, dating back to the days of Chic Harley in the 1910s, to a Division II playoff appearance in 1999, will be one of those few 0-10 schools as Linden will do to East what they did in Galloway in Week 3.
Pick: Linden McKinley
William V. Fisher Catholic Irish at Millersport Lakers (both 0-9, 0-6)- CELLAR DWELLER GAME OF THE WEEK
The bad news: there will be at least one 0-10 school (and as many as four) in the area. The good news is that one of these 0-9 schools will get their one and only win this year. The edge is on the Lakers, who aren't in complete disarray as Fisher Catholic, who beat every school to the punch by making a coaching change by firing Head Coach Mike Hensley two and a half weeks ago.
Pick: Millersport
Mifflin Punchers (4-5, 2-4) at Brookhaven Bearcats (5-4, 5-1)
Remember when Gregg Miller was the coach of the Brookhaven Bearcats in the 1990s? Well, for one night, those memories will be renewed. Ironically, Miller is now the coach of the Mifflin Punchers, after a 2-0 start, have lost five of their last seven and have bowed out of playoff contention. Last week, the Brookhaven Bearcats of old returned, as they crushed mistake-prone East High 56-0 down at Harley Field. This week, the Bearcats try to spoil the homecoming of their former coach.
Pick: Brookhaven
Briggs Bruins (5-4, 2-4) at West Cowboys (3-6, 1-5)
Remember when Briggs was 3-0? Fuhgeddaboutit. However, Briggs could stop West's high-flying offense, led by West QB Chris Rhodes, the area's leading passer who is 153/291 passing with 2,206 yards.
Pick: Briggs
Whetstone Braves (3-6, 3-3) at Centennial Stars (4-5, 3-3)
The Braves may still have some bite in this North side City League rivalry, but Centennial came back from the dead this year.
Pick: Centennial
Columbus South Bulldogs (1-8, 0-6) at Marion-Franklin Red Devils (9-0, 6-0)
Marion-Franklin, with a win clinches the City League South outright, and the Red Hot Red Devils will make a seventh consecutive playoff trip as well, already clinching a berth. And they should have no problem scaring the devil out of South.
Pick: Marion-Franklin
Delaware Hayes Pacers (3-6, 2-4) at Olentangy Orange Pioneers (5-4, 4-2)
Olentangy Orange, one of last year's playoff surprises in Division II, Region 7, will be sitting this playoffs out, having already been eliminated. Delaware Hayes, who made their first ever playoff appearance two years ago, have taken one big step back. The Pioneers will push their Delaware County neighbors back further.
Pick: Olentangy Orange
The Battle of 256- Pickerington Central Tigers (8-0, 6-0) at Reynoldsburg Raiders (3-6, 3-3)
This Battle of 256 may be misleading, as Pickerington Central, already wrapped up the OCC Ohio Title and the # 1 seed in the Division I, Region 3 Bracket, so expect to see less of the usual suspects, such as highly-touted college recruits Eilar Hardy and Tyler "Speedy" Hammond, as Pick Central will rest up for the playoffs. Reynoldsburg could take advantage of the most perfect team in Central Ohio this year and could win the Battle of 256 for the first time in nine years.
Pick: Reynoldsburg (in an upset over the Pick Central reserves)
The Battle of Worthington- Worthington Kilbourne Wolves at Thomas Worthington Cardinals (both 3-6, 2-4)
This is only the third time in the 20 years since Worthington High split into two schools that Kilbourne and Thomas have met. However, Thomas could have the upper hand against their brother school, as Kilbourne was a walking M*A*S*H unit this year, plagued by injury after injury, and winning against teams that are a combined 2-25 (Westerville North, Westland, Central Crossing). Thomas Worthington, has only had two winning seasons since Kilbourne opened in 1991 (the last one being in 1999), and after a 5-5 season last year, the Cardinals took a step back this year.
Pick: Thomas Worthington (in a squeaker)
Central Crossing Comets at Westland Cougars (both 1-8, 0-6)
Central Crossing is a win over Franklin Heights away from being 0-10, and Westland is a win over Toledo Scott from being 0-10, or a Linden McKinley comeback away from being 2-7. Westland is better than the Comets by a centimeter, based on longevity and experience.
Pick: Westland
Marysville Monarchs (5-4, 3-3) at Dublin Scioto Irish (5-4, 3-3)
The Monarchs are only playing for pride as they travel down Route 33 to Dublin to play rival Scioto. The Irish, are the second-lowest ranked school (behind Bishop Ready) NOT to be mathematically eliminated. That could change, win or lose.
Pick: Dublin Scioto
Olentangy Braves (5-4, 3-3) at Westerville North Warriors (0-9, 0-6)
Last year, Olentangy suffered their first losing season in 19 years. Ed Terwilliger and his players would love to get back to the playoffs. However, that won't happen, because like with Big Walnut, a win over a winless team will hurt the Braves, than help. The Warriors have the longest losing streak in the area at 24 games, and Olentangy will make it 25.
Pick: Olentangy
Dublin Jerome Celtics (5-4, 4-2) at Westerville Central Warhawks (2-7, 2-4)
Pick: Dublin Jerome
Hilliard Bradley Jaguars (3-6, 2-4) at Watkins Memorial Warriors (5-4, 2-4)
Remember when Watkins was 2-0? The Warriors will be watching the playoffs instead of taking part in them, but they will end on a high note.
Pick: Watkins Memorial
The Battle of Circleville- Circleville Tigers (4-5, 2-4) at Logan Elm Braves (2-7, 1-5)
Pick: Circleville win the Battle of the Pumpkin Festival Hosts
Whitehall-Yearling Rams (3-6, 2-4) at Columbus Academy Vikings (4-5, 2-4)
Pick: Columbus Academy
Heath Bulldogs (8-1, 5-1) at Hebron Lakewood Lancers (1-8, 0-6)
Pick: Heath
Licking Heights Hornets (6-3, 4-2) at Berne Union Rockets (3-6, 3-3)
Even with a win, Licking Heights will hang up their cleats after tomorrow night.
Pick: Licking Heights
West Jefferson Roughriders (9-0, 6-0) at Liberty Union Lions (6-3, 4-2)
West Jeff still has a home game to play for, while Liberty Union has already been eliminated from the playoffs.
Pick: West Jefferson
Centerburg Trojans (3-6, 2-4) at Utica Redskins (5-4, 4-2)
Pick: Utica
Loudonville Redbirds (3-6, 3-3) at Fredericktown Freddies (9-0, 6-0)
Pick: Fredericktown
Danville Blue Devils (5-4, 2-4) at East Knox Bulldogs (3-6, 3-3)
Pick: Danville
Mount Gilead Indians (3-6, 3-5) at Cardington-Lincoln Pirates (5-4, 4-4)
Pick: Cardington
Marion Pleasant Spartans (6-3, 6-2) at Galion Northmor Golden Knights (1-8, 0-8)
Pick: Marion Pleasant
North Union Wildcats (9-0, 8-0) at Morral Ridgedale Rockets (2-7, 1-7)
Pick: North Union
River Valley Vikings (5-4, 4-4) at Sparta Highland Fighting Scots (7-2, 6-2)
Pick: Sparta Highland
Marion Elgin Comets at Buckeye Valley Barons (both 3-6, 3-5)
Pick: Buckeye Valley
London Red Raiders (4-5, 2-3) at Madison Plains Golden Eagles (1-8, 0-5)
Pick: London
The Battle of Fayette County- Miami Trace Panthers (2-7, 2-3) at Washington Court House Blue Lions (7-2, 4-1)
The Lions need a win to get into the playoffs, and they need to beat fellow Fayette County and South Central Ohio League school Miami Trace to do it. The last time the Blue Lions beat the Panthers was in 1989. Trace hung on to win last year, 19-14. This will be an eventful night at Gardner Park.
Pick: Washington Court House
Greenfield McClain Tigers (5-4, 2-3) at Hillsboro Indians (2-7, 1-4)
Last year, Hillsboro was 8-2, and just missed the playoffs. This year, they will be the reciprocal of last year's mark, as McClain gets over their 77-7 Jonathan Alder hangover.
Pick: Greenfield McClain
Bishop Watterson Golden Eagles (7-1) at Uniontown Lake Blue Streaks (7-2)
Both of these teams have nothing else to play for, having already wrapped up playoff games, but Lake also would like to spend next weekend at home.
Pick: Uniontown Lake
Westfall Mustangs (6-3, 5-1) at Piketon Redstreaks (6-3, 4-2)
Pick: Westfall
Lima Senior Spartans (2-7, 1-3) at Marion Harding Presidents (1-8, 0-4)
Pick: Lima Senior
Fairbanks Panthers (6-2) at Waynesfield-Goshen Tigers (5-4)
Pick: Fairbanks
Things That Were Heard First on Sports Corner:
- DeSales will NOT make the playoffs
- Beechcroft will make the playoffs
- Big Walnut and Hamilton Township will be 8-2 and MISS the playoffs
- St. Charles will make the playoffs
- Groveport will MISS the playoffs after a 4-0 start
- Hilliard Darby will MISS the playoffs after a 6-0 start
- Eastmoor will make the playoffs
- Pickerington Central and Hilliard Davidson will meet for the Region 3 championship
Things We Already Said Earlier This Season:
- Walnut Ridge, Briggs, and Mifflin will NOT make the playoffs
- Watkins Memorial, Licking Heights, Cardington-Lincoln, and Bexley will also MISS the playoffs
- East, Fisher Catholic, and Westerville North will all finish 0-10.
- Marion-Franklin will be the lone City League representative in the playoffs.
This blog is a spin-off of A Man and His Awards, and hosts weekly football predictions as well as predictions for the NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
High School Football: Week 10, Part 1 (Who's In, and Who's Out)
The final week of the Ohio high school football regular season is this week, and only 192 schools will get invited to play beyond this weekend, when the pairings are announced on Sunday afternoon.
According to Joe Eitel (joeeitel.com), the following area schools are in:
- Pickerington Central (8-0) and North Union (9-0) are locked up the # 1 seeds in their regions
- Marion-Franklin (9-0), Bishop Watterson (7-1), New Albany (9-0), and Heath (8-1) will all be playing at home next Friday or Saturday night.
- Bishop Hartley (7-2), Newark Catholic (7-2), West Jefferson (9-0), Fredericktown (9-0), Clinton-Massie (9-0), Jonathan Alder (8-1), Thornville Sheridan (9-0), Hilliard Davidson (9-0), and Westerville South (8-1) have all clinched playoff spots.
Across the State:
In Region 1, perennial playoff power St. Ignatius will be hanging up their cleats after this weekend, as will North Canton Hoover in Region 2. In Region 23, last year's State Semifinalist, Grove City Christian will be done after this weekend as well, but will Grove City Christian's opponent (8-0 Fairfield Christian) be done as well?
LOCAL GAMES WITH HUGE PLAYOFF IMPLICATIONS:
(Predictions will be later on in the week)
Bishop Ready Silver Knights (4-5) at Bishop Hartley Hawks* (7-2)
Upper Arlington Golden Bears (6-3) at Dublin Coffman Shamrocks (7-2)
Hilliard Darby Panthers (8-1) at Hilliard Davidson Wildcats* (9-0)
Gahanna Lincoln Lions+ (4-5) at Groveport Madison Cruisers (6-3)
Pickerington North Panthers (6-3) at Grove City Greyhounds+ (3-6)
Beechcroft Cougars at Northland Vikings (both 7-2)
Franklin Heights Golden Falcons+ (0-9) at Big Walnut Golden Eagles (7-2)
Grove City Christian Eagles+ (3-6) at Fairfield Christian Academy Knights (8-0)
Johnstown Johnnies (6-3) at Northridge Vikings+ (1-8)
Olentangy Liberty Patriots (5-4) at Westerville South Wildcats (8-1)
Lancaster Golden Gales (6-3) at Newark Wildcats+ (1-8)
Teays Valley Vikings (5-4) at Canal Winchester Indians (8-1)
Walnut Ridge Scots (7-2) at Independence 76ers+ (3-6)
Eastmoor Academy Warriors (5-3) at Africentric Nubians+ (3-6)
Jonathan Alder Pioneers (8-1) at St. Charles Cardinals (5-3)
Bexley Lions (3-6)+ at Licking Valley Panthers (7-2)
Hamilton Township Rangers (7-2) at Fairfield Union Falcons+ (3-6)
Harvest Prep Warriors (5-4)+ at Grandview Heights Bobcats (6-3)
Amanda-Clearcreek Aces (6-3) at Bloom-Carroll Bulldogs+ (1-8)
Saturday Night:
Granville Blue Aces (6-3) at Newark Catholic Green Wave* (7-2)
DeSales Stallions (4-5) at Cleveland Benedictine Bengals+ (2-7)
*- Already Clinched Playoff Spot
+- Already Mathematically Eliminated
This is what the predictions for 2010 were (before the start of the season) by Bruce Monnin- http://www.nktelco.net/bdmonnin/project-2010.html. On Sunday, the actual 2010 pairings will be announced.
According to Joe Eitel (joeeitel.com), the following area schools are in:
- Pickerington Central (8-0) and North Union (9-0) are locked up the # 1 seeds in their regions
- Marion-Franklin (9-0), Bishop Watterson (7-1), New Albany (9-0), and Heath (8-1) will all be playing at home next Friday or Saturday night.
- Bishop Hartley (7-2), Newark Catholic (7-2), West Jefferson (9-0), Fredericktown (9-0), Clinton-Massie (9-0), Jonathan Alder (8-1), Thornville Sheridan (9-0), Hilliard Davidson (9-0), and Westerville South (8-1) have all clinched playoff spots.
Across the State:
In Region 1, perennial playoff power St. Ignatius will be hanging up their cleats after this weekend, as will North Canton Hoover in Region 2. In Region 23, last year's State Semifinalist, Grove City Christian will be done after this weekend as well, but will Grove City Christian's opponent (8-0 Fairfield Christian) be done as well?
