College Football: Week 12 of 2011

Where has this season gone? Next week is Thanksgiving, and there will be a lot of exciting rivalry matchups in New Orleans (Southern-Grambling), College Station (Texas-Texas A&M), Baton Rouge (Arkansas-LSU), Lincoln (Iowa-Nebraska), South Beach (BC-Miami), Atlanta (Georgia-Georgia Tech), Eugene (The Civil War- Oregon State-Oregon), Auburn (The Iron Bowl- Alabama-Auburn), Columbia (Clemson-South Carolina), Gainesville (Florida State-Florida), Palo Alto (Notre Dame-Stanford), Pasadena (UCLA-Southern Cal), and Ann Arbor (THE Game- Ohio State-Michigan). This week, there are a lot of big games in the Big Ten, Pac-12, SEC, Big 12, and of course, THE Game, in New Haven, Connecticut between Harvard and Yale.

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY SCORES (I-FBS):
Ohio 29, Bowling Green 28
Western Michigan 24, Miami of Ohio 21
# 8 Virginia Tech 24, North Carolina 21
UAB 34, # 20 Southern Mississippi 31
Marshall 23, Memphis 22

RIVALRY GAME & BIG GAME OF THE WEEK:
Harvard Crimson (8-1, 6-0) at Yale Bulldogs (5-4, 4-2)
This is Harvard's playoff game, because it is against the Ivy League's "religion" to compete in the I-FCS football tournament.
Pick: Harvard 23, Yale 19

I-BCS RIVALRY GAME OF THE WEEK:
California Golden Bears (6-4, 3-4) at # 9 Stanford Cardinal (9-1, 7-1)
Pick: Stanford 48, Cal 18

BIG TOP 25 MATCHUP THIS WEEK:
# 16 Nebraska Cornhuskers at # 18 Michigan Wolverines (both 8-2, 4-2)
1962 was the last time that these two met in the regular season, but the Huskers topped Michigan in the 2005 Alamo Bowl 32-28. Michigan needs a win because they have another Red storm coming to the Big House next week.
Pick: Nebraska 31, Michigan 17

# 21 Penn State Nittany Lions [8-2, 5-1) at Ohio State Buckeyes (6-4, 3-3)- UPSET PICK
The Buckeyes sent out a Public Service Announcement this week that will be played during the game tomorrow telling their fans to show some respect to the Penn State fans, given the shaky situation in State College.
Pick: Ohio State 35, Penn State 10

# 17 Wisconsin Badgers [8-2, 4-2) at Illinois Fighting Illini (6-4, 2-4)
Pick: Wisconsin 56, Illinois 13

Indiana Hoosiers (1-9, 0-6) at # 15 Michigan State Spartans [8-2, 5-1)
Pick: Michigan State 52, Indiana 14

# 1 LSU Tigers (10-0, 6-0) at Ole Miss Rebels (2-8, 0-6)
Pick: LSU 49, Ole Miss 0

# 5 Oklahoma Sooners [8-1, 5-1) at # 22 Baylor Bears (6-3, 3-3)
Pick: Oklahoma 48, Baylor 12

USC Trojans [8-2, 4-2) at # 4 Oregon Ducks (9-1, 7-0)
Pick: Oregon 44, USC 21

# 10 Boise State Broncos [8-1, 3-1) at San Diego State Aztecs (6-3, 3-2)
Pick: Boise State 54, San Diego State 19

# 13 Kansas State Wildcats [8-2, 5-2) at # 23 Texas Longhorns (6-3, 3-3)
Pick: Texas 41, Kansas State 20

Kentucky Wildcats (4-6, 1-5) at # 14 Georgia Bulldogs [8-2, 6-1)
Pick: Georgia 41, Kentucky 6

Mississippi State Bulldogs (5-5, 1-5) at # 6 Arkansas Razorbacks (9-1, 5-1)
Pick: Arkansas 34, Mississippi State 7

Southern Methodist Mustangs (6-4, 4-2) at # 11 Houston Cougars (10-0, 6-0)
Pick: Houston 76, SMU 28

OTHER GAMES THIS WEEK:
(Catholics vs. Jesuits)
Boston College Golden Eagles (3-7) at Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-3)
I hate to see this rivalry go, don't you?
Pick: Notre Dame 41, BC 14

OTHER GAMES THIS WEEK:
Vanderbilt Commodores (5-5, 2-5) at Tennessee Volunteers (4-6, 0-6)
Pick: Vanderbilt 28, Tennessee 27

Arizona Wildcats (2-8, 1-7) at Arizona State Sun Devils (6-4, 4-3)
Pick: Arizona State 31, Arizona 3

Texas Tech Red Raiders (5-5, 2-5) at Missouri Tigers (5-5, 3-4)
Pick: Missouri 38, Texas Tech 24

Colorado State Rams (3-6, 1-3) at # 19 TCU Horned Frogs [8-2, 5-0)
Pick: TCU 47, Colorado State 0

Iowa Hawkeyes (6-4, 3-3) at Purdue Boilermakers (5-5, 3-3)
Pick: Iowa 30, Purdue 20

Miami Hurricanes (5-5) at South Florida Bulls (5-4)
Pick: Miami 27, South Florida 21

Cincinnati Bearcats (7-2, 3-1) at Rutgers Scarlet Knights (7-3, 3-2)
The Cats lost on a blocked field goal try last week at Paul Brown Stadium. They travel to Piscataway to play Rutgers in a tight Big East matchup.
Pick: Rutgers 31, Cincinnati 24

and TONIGHT:
# 2 Oklahoma State Cowboys (10-0, 7-0) at Iowa State Cyclones (5-4, 2-4)
Pick: OSU 63, Iowa State 3

2011 Central Ohio High School Football: Week 13

Only eight Central Ohio teams remain (out of 48 statewide). Tonight and tomorrow night, these eight, plus the forty other schools will fight to be among the 24 teams that make it to the State Semi-Finals next weekend. Only two of last year's State Champions- Bishop Hartley (in Division IV) and Delphos St. John (in Division VI) remain.

BIG GAMES THIS WEEK:
(Division I, Region 3)
# 2 Pickerington Central Tigers (9-2) vs. # 1 Hilliard Davidson Wildcats (11-0)- at Ohio Wesleyan University Selby Field
and
(Division IV, Region 14)
# 3 Columbus Bishop Hartley Hawks (11-0) vs. # 1 Kenton Wildcats (12-0)- at Mansfield Senior Arlin Field

The Clash of the Titans. Tomorrow night in Delaware and in Mansfield, it won't get any better as three of Central Ohio's best teams in 2011 fight for the right to compete in the State Semi-Finals next weekend. At least one of those three (the winner of the Davidson-Pick Central game) will.