LOCAL GAMES WITH HUGE PLAYOFF IMPLICATIONS:
(Predictions will be later on in the week)
Bishop Ready Silver Knights (4-5) at Bishop Hartley Hawks* (7-2)
Upper Arlington Golden Bears (6-3) at Dublin Coffman Shamrocks (7-2)
Hilliard Darby Panthers (8-1) at Hilliard Davidson Wildcats* (9-0)
Gahanna Lincoln Lions+ (4-5) at Groveport Madison Cruisers (6-3)
Pickerington North Panthers (6-3) at Grove City Greyhounds+ (3-6)
Beechcroft Cougars at Northland Vikings (both 7-2)
Franklin Heights Golden Falcons+ (0-9) at Big Walnut Golden Eagles (7-2)
Grove City Christian Eagles+ (3-6) at Fairfield Christian Academy Knights (8-0)
Johnstown Johnnies (6-3) at Northridge Vikings+ (1-8)
Olentangy Liberty Patriots (5-4) at Westerville South Wildcats (8-1)
Lancaster Golden Gales (6-3) at Newark Wildcats+ (1-8)
Teays Valley Vikings (5-4) at Canal Winchester Indians (8-1)
Walnut Ridge Scots (7-2) at Independence 76ers+ (3-6)
Eastmoor Academy Warriors (5-3) at Africentric Nubians+ (3-6)
Jonathan Alder Pioneers (8-1) at St. Charles Cardinals (5-3)
Bexley Lions (3-6)+ at Licking Valley Panthers (7-2)
Hamilton Township Rangers (7-2) at Fairfield Union Falcons+ (3-6)
Harvest Prep Warriors (5-4)+ at Grandview Heights Bobcats (6-3)
Amanda-Clearcreek Aces (6-3) at Bloom-Carroll Bulldogs+ (1-8)
Saturday Night:
Granville Blue Aces (6-3) at Newark Catholic Green Wave* (7-2)
DeSales Stallions (4-5) at Cleveland Benedictine Bengals+ (2-7)
*- Already Clinched Playoff Spot
+- Already Mathematically Eliminated
This is what the predictions for 2010 were (before the start of the season) by Bruce Monnin- http://www.nktelco.net/bdmonnin/project-2010.html. On Sunday, the actual 2010 pairings will be announced.
Friday, October 22, 2010
NFL Predix: Week 7 (2010)
It is the seventh week of NFL action on Sunday.
CBS has the Doubleheader this weekend.
BYE WEEKS: Detroit Lions (1-5), Houston Texans (4-2), Indianapolis Colts (4-2), and New York Jets (5-1)
GAME OF THE WEEK: Minnesota Vikings (2-3) at Green Bay Packers (3-2)- 8:20PM at Lambeau Field; Green Bay, WI on NBC
Last year, this game made big news as Brett Favre was making his return to the place he called home for 16 seasons, as the Vikings beat the Packers. This year, Favre returns once again to the aforementioned place he called home for 16 seasons, as the Vikings face the Green Bay P*A*C*K-ers, fresh off of back-to-back overtime losses to Washington and Miami.
Pick: Minnesota 20-10
SUNDAY AFTERNOON GAMES:
Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1) at Miami Dolphins (3-2)- 1:00PM on CBS
This would have been a game of the week in the 1970s or 1990s. But, we'll just settle for the fanfare it will bring as the Miami Wildcat Offense and Pittsburgh Defense do the Football Fandango for 60 minutes.
Pick: Pittsburgh 21-14
Cincinnati Bengals (2-3) at Atlanta Falcons (4-2)- 1:00PM on CBS
The Bengals were off last week after losing back-to-back games they couldn't afford to lose. The Falcons lost last week in Philly, a homecoming for Matt Ryan. TO is wishing that he could get away from the Bungles.
Pick: Atlanta 31-14
Cleveland Browns (1-5) at New Orleans Saints (4-2)- 1:00PM on CBS
Last week, Colt McCoy was revealed to the NFL world in a 28-10 loss to rival Pittsburgh. This week, the Clowns take their bumbling show down to the Big Easy, where Drew Brees will have an easy day against the Cleveland Clowns.
Pick: New Orleans 34-0
Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (3-2)- 1:00PM on CBS
This is a toss-up, as the Chiefs after a 3-0 start are going down, and the Jaguars got pummeled on Monday night by Tennessee (30-3, Titans).
Pick: Kansas City 28-18
Buffalo Bills (0-5) at Baltimore Ravens (4-2)- 1:00PM on CBS- 1st Shutout of 2010? Pick
Through six weeks of the 2010 NFL season, there has not been a shutout by any of the 32 teams. Baltimore's defense and Buffalo's offense might put an end to that on Sunday, because the Bills are destined to be the NFL's 2nd 0-16 team.
Pick: Baltimore 35-0
Washington Redskins (3-2) at Chicago Bears (4-2)- 1:00PM on Fox- Upset of the Week
Fact- Donovan McNabb grew up in the Windy City. This will be the second homecoming McNabb wins this year, as the Bears are on a slippy slope right now.
Pick: Washington 30-13
San Francisco 49ers (1-5) at Carolina Panthers (0-5)- 1:00PM on Fox- "The Firing Line with John Fox"
The 49ers picked up their first win of the year as they topped their neighbors, Oakland. The Niners will make it two straight, because Carolina is in a hot mess right now, that will give coach John Fox his walking papers real soon.
Pick: San Francisco 17-13
Philadelphia Eagles (4-2) at Tennessee Titans (4-2)- 1:00PM on Fox
The Titans are on a roll after knocking off rival Jacksonville on Monday Night. The short week, however gives Tennessee a disadvantage as Philly comes to town.
Pick: Tennessee 23-13
St. Louis Rams (3-3) at Tampa Bay Bucs (3-2)- 1:00PM on Fox
Remember what I said about Tampa? That was BEFORE the Bucs got embarrassed the defending Super Bowl Champs, New Orleans. Look for Sam Bradford and company to add to the Tampa misery.
Pick: St. Louis 24-21 (OT)
Arizona Cardinals (3-3) at Seattle Seahawks (3-2)- 4:00PM on Fox
This could be a misleading game, but someone has to win it.
Pick: Seattle 28-7
Oakland Raiders (2-4) at Denver Broncos (2-4)- 4:15PM on CBS
Pick: Denver 21-10
New England Patriots (4-2) at San Diego Chargers (2-4)- 4:15PM on CBS
San Diego was 2-3 last year and then won ten of its last eleven and won the AFC West. The Patriots could send San Diego into a deeper hole.
Pick: New England 27-24
SUNDAY NIGHT GAME:
See Game of the Week
MONDAY NIGHT GAME:
New York Giants (4-2) at Dallas Cowboys (1-4)- 8:30PM on ESPN
Is that hot seat warm enough for Wade Phillips?
Pick: NY Giants 24-22
CBS has the Doubleheader this weekend.
BYE WEEKS: Detroit Lions (1-5), Houston Texans (4-2), Indianapolis Colts (4-2), and New York Jets (5-1)
GAME OF THE WEEK: Minnesota Vikings (2-3) at Green Bay Packers (3-2)- 8:20PM at Lambeau Field; Green Bay, WI on NBC
Last year, this game made big news as Brett Favre was making his return to the place he called home for 16 seasons, as the Vikings beat the Packers. This year, Favre returns once again to the aforementioned place he called home for 16 seasons, as the Vikings face the Green Bay P*A*C*K-ers, fresh off of back-to-back overtime losses to Washington and Miami.
Pick: Minnesota 20-10
SUNDAY AFTERNOON GAMES:
Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1) at Miami Dolphins (3-2)- 1:00PM on CBS
This would have been a game of the week in the 1970s or 1990s. But, we'll just settle for the fanfare it will bring as the Miami Wildcat Offense and Pittsburgh Defense do the Football Fandango for 60 minutes.
Pick: Pittsburgh 21-14
Cincinnati Bengals (2-3) at Atlanta Falcons (4-2)- 1:00PM on CBS
The Bengals were off last week after losing back-to-back games they couldn't afford to lose. The Falcons lost last week in Philly, a homecoming for Matt Ryan. TO is wishing that he could get away from the Bungles.
Pick: Atlanta 31-14
Cleveland Browns (1-5) at New Orleans Saints (4-2)- 1:00PM on CBS
Last week, Colt McCoy was revealed to the NFL world in a 28-10 loss to rival Pittsburgh. This week, the Clowns take their bumbling show down to the Big Easy, where Drew Brees will have an easy day against the Cleveland Clowns.
Pick: New Orleans 34-0
Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (3-2)- 1:00PM on CBS
This is a toss-up, as the Chiefs after a 3-0 start are going down, and the Jaguars got pummeled on Monday night by Tennessee (30-3, Titans).
Pick: Kansas City 28-18
Buffalo Bills (0-5) at Baltimore Ravens (4-2)- 1:00PM on CBS- 1st Shutout of 2010? Pick
Through six weeks of the 2010 NFL season, there has not been a shutout by any of the 32 teams. Baltimore's defense and Buffalo's offense might put an end to that on Sunday, because the Bills are destined to be the NFL's 2nd 0-16 team.
Pick: Baltimore 35-0
Washington Redskins (3-2) at Chicago Bears (4-2)- 1:00PM on Fox- Upset of the Week
Fact- Donovan McNabb grew up in the Windy City. This will be the second homecoming McNabb wins this year, as the Bears are on a slippy slope right now.
Pick: Washington 30-13
San Francisco 49ers (1-5) at Carolina Panthers (0-5)- 1:00PM on Fox- "The Firing Line with John Fox"
The 49ers picked up their first win of the year as they topped their neighbors, Oakland. The Niners will make it two straight, because Carolina is in a hot mess right now, that will give coach John Fox his walking papers real soon.
Pick: San Francisco 17-13
Philadelphia Eagles (4-2) at Tennessee Titans (4-2)- 1:00PM on Fox
The Titans are on a roll after knocking off rival Jacksonville on Monday Night. The short week, however gives Tennessee a disadvantage as Philly comes to town.
Pick: Tennessee 23-13
St. Louis Rams (3-3) at Tampa Bay Bucs (3-2)- 1:00PM on Fox
Remember what I said about Tampa? That was BEFORE the Bucs got embarrassed the defending Super Bowl Champs, New Orleans. Look for Sam Bradford and company to add to the Tampa misery.
Pick: St. Louis 24-21 (OT)
Arizona Cardinals (3-3) at Seattle Seahawks (3-2)- 4:00PM on Fox
This could be a misleading game, but someone has to win it.
Pick: Seattle 28-7
Oakland Raiders (2-4) at Denver Broncos (2-4)- 4:15PM on CBS
Pick: Denver 21-10
New England Patriots (4-2) at San Diego Chargers (2-4)- 4:15PM on CBS
San Diego was 2-3 last year and then won ten of its last eleven and won the AFC West. The Patriots could send San Diego into a deeper hole.
Pick: New England 27-24
SUNDAY NIGHT GAME:
See Game of the Week
MONDAY NIGHT GAME:
New York Giants (4-2) at Dallas Cowboys (1-4)- 8:30PM on ESPN
Is that hot seat warm enough for Wade Phillips?
Pick: NY Giants 24-22
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
College Football Picks- Wolverine-Free Week 8
There are only ten undefeated teams left in Division I- Bowl Subdivision. After this weekend's games, there may be as many as eight, because there are two matchups of the undefeateds.
GAMES OF THE WEEK: # 6 LSU Tigers at # 4 Auburn Tigers (both 7-0, 4-0) (SEC Tiger Bowl)- 3:30PM ET at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, AL on CBS
Something has got to give down in Auburn, Alabama on Saturday afternoon. Both LSU and Auburn are 7-0 overall, and 4-0 in SEC play. This will be a great showdown of the unbeatens. Last week, Auburn poured 65 points down on Arkansas (who scored 43).
Pick: Watch on Saturday at 3:30 ET on CBS (Auburn 48-30)
# 3 Oklahoma Sooners at # 18 Missouri Tigers (both 6-0, 2-0)- 8:00PM ET at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium in Columbia, MO on ABC
Behind LSU and Auburn, this is the second-biggest game of the week. You have the Missouri Tigers at 6-0, it's homecoming for Mizzou, ESPN College Football GameDay is camping up in Columbia, and the game is sold out at Faurot Field. All the makings for a big showdown in the Big 12. The Tigers last beat the Sooners in 1998, winning the last seven meetings, including the two Big 12 Championship meetings. The Sooners lead the first BCS poll of the season, which has the Tigers ranked 11th. Missouri, on it's fifth 6-0 start in school history, is looking to go 7-0 for the first time in 50 years. The only thing getting in the way is the Sooners, of course, who have been in the BCS go-round on-and-off for the last ten years. And Oklahoma is good.
Pick: Watch at 8PM ET on ABC (Oklahoma 38-14)
THURSDAY NIGHT MATCHUP: UCLA Bruins (3-3, 1-2) at # 1 Oregon Ducks (6-0, 3-0)
Oregon assumes the top spot in the Associated Press Poll for the first time in school history, and it looks like they will be there another week as UCLA hasn't beaten a # 1 team in 35 years. Quack, quack, quack...
Pick: Oregon 58-0
OTHER BIG GAMES OF THE WEEK:
Purdue Boilermakers (4-2, 2-0) at # 11 Ohio State Buckeyes (6-1, 2-1)- Noon at Ohio Stadium in Columbus
The last time the Bucks played Purdue, Terrelle Pryor turned the ball over four times for the Buckeyes in a 26-18 Purdue win. The Bucks will be without three of their defensive starters against Purdue, and the Boilermakers could take advantage of that (Purdue is unbeaten in Big Ten Play), but the Buckeyes will not disappoint their alumni this Saturday after the Buckeyes crashed and burned early last Saturday night up at Camp Randall against Wisconsin.
Pick: Ohio State 27-13
# 13 Wisconsin Badgers (6-1, 2-1) at # 15 Iowa Hawkeyes (5-1, 2-0)- Noon at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, IA
Last week, Ricky Stanzi was on fire in Ann Arbor as he exposed the shortcomings of Michigan's defense. However, Wisconsin's two-headed running back of John Clay and James White brought down the # 1 team in the nation, by yanking the pants off of the Buckeyes under the lights of Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin is looking for respect, and a decent bowl. While Iowa is trying not to disintegrate.
Pick: Wisconsin 31-28
# 16 Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-1, 1-1) at # 14 Oklahoma State Cowboys (6-0, 2-0)
Last week, Nebraska fell to earth as Texas beat them 20-13. This could be the second week in a row that an OSU loses its first game of the season.
Pick: Nebraska 31-16
# 8 Alabama Crimson Tide (6-1, 3-1) at Tennessee Volunteers (2-4, 0-3)- "The Third/Fourth Saturday in ROCK-tober"
They have met on the third Saturday in October for years (hey, it's the fourth Saturday, but who's keeping count?), but Alabama will roll tide over Tennessee, who will volunteer themselves to lose this game, because there is no way that they'll be able to stop Alabama.
Pick: Alabama 31-3
Penn Quakers (4-1, 2-0) at Yale Bulldogs (4-1, 2-0)
This is going to be a great matchup against two more of the Ivy League's elite programs.
Pick: Penn 20-16
RIVALRY MATCHUPS OF THE WEEK:
Harvard Crimson (3-2, 1-1) at Princeton Tigers (1-4, 0-2)
Last week, Princeton blew a 13-0 lead, and lost their quarterback in the process in a 17-13 loss to Brown. This week, the Tigers welcome rival Harvard in a matchup of two of the most prestigious colleges in the nation (or at least the Ivy League). Harvard has won the last three meetings (and 12 out of the last 14), including a 37-3 Harvard romp last season in Cambridge, Mass. Like Princeton last week, Harvard also blew a big lead (17-0) in a loss to Lehigh (21-19). This will be a good old-fashioned Jersey showdown (ok, not really, see Notre Dame/Navy below), and a tradition continued 130-plus years in the making.
Pick: Harvard 23-12
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-3) vs. Navy Midshipmen (4-2) (at New Meadowlands Stadium- East Rutherford, NJ)- Saturday @ Noon This is one of the premier non-conference rivalries, year-in, year-out...NOT! It's more one of the one-sided (Notre Dame) rivalries of college football. However, the Midshipmen have won two of the last three meetings after the Irish won 43 straight meetings from 1964 to 2006. Despite a close-call from Wake Forest, Navy is starting to slowly sink back as Notre Dame will win their fourth straight game this season. Sidenote: the 2012 matchup between these two will take place in Dublin...Ireland, that is.
Pick: Notre Dame 31-17
OAC/CENTRAL OHIO NCAC & GLIAC GAMES THIS WEEKEND:
Capital Crusaders (3-3, 3-2) at Mount Union Purple Raiders (6-0, 5-0) - "OAC Purple People Eaters Bowl"
Last week, Capital got lucky by shutting down the Magical Otterbein Gridiron Tour that has been riding waves for the last two years. Kory Hartlinger will not have an encore performance up in Alliance in a "Battle of the OAC Purple".
Pick: Mount Union 59-0
Wilmington Quakers (0-6, 0-5) at Baldwin-Wallace Yellowjackets (5-1, 4-1)
Baldwin-Wallace got knocked from the ranks of the unbeatens by a physical and tough Ohio Northern team. B-W, which finished 3-7 last year, has now won more games than they did last year, and will easily double last year's win total by pounding up the winless Quakers.
Pick: Baldwin-Wallace 41-0
Marietta Pioneers (2-4, 1-4) at Heidelberg Student Princes (2-4, 1-4)
Eenie-meeny-miney-mo...catch a tiger by it's toe, if it hollers, let 'em go. Eenie-meenie-miney-mo
Pick: Heidelberg 23-17 (OT)
Muskingum Muskies (3-3, 2-3) at Otterbein Cardinals (3-3, 2-3)
Last week, Otterbein came down flat in Bexley, as their three-game win streak against their hated cross-town rivals Capital came crashing down. This weekend, it is Homecoming in Westerville, and the Cardinals host an improved Muskingum team, whom Otterbein has beaten six straight times. Things won't get easy for the Muskies, as they are in the hardest part of their schedule, while Otterbein, who knocked theirselves out of the playoffs with back-to-back losses to Baldwin-Wallace and Capital, needs to win one more game in front of their home crowd before their home finale next week against Mount Union. Expect Austin Schlosser and Colton Coy to have big days for the Tan and Cardinal, and everything will be coming up roses- or Tan and Cardinal- for Otterbein, and the alumni will go home happy and forever Tan and Cardinal.
Pick: Otterbein 41-21
Ohio Northern Polar Bears (5-1, 4-1) at John Carroll Blue Streaks (3-3, 3-2)
This is either a great matchup, or a blowout waiting to happen. More likely, the latter, as Ohio Northern froze Otterbein, Capital, and last week, knocked out Baldwin-Wallace from the ranks of the unbeatens. Ohio Northern is just too strong for these Blue Streaks.
Pick: Ohio Northern 47-17
Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops (0-6, 0-2) at Allegheny Gators (4-2, 3-2)
Pick: Allegheny 29-0
Chicago Maroons (4-2) at Kenyon Lords (0-6)
Pick: Chicago 33-6
Wittenberg Tigers (7-0) at Carnegie-Mellon Tartans (4-2)
Wittenberg takes their perfect record on the road to Pittsburgh to visit Carnegie-Mellon. The Tigers will stay perfect in a sea of Pittsburgh Scottish Tartan.
Pick: Wittenberg 28-25
Wabash Little Giants (5-0, 3-1) at Denison Big Red (3-4, 1-2)
The Big Red are on a four-game slide after their first 3-0 start in 20 years, following a close 17-16 loss last week to Allegheny. The Little Giants will attempt to make it five in a row.
Pick: Wabash 37-14
Wooster Fighting Scots (3-3) at Case Western Reserve Spartans (6-0)
Case Western has won 40 regular season games in a row. Make it 41.
Pick: Case 31-6
Oberlin Yeomen (2-4) at Washington (MO) Bears (4-2)
Pick: Washington 27-11
OTHER BIG DIVISION I-FBS GAMES:
Iowa State Cyclones (3-4, 1-2) at # 19 Texas Longhorns (4-2, 1-1)
Texas roared back into the Top 25, after two weeks out of the Top 25, by handing Nebraska their first loss of the year. Iowa State will provide nothing but a scrimmage for the Horns, after Missouri's cyclone blew away the Cyclones 52-0 last week.
Pick: Texas 45-6
Rutgers Scarlet Knights (4-2, 1-0) at Pitt Panthers (3-3, 1-0)
Pick: Pitt 31-20
Duke Blue Devils (1-5, 0-3) at # 25 Virginia Tech Hokies (5-2, 3-0)
Dont worry, Duke. Basketball season is just around the bend.
Pick: Virginia Tech 56-0
Penn State Nittany Lions (3-3, 0-2) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (1-6, 0-3)
On Sunday, Gophers Athletic Director Joel Maturi fired Head Coach Tim Brewster. Offensive Coordinator Tim Horton will take over as interim coach for the remainder of the season. Joe Pa and the Nittany Lions will spoil Horton's debut as the interim head coach for the Gophers as the Nittany Lions pick up their first Big Ten win of 2010.
Pick: Penn State 26-14
Ole Miss Rebels (3-3, 1-2) at # 23 Arkansas Razorbacks (4-2, 1-2)
Last week, Arkansas scored 43 points, but gave up 65. This week, the Razorbacks get back on track against Ole Miss.
Pick: Arkansas 31-10
# 22 Kansas State Wildcats (5-1, 2-1) at Baylor Bears (5-2, 2-1)
Baylor bowl eligible? Are you kidding me? Kansas State is not fooling around either.
Pick: Kansas State 49-14
Georgia Tech Yellowjackets (5-2, 3-1) at Clemson Tigers (3-3, 1-2)
Pick: Georgia Tech 26-10
Washington State Cougars (1-6, 0-4) at # 12 Stanford Cardinal (5-1, 2-1)
Pick: Stanford 64-0
Colorado State Rams (2-5, 1-2) at # 9 Utah Utes (6-0, 3-0)
Pick: Utah 55-0
# 21 South Carolina Gamecocks (4-2, 2-2) at Vanderbilt Commodores (2-4, 1-2)
Last week, a week removed after knocking off the # 1 team in the country, South Carolina blew an 18-point halftime lead, to lose to Kentucky 31-28. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt laid an egg (or 43 of them) against Georgia in a 43-0 loss. This week, Gamecock fans won't be singing any blues after they leave Nashville, because they are on a mission in the Music City. That mission: Beat Vanderbilt.
Pick: South Carolina 38-7
Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) Blazers at # 24 Mississippi State Bulldogs (5-2)
Last week, Mississippi State's defense shut down Florida in a 10-7 trap win over the once-mighty Gators.
Air Force Falcons (5-2, 3-1) at # 5 TCU Horned Frogs (7-0, 3-0)
Pick: TCU 41-7
Washington Huskies (3-3, 2-1) at # 18 Arizona Wildcats (5-1, 2-1)
This has the makings of a trap game, because Jake Locker is trying to prove something to all of the doubters of the Huskies.
Pick: Washington 28-25
Georgia Bulldogs (3-4, 2-3) at Kentucky Wildcats (4-3, 1-3)
Many in Georgia have been calling for the head of Mark Richt. Last week, those talks subsided as Georgia pummeled Vandy 43-0. Last week, Kentucky snapped a three-game slide with a 31-28 comeback win over South Carolina, after trailing 28-10 at halftime. Will the Wildcats get it back together, or will Red Lobster come back to bite again?
Pick: Georgia 23-20
Texas Tech Red Raiders (3-3, 1-3) at Colorado Buffaloes (3-3, 0-2)
Pick: Texas Tech 28-7
Indiana Hoosiers (4-2, 0-2) at Illinois Fighting Illini (3-3, 1-2)
Indiana proved the critics right. They don't have what it takes to compete with the rest of the Big Ten. Illinois will also prove that right to Indiana.
Pick: Illinois 34-0
WEEK 7 Victory of the Week: Wisconsin (6-1, 2-1; Big Ten) defeating then-# 1 Ohio State 31-18. The last time Wisconsin knocked off a # 1 team, it was Michigan (21-14 on Sept. 12, 1981). The Badgers jumped out to a 21-0 lead, courtesy of their two-headed running game of John Clay and James White. Terrelle Pryor and Daniel/Boom Herron tried to spice things up for the Buckeyes by cutting the Badger lead to three in the beginning of the 4th Quarter, but Clay slammed the door shut for the Scarlet and Gray, as the Buckeyes downward spiral looms near with Purdue, Iowa, and Michigan coming near.
Headline of the Week: University of Minnesota (1-6, 0-3; Big Ten) firing Head Coach Tim Brewster on Sunday; Offensive Coordinator Tim Horton will take over as the interim Gopher Head Coach
GAMES OF THE WEEK: # 6 LSU Tigers at # 4 Auburn Tigers (both 7-0, 4-0) (SEC Tiger Bowl)- 3:30PM ET at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, AL on CBS
Something has got to give down in Auburn, Alabama on Saturday afternoon. Both LSU and Auburn are 7-0 overall, and 4-0 in SEC play. This will be a great showdown of the unbeatens. Last week, Auburn poured 65 points down on Arkansas (who scored 43).
Pick: Watch on Saturday at 3:30 ET on CBS (Auburn 48-30)
# 3 Oklahoma Sooners at # 18 Missouri Tigers (both 6-0, 2-0)- 8:00PM ET at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium in Columbia, MO on ABC
Behind LSU and Auburn, this is the second-biggest game of the week. You have the Missouri Tigers at 6-0, it's homecoming for Mizzou, ESPN College Football GameDay is camping up in Columbia, and the game is sold out at Faurot Field. All the makings for a big showdown in the Big 12. The Tigers last beat the Sooners in 1998, winning the last seven meetings, including the two Big 12 Championship meetings. The Sooners lead the first BCS poll of the season, which has the Tigers ranked 11th. Missouri, on it's fifth 6-0 start in school history, is looking to go 7-0 for the first time in 50 years. The only thing getting in the way is the Sooners, of course, who have been in the BCS go-round on-and-off for the last ten years. And Oklahoma is good.
Pick: Watch at 8PM ET on ABC (Oklahoma 38-14)
THURSDAY NIGHT MATCHUP: UCLA Bruins (3-3, 1-2) at # 1 Oregon Ducks (6-0, 3-0)
Oregon assumes the top spot in the Associated Press Poll for the first time in school history, and it looks like they will be there another week as UCLA hasn't beaten a # 1 team in 35 years. Quack, quack, quack...
Pick: Oregon 58-0
OTHER BIG GAMES OF THE WEEK:
Purdue Boilermakers (4-2, 2-0) at # 11 Ohio State Buckeyes (6-1, 2-1)- Noon at Ohio Stadium in Columbus
The last time the Bucks played Purdue, Terrelle Pryor turned the ball over four times for the Buckeyes in a 26-18 Purdue win. The Bucks will be without three of their defensive starters against Purdue, and the Boilermakers could take advantage of that (Purdue is unbeaten in Big Ten Play), but the Buckeyes will not disappoint their alumni this Saturday after the Buckeyes crashed and burned early last Saturday night up at Camp Randall against Wisconsin.