In Division IV, the Hawks have soared over the competition all season long. Last week, against Pemberville Eastwood, the Hawks ran out the final 7:27 of the game to set themselves up with a date with perhaps the best quarterback in Ohio- Maty Mauk and the Kenton Wildcats. Mauk's older brother Ben was Mr. Ohio Football in 2001 and 2002, when Kenton won State Titles in both years. The Hawks have won 18 straight games, dating back to last season's Championship run. Despite losing some key players, the Hawks did not miss a beat, capping off the school's first-ever undefeated regular season.

In Division I, this will be the fourth consecutive year that these two have met in the playoffs. Davidson bested Pick Central the last two years, to go on to State, having won the State Title again in 2009. Pickerington Central, was written off after an 0-2 start (they lost to Cincinnati catholic powerhouses Moeller and St. X, who will square off in the Region 4 final tomorrow night at the University of Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium), but has won nine straight. The two best teams in Division I in Central Ohio will meet again for a date, more than likely with the winner of the Moeller-St. X game. Pick Central is hoping to win tomorrow night for a rematch with the winner of that game.

Picks: Hilliard Davidson and Kenton

OTHER CENTRAL OHIO GAMES THIS WEEKEND:
(Division II, Region 7)
# 2 Dresden Tri-Valley Scotties (11-1) vs. # 1 Columbus Marion-Franklin Red Devils (12-0)- at Gahanna Lincoln H.S. Stadium
Pick: Tri-Valley

(Division III, Region 10)
# 5 Elida Bulldogs (9-3) vs. # 3 Columbus Eastmoor Academy Warriors (10-2)- at Wapakoneta H.S. Harmon Field
Pick: Elida

(Division III, Region 12)
# 3 Plain City Jonathan Alder Pioneers vs. # 1 Springfield Shawnee Braves (both 12-0)- at Hilliard Bradley H.S. Athletic Complex
Pick: Jonathan Alder

(Division IV, Region 15)
# 5 Coshocton Redskins (10-2) vs. # 2 Johnstown-Monroe Johnnies (12-0)- at Zanesville H.S. Sulsberger Stadium
Pick: Coshocton

(Division IV, Region 16)
# 5 Dayton Chaminade-Julienne Eagles (9-3) vs. # 3 Clarksville Clinton-Massie Falcons (10-2)- at Mason H.S. Dwire Field at Atrium Stadium
Pick: C-J

(Division V, Region 20)
# 6 West Jefferson Roughriders (10-2) vs. # 5 Coldwater Cavaliers (9-3)- at Piqua H.S. Alexander Stadium
Pick: Coldwater

For more on the playoffs and this week's matchups, go to http://www.ohsaa.org.

NFL 2011: Week 11 Picks

Tonight, Week 11 of the NFL football season commences at Sports Authority Field at Mile High as the Broncos host the New York Jets. This is one of 14 games this weekend, capping off with Matt Cassel's return to Foxboro on Monday night as the Kansas City Chiefs visit the New England Patriots. The 4 teams that are off this week are a combined 21-19 (21-9 if you don't count the Peyton-less Colts), and three of them (New Orleans, Houston, and Pittsburgh) lead their divisions heading into the Thanksgiving weekend.

TONIGHT'S GAME:
New York Jets (5-4) at Denver Broncos (4-5)
Pick: Denver 31, NY Jets 14

BIG GAME THIS WEEKEND:
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens (both 6-3, and tied for 2nd in AFC North)
This game is probably the most important game of the week, having big playoff implications, as well as chasing idle Pittsburgh in the AFC North.
Pick: Baltimore 35, Cincinnati 21

SUNDAY AFTERNOON GAMES:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5) at Green Bay Packers (9-0)
Pick: Green Bay 42, Tampa Bay 3

Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns (both 3-6)
Pick: Jacksonville 17, Cleveland 10

Oakland Raiders (5-4) at Minnesota Vikings (2-7)
Pick: Oakland 24, Minnesota 14

Dallas Cowboys (5-4) at Washington Redskins (3-6)
Pick: Dallas 35, Washington 13

Buffalo Bills (5-4) at Miami Dolphins (2-7)
I remember when the Bills were 3-0 and as hot as they were in the 1990s. Since then, they've lost four of six, including last Sunday's shipwreck in Big D. Miami has reeled off back-to-back wins after an 0-7 start.
Pick: Miami 27, Buffalo 10

Carolina Panthers (2-7) at Detroit Lions (6-3)
The Lions need this win to get back on track before hosting the Green Bay Packers for their annual Thanksgiving date.
Pick: Detroit 31, Carolina 27

LATE SUNDAY GAMES:
Arizona Cardinals (2-7) at San Francisco 49ers [8-1)
Pick: San Francisco 34, Arizona 0

Seattle Seahawks (3-6) at St. Louis Rams (2-7)
Pick: Seattle 14, St. Louis 12

Tennessee Titans (5-4) at Atlanta Falcons (6-3)
Pick: Atlanta 31, Tennessee 17

San Diego Chargers (4-5) at Chicago Bears (5-4)
Pick: San Diego 38, Chicago 33

SUNDAY NIGHT GAME:
Philadelphia Eagles (3-6) at New York Giants (7-2)
Pick: NY Giants 31, Philadelphia 20

MONDAY NIGHT GAME:
Kansas City Chiefs (4-5) at New England Patriots (6-3)
These two know each other well. Chiefs QB Matt Cassel was the starter in 2008 after Tom Brady was lost to a knee injury at Arrowhead Stadium. Chiefs GM Scott Pioli and Defensive Coordinator Romeo Crennel both used to work for the Patriots. Familiarity breeds contempt.
Pick: New England 38, Kansas City 10

2011 College Football- Week 11 Picks

This past week, the whole college football nation grativated towards State College, PA and the firing of legendary Penn State coach Joe Paterno. In Happy Valley, the Nittany Lions are adjusting to life without their leader for the first time in decades.