Pick: Ohio State 27-13
# 13 Wisconsin Badgers (6-1, 2-1) at # 15 Iowa Hawkeyes (5-1, 2-0)- Noon at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, IA
Last week, Ricky Stanzi was on fire in Ann Arbor as he exposed the shortcomings of Michigan's defense. However, Wisconsin's two-headed running back of John Clay and James White brought down the # 1 team in the nation, by yanking the pants off of the Buckeyes under the lights of Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin is looking for respect, and a decent bowl. While Iowa is trying not to disintegrate.
Pick: Wisconsin 31-28
# 16 Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-1, 1-1) at # 14 Oklahoma State Cowboys (6-0, 2-0)
Last week, Nebraska fell to earth as Texas beat them 20-13. This could be the second week in a row that an OSU loses its first game of the season.
Pick: Nebraska 31-16
# 8 Alabama Crimson Tide (6-1, 3-1) at Tennessee Volunteers (2-4, 0-3)- "The Third/Fourth Saturday in ROCK-tober"
They have met on the third Saturday in October for years (hey, it's the fourth Saturday, but who's keeping count?), but Alabama will roll tide over Tennessee, who will volunteer themselves to lose this game, because there is no way that they'll be able to stop Alabama.
Pick: Alabama 31-3
Penn Quakers (4-1, 2-0) at Yale Bulldogs (4-1, 2-0)
This is going to be a great matchup against two more of the Ivy League's elite programs.
Pick: Penn 20-16
RIVALRY MATCHUPS OF THE WEEK:
Harvard Crimson (3-2, 1-1) at Princeton Tigers (1-4, 0-2)
Last week, Princeton blew a 13-0 lead, and lost their quarterback in the process in a 17-13 loss to Brown. This week, the Tigers welcome rival Harvard in a matchup of two of the most prestigious colleges in the nation (or at least the Ivy League). Harvard has won the last three meetings (and 12 out of the last 14), including a 37-3 Harvard romp last season in Cambridge, Mass. Like Princeton last week, Harvard also blew a big lead (17-0) in a loss to Lehigh (21-19). This will be a good old-fashioned Jersey showdown (ok, not really, see Notre Dame/Navy below), and a tradition continued 130-plus years in the making.
Pick: Harvard 23-12
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-3) vs. Navy Midshipmen (4-2) (at New Meadowlands Stadium- East Rutherford, NJ)- Saturday @ Noon This is one of the premier non-conference rivalries, year-in, year-out...NOT! It's more one of the one-sided (Notre Dame) rivalries of college football. However, the Midshipmen have won two of the last three meetings after the Irish won 43 straight meetings from 1964 to 2006. Despite a close-call from Wake Forest, Navy is starting to slowly sink back as Notre Dame will win their fourth straight game this season. Sidenote: the 2012 matchup between these two will take place in Dublin...Ireland, that is.
Pick: Notre Dame 31-17
OAC/CENTRAL OHIO NCAC & GLIAC GAMES THIS WEEKEND:
Capital Crusaders (3-3, 3-2) at Mount Union Purple Raiders (6-0, 5-0) - "OAC Purple People Eaters Bowl"
Last week, Capital got lucky by shutting down the Magical Otterbein Gridiron Tour that has been riding waves for the last two years. Kory Hartlinger will not have an encore performance up in Alliance in a "Battle of the OAC Purple".
Pick: Mount Union 59-0
Wilmington Quakers (0-6, 0-5) at Baldwin-Wallace Yellowjackets (5-1, 4-1)
Baldwin-Wallace got knocked from the ranks of the unbeatens by a physical and tough Ohio Northern team. B-W, which finished 3-7 last year, has now won more games than they did last year, and will easily double last year's win total by pounding up the winless Quakers.
Pick: Baldwin-Wallace 41-0
Marietta Pioneers (2-4, 1-4) at Heidelberg Student Princes (2-4, 1-4)
Eenie-meeny-miney-mo...catch a tiger by it's toe, if it hollers, let 'em go. Eenie-meenie-miney-mo
Pick: Heidelberg 23-17 (OT)
Muskingum Muskies (3-3, 2-3) at Otterbein Cardinals (3-3, 2-3)
Last week, Otterbein came down flat in Bexley, as their three-game win streak against their hated cross-town rivals Capital came crashing down. This weekend, it is Homecoming in Westerville, and the Cardinals host an improved Muskingum team, whom Otterbein has beaten six straight times. Things won't get easy for the Muskies, as they are in the hardest part of their schedule, while Otterbein, who knocked theirselves out of the playoffs with back-to-back losses to Baldwin-Wallace and Capital, needs to win one more game in front of their home crowd before their home finale next week against Mount Union. Expect Austin Schlosser and Colton Coy to have big days for the Tan and Cardinal, and everything will be coming up roses- or Tan and Cardinal- for Otterbein, and the alumni will go home happy and forever Tan and Cardinal.
Pick: Otterbein 41-21
Ohio Northern Polar Bears (5-1, 4-1) at John Carroll Blue Streaks (3-3, 3-2)
This is either a great matchup, or a blowout waiting to happen. More likely, the latter, as Ohio Northern froze Otterbein, Capital, and last week, knocked out Baldwin-Wallace from the ranks of the unbeatens. Ohio Northern is just too strong for these Blue Streaks.
Pick: Ohio Northern 47-17
Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops (0-6, 0-2) at Allegheny Gators (4-2, 3-2)
Pick: Allegheny 29-0
Chicago Maroons (4-2) at Kenyon Lords (0-6)
Pick: Chicago 33-6
Wittenberg Tigers (7-0) at Carnegie-Mellon Tartans (4-2)
Wittenberg takes their perfect record on the road to Pittsburgh to visit Carnegie-Mellon. The Tigers will stay perfect in a sea of Pittsburgh Scottish Tartan.
Pick: Wittenberg 28-25
Wabash Little Giants (5-0, 3-1) at Denison Big Red (3-4, 1-2)
The Big Red are on a four-game slide after their first 3-0 start in 20 years, following a close 17-16 loss last week to Allegheny. The Little Giants will attempt to make it five in a row.
Pick: Wabash 37-14
Wooster Fighting Scots (3-3) at Case Western Reserve Spartans (6-0)
Case Western has won 40 regular season games in a row. Make it 41.
Pick: Case 31-6
Oberlin Yeomen (2-4) at Washington (MO) Bears (4-2)
Pick: Washington 27-11
OTHER BIG DIVISION I-FBS GAMES:
Iowa State Cyclones (3-4, 1-2) at # 19 Texas Longhorns (4-2, 1-1)
Texas roared back into the Top 25, after two weeks out of the Top 25, by handing Nebraska their first loss of the year. Iowa State will provide nothing but a scrimmage for the Horns, after Missouri's cyclone blew away the Cyclones 52-0 last week.
Pick: Texas 45-6
Rutgers Scarlet Knights (4-2, 1-0) at Pitt Panthers (3-3, 1-0)
Pick: Pitt 31-20
Duke Blue Devils (1-5, 0-3) at # 25 Virginia Tech Hokies (5-2, 3-0)
Dont worry, Duke. Basketball season is just around the bend.
Pick: Virginia Tech 56-0
Penn State Nittany Lions (3-3, 0-2) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (1-6, 0-3)
On Sunday, Gophers Athletic Director Joel Maturi fired Head Coach Tim Brewster. Offensive Coordinator Tim Horton will take over as interim coach for the remainder of the season. Joe Pa and the Nittany Lions will spoil Horton's debut as the interim head coach for the Gophers as the Nittany Lions pick up their first Big Ten win of 2010.
Pick: Penn State 26-14
Ole Miss Rebels (3-3, 1-2) at # 23 Arkansas Razorbacks (4-2, 1-2)
Last week, Arkansas scored 43 points, but gave up 65. This week, the Razorbacks get back on track against Ole Miss.
Pick: Arkansas 31-10
# 22 Kansas State Wildcats (5-1, 2-1) at Baylor Bears (5-2, 2-1)
Baylor bowl eligible? Are you kidding me? Kansas State is not fooling around either.
Pick: Kansas State 49-14
Georgia Tech Yellowjackets (5-2, 3-1) at Clemson Tigers (3-3, 1-2)
Pick: Georgia Tech 26-10
Washington State Cougars (1-6, 0-4) at # 12 Stanford Cardinal (5-1, 2-1)
Pick: Stanford 64-0
Colorado State Rams (2-5, 1-2) at # 9 Utah Utes (6-0, 3-0)
Pick: Utah 55-0
# 21 South Carolina Gamecocks (4-2, 2-2) at Vanderbilt Commodores (2-4, 1-2)
Last week, a week removed after knocking off the # 1 team in the country, South Carolina blew an 18-point halftime lead, to lose to Kentucky 31-28. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt laid an egg (or 43 of them) against Georgia in a 43-0 loss. This week, Gamecock fans won't be singing any blues after they leave Nashville, because they are on a mission in the Music City. That mission: Beat Vanderbilt.
Pick: South Carolina 38-7
Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) Blazers at # 24 Mississippi State Bulldogs (5-2)
Last week, Mississippi State's defense shut down Florida in a 10-7 trap win over the once-mighty Gators.
Air Force Falcons (5-2, 3-1) at # 5 TCU Horned Frogs (7-0, 3-0)
Pick: TCU 41-7
Washington Huskies (3-3, 2-1) at # 18 Arizona Wildcats (5-1, 2-1)
This has the makings of a trap game, because Jake Locker is trying to prove something to all of the doubters of the Huskies.
Pick: Washington 28-25
Georgia Bulldogs (3-4, 2-3) at Kentucky Wildcats (4-3, 1-3)
Many in Georgia have been calling for the head of Mark Richt. Last week, those talks subsided as Georgia pummeled Vandy 43-0. Last week, Kentucky snapped a three-game slide with a 31-28 comeback win over South Carolina, after trailing 28-10 at halftime. Will the Wildcats get it back together, or will Red Lobster come back to bite again?
Pick: Georgia 23-20
Texas Tech Red Raiders (3-3, 1-3) at Colorado Buffaloes (3-3, 0-2)
Pick: Texas Tech 28-7
Indiana Hoosiers (4-2, 0-2) at Illinois Fighting Illini (3-3, 1-2)
Indiana proved the critics right. They don't have what it takes to compete with the rest of the Big Ten. Illinois will also prove that right to Indiana.
Pick: Illinois 34-0
WEEK 7 Victory of the Week: Wisconsin (6-1, 2-1; Big Ten) defeating then-# 1 Ohio State 31-18. The last time Wisconsin knocked off a # 1 team, it was Michigan (21-14 on Sept. 12, 1981). The Badgers jumped out to a 21-0 lead, courtesy of their two-headed running game of John Clay and James White. Terrelle Pryor and Daniel/Boom Herron tried to spice things up for the Buckeyes by cutting the Badger lead to three in the beginning of the 4th Quarter, but Clay slammed the door shut for the Scarlet and Gray, as the Buckeyes downward spiral looms near with Purdue, Iowa, and Michigan coming near.
Headline of the Week: University of Minnesota (1-6, 0-3; Big Ten) firing Head Coach Tim Brewster on Sunday; Offensive Coordinator Tim Horton will take over as the interim Gopher Head Coach
High School Football- Week 9 (part 1)- Picks
There is only one more week left after this weekend, and the boiling point is near for all of those league titles and playoff berths. Out of over 730 football programs, only 192 will be lucky to make it past next weekend, and only six will be State Champions.
Week 9 Picks:
GAME OF THE WEEK: Hilliard Davidson Wildcats (8-0, 5-0) at Upper Arlington Golden Bears (6-2, 4-1)
Pick: Hilliard Davidson
OTHER BIG GAMES THIS WEEK:
Groveport Madison Cruisers (6-2, 3-2) at Lancaster Golden Gales (5-3)
Pick: Groveport
Westerville South Wildcats (7-1, 5-0) at Olentangy Braves (5-3)
Pick: Westerville South
Briggs Bruins (5-3, 2-3) at Marion-Franklin Red Devils (8-0, 5-0)
Pick: Marion-Franklin
Beechcroft Cougars (6-2, 5-0) at Centennial Stars (4-4, 3-2)
The last time the Cougars were on Bethel Road, they almost laid a hundred points on the Stars (but took kneel downs instead of running up the clock some more) in a 96-0 bloodbath over Centennial. Centennial is not the same team that dropped 34 games in a row, as evident with their 27-8 win over East last week, in which the Stars defense forced six turnovers, including five interceptions. But, Beechcroft had a milestone win last week, as they beat Brookhaven last week, and could more than likely face Northland to win the City League North outright. Oh, Beechcroft will win, but not by 96 points this time.
Pick: Beechcroft
West Jefferson Roughriders (8-0, 5-0) at Licking Heights Hornets (6-2, 4-1)
Pick: West Jeff
Bishop Watterson Golden Eagles (6-1, 1-0) at St. Charles Cardinals (5-2, 0-1)
St. Charles is on another downward slump to end the season. After a 5-0 start, the Cards suffered back-to-back losses to DeSales and two-time defending D-5 State Champs Youngstown Ursuline, and then a bye week last week. St. Charles has always ended up looking up to the Eagles, who have won nine in a row against St. Charles, and will make it ten, as only Pickerington Central has allowed fewer points among area schools than Watterson.
Pick: Watterson
Greenfield McClain Tigers (5-3) at Jonathan Alder Pioneers (7-1)
Pick: Jonathan Alder
Big Walnut Golden Eagles (7-1, 4-1) at Mount Vernon Rams (5-3, 3-2)
UPSET PICKS THIS WEEK:
Washington Court House Blue Lions (6-2) at London Red Raiders (4-4)
Pick: London
RIVALRY PICKS THIS WEEK:
Eastmoor Academy Warriors (4-3, 4-1) at Independence 76ers (3-5, 3-2)
Pick: Eastmoor
Reynoldsburg Raiders (3-5, 2-3) at Gahanna Lincoln Lions (3-5, 2-3)
Pick: Gahanna
Dublin Scioto Irish (5-3) at Dublin Jerome Celtics (4-4)
Pick: Dublin Scioto
Columbus West Cowboys (3-5, 1-4) at Columbus South Bulldogs (1-7, 0-5)
The only reason why South is not 0-8 is Oberlin High School, who is also 0-8, because the Bulldogs defeated them in Week 1. Look for West's offense to giddy-up to the end zone multiple times in Ganther's Place on Friday night.
Pick: West
BLOWOUT PICKS THIS WEEK:
Linden McKinley Panthers (1-7, 0-5) at Northland Vikings (6-2, 4-1)
Linden is a comeback win (over 1-7 Westland) away from a potential winless showdown against East next week. Northland is in 11th place in Region 3, and this won't get them higher in the rankings, but every little win helps.
Pick: Northland
Westland Cougars (1-7, 0-5) at Hilliard Darby Panthers (7-1, 4-1)
Pick: Hilliard Darby
Grove City Greyhounds (3-5, 3-2) at Pickerington Central Tigers (7-0, 5-0)
Pick Central is good...really good. After seven games, the Tigers have only allowed four points a game (29 points), and have four shutouts. Grove City, in a rebound year, has not lived up to the promise that was brought by all of the buzz surrounding the Greyhounds' return to the field, and the Hounds will be buried by the most perfect team in Central Ohio.
Pick: Pickerington Central
Madison Plains Golden Eagles (1-7, 0-4) at Clarksville Clinton-Massie Falcons (8-0, 5-0)
Madison Plains escaped a trip to Dayton for their first win of the year- a 20-18 squeaker over Dayton Meadowdale. Now, they have to play Clinton-Massie? Forget about making it two in a row.
Pick: Clinton-Massie
CELLAR DWELLER GAME THIS WEEK:
Thomas Worthington Cardinals (2-6, 1-4) at Central Crossing Comets (1-7, 0-5)
Someone has to win this game. Thomas, with only two winning seasons in the last 21 years travels down the outerbelt to play Central Crossing, a school that has not won more than two games a year. The Cards have the edge, because of the experience based off of last year's surprising 5-5 turnaround.
Pick: Thomas Worthington
OTHER GAMES OF NOTE THIS WEEK:
Dublin Coffman Shamrocks (6-2, 4-1) at Worthington Kilbourne Wolves (3-5, 2-3)
It's do or die time for Coffman, because the Rocks play UA next week, and Cole Stoudt and Company could take advantage of a Kilbourne team that became a walking M*A*S*H unit this season.
Pick: Dublin Coffman
Columbus Academy Vikings (4-4) at Licking Valley Panthers (6-2, 5-0)
Licking Valley won it's sixth straight game last Saturday by romping Newark Catholic. They'll make it seven by shipwrecking the Columbus Academy Viking ship in little Hanover.
Pick: Licking Valley
Watkins Memorial Warriors (4-4, 1-4) at Franklin Heights Golden Falcons (0-8, 0-5)
Pick: Watkins Memorial
Cincinnati LaSalle Explorers at St. Francis DeSales Stallions (4-4)
It's do-or-die time for DeSales, who needs wins on Friday and next week to keep their playoff streak alive.
Pick: LaSalle
Buckeye Valley Barons (4-4) at North Union Wildcats (8-0, 7-0)
Pick: North Union
Heath Bulldogs (7-1, 4-1) at Bexley Lions (3-5, 1-4)
Pick: Heath
Brookhaven Bearcats (4-4, 4-1) at Columbus East Tigers (0-8, 0-5)
Thomas Woodruff is not having a good year as the quarterback for the East Tigers. After Woodruff sat out last year, the Tigers have failed to win a game, and have turned the ball over more times in games than they have scored touchdowns in games. Last week, Woodruff was picked off five times by Centennial in a 27-8 loss. On the other side of the ball, the Bearcats dropped their fourth game against a team with a winning record, as they lost to their rivals Beechcroft. Look for Brookhaven's Donovan Lipsey (and Brookhaven's secondary) to have a big night at Harley Field against East.
Pick: Brookhaven
Logan Elm Braves (2-6, 1-4) at Canal Winchester Indians (7-1, 5-0)
Last week, Canal all but wrapped up the Mid State League Buckeye Division title with a 17-14 win over Hamilton Township.
Pick: Canal Winchester
Bishop Hartley Hawks (6-2) at Spencerville Bearcats (0-8)
Hartley, going into a showdown with Ready next week, won't move up in the world, as they play winless Spencerville, but they won't have a problem to pounce these Cats.
Pick: Hartley
Columbus Crusaders (7-1) vs. Bishop Ready Silver Knights (4-4)- at TBA
Pick: Columbus Crusaders
Mifflin Punchers (4-4, 2-3) at Whetstone Braves (2-6, 2-3)
Pick: Mifflin
Westerville Central Warhawks (2-6, 2-3) at Olentangy Liberty Patriots (4-4, 2-3)
Pick: Westerville Central
New Albany Eagles (8-0, 5-0) at Delaware Hayes Pacers (2-6, 1-4)
Pick: New Albany
Cardington-Lincoln Pirates (4-4, 3-4) at Galion Northmor Golden Knights (1-7, 0-7)
The Knights of Northmor are anything but golden as they will be shipwrecked by Cardington.
Pick: Cardington
Centerburg Trojans at Fredericktown Freddies (8-0, 5-0)
Pick: Fredericktown
Olentangy Orange Pioneers (4-4, 3-2) at Hilliard Bradley Jaguars (3-5, 1-4)
Pick: Olentangy Orange
Mount Gilead Indians (3-5, 3-4) at Sparta Highland Scots (6-2, 6-1)
Pick: Highland
Newark Catholic Green Wave (6-2, 3-2) at Whitehall-Yearling Rams (3-5, 2-3)
Pick: Newark Catholic
SATURDAY NIGHT GAME:
Grandview Heights Bobcats (5-3, 3-2) at Fisher Catholic Irish (0-8, 0-5)
Last Monday, Fisher Catholic pinkslipped Head Coach Mike Hensley after an 0-7 start, and on Saturday night, they ushered in Interim Head Coach with a 50-0 loss to Liberty Union. The good news for Fisher is, is that they will get to play Millersport in an 0-9 showdown next week.
Pick: Grandview Heights
SPORTS CORNER TOP 25 (Regardless of Division/Region) going into Week 9:
1) Pickerington Central (7-0)
2) Hilliard Davidson (8-0)
T-3) Marion-Franklin (8-0)
T-3) New Albany (8-0)
5) West Jefferson (8-0)
6) Fredericktown (8-0)
T-7) Bishop Watterson (6-1)
T-7) Westerville South (7-1)
9) Jonathan Alder (7-1)
10) Licking Valley (6-2)
(JUST OUT OF THE TOP 10)
11) Upper Arlington (6-2)
12) Canal Winchester (7-1)
13) Big Walnut (7-1)
14) North Union (8-0)
15) Bishop Hartley (6-2)
16) Groveport Madison (6-2)
17) St. Charles (5-2)
18) Hilliard Darby (7-1)
19) Clinton-Massie (7-0)
20) Dublin Coffman (6-2)
21) Newark Catholic (6-2)
22) Beechcroft (6-2)
23) Northland (6-2)
24) Licking Heights (6-2)
T-25) Fairfield Christian (7-0)
T-25) Hamilton Township (6-2)
DROPPED OUT FROM WEEK 8's Poll: Eastmoor Academy, Lancaster
Week 9 Picks:
GAME OF THE WEEK: Hilliard Davidson Wildcats (8-0, 5-0) at Upper Arlington Golden Bears (6-2, 4-1)
Pick: Hilliard Davidson
OTHER BIG GAMES THIS WEEK:
Groveport Madison Cruisers (6-2, 3-2) at Lancaster Golden Gales (5-3)
Pick: Groveport
Westerville South Wildcats (7-1, 5-0) at Olentangy Braves (5-3)
Pick: Westerville South
Briggs Bruins (5-3, 2-3) at Marion-Franklin Red Devils (8-0, 5-0)
Pick: Marion-Franklin
Beechcroft Cougars (6-2, 5-0) at Centennial Stars (4-4, 3-2)
The last time the Cougars were on Bethel Road, they almost laid a hundred points on the Stars (but took kneel downs instead of running up the clock some more) in a 96-0 bloodbath over Centennial. Centennial is not the same team that dropped 34 games in a row, as evident with their 27-8 win over East last week, in which the Stars defense forced six turnovers, including five interceptions. But, Beechcroft had a milestone win last week, as they beat Brookhaven last week, and could more than likely face Northland to win the City League North outright. Oh, Beechcroft will win, but not by 96 points this time.
Pick: Beechcroft
West Jefferson Roughriders (8-0, 5-0) at Licking Heights Hornets (6-2, 4-1)
Pick: West Jeff
Bishop Watterson Golden Eagles (6-1, 1-0) at St. Charles Cardinals (5-2, 0-1)
St. Charles is on another downward slump to end the season. After a 5-0 start, the Cards suffered back-to-back losses to DeSales and two-time defending D-5 State Champs Youngstown Ursuline, and then a bye week last week. St. Charles has always ended up looking up to the Eagles, who have won nine in a row against St. Charles, and will make it ten, as only Pickerington Central has allowed fewer points among area schools than Watterson.
Pick: Watterson
Greenfield McClain Tigers (5-3) at Jonathan Alder Pioneers (7-1)
Pick: Jonathan Alder
Big Walnut Golden Eagles (7-1, 4-1) at Mount Vernon Rams (5-3, 3-2)
UPSET PICKS THIS WEEK:
Washington Court House Blue Lions (6-2) at London Red Raiders (4-4)
Pick: London
RIVALRY PICKS THIS WEEK:
Eastmoor Academy Warriors (4-3, 4-1) at Independence 76ers (3-5, 3-2)
Pick: Eastmoor
Reynoldsburg Raiders (3-5, 2-3) at Gahanna Lincoln Lions (3-5, 2-3)
Pick: Gahanna
Dublin Scioto Irish (5-3) at Dublin Jerome Celtics (4-4)
Pick: Dublin Scioto
Columbus West Cowboys (3-5, 1-4) at Columbus South Bulldogs (1-7, 0-5)
The only reason why South is not 0-8 is Oberlin High School, who is also 0-8, because the Bulldogs defeated them in Week 1. Look for West's offense to giddy-up to the end zone multiple times in Ganther's Place on Friday night.
Pick: West
BLOWOUT PICKS THIS WEEK:
Linden McKinley Panthers (1-7, 0-5) at Northland Vikings (6-2, 4-1)
Linden is a comeback win (over 1-7 Westland) away from a potential winless showdown against East next week. Northland is in 11th place in Region 3, and this won't get them higher in the rankings, but every little win helps.
Pick: Northland
Westland Cougars (1-7, 0-5) at Hilliard Darby Panthers (7-1, 4-1)
Pick: Hilliard Darby
Grove City Greyhounds (3-5, 3-2) at Pickerington Central Tigers (7-0, 5-0)
Pick Central is good...really good. After seven games, the Tigers have only allowed four points a game (29 points), and have four shutouts. Grove City, in a rebound year, has not lived up to the promise that was brought by all of the buzz surrounding the Greyhounds' return to the field, and the Hounds will be buried by the most perfect team in Central Ohio.
Pick: Pickerington Central
Madison Plains Golden Eagles (1-7, 0-4) at Clarksville Clinton-Massie Falcons (8-0, 5-0)
Madison Plains escaped a trip to Dayton for their first win of the year- a 20-18 squeaker over Dayton Meadowdale. Now, they have to play Clinton-Massie? Forget about making it two in a row.
Pick: Clinton-Massie
CELLAR DWELLER GAME THIS WEEK:
Thomas Worthington Cardinals (2-6, 1-4) at Central Crossing Comets (1-7, 0-5)
Someone has to win this game. Thomas, with only two winning seasons in the last 21 years travels down the outerbelt to play Central Crossing, a school that has not won more than two games a year. The Cards have the edge, because of the experience based off of last year's surprising 5-5 turnaround.
Pick: Thomas Worthington
OTHER GAMES OF NOTE THIS WEEK:
Dublin Coffman Shamrocks (6-2, 4-1) at Worthington Kilbourne Wolves (3-5, 2-3)
It's do or die time for Coffman, because the Rocks play UA next week, and Cole Stoudt and Company could take advantage of a Kilbourne team that became a walking M*A*S*H unit this season.
Pick: Dublin Coffman
Columbus Academy Vikings (4-4) at Licking Valley Panthers (6-2, 5-0)
Licking Valley won it's sixth straight game last Saturday by romping Newark Catholic. They'll make it seven by shipwrecking the Columbus Academy Viking ship in little Hanover.
Pick: Licking Valley
Watkins Memorial Warriors (4-4, 1-4) at Franklin Heights Golden Falcons (0-8, 0-5)
Pick: Watkins Memorial
Cincinnati LaSalle Explorers at St. Francis DeSales Stallions (4-4)
It's do-or-die time for DeSales, who needs wins on Friday and next week to keep their playoff streak alive.
Pick: LaSalle
Buckeye Valley Barons (4-4) at North Union Wildcats (8-0, 7-0)
Pick: North Union
Heath Bulldogs (7-1, 4-1) at Bexley Lions (3-5, 1-4)
Pick: Heath
Brookhaven Bearcats (4-4, 4-1) at Columbus East Tigers (0-8, 0-5)
Thomas Woodruff is not having a good year as the quarterback for the East Tigers. After Woodruff sat out last year, the Tigers have failed to win a game, and have turned the ball over more times in games than they have scored touchdowns in games. Last week, Woodruff was picked off five times by Centennial in a 27-8 loss. On the other side of the ball, the Bearcats dropped their fourth game against a team with a winning record, as they lost to their rivals Beechcroft. Look for Brookhaven's Donovan Lipsey (and Brookhaven's secondary) to have a big night at Harley Field against East.