UPSET PICK OF THE WEEK:
# 19 Nebraska Cornhuskers (7-2, 3-2) at # 12 Penn State Nittany Lions [8-1, 5-0)
The last time that Joseph Vincent Paterno was not on the sidelines of Beaver Stadium was 1949. Harry S. Truman was President, there were 48 U.S. States, and All the Kings Men was the Best Picture of the year...oh yeah, television was in its infancy. But, tomorrow, the Tom Bradley era begins in what was once Happy Valley, but only a university campus rocked by a sexual abuse scandal. The last time that there was a home game at Beaver Stadium without Paterno as coach was December 1965. The long-time defensive coordinator for Penn State begins his run as the interim head coach as the Nittany Lions, fresh off a bye last week (when the scandal escalated), host the Cornhuskers. The Nittany Lions are very distracted by the events of the past week, and Nebraska, after getting upset by Northwestern, can take their frustration out on a very distracted Penn State team.
Pick: Nebraska 35, Penn State 0

BIG GAME OF THE WEEK:
# 7 Oregon Ducks at # 4 Stanford Cardinal (9-0, 6-0)
This will be the Pac-12 game of the year, and the winner will more than likely win the Pac-12 North Division and play in the Pac-12 Championship Game.
Pick: Stanford 47, Oregon 34

OTHER BIG GAMES THIS WEEK:
# 24 Michigan Wolverines (7-2, 3-2) at Illinois Fighting Illini (6-3, 2-3)
"That's basketball."- Michigan Head Football Coach Brady Hoke about last year's 67-65 triple overtime win over Illinois last year
Last year, the Wolverines won a wild one in triple overtime over Illinois, in what seemed like a basketball score. This year, both schools and their respective quarterbacks- Denard Robinson (Michigan) and Nathan Scheelhaase (Illinois) need to have big games to help their teams stay afloat in their respective divisions.
The Wolverines need a win to stay afloat the Big Ten Legends Division, while the host Illini need a win to snap their three-game slide after their first 6-0 start in 60 years. Michigan needs to step off offensively against this Illinois team, a complete 180 from their loss last week at Iowa.
Pick: Michigan 27, Illinois 24

Ohio State Buckeyes (6-3, 3-2) at Purdue Boilermakers (4-5, 2-3)
The last time the Bucks were in West Lafayette, Purdue upset the Bucks 26-18, so the Buckeyes are preparing not to be upset by the Boilermakers this go around, in what is a crucial game for OSU.
Pick: Ohio State 38, Purdue 17

Maryland Terrapins (2-7) at Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-3)- at FedEx Field
Pick: Notre Dame 31, Maryland 13

West Virginia Mountaineers (6-3, 2-2) at Cincinnati Bearcats (7-1, 3-0)- at Paul Brown Stadium
Pick: Cincinnati 31, West Virginia 27

# 18 Wisconsin Badgers [8-2, 3-2) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-7)
The Gophers upset Iowa two weeks ago, and almost upset Michigan State last week. Tomorrow, Wisconsin will show them who's the cream of the Big Ten crop.
Pick: Wisconsin 48, Minnesota 10

# 20 Auburn Tigers at # 15 Georgia Bulldogs
Pick: Georgia 27, Auburn 16

Miami Hurricanes at Florida State Seminoles
Pick: Florida State 34, Miami 7

Texas A&M Aggies at # 14 Kansas State Wildcats
Pick: Kansas State 26, Texas A&M 10

TCU Horned Frogs at # 5 Boise State Broncos
Pick: Boise State 42, TCU 9

# 25 Baylor Bears at Kansas Jayhawks
Pick: Baylor 31, Kansas 0

# 17 Michigan State Spartans (7-2, 4-1) at Iowa Hawkeyes (6-3, 3-2)
Pick: Michigan State 30, Iowa 27 (OT)

# 16 Texas Longhorns at Missouri Tigers
Pick: Texas 51, Missouri 6

Wake Forest Demon Deacons at # 9 Clemson Tigers [8-1, 5-1)
Pick: Clemson 42, Wake 17

Florida Gators (5-4, 3-4) at # 13 South Carolina Gamecocks
Pick: South Carolina 27, Florida 10

# 2 Oklahoma State Cowboys (9-0, 6-0) at Texas Tech Red Raiders (5-4, 2-4)
For the first time ever, OSU has a big bullseye on their back, watch out, here come the Cowboys.
Pick: OSU 41, Texas Tech 20

2011 Central Ohio H.S. Football: Week 12

The second week of the Ohio High School Playoffs take place tonight and tomorrow night, as the 96 surviving playoff teams square off in 48 exciting matchups played at neutral sites all across the Buckeye State.

Here are the 10 games against area teams this weekend.
DIVISION I (Saturday @ 7PM)
(Region 3)- both rematches of OCC division games
# 4 Upper Arlington Golden Bears (9-2) vs. # 1 Hilliard Davidson Wildcats (10-0)- at St. Francis DeSales H.S.
# 6 Gahanna Lincoln Golden Lions (9-2) vs. # 2 Pickerington Central Tigers [8-2)- at Ohio Wesleyan University's Selby Field

The # 1 and # 2 teams won the regular season matchups against their Saturday opponents pretty handily, and are expected to do so again.

Picks: Hilliard Davidson and Pick Central, to set up that exciting rematch next Saturday

DIVISION II (Friday @ 7:30PM)
(Region 7)
# 4 Big Walnut Golden Eagles (9-2) vs. # 1 Marion-Franklin Red Devils (11-0)- at Ohio Wesleyan University's Selby Field
# 3 Dresden Tri-Valley Scotties vs. # 2 New Albany Eagles (both 9-2)- at Gahanna Lincoln H.S.

Marion-Franklin is at a disadvantage against Big Walnut, having learned that first-hand last year in this round. Marion-Franklin barely beat Brookhaven (twice), Canal Winchester, and Dublin Scioto; while Big Walnut played Olentangy Orange, New Albany, Westerville Central, and Hilliard Bradley- all good quality teams in 2011.
Picks: Big Walnut and Tri-Valley

DIVISION III (Friday @ 7:30PM)
(Region 10)
Elida Bulldogs (8-3) vs. # 1 St. Francis DeSales Stallions (7-3)- at Clayton Northmont H.S.
# 3 Eastmoor Academy Warriors vs. # 2 Clyde Fliers (both 9-2)- at Mansfield Senior H.S.

Picks: DeSales and Clyde

(Region 12)
# 7 Jackson Ironmen vs. # 3 Jonathan Alder Pioneers (both 11-0)- at Logan H.S.
This will be as good as it gets, and probably Alder's toughest test (in a year where they beat Clinton-Massie and Watterson, you can only get tougher, right?) this year in an unbeaten Jackson team that will never give up.

Pick: Jonathan Alder

DIVISION IV (Saturday at 7PM)
(Region 14)
# 3 Bishop Hartley Hawks (10-0) vs. # 2 Pemberville Eastwood Eagles (11-0)- at Ashland H.S.
The defending D-IV State Champs Hawks take their offensive and defensive attack on the road to Ashland to play against unbeaten Eastwood, from the Toledo area, in what could be the Hawks' toughest test since Kettering Alter in the D-IV State Semifinals last year. The winner of this game may face off against the explosive offensive attack of Kenton.
Pick: Eastwood

(Region 15)
# 6 Ironton Tigers (7-4) vs. # 2 Johnstown-Monroe Johnnies (11-0)- at Hamilton Township H.S.
This could have upset pick all over it, as the Tigers could claw their way to the Regional Finals.
Pick: Ironton

DIVISION V (Friday @ 7:30PM)
(Region 20)
# 6 West Jefferson Roughriders (9-2) vs. # 2 Marion Pleasant Trojans (11-0)- at Hilliard Bradley H.S.
The Trojans hung almost 80 on Cincinnati Summit Country Day last week, things will get tough for them in what is practically a home game for West Jeff, which is only minutes away from where the game will be played.
Pick: West Jefferson

For a complete listing of matchups and for results from last week, go to http://www.ohsaa.org.

NFL 2011- Week 10 Predictions

Tomorrow night, Week 10 begins pretty early as the first Thursday night game since the Kickoff Classic takes place as the Oakland Raiders travel down the California coast to play AFC West Rival San Diego in a battle for first-place in the AFC West, which for the second week in a row is a three-way tie for first place, as both the Raiders and Chargers, along with the Kansas City Chiefs all lost on Sunday. The winner will be guaranteed sole possession of first in the AFC West. There are 14 games on Sunday, capped off with the Minnesota Vikings visiting chilly Lambeau Field and the unbeaten Packers on Monday night.

BIG GAME THIS WEEK:
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals (both 6-2)
The bad news is that this is not the National Game on CBS. Can the Bengals actually beat a top-notch team? They failed to do so in Week 3 against San Francisco, but this will be Andy Dalton's biggest test to date as a young rookie as the Red Rifle goes to action against a Pittsburgh defense that LOVES to play the Bengals. Ben Roethlisberger has only lost twice in his home state of Ohio. On a sidebar, the rematch on December 4 at Heinz Field could be flexed into the Sunday Night slot, now that the Colts-Patriots game previously scheduled as the Sunday night game, has since been flexed out of it.
Pick: Pittsburgh 35, Cincinnati 13

GAME THAT NOBODY GIVES A **** ABOUT THIS WEEK:
St. Louis Rams (1-7) at Cleveland Browns (3-5)
Pick: Cleveland 14, St. Louis 6

THURSDAY NIGHT LIGHTS/DIVISION RACE:
Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers (both 4-4)
"Pick-Six" Palmer will be struck again...and again...and again...
Pick: San Diego 41, Oakland 3

MONDAY NIGHT LIGHTS:
Minnesota Vikings (2-6) at Green Bay Packers [8-0)
Pick: Green Bay 37, Minnesota 12

OTHER GAMES THIS WEEK:
Denver Broncos (3-5) at Kansas City Chiefs (4-4)
Pick: Denver 28, Kansas City 6

Tennessee Titans (4-4) at Carolina Panthers (2-6)
Pick: Carolina 17, Tennessee 10

Buffalo Bills (5-3) at Dallas Cowboys (4-4)
Pick: Dallas 27, Buffalo 13

New Orleans Saints (6-2) at Atlanta Falcons (5-3)
Pick: New Orleans 31, Atlanta 26

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) at Indianapolis Colts (0-9)
One man's golden arm impacts the lives of others.- Clarence, the probationary angel
Pick: Jacksonville 20, Indianapolis 14

Washington Redskins (3-5) at Miami Dolphins (1-7)
Pick: Miami 26, Washington 7

Arizona Cardinals (2-6) at Philadelphia Eagles (3-5)
Patrick Peterson's 99-yard punt return for the go-ahead score in OT was the first of its kind in 16 years, and only the second in NFL history. This week, the Cards travel out to Philly for an early game. Can the Cards step up their game, since the Eagles are a 3-quarter team?
Pick: Philadelphia 27, Arizona 3

Houston Texans (6-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-3)
The Texans are three games above .500 for the first time in their ten-year history, and they travel to Tampa to keep their streak going.
Pick: Houston 17, Tampa Bay 13

Baltimore Ravens (6-2) at Seattle Seahawks (2-6)
Pick: Baltimore 35, Seattle 7

Detroit Lions (6-2) at Chicago Bears (5-3)
Pick: Detroit 31, Chicago 27

New York Giants (6-2) at San Francisco 49ers (7-1)
The 49ers have won seven straight for the first time since the Spanish-American War, and seem to be on a streak. The Giants ended the Patriots' long home-winning streak last week with a 24-20 win in a rematch of Super Bowl XLII. Can the Giants snap another streak on the road this week?
Pick: San Francisco 24, NY Giants 17

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:
New England Patriots at New York Jets (both 5-3)
Pick: NY Jets 28, New England 24

Notes: The Titans-Falcons game will be at 4:15PM next Sunday, and the Week 13 Colts-Patriots game has been flexed out of the Sunday Night slot and moved to 1PM. The Week 13 game will be either the Bengals-Steelers or Lions-Saints game. The Week 13 Packers-Giants game will remain on Fox.

2011 College Football- Week 10

The 10th week of the 2011 College Football Season is underway...

BIG GAME OF THE WEEK:

# 1 LSU Tigers at # 2 Alabama Crimson Tide (Not on ESPN, but on CBS)
Coming later
In the meantime...
Pick: Alabama 37, LSU 24 (Alabama becomes the new # 1 on Sunday- Roll Tide!)