Pick: Brookhaven
Logan Elm Braves (2-6, 1-4) at Canal Winchester Indians (7-1, 5-0)
Last week, Canal all but wrapped up the Mid State League Buckeye Division title with a 17-14 win over Hamilton Township.
Pick: Canal Winchester
Bishop Hartley Hawks (6-2) at Spencerville Bearcats (0-8)
Hartley, going into a showdown with Ready next week, won't move up in the world, as they play winless Spencerville, but they won't have a problem to pounce these Cats.
Pick: Hartley
Columbus Crusaders (7-1) vs. Bishop Ready Silver Knights (4-4)- at TBA
Pick: Columbus Crusaders
Mifflin Punchers (4-4, 2-3) at Whetstone Braves (2-6, 2-3)
Pick: Mifflin
Westerville Central Warhawks (2-6, 2-3) at Olentangy Liberty Patriots (4-4, 2-3)
Pick: Westerville Central
New Albany Eagles (8-0, 5-0) at Delaware Hayes Pacers (2-6, 1-4)
Pick: New Albany
Cardington-Lincoln Pirates (4-4, 3-4) at Galion Northmor Golden Knights (1-7, 0-7)
The Knights of Northmor are anything but golden as they will be shipwrecked by Cardington.
Pick: Cardington
Centerburg Trojans at Fredericktown Freddies (8-0, 5-0)
Pick: Fredericktown
Olentangy Orange Pioneers (4-4, 3-2) at Hilliard Bradley Jaguars (3-5, 1-4)
Pick: Olentangy Orange
Mount Gilead Indians (3-5, 3-4) at Sparta Highland Scots (6-2, 6-1)
Pick: Highland
Newark Catholic Green Wave (6-2, 3-2) at Whitehall-Yearling Rams (3-5, 2-3)
Pick: Newark Catholic
SATURDAY NIGHT GAME:
Grandview Heights Bobcats (5-3, 3-2) at Fisher Catholic Irish (0-8, 0-5)
Last Monday, Fisher Catholic pinkslipped Head Coach Mike Hensley after an 0-7 start, and on Saturday night, they ushered in Interim Head Coach with a 50-0 loss to Liberty Union. The good news for Fisher is, is that they will get to play Millersport in an 0-9 showdown next week.
Pick: Grandview Heights
SPORTS CORNER TOP 25 (Regardless of Division/Region) going into Week 9:
1) Pickerington Central (7-0)
2) Hilliard Davidson (8-0)
T-3) Marion-Franklin (8-0)
T-3) New Albany (8-0)
5) West Jefferson (8-0)
6) Fredericktown (8-0)
T-7) Bishop Watterson (6-1)
T-7) Westerville South (7-1)
9) Jonathan Alder (7-1)
10) Licking Valley (6-2)
(JUST OUT OF THE TOP 10)
11) Upper Arlington (6-2)
12) Canal Winchester (7-1)
13) Big Walnut (7-1)
14) North Union (8-0)
15) Bishop Hartley (6-2)
16) Groveport Madison (6-2)
17) St. Charles (5-2)
18) Hilliard Darby (7-1)
19) Clinton-Massie (7-0)
20) Dublin Coffman (6-2)
21) Newark Catholic (6-2)
22) Beechcroft (6-2)
23) Northland (6-2)
24) Licking Heights (6-2)
T-25) Fairfield Christian (7-0)
T-25) Hamilton Township (6-2)
DROPPED OUT FROM WEEK 8's Poll: Eastmoor Academy, Lancaster
Friday, October 15, 2010
Rivalry Week- What is a Rivalry?
Just what does it mean to be a rivalry? Does location have to do with it? What about tradition? Community pride? Those are three of the elements that are put into play when it comes to a rivalry.
However a rivalry can be summed up like this. You play for the Broad Street Bulldogs, and the big game against the Main Street Marauders. These two teams have been playing for years, and regardless of where the game is being played, each team is sure to bring on their own fanbase.
That is what a traditional rivalry is all about. And in sports, there are a lot of great rivalries.
National Basketball Association (NBA):
Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics- These two teams have won a combined 32 NBA Championships, and have played each other in two of the last three NBA finals, splitting those two Championships, and 12 NBA finals overall, with the first seven championship matchups between 1959 and 1969. The biggest heyday of the rivalry was in the 1980s, when you had Magic Johnson of the Lakers on one side, and Larry Bird of the Celtics on the other. Johnson and Bird's first matchup was in the 1979 NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship when Johnson led Michigan State to a 75-64 win over Bird and Indiana State. The Lakers and Celtics met in the 1984, 1985, and 1987 NBA Finals, with the Celtics winning in 1984, and the Lakers in 1985 and 1987. Close to the Magic Johnson-Larry Bird rivalry was the original rivalry in the 1960s, when these two teams met six times between 1962 and 1969 in the NBA Finals. Bill Russell led the Celtics to victory in six different best-of-seven series over greats such as Elgin Baylor and Jerry West for the Lakers.
Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat- On July 8, 2010 was the biggest day in infamy for the city of Cleveland since a man named Art Modell packed the Cleveland Browns and rechristened them as the Baltimore Ravens. But, we learned something from that day...what NOT to do if you're a big name NBA star making a decision on where you'll play next season. The city of Cleveland was desperate to keep their hometown hero LeBron James in Cleveland...for life. They went all out, with PSA's from Gov. Ted Strickland and the cast of "Hot in Cleveland", to a pep rally, and even attempting to woo college hoops coach Tom Izzo to come to Cleveland. That all failed. And so, LeBron decided to have a one-hour special on ESPN, and so, you could see the suspense building up. If he's going to make it this big extravaganza, he's staying in Cleveland, right? Well...with technology being the way it is in 2010, word leaked out real fast, even hours before the aforementioned sideshow. And so, # 23 for the Cleveland Cavaliers is now # 6 for the Miami Heat.
Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs- this was a big postseason rivalry for a big part of the 2000s, as it was an annual rite of passage for these two teams to bump into each other in the playoffs. Between 1999 and 2005, the Western Conference Champion was either the Lakers or the Spurs.
Los Angeles Lakers and Detroit Pistons- these two teams met in the NBA finals three times (1988, 1989, and 2004), with the Pistons winning two of the three matchups in the NBA finals by a combined 8 games to 1, as the underdog team from Motor City held their own from the All-Star producing factory of the Lakers.
Major League Baseball:
New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox- In the 1910s, a man by the name of George Herman Ruth played for the Boston Red Sox, and led the team to World Series wins in 1917 and 1918. Then in 1919, Babe Ruth was traded to the Yankees, also known as the Curse of the Bambino. The Red Sox went without a World Series title for 86 years, eventually winning two World Series in 2004 and 2007, while the Yankees have won 27 World Series titles, more championships than any other professional sports franchise.
Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants- This rivalry is the only one to have full roots on both coasts. These teams were originally known as the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants, respectively.
New York Mets and New York Yankees- The Mets and Yankees met in the classic "Subway World Series" in 2000, the first all-New York City World Series since 1956, when the Yankees beat the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Oakland A(thletic)'s and San Francisco Giants (The Bay Bridge Series)- The pinnacle moment for this series was in the 1989 World Series, delayed 10 days because of an earthquake that hit the Bay Area. The A's swept the Giants in four games, but the series birthed one of the most modern-day classic sports rivalries in baseball.
Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs- Both of these Chicago teams have seen their hard times, and streaks of postseason futility, but Chicago baseball fans stick with them through and through.
Los Angeles/Anaheim/California Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers (The Freeway Series)
Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals (Beltway Series)
National Football League (NFL):
Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers
Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals (The Battle of Ohio)
Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers
Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins
New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts (Memorable Moment: "4th & 2"- last season)
New England Patriots and New York Jets (Memorable Moment: Spygate- 2007)
New York Jets and Miami Dolphins (Memorable Moment: "Monday Night Miracle"- 2000)
Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs
Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers
Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers (NFL's Oldest Rivalry)
Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers (Memorable Moment: "The Catch"- 1981 NFC Championship Game)
Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings (Brett Favre has played for both teams)
San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders
The Governor's Cup: Texas (Houston Oilers/Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys)
The Governor's Cup: Missouri (Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Cardinals/St. Louis Rams)
The Governor's Cup: Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles)
The Governor/Mayor's Cup: New York/New Jersey (New York Jets and New York Giants)
Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles (Memorable Moment: "Bounty Bowls I & II"- 1989 regular season)
New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons
Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins (Donovan McNabb, longtime Eagles QB, now is the Redskins QB)
Washington Redskins and New York Giants
Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders (Memorable Play: "The Immaculate Reception"- 1972 AFC Divisional Playoffs)
San Francisco 49ers and St. Louis Rams
NCAA Basketball:
Tennessee Lady Vols and Connecticut (UConn) Lady Huskies
North Carolina Tar Heels and Duke Blue Devils
Michigan State Spartans and Michigan Wolverines
Michigan State Spartans and Ohio State Buckeyes
Purdue Boilermakers and Indiana Hoosiers
Cincinnati Bearcats and Xavier Musketeers
NCAA Football:
Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines (The Game)
Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners (The Red River Rivalry/R3)
Harvard Crimson and Yale Bulldogs (The "Other" Game)
Otterbein Cardinals and Capital Crusaders (The Battle of the Columbus Suburbs)
Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Southern Cal Trojans
Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Michigan Wolverines
Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans (Paul Bunyan Trophy)
Michigan Wolverines and Minnesota Golden Gophers (Little Brown Jug)
UCLA Bruins and Southern Cal Trojans
Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies
Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers
Georgia Bulldogs and Florida Gators
Georgia Bulldogs and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Tennessee Volunteers and Alabama Crimson Tide (The Third Saturday in October)
Tennessee Volunteers and Florida Gators
Florida Gators and Florida State Seminoles
Florida State Seminoles and Miami Hurricanes
Nebraska Cornhuskers and Colorado Buffaloes
Oregon Ducks and Oregon State Beavers (The Civil War)
(Top Five Rivalries)
Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines (The Game)
Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners (The Red River Rivalry/R3)
Harvard Crimson and Yale Bulldogs (The "Other" Game)
UCLA Bruins and Southern Cal Trojans
Miami Hurricanes and Florida State Seminoles
Central Ohio High School Football:
Columbus Bishop Watterson Golden Eagles and Columbus St. Francis DeSales Stallions
Upper Arlington Golden Bears and Thomas Worthington Cardinals
Columbus Beechcroft Cougars and Columbus Brookhaven Bearcats
Columbus Walnut Ridge Scots and Columbus Eastmoor Academy Warriors
Bexley Lions and Columbus Academy Vikings (the Mayor/Headmaster Trophy)
Newark Wildcats and Zanesville Blue Devils (The oldest rivalry in Central Ohio- going back to 1903)
Lancaster Golden Gales and Logan Chieftains
Pickerington Central Tigers and Lancaster Golden Gales
Pickerington Central Tigers and Reynoldsburg Raiders (the Battle of 256)
Dublin Scioto Irish and Worthington Kilbourne Wolves (the Battle of Hard Road)
Hilliard Davidson Wildcats and Dublin Coffman Shamrocks
Westerville North Warriors and Westerville South Wildcats
Delaware Hayes Pacers and Delaware Buckeye Valley Barons
Delaware Hayes Pacers and Lewis Center Olentangy Braves
Olentangy Braves and Sunbury Big Walnut Golden Eagles
Delaware Hayes Pacers and Sunbury Big Walnut Golden Eagles
Powell Olentangy Liberty Patriots and Lewis Center Olentangy Braves
Columbus Bishop Ready Silver Knights and Columbus Bishop Hartley Hawks
Bexley Lions and Whitehall-Yearling Rams
Granville Blue Aces and Heath Bulldogs
Upper Arlington Golden Bears and Hilliard Davidson Wildcats
Gahanna Lincoln Lions and Pickerington Central Tigers
Pataskala Licking Heights Hornets and Pataskala Watkins Memorial Warriors (The Battle of Broad Street)
Westerville Central Warhawks and Sunbury Big Walnut Eagles (The WarEagle Trophy)
Pickerington North Panthers and Pickerington Central Tigers
(Five Past Rivalries)
Columbus Mifflin Punchers and Gahanna Lincoln Lions
Bishop Watterson Golden Eagles and Upper Arlington Golden Bears
Columbus East Tigers and Columbus St. Charles Cardinals
Bexley Lions and Columbus St. Charles Cardinals
Columbus Franklin Heights Falcons and Columbus South Bulldogs
(Five Best Rivalries in the Columbus Area)
1) Bishop Watterson Golden Eagles vs. St. Francis DeSales Stallions
2) Brookhaven Bearcats vs. Beechcroft Cougars
3) Worthington Kilbourne Wolves vs. Dublin Scioto Irish
4) Bishop Hartley Hawks vs. Bishop Ready Silver Knights
5) Westerville South Wildcats vs. Westerville North Warriors
(Five Great Neighborhood Rivalries)
1) Bexley Lions vs. either Bishop Hartley Hawks or St. Charles Cardinals
2) Westerville North Warriors vs. either Westerville South Wildcats or Westerville Central Warhawks
3) Bishop Watterson Golden Eagles vs. St. Francis DeSales Stallions
4) Pickerington Central Tigers vs. Pickerington North Panthers
5) Licking Heights Hornets vs. Watkins Memorial Warriors
(Five Rivalries that are Under the Radar)
1) Columbus East Tigers vs. Columbus Linden McKinley Panthers
2) Galloway Westland Cougars vs. Grove City Central Crossing Comets
3) Gahanna Lincoln Lions vs. Reynoldsburg Raiders
4) Washington Court House Blue Lions vs. Washington Court House Miami Trace Panthers
5) Delaware Hayes Pacers vs. Buckeye Valley Barons
However a rivalry can be summed up like this. You play for the Broad Street Bulldogs, and the big game against the Main Street Marauders. These two teams have been playing for years, and regardless of where the game is being played, each team is sure to bring on their own fanbase.
That is what a traditional rivalry is all about. And in sports, there are a lot of great rivalries.
National Basketball Association (NBA):
Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics- These two teams have won a combined 32 NBA Championships, and have played each other in two of the last three NBA finals, splitting those two Championships, and 12 NBA finals overall, with the first seven championship matchups between 1959 and 1969. The biggest heyday of the rivalry was in the 1980s, when you had Magic Johnson of the Lakers on one side, and Larry Bird of the Celtics on the other. Johnson and Bird's first matchup was in the 1979 NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship when Johnson led Michigan State to a 75-64 win over Bird and Indiana State. The Lakers and Celtics met in the 1984, 1985, and 1987 NBA Finals, with the Celtics winning in 1984, and the Lakers in 1985 and 1987. Close to the Magic Johnson-Larry Bird rivalry was the original rivalry in the 1960s, when these two teams met six times between 1962 and 1969 in the NBA Finals. Bill Russell led the Celtics to victory in six different best-of-seven series over greats such as Elgin Baylor and Jerry West for the Lakers.
Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat- On July 8, 2010 was the biggest day in infamy for the city of Cleveland since a man named Art Modell packed the Cleveland Browns and rechristened them as the Baltimore Ravens. But, we learned something from that day...what NOT to do if you're a big name NBA star making a decision on where you'll play next season. The city of Cleveland was desperate to keep their hometown hero LeBron James in Cleveland...for life. They went all out, with PSA's from Gov. Ted Strickland and the cast of "Hot in Cleveland", to a pep rally, and even attempting to woo college hoops coach Tom Izzo to come to Cleveland. That all failed. And so, LeBron decided to have a one-hour special on ESPN, and so, you could see the suspense building up. If he's going to make it this big extravaganza, he's staying in Cleveland, right? Well...with technology being the way it is in 2010, word leaked out real fast, even hours before the aforementioned sideshow. And so, # 23 for the Cleveland Cavaliers is now # 6 for the Miami Heat.
Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs- this was a big postseason rivalry for a big part of the 2000s, as it was an annual rite of passage for these two teams to bump into each other in the playoffs. Between 1999 and 2005, the Western Conference Champion was either the Lakers or the Spurs.
Los Angeles Lakers and Detroit Pistons- these two teams met in the NBA finals three times (1988, 1989, and 2004), with the Pistons winning two of the three matchups in the NBA finals by a combined 8 games to 1, as the underdog team from Motor City held their own from the All-Star producing factory of the Lakers.
Major League Baseball:
New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox- In the 1910s, a man by the name of George Herman Ruth played for the Boston Red Sox, and led the team to World Series wins in 1917 and 1918. Then in 1919, Babe Ruth was traded to the Yankees, also known as the Curse of the Bambino. The Red Sox went without a World Series title for 86 years, eventually winning two World Series in 2004 and 2007, while the Yankees have won 27 World Series titles, more championships than any other professional sports franchise.
Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants- This rivalry is the only one to have full roots on both coasts. These teams were originally known as the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants, respectively.
New York Mets and New York Yankees- The Mets and Yankees met in the classic "Subway World Series" in 2000, the first all-New York City World Series since 1956, when the Yankees beat the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Oakland A(thletic)'s and San Francisco Giants (The Bay Bridge Series)- The pinnacle moment for this series was in the 1989 World Series, delayed 10 days because of an earthquake that hit the Bay Area. The A's swept the Giants in four games, but the series birthed one of the most modern-day classic sports rivalries in baseball.
Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs- Both of these Chicago teams have seen their hard times, and streaks of postseason futility, but Chicago baseball fans stick with them through and through.
Los Angeles/Anaheim/California Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers (The Freeway Series)
Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals (Beltway Series)
National Football League (NFL):
Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers
Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals (The Battle of Ohio)
Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers
Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins
New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts (Memorable Moment: "4th & 2"- last season)
New England Patriots and New York Jets (Memorable Moment: Spygate- 2007)
New York Jets and Miami Dolphins (Memorable Moment: "Monday Night Miracle"- 2000)
Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs
Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers
Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers (NFL's Oldest Rivalry)
Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers (Memorable Moment: "The Catch"- 1981 NFC Championship Game)
Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings (Brett Favre has played for both teams)
San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders
The Governor's Cup: Texas (Houston Oilers/Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys)
The Governor's Cup: Missouri (Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Cardinals/St. Louis Rams)
The Governor's Cup: Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles)
The Governor/Mayor's Cup: New York/New Jersey (New York Jets and New York Giants)
Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles (Memorable Moment: "Bounty Bowls I & II"- 1989 regular season)
New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons
Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins (Donovan McNabb, longtime Eagles QB, now is the Redskins QB)
Washington Redskins and New York Giants
Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders (Memorable Play: "The Immaculate Reception"- 1972 AFC Divisional Playoffs)
San Francisco 49ers and St. Louis Rams
NCAA Basketball:
Tennessee Lady Vols and Connecticut (UConn) Lady Huskies
North Carolina Tar Heels and Duke Blue Devils
Michigan State Spartans and Michigan Wolverines
Michigan State Spartans and Ohio State Buckeyes
Purdue Boilermakers and Indiana Hoosiers
Cincinnati Bearcats and Xavier Musketeers
NCAA Football:
Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines (The Game)
Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners (The Red River Rivalry/R3)
Harvard Crimson and Yale Bulldogs (The "Other" Game)
Otterbein Cardinals and Capital Crusaders (The Battle of the Columbus Suburbs)
Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Southern Cal Trojans
Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Michigan Wolverines
Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans (Paul Bunyan Trophy)
Michigan Wolverines and Minnesota Golden Gophers (Little Brown Jug)
UCLA Bruins and Southern Cal Trojans
Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies
Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers
Georgia Bulldogs and Florida Gators
Georgia Bulldogs and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Tennessee Volunteers and Alabama Crimson Tide (The Third Saturday in October)
Tennessee Volunteers and Florida Gators
Florida Gators and Florida State Seminoles
Florida State Seminoles and Miami Hurricanes
Nebraska Cornhuskers and Colorado Buffaloes
Oregon Ducks and Oregon State Beavers (The Civil War)
(Top Five Rivalries)
Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines (The Game)
Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners (The Red River Rivalry/R3)
Harvard Crimson and Yale Bulldogs (The "Other" Game)
UCLA Bruins and Southern Cal Trojans
Miami Hurricanes and Florida State Seminoles
Central Ohio High School Football:
Columbus Bishop Watterson Golden Eagles and Columbus St. Francis DeSales Stallions
Upper Arlington Golden Bears and Thomas Worthington Cardinals
Columbus Beechcroft Cougars and Columbus Brookhaven Bearcats
Columbus Walnut Ridge Scots and Columbus Eastmoor Academy Warriors
Bexley Lions and Columbus Academy Vikings (the Mayor/Headmaster Trophy)
Newark Wildcats and Zanesville Blue Devils (The oldest rivalry in Central Ohio- going back to 1903)
Lancaster Golden Gales and Logan Chieftains
Pickerington Central Tigers and Lancaster Golden Gales
Pickerington Central Tigers and Reynoldsburg Raiders (the Battle of 256)
Dublin Scioto Irish and Worthington Kilbourne Wolves (the Battle of Hard Road)
Hilliard Davidson Wildcats and Dublin Coffman Shamrocks
Westerville North Warriors and Westerville South Wildcats
Delaware Hayes Pacers and Delaware Buckeye Valley Barons
Delaware Hayes Pacers and Lewis Center Olentangy Braves
Olentangy Braves and Sunbury Big Walnut Golden Eagles
Delaware Hayes Pacers and Sunbury Big Walnut Golden Eagles
Powell Olentangy Liberty Patriots and Lewis Center Olentangy Braves
Columbus Bishop Ready Silver Knights and Columbus Bishop Hartley Hawks
Bexley Lions and Whitehall-Yearling Rams
Granville Blue Aces and Heath Bulldogs
Upper Arlington Golden Bears and Hilliard Davidson Wildcats
Gahanna Lincoln Lions and Pickerington Central Tigers
Pataskala Licking Heights Hornets and Pataskala Watkins Memorial Warriors (The Battle of Broad Street)
Westerville Central Warhawks and Sunbury Big Walnut Eagles (The WarEagle Trophy)
Pickerington North Panthers and Pickerington Central Tigers
(Five Past Rivalries)
Columbus Mifflin Punchers and Gahanna Lincoln Lions
Bishop Watterson Golden Eagles and Upper Arlington Golden Bears
Columbus East Tigers and Columbus St. Charles Cardinals
Bexley Lions and Columbus St. Charles Cardinals
Columbus Franklin Heights Falcons and Columbus South Bulldogs
(Five Best Rivalries in the Columbus Area)
1) Bishop Watterson Golden Eagles vs. St. Francis DeSales Stallions
2) Brookhaven Bearcats vs. Beechcroft Cougars
3) Worthington Kilbourne Wolves vs. Dublin Scioto Irish
4) Bishop Hartley Hawks vs. Bishop Ready Silver Knights
5) Westerville South Wildcats vs. Westerville North Warriors
(Five Great Neighborhood Rivalries)
1) Bexley Lions vs. either Bishop Hartley Hawks or St. Charles Cardinals
2) Westerville North Warriors vs. either Westerville South Wildcats or Westerville Central Warhawks
3) Bishop Watterson Golden Eagles vs. St. Francis DeSales Stallions
4) Pickerington Central Tigers vs. Pickerington North Panthers
5) Licking Heights Hornets vs. Watkins Memorial Warriors
(Five Rivalries that are Under the Radar)
1) Columbus East Tigers vs. Columbus Linden McKinley Panthers
2) Galloway Westland Cougars vs. Grove City Central Crossing Comets
3) Gahanna Lincoln Lions vs. Reynoldsburg Raiders
4) Washington Court House Blue Lions vs. Washington Court House Miami Trace Panthers
5) Delaware Hayes Pacers vs. Buckeye Valley Barons
Thursday, October 14, 2010
College Football- Week 7
GAME OF THE WEEK (1):
# 1 Ohio State Buckeyes (6-0, 2-0) at # 18 Wisconsin Badgers (5-1, 1-1)- 7:15PM at Camp Randall; Madison, WI- Upset of the Week
The Buckeyes have not really played anybody (except Miami and Illinois) to phone home to. The Bucks have won three in a row over the Badgers, but the Badgers love to play the Buckeyes tough in Madison. The Buckeyes will have all hands on deck Saturday night, but I think that the Badgers are going to be ready and focused, as they will give the Buckeyes everything they got, because you can't spell "lousy without OSU".
Pick: Wisconsin 27-24 in Overtime (OSU falls to # 10 on Sunday)
GAME OF THE WEEK (2):
Otterbein Cardinals (3-2, 2-2) at Capital Crusaders (2-3, 2-2)- 1:30PM at Bernlohr Stadium; Bexley, OH- "The Battle of the Columbus Suburbs"
It's Rivalry Week at Sports Corner, and in Division III in the OAC, the 84th Annual Battle of the Columbus Suburbs will take place on Saturday at Capital, where Otterbein is looking to win their fourth in a row over Capital for the first time since the late 1990s, when they bested the Crusaders five straight times (1995-99). The last time the Cardinals were in Bexley, they pounded the Crusaders 38-9, giving Otterbein their first win in Bexley since 1998. In last year's (Otterbein homecoming) game, Otterbein QB Austin Schlosser found WR Dan Gendron for the go-ahead score with less than a minute left to knock off Capital 35-34 in Westerville. Otterbein, fresh off a heart-breaking one-point loss to Baldwin-Wallace, needs to get back on track, and throw out all of the stats in this game, it will be interesting, but the Cards might make it four straight.
Pick: Otterbein 28-25
OTHER BIG GAMES OF THE WEEK:
# 12 Arkansas Razorbacks (4-1, 1-1) at # 7 Auburn Tigers (6-0, 3-0)- 3:30PM on CBS; Auburn, AL
Pick: Auburn 20-14
# 15 Iowa Hawkeyes (4-1, 1-0) at Michigan Wolverines (5-1, 1-1)- 3:30PM on ABC/ESPN/ESPN2; Ann Arbor, MI
Last week, as Michigan was losing to Michigan State, MSU fans mocked the Wolverines by calling them "little sister"- a sign in which Michigan is about to take that downward spiral yet again. Ricky Stanzi could have a big day against the anemic Wolverine defense.
Pick: Iowa 41-17
Ole Miss Rebels (3-2, 1-1) at # 8 Alabama Crimson Tide (5-1, 1-1)- 9:00PM on ESPN2; Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama had an off-day last Saturday in Columbia, an off-day that resulted in the most overrated college football program in all the land perched at the top slot. The Crimson Tide will get back on track against Ole Miss.
Pick: Alabama 27-13
Texas Longhorns (3-2, 1-1) at # 5 Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-0, 1-0)- 3:30PM on ABC/ESPN; Lincoln, NE
Texas was in the top ten to start the season. However, back-to-back losses to UCLA and Oklahoma kicked the Horns out of the Top 25. Nebraska will make it three straight losses for Texas in this rematch of last year's Big 12 Championship Game.
Pick: Nebraska 38-22
Baldwin-Wallace Yellowjackets (5-0, 4-0) at Ohio Northern Polar Bears (4-1, 3-1)- 1:30PM in Ada, OH
Last week, Baldwin-Wallace bested Otterbein with two minutes to go on a late touchdown to improve to 5-0. B-W, favored to finish seventh in the OAC by the writers and eighth by the coaches, travels up to Ada to play the team that was favored to place second- Ohio Northern.