OTHER GAMES THIS WEEK:
USC Trojans at Colorado Buffaloes (Tonight)
Tonight, the Trojans will pound Colorado after losing a heartbreaker to Stanford.
Pick: USC 41, Colorado 5

Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio State Buckeyes
Why am I even picking this game? We already will know that the game will be over after the opening kickoff. Expect Braxton Miller to rip the weak Indiana defense to shreds.
Pick: Ohio State 76, Indiana 0

# 15 Michigan Wolverines at Iowa Hawkeyes
Last year (or the last two years), Michigan's downward spiral continued in November. This year will be different, as the Michigan defense will put Iowa away early. Iowa is on its downward spiral, after losing to Minnesota last week.
Pick: Michigan 31, Iowa 24

Minnesota Golden Gophers at # 17 Michigan State Spartans
Last week, Minnesota upset Iowa, while Michigan State got thumped in Lincoln. This week, the Gophers will be seeing GanGreen as Sparty buries the Gophers.
Pick: Michigan State 43, Minnesota 13

Vanderbilt Commodores at Florida Gators
Vanderbilt was a missed field goal away from almost upsetting Arkansas last week, after blowing a big lead in that game. This week, they travel down to Gainesville, where the Gators are in a rebuilding year of their own.
Pick: Florida 16, Vanderbilt 14

Duke Blue Devils at Miami Hurricanes
Duke has lost some close games (to Wake Forest and Virginia Tech). They are better than their record suggests.
Pick: Miami 33, Duke 13

# 4 Stanford Cardinal at Oregon State Beavers
Pick: Stanford 68, OSU 10

Purdue Boilermakers at # 20 Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin tries to get back on track after back-to-back heartbreaking losses to Michigan State and Ohio State.
Pick: Wisconsin 63, Purdue 6

Texas A&M Aggies at # 6 Oklahoma Sooners
Pick: Oklahoma 42, Texas A&M 10

# 13 Houston Cougars at UAB Blazers
If Andrew Luck had elected to go pro after last season, Case Keenum would definitely have a clear shot at the Heisman. Most touchdown passes of all-time for the Cougars.
Pick: Houston 73, UAB 13

# 9 South Carolina Gamecocks at # 7 Arkansas Razorbacks
If it weren't for a certain # 1 vs. # 2 matchup, this would be the SEC's biggest game of the week.
Pick: Arkansas 24, South Carolina 21

# 19 Arizona State Sun Devils at UCLA Bruins
Pick: Arizona State 27, UCLA 16

# 14 Kansas State Wildcats at # 3 Oklahoma State Cowboys
How long can OSU stay unbeaten? The Cowboys still have a huge target on their backs, even if they pull it out against K State, because dates with Oklahoma and Texas loom.
Pick: OSU 38, K State 31

Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Pick: Notre Dame 35, Wake 20

# 8 Oregon Ducks at Washington Huskies
Pick: Oregon 52, Washington 24

Marietta Pioneers at Otterbein Cardinals
Two year ago, the then 7th-ranked (and 7-0) Cardinals traveled down I-70 (and 77) to Marietta, where they got bit by the injury bug, and got upset by the 1-6 Pioneers, costing the Cardinals a shot of a return to the playoffs. The Cards, expected to place 4th in the OAC back in August, fell way short of expectations, losing six of their first seven OAC games.
Pick: Marietta 28, Otterbein 20

2011 Central Ohio High School Football: Week 11- The Second Season

After ten weeks of football, the dust cleared last weekend, as 192 Ohio football teams were left standing.

Tomorrow night, the playoffs begin statewide, as 96 teams will play at their home field for the final time this year.

There will be a lot of great matchups statewide, but DJBC Sports Corner is going to focus on the ones in the Columbus area.

UPSET SPECIAL: Gahanna Lincoln over Westerville Central
BIG GAME OF THE WEEK: Beechcroft Cougars at Big Walnut Eagles (Friday) and Dublin Coffman Shamrocks at Pickerington Central Tigers (Saturday)

DIVISION I (all games Saturday)
# 8 Olentangy Orange Pioneers [8-2) at # 1 Hilliard Davidson Wildcats (9-0)
The Pioneers are making their second appearance to the playoffs in the last three years, and in their fourth year of school history. Unfortunately, the Orangemen have to travel from their Polaris confines down the outerbelt to play a Davidson team that has allowed only 28 points through nine regular season games.
Pick: They are blue and white, and have the letter "H" on their helmets

# 7 Dublin Coffman Shamrocks [8-2) at # 2 Pickerington Central Tigers (7-2)
Pick: Pickerington Central

# 6 Gahanna Lincoln Golden Lions at # 3 Westerville Central Warhawks (both 8-2)
The Warhawks are making their maiden voyage into the playoffs, and the only Central Ohio team to do so this year. Westerville Central turned a lot of heads this season. But, so did Gahanna.
Pick: Gahanna

# 5 Troy Trojans at # 4 Upper Arlington Golden Bears (both 8-2)
Pick: Upper Arlington

DIVISION II (all games on Friday)
# 8 Brookhaven Bearcats (7-3) at # 1 Marion-Franklin Red Devils (10-0)
This was a rematch of a Week 1 game, which saw the Red Devils nip the Cats 28-27. The Bearcats had an emotional rout of Mifflin last week, and jumped to the eighth and final seed for the playoffs. Brookhaven High School is on the short list of schools to close in the Columbus City School district, and the Bearcats don't want their season to end, because Brookhaven won't be guaranteed a next year.
Pick: Brookhaven

# 6 Ashland Arrows (6-4) at # 3 New Albany Eagles [8-2)
Pick: New Albany

# 5 Beechcroft Cougars (9-1) at # 4 Big Walnut Golden Eagles [8-2)
The Cougars are making their 14th postseason appearance in many years, but have only won three postseason games out of sixteen. The Eagles are making their seventh trip, and have a .700 postseason record (and a State Title in 2007) to prove it.
Pick: Big Walnut

DIVISION III (all games on Friday):
All we know is this- there will be a new State Champion as last year's champs, the Eagles of Watterson limped to a 3-7 record this year.
# 8 River Valley Vikings (7-3) at # 1 St. Francis DeSales Stallions (6-3)
Pick: DeSales

# 6 Urbana Hillclimbers at # 3 Eastmoor Academy Warriors (both 8-2)
Pick: Urbana

# 6 Logan Elm Braves (9-1) at # 3 Jonathan Alder Pioneers (10-0)
Logan Elm dropped their finale to Amanda-Clearcreek last week, and now they have to travel to Plain City? Eeek.
Pick: Jonathan Alder

DIVISION IV (all games on Saturday):
# 6 North Union Wildcats (9-1) at # 3 Bishop Hartley Hawks (9-0)
Pick: Hartley

# 7 Gnadenhutten Indian Valley Braves (7-3) at # 2 Johnstown Monroe Johnnies (10-0)
Nobody knows much about Gnadenhutten Indian Valley High School, except that it is the alma mater of the University of West Virginia hoops coach Bob Huggins. The football Braves are making their maiden playoff voyage.
Pick: Johnstown

# 6 Ironton Tigers (6-4) at # 3 Amanda-Clearcreek Aces (8-2)
Pick: Amanda-Clearcreek

DIVISION V (all games on Friday):
# 6 Ashland Crestview Cougars at # 3 Grandview Heights Bobcats (both 10-0)
If the Bobcats want to go to 11-0 after their emotional win over Liberty Union and the school's first 10-0 season, they may have to do it without their star running back.
Pick: Crestview

# 5 Portsmouth West Senators at # 4 Nelsonville-York Buckeyes (both 9-1)
Pick: Nelsonville-York

DIVISION VI (all games on Saturday):
# 6 Zanesville Bishop Rosecrans Bishops (6-4) at # 3 Danville Blue Devils (7-3)
Pick: Danville

Other Big Matches Around Ohio:
(Division I, Region 1 on Saturday)- # 6 Lakewood St. Edward Eagles (7-3) at # 3 Cleveland Heights (9-0)
This will probably be the classic trap game, because St. Ed's is better than their 7-3 record, and really has the upper hand, not only because they won the Division I State Title last year, but because Cleveland Heights, at 9-0, is making their first-ever playoff appearance.

(Division I, Region 4 on Saturday)- # 6 Mason Comets at # 3 Cincinnati St. Xavier Musketeers (both 7-3)

(Division III, Region 11 on Friday)- # 7 Thornville Sheridan Generals at # 2 Dover Tornadoes (both 9-1)

(Division III, Region 12 on Friday)- # 7 Jackson Ironmen at # 2 The Plains Athens Bulldogs (both 10-0)

(Division III, Region 12 on Friday)- # 5 Kettering Archbishop Alter Knights (10-0) at # 4 Dayton Thurgood Marshall Cougars (9-1)

For a complete listing of pairings, go to http://www.ohsaa.org/sports/ft/boys/TrmtInfo.htm.

NFL 2011- Week 8 Schedule

The eighth week of the 2011 NFL Season takes place this weekend with 13 exciting games.

BIG GAME OF THE WEEK:
New England Patriots (5-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2)
Pick: New England 31, Pittsburgh 21

UPSET PICK OF THE WEEK:
Cincinnati Bengals (4-2) at Seattle Seahawks (2-4)
The Bengals have not done well after the bye week, historically. To add insult to this flesh wound, they are playing at Qwest Field. The Bengals have the edge with rookie receiver A.J. Green and second-year tight end Jermaine Gresham, over Seattle's unknown secondary, who have not had many big plays, except for Brandon Browner, who victimized Eli Manning for a 94-yard interception return for a touchdown in New York a few weeks back. Last week, the Seahawks failed to show up in a snoozefest of a game in Cleveland. If the Seahawks play like that against the Bengals, look for Andy Dalton to have a BIG day, and if the game was in Cincinnati instead of Seattle, the game would be blacked out, but the Seahawks secondary would be shredded. This could be a riveting trap game for the Bengals, who have the Titans, Steelers, Ravens, Browns, Steelers, and Texans, up next- in that order.
Pick: Seattle 24, Cincinnati 21

RIVALRY GAME OF THE WEEK:
Dallas Cowboys (3-3) at Philadelphia Eagles (2-4)
Pick: Philadelphia 27, Dallas 19

OTHER GAMES THIS WEEK:
Arizona Cardinals (1-5) at Baltimore Ravens (4-2)
Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald are reunited, but on opposite sidelines.
Pick: Baltimore 33, Arizona 13

Minnesota Vikings (1-6) at Carolina Panthers (2-5)
Pick: Carolina 35, Minnesota 3

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5) at Houston Texans (4-3)
Pick: Houston 38, Jacksonville 10

Miami Dolphins (0-6) at New York Giants (4-2)
Pick: NY Giants 31, Miami 6

Indianapolis Colts (0-7) at Tennessee Titans (3-3)
Don't worry, Colts fans. After that 62-7 bloodbath in the Bayou on Sunday Night Football, it's only six months until the Colts draft Andrew Luck.
Pick: Tennessee 30, Indianapolis 3

New Orleans Saints (5-2) at St. Louis Rams (0-6)
Rams took a giant leap backwards from last year's almost-run to the playoffs. The Saints, pounded the Colts in the most lopsided game since the NFL-AFL merger 42 years ago. Drew Brees will not show the Rams any mercy. Someone get Steve Spagnuolo a drink.
Pick: New Orleans 41, St. Louis 0

Washington Redskins (3-3) at Buffalo Bills (4-2)- at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario (Canada)
Pick: Buffalo 34, Washington 17

Detroit Lions (5-2) at Denver Broncos (2-4)
Last week, Tim Tebow became a hero, leading the Broncos back from a 15-0 deficit, as the Broncos scored 18 unanswered points to win over Miami in overtime. This week, he has a tougher test with an improved Detroit team.
Pick: Detroit 27, Denver 23

Cleveland Browns (3-3) at San Francisco 49ers (5-1)
A long flight back to Lake Erie for the Browns.
Pick: San Francisco 37, Cleveland 14

Monday Night Football:
San Diego Chargers (4-2) at Kansas City Chiefs (3-3)
Pick: San Diego 30, Kansas City 16

2011 Central Ohio H.S. Football- This is It- Week # 10

I can't believe that this is the end of the high school football season. Where have the last ten weeks gone? On Sunday, 192 high schools from across the state will receive their Golden Tickets, courtesy of the OHSAA when the playoff pairings are officially announced.