Pick: Ohio Northern 29-27
WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY GAMES:
Central Florida Knights 35, Marshall Thundering Herd 14 (UCF: 4-2, 2-0); MARSH: 1-5, 0-2)
# 25 West Virginia Mountaineers 20, South Florida Bulls 6 (WVU: 5-1, 3-0; SFL: 3-3, 0-3)
Kansas State Wildcats 59, Kansas Jayhawks 7 (KSU: 5-1, 2-1; KAN: 2-4, 1-2)
OTHER MAJOR DIVISION I FBS GAMES THIS WEEKEND:
Illinois Fighting Illini (3-2, 1-1) at # 13 Michigan State Spartans (6-0, 2-0)- Noon EDT
The Spartans are 6-0 for the first time since 1999 and control their Big Ten destiny, because it is Buckeye-free this season. Illinois would love to play spoiler, but that's just not going to happen in East Lansing this Saturday.
Pick: Michigan State 42-6
Boston College Golden Eagles (2-3, 0-2) at # 16 Florida State Seminoles (5-1, 3-0)- Noon EDT
Remember when BC was 2-0? I sure don't.
Pick: Florida State 42-0
# 21 Missouri Tigers (5-0, 1-0) at Texas A&M Aggies (3-2, 0-1)- Noon EDT
Pick: Mizzou 31-24
Maryland Terrapins (4-1, 1-0) at Clemson Tigers (2-3, 0-2)- Noon EDT
Pick: Maryland 23-10
# 20 Oklahoma State Cowboys (5-0, 1-0) at Texas Tech Red Raiders (3-2, 1-2)- 3:30PM EDT
Pick: Oklahoma State 37-30
California Golden Bears (3-2, 1-1) at USC Trojans (4-2, 1-2)- 3:30PM EDT
Pick: Cal 30-20
Wake Forest Demon Deacons (1-2, 2-4) at Virginia Tech Hokies (4-2, 2-0)- 3:30PM EDT
Pick: Virginia Tech 33-24
Brigham Young Cougars (2-4, 1-1) at # 4 TCU Horned Frogs (6-0, 2-0)- 4PM EDT
140 Minutes. That's how long it has been since TCU has allowed a point. They could reach 200.
Pick: TCU 58-0
# 10 South Carolina Gamecocks (4-1, 2-1) at Kentucky Wildcats (3-3, 0-3)- 6PM EDT
Last week, the Gamecocks dethroned the # 1 team in the Nation with a 35-21 thrashing of Alabama, as the Carolina defense and special teams had big days. The big win catapulted South Carolina in the top ten. Kentucky is still on a Red Lobster slump.
Pick: South Carolina 41-6
# 11 Utah Utes (5-0, 2-0) at Wyoming Cowboys (2-4, 0-2)- 7PM EDT
Pick: Utah 47-6
# 17 Arizona Wildcats (4-1, 1-1) as Washington State Cougars (1-5, 0-3)- 7:30PM EDT
Pick: Arizona 28-7
# 3 Boise State Broncos (5-0, 1-0) at San Jose State Spartans (1-5, 0-1)- 8PM EDT
Pick: Boise State 52-6
# 23 Air Force Academy Falcons (5-1, 3-0) at San Diego State Aztecs (3-2, 1-1)- 8PM EDT
Pick: Air Force 31-3
# 24 Oregon State Beavers (3-2, 2-0) at Washington Huskies (2-3, 1-1)- 10:15PM EDT
Pick: Oregon State 34-10
OTHER CENTRAL OHIO SMALL SCHOOLS:
Findlay Oilers (1-5, 1-4) at Ohio Dominican Panthers (0-5, 0-5)- 1:00PM EDT at Panther Field; Columbus
Pick: Findlay 10-6
Case Western Reserve Spartans (5-0) at Hiram Terriers (1-5)- 1:00PM
Pick: Case Western 46-0
Kenyon Lords (0-5, 0-4) at Wittenberg Tigers (6-0, 4-0) - 1:00PM at Smith-Edwards Stadium; Springfield, OH
Pick: Wittenberg 28-7
Washington (MD) Shoremen (3-2) at Wooster Fighting Scots (3-2)- 1:00PM in Wooster, OH
Pick: Wooster 23-19
John Carroll Blue Streaks (2-3, 2-2) at Muskingum Muskies (3-2, 2-2)- 1:30PM in Zanesville, OH
Muskingum's downward spiral continues, as the Muskies have allowed 31 more points than they have scored all season long. Look for the Blue Streaks to put up big numbers against the Muskies.
Pick: John Carroll 40-16
Marietta Pioneers (1-4, 0-4) at Wilmington Quakers (0-5, 0-4)- 2:00PM in Wilmington, OH
This could be Wilmington's best (and final) shot for a win, because they lost 3-0 to Muskingum. Marietta has lost four straight. This could be the only OAC win for both of these schools.
Pick: Wilmington 14-13
Allegheny Gators (3-2, 1-1) at Denison Big Red (3-3, 3-1)- 7:00PM in Granville, OH
Pick: Allegheny 35-20
Heidelberg Student Princes (2-3, 1-3) at Mount Union Purple Raiders (5-0, 4-0)- 1:30PM in Alliance, OH
Pick: Mount Union 61-0
# 1 Ohio State Buckeyes (6-0, 2-0) at # 18 Wisconsin Badgers (5-1, 1-1)- 7:15PM at Camp Randall; Madison, WI- Upset of the Week
The Buckeyes have not really played anybody (except Miami and Illinois) to phone home to. The Bucks have won three in a row over the Badgers, but the Badgers love to play the Buckeyes tough in Madison. The Buckeyes will have all hands on deck Saturday night, but I think that the Badgers are going to be ready and focused, as they will give the Buckeyes everything they got, because you can't spell "lousy without OSU".
Pick: Wisconsin 27-24 in Overtime (OSU falls to # 10 on Sunday)
GAME OF THE WEEK (2):
Otterbein Cardinals (3-2, 2-2) at Capital Crusaders (2-3, 2-2)- 1:30PM at Bernlohr Stadium; Bexley, OH- "The Battle of the Columbus Suburbs"
It's Rivalry Week at Sports Corner, and in Division III in the OAC, the 84th Annual Battle of the Columbus Suburbs will take place on Saturday at Capital, where Otterbein is looking to win their fourth in a row over Capital for the first time since the late 1990s, when they bested the Crusaders five straight times (1995-99). The last time the Cardinals were in Bexley, they pounded the Crusaders 38-9, giving Otterbein their first win in Bexley since 1998. In last year's (Otterbein homecoming) game, Otterbein QB Austin Schlosser found WR Dan Gendron for the go-ahead score with less than a minute left to knock off Capital 35-34 in Westerville. Otterbein, fresh off a heart-breaking one-point loss to Baldwin-Wallace, needs to get back on track, and throw out all of the stats in this game, it will be interesting, but the Cards might make it four straight.
Pick: Otterbein 28-25
OTHER BIG GAMES OF THE WEEK:
# 12 Arkansas Razorbacks (4-1, 1-1) at # 7 Auburn Tigers (6-0, 3-0)- 3:30PM on CBS; Auburn, AL
Pick: Auburn 20-14
# 15 Iowa Hawkeyes (4-1, 1-0) at Michigan Wolverines (5-1, 1-1)- 3:30PM on ABC/ESPN/ESPN2; Ann Arbor, MI
Last week, as Michigan was losing to Michigan State, MSU fans mocked the Wolverines by calling them "little sister"- a sign in which Michigan is about to take that downward spiral yet again. Ricky Stanzi could have a big day against the anemic Wolverine defense.
Pick: Iowa 41-17
Ole Miss Rebels (3-2, 1-1) at # 8 Alabama Crimson Tide (5-1, 1-1)- 9:00PM on ESPN2; Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama had an off-day last Saturday in Columbia, an off-day that resulted in the most overrated college football program in all the land perched at the top slot. The Crimson Tide will get back on track against Ole Miss.
Pick: Alabama 27-13
Texas Longhorns (3-2, 1-1) at # 5 Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-0, 1-0)- 3:30PM on ABC/ESPN; Lincoln, NE
Texas was in the top ten to start the season. However, back-to-back losses to UCLA and Oklahoma kicked the Horns out of the Top 25. Nebraska will make it three straight losses for Texas in this rematch of last year's Big 12 Championship Game.
Pick: Nebraska 38-22
Baldwin-Wallace Yellowjackets (5-0, 4-0) at Ohio Northern Polar Bears (4-1, 3-1)- 1:30PM in Ada, OH
Last week, Baldwin-Wallace bested Otterbein with two minutes to go on a late touchdown to improve to 5-0. B-W, favored to finish seventh in the OAC by the writers and eighth by the coaches, travels up to Ada to play the team that was favored to place second- Ohio Northern.
Pick: Ohio Northern 29-27
WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY GAMES:
Central Florida Knights 35, Marshall Thundering Herd 14 (UCF: 4-2, 2-0); MARSH: 1-5, 0-2)
# 25 West Virginia Mountaineers 20, South Florida Bulls 6 (WVU: 5-1, 3-0; SFL: 3-3, 0-3)
Kansas State Wildcats 59, Kansas Jayhawks 7 (KSU: 5-1, 2-1; KAN: 2-4, 1-2)
OTHER MAJOR DIVISION I FBS GAMES THIS WEEKEND:
Illinois Fighting Illini (3-2, 1-1) at # 13 Michigan State Spartans (6-0, 2-0)- Noon EDT
The Spartans are 6-0 for the first time since 1999 and control their Big Ten destiny, because it is Buckeye-free this season. Illinois would love to play spoiler, but that's just not going to happen in East Lansing this Saturday.
Pick: Michigan State 42-6
Boston College Golden Eagles (2-3, 0-2) at # 16 Florida State Seminoles (5-1, 3-0)- Noon EDT
Remember when BC was 2-0? I sure don't.
Pick: Florida State 42-0
# 21 Missouri Tigers (5-0, 1-0) at Texas A&M Aggies (3-2, 0-1)- Noon EDT
Pick: Mizzou 31-24
Maryland Terrapins (4-1, 1-0) at Clemson Tigers (2-3, 0-2)- Noon EDT
Pick: Maryland 23-10
# 20 Oklahoma State Cowboys (5-0, 1-0) at Texas Tech Red Raiders (3-2, 1-2)- 3:30PM EDT
Pick: Oklahoma State 37-30
California Golden Bears (3-2, 1-1) at USC Trojans (4-2, 1-2)- 3:30PM EDT
Pick: Cal 30-20
Wake Forest Demon Deacons (1-2, 2-4) at Virginia Tech Hokies (4-2, 2-0)- 3:30PM EDT
Pick: Virginia Tech 33-24
Brigham Young Cougars (2-4, 1-1) at # 4 TCU Horned Frogs (6-0, 2-0)- 4PM EDT
140 Minutes. That's how long it has been since TCU has allowed a point. They could reach 200.
Pick: TCU 58-0
# 10 South Carolina Gamecocks (4-1, 2-1) at Kentucky Wildcats (3-3, 0-3)- 6PM EDT
Last week, the Gamecocks dethroned the # 1 team in the Nation with a 35-21 thrashing of Alabama, as the Carolina defense and special teams had big days. The big win catapulted South Carolina in the top ten. Kentucky is still on a Red Lobster slump.
Pick: South Carolina 41-6
# 11 Utah Utes (5-0, 2-0) at Wyoming Cowboys (2-4, 0-2)- 7PM EDT
Pick: Utah 47-6
# 17 Arizona Wildcats (4-1, 1-1) as Washington State Cougars (1-5, 0-3)- 7:30PM EDT
Pick: Arizona 28-7
# 3 Boise State Broncos (5-0, 1-0) at San Jose State Spartans (1-5, 0-1)- 8PM EDT
Pick: Boise State 52-6
# 23 Air Force Academy Falcons (5-1, 3-0) at San Diego State Aztecs (3-2, 1-1)- 8PM EDT
Pick: Air Force 31-3
# 24 Oregon State Beavers (3-2, 2-0) at Washington Huskies (2-3, 1-1)- 10:15PM EDT
Pick: Oregon State 34-10
OTHER CENTRAL OHIO SMALL SCHOOLS:
Findlay Oilers (1-5, 1-4) at Ohio Dominican Panthers (0-5, 0-5)- 1:00PM EDT at Panther Field; Columbus
Pick: Findlay 10-6
Case Western Reserve Spartans (5-0) at Hiram Terriers (1-5)- 1:00PM
Pick: Case Western 46-0
Kenyon Lords (0-5, 0-4) at Wittenberg Tigers (6-0, 4-0) - 1:00PM at Smith-Edwards Stadium; Springfield, OH
Pick: Wittenberg 28-7
Washington (MD) Shoremen (3-2) at Wooster Fighting Scots (3-2)- 1:00PM in Wooster, OH
Pick: Wooster 23-19
John Carroll Blue Streaks (2-3, 2-2) at Muskingum Muskies (3-2, 2-2)- 1:30PM in Zanesville, OH
Muskingum's downward spiral continues, as the Muskies have allowed 31 more points than they have scored all season long. Look for the Blue Streaks to put up big numbers against the Muskies.
Pick: John Carroll 40-16
Marietta Pioneers (1-4, 0-4) at Wilmington Quakers (0-5, 0-4)- 2:00PM in Wilmington, OH
This could be Wilmington's best (and final) shot for a win, because they lost 3-0 to Muskingum. Marietta has lost four straight. This could be the only OAC win for both of these schools.
Pick: Wilmington 14-13
Allegheny Gators (3-2, 1-1) at Denison Big Red (3-3, 3-1)- 7:00PM in Granville, OH
Pick: Allegheny 35-20
Heidelberg Student Princes (2-3, 1-3) at Mount Union Purple Raiders (5-0, 4-0)- 1:30PM in Alliance, OH
Pick: Mount Union 61-0
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)