According to Joe Eitel of JoeEitel.com, these area schools have already received their tickets in.
(Division I- Region 3)
Hilliard Davidson Wildcats [8-0; plays Hilliard Darby tomorrow night)
Dublin Coffman Shamrocks [8-1; plays Upper Arlington tomorrow night)
(Division II- Region 7)
Marion-Franklin Red Devils (9-0; locked up # 1 seed; plays Columbus South tomorrow night)
New Albany Eagles (7-2; plays Mount Vernon tomorrow night)
Big Walnut Golden Eagles (7-2; plays Franklin Heights tomorrow night)
Beechcroft Cougars [8-1; plays Northland tomorrow night)
(Division III- Region 10)
St. Francis DeSales Stallions (5-3; currently # 1; plays Cleveland Benedictine tomorrow night)
Eastmoor Academy Warriors (7-2; plays Africentric Early College tomorrow night)
(Division III- Region 12)
Jonathan Alder Pioneers (9-0; currently # 1; plays defending D-III State Champ Bishop Watterson tomorrow night)
Logan Elm Braves (9-0; plays Amanda-Clearcreek tomorrow night)
(Division IV- Region 14)
Bishop Hartley Hawks [8-0; defending D-IV State Champs & # 1 in Region 14, plays Bishop Ready tomorrow night)
North Union Wildcats [8-1; plays Ridgedale tomorrow night)
(Division IV- Region 15)
Johnstown-Monroe Johnnies (9-0; plays Northridge tomorrow night)
Amanda-Clearcreek Aces (7-2; plays Logan Elm tomorrow night)
(Division V- Region 20)
Marion Pleasant Trojans (9-0; plays Galion Northmor tomorrow night)

Fighting for their Playoff Lives:
(Division I)
- Region 3:
# 4 Westerville Central Warhawks (7-2; plays Dublin Jerome tomorrow night)
# 5 Pickerington Central Tigers (6-2; plays Reynoldsburg tomorrow night)
# 6 Gahanna Lincoln Golden Lions (7-2; plays Groveport Madison tomorrow night)
# 7 Olentangy Orange Pioneers (7-2; plays Delaware Hayes tomorrow night)
# 8 Upper Arlington Golden Bears (7-2; plays Dublin Coffman tomorrow night)
# 9 Pickerington North Panthers (7-2; plays Grove City tomorrow night)
# 10 Westerville South Wildcats (6-3; plays Olentangy Liberty tomorrow night)
# 12 Reynoldsburg Raiders (6-3; plays Pickerington Central tomorrow night)
# 13 Olentangy Liberty Patriots (5-4; plays Westerville South tomorrow night)
# 14 Hilliard Darby Panthers (7-2; plays Hilliard Davidson tomorrow night)
(Division II)
- Region 7:
# 8 Mifflin Punchers [8-1; plays Brookhaven tomorrow night)
# 10 Canal Winchester Indians (6-3; plays Circleville tomorrow night)
# 13 Zanesville Blue Devils (5-4; plays Marietta tomorrow night)
# 14 Brookhaven Bearcats (6-3; plays Mifflin tomorrow night)
# 15 West Cowboys (6-3; plays Briggs tomorrow night)
(Division III)
- Region 10:
# 8 River Valley Vikings (6-3; plays Sparta Highland tomorrow night)
# 11 Independence 76ers (5-4; plays Walnut Ridge tomorrow night)
# 12 Bishop Watterson Golden Eagles (3-6; plays Jonathan Alder tomorrow night)
# 13 Whitehall-Yearling Rams (5-4; plays Bexley tomorrow night)
# 14 Bexley Lions (5-4; plays Whitehall tomorrow night)
# 16 Buckeye Valley Barons (5-4; plays Elgin tomorrow night)
- Region 11:
# 10 Granville Blue Aces [8-1; plays Columbus Academy tomorrow night)
- Region 12:
# 7 Jackson Ironmen (9-0; plays Gallia Academy tomorrow night)
(Division IV)
- Region 14:
# 11 Galion Tigers (7-2; plays Ontario tomorrow night)
(Division V)
- Region 19:
# 4 Grandview Heights Bobcats (9-0; plays Liberty Union tomorrow night)
# 9 Jeromesville Hillsdale Falcons (9-0; plays Creston Norwayne tomorrow night)
# 10 Centerburg Trojans (7-2; plays Utica tomorrow night)
# 11 Liberty Union Lions [8-1; plays Grandview Heights tomorrow night)
- Region 20:
# 6 West Jefferson Roughriders (7-2; plays Berne Union tomorrow night)
# 8 Triad Cardinals (7-2; plays West Liberty Salem tomorrow night)
# 11 Fairbanks Panthers (6-3; plays DeGraff Riverside tomorrow night)
(Division VI)
- Region 23:
# 3 Danville Blue Devils (6-3; plays East Knox Saturday night)
# 11 Newark Catholic Green Wave (4-5; plays Hebron Lakewood tomorrow night)
# 13 Fairfield Christian Knights (6-3; plays Grove City Christian tomorrow night)

The other area schools not mentioned have all been Mathematically Eliminated from the playoffs.

Coming up later tonight...Picks. Who will get in? Who will win big games in Grandview, Upper Arlington, Pickerington, Gahanna, Easton, and others? Who will be disappointed? Can Hillsdale be 10-0 and miss the playoffs? Which 9-1 teams will fail to make the cut- Grandview Heights? Granville? Mifflin? Can Newark Catholic do what DeSales has done twice and make it in at 5-5? Can Watterson get in at 4-6? Can Hartley wrap up their first perfect regular season and a # 1 seed? Find out....later.

Sports Corner Top 10 (+ 15) for Week 10:
1) Hilliard Davidson Wildcats [8-0)
2) Marion-Franklin Red Devils (9-0)
3) Jonathan Alder Pioneers (9-0)
4) Grandview Heights Bobcats (9-0)
5) Bishop Hartley Hawks [8-0)
6) Johnstown Johnnies (9-0)
7) Logan Elm Braves (9-0)
8] Marion Pleasant Trojans (9-0)
9) Granville Blue Aces [8-1)
10) Beechcroft Cougars [8-1)
---------------------------------------------------------------
11) Dublin Coffman Shamrocks [8-1)
12) Pickerington North Panthers (7-2)
13) Pickerington Central Tigers (6-2)
14) Liberty Union Lions [8-1)
15) Gahanna Lincoln Golden Lions (7-2)
16) New Albany Eagles (7-2)
17) Eastmoor Academy Warriors (7-2)
18] North Union Wildcats [8-1)
19) Upper Arlington Golden Bears (7-2)
20) Big Walnut Golden Eagles (7-2)
21) Mifflin Punchers [8-1)
22) Westerville Central Warhawks (7-2)
23) Olentangy Orange Pioneers (7-2)
24) Hilliard Darby Panthers (7-2)
25) Westerville South Wildcats (6-3)
Dropped Out: Reynoldsburg Raiders (6-3), Brookhaven Bearcats (6-3)
Honorable Mention: Reynoldsburg Raiders (6-3), Brookhaven Bearcats (6-3), West Cowboys (6-3), Centerburg Trojans (7-2), Independence 76ers (5-4), St. Francis DeSales Stallions (5-3), Whitehall-Yearling Rams (5-4), Fairfield Christian Academy Knights (6-3), Danville Blue Devils (6-3)

BIG GAME OF THE WEEK:
Liberty Union Lions (8-1, 6-0) at Grandview Heights Bobcats (9-0, 6-0)
You can't script this any better. Winner takes all. Loser calls it a season. Winner gets in the playoffs. Loser calls it a season. Region 19 is so packed with talent, that there could be two 9-1 schools not make the final cut on Sunday. Grandview is looking for their first 10-0 season in School History, while Liberty Union is looking to win and hopefully get into the playoffs. This will be an interesting match.
Pick: Find out at Anderson Field in Grandview tomorrow night....

RIVALRY GAME OF THE WEEK # 1 (The Battle of the Bishops):
Bishop Hartley Hawks [8-0) at Bishop Ready Silver Knights (4-5)- at Dublin Scioto
This is the South Columbus version of the Watterson-DeSales rivalry. The Hawks are looking for their first-ever perfect regular season, just one year after winning it all. The Knights, who are already out of the playoff hunt, are looking to play spoiler. But, they'll have issues stopping the Hawks' run, which has been non-stoppable all year.
Pick: Hartley

RIVALRY GAME OF THE WEEK # 2 (The Battle of Main Street):
Bexley Lions (5-4, 2-4) at Whitehall-Yearling Rams (5-4, 3-3)
Pick: Whitehall

RIVALRY GAME OF THE WEEK # 3 (Devil-Dog Night- SATURDAY):
East Knox Bulldogs (3-6, 3-3) at Danville Blue Devils (6-3, 3-3)
Pick: Danville

RIVALRY GAME OF THE WEEK # 4 (The Battle of 256):
Reynoldsburg Raiders (6-3, 4-2) at Pickerington Central Tigers (6-2, 6-0)
Last week, the playoffs began for the Raiders, and will end against Pick Central in the battle of these East Side suburbs connected by State Route 256.
Pick: Pick Central

RIVALRY GAME OF THE WEEK # 5 (The Battle of Hilliard):
(Hilliard) Davidson Wildcats [8-0, 6-0) at (Hilliard) Darby Panthers (7-2, 4-2)
The staunch Davidson defense will make the Panthers pay for their cake schedule by knocking them out of the playoffs in the 4th Annual Battle of Hilliard.
Pick: Davidson

RIVALRY GAME OF THE WEEK # 6 (The Battle of Worthington):
Thomas (Worthington) Cardinals at (Worthington) Kilbourne Wolves (both 3-6, 2-4)
Kilbourne has won all three meetings against Thomas, whose football program never recovered from the arrival of Kilbourne in 1991.
Pick: Kilbourne

OTHER "WIN OR GO HOME" GAMES THIS WEEK:
Dublin Coffman Shamrocks [8-1, 5-1) at Upper Arlington Golden Bears (7-2, 5-1)
Last week, the Golden Bears seven-game win streak was snapped as they ran into a "brick wall" known as the Hilliard Davidson defense. It doesn't get any better as they host Coffman.
Pick: Dublin Coffman

Brookhaven Bearcats (6-3, 5-1) at Mifflin Punchers [8-1, 5-1)
The Punchers hold on to the eighth and final slot in Region 7, which has a few teams waiting in the wings, including the team that Punchers coach Gregg Miller coached for 17 years- the Brookhaven Bearcats. Could this be the final Brookhaven game ever? Can the Bearcats go all the way to Easton and punch Mifflin out of the playoffs? Can Mifflin beat a team above .500 for the first time this season?
Pick: Brookhaven (Upset Special)

Westerville Central Warhawks (7-2, 4-2) at Dublin Jerome Celtics (4-5, 4-2)
The Warhawks were upset by Olentangy Liberty last week, and need to win at Jerome to make their first-ever playoff appearance in the school's nine-year history. The Celtics have already upset another Westerville school (South, 34-31 in overtime) this season, and would like to complete a season sweep of the Westerville City School district.
Pick: Dublin Jerome (Upset Pick)

Groveport Madison Cruisers (3-6, 1-5) at Gahanna Lincoln Golden Lions (7-2, 5-1)
Last year, Gahanna knocked Groveport out of the playoffs in Week 10. This year, the Cruisers are looking for a little deja vu. However, Gahanna is a stronger team, having quality wins over Pickerington North, Reynoldsburg, and playoff-bound DeSales.
Pick: Gahanna

Granville Blue Aces [8-1, 6-0) at Columbus Academy Vikings (5-4, 3-3)
The Blue Aces, currently 10th in Region 11, are looking for a win, plus a little help to get into the playoff race. The Blue Aces will keep up their part of the bargain, but will need fate to intervene.
Pick: Granville

West Jefferson Roughriders (7-2, 4-2) at Berne Union Rockets (2-7, 2-4)
Pick: West Jefferson

Circleville Tigers (2-7, 2-4) at Canal Winchester Indians (6-3, 4-2)
The Indians need a win badly to get into the playoffs, plus help from the Mifflin-Brookhaven game, among contests.
Pick: Canal Winchester

Utica Redskins (2-7, 1-5) at Centerburg Trojans (7-2, 4-2)
Pick: Centerburg

Westerville South Wildcats (6-3, 5-1) at Olentangy Liberty Patriots (5-4, 4-2)
Last year, Liberty upset playoff-bound South at South, and last week, Liberty upset Westerville Central. The Patriots (like Dublin Jerome) are looking to go 3-0 against the city of Westerville this season. But, the Wildcats have too much power on their side.
Pick: Westerville South

Grove City Greyhounds (3-6, 2-4) at Pickerington North Panthers (7-2, 4-2)
Pick: Pickerington North

Independence 76ers (5-4, 3-3) at Walnut Ridge Scots (4-5, 4-2)
It is a miracle that the Sixers are still in the playoff hunt, but they are, ranked 11th in Region 10, ahead of last year's D-III champs, Watterson.
Pick: Independence

Bishop Watterson Golden Eagles (3-6) at Jonathan Alder Pioneers (9-0)
There will be a new Division III State Champion, because the Eagles will be officially grounded by Alder. Flashback to last week, when the Eagles lost to St. Charles for the first time in 11 years, putting another nail in the Eagles' disappointing season. The playoff-bound Pioneers will give the Eagles the final knockout punch.
Pick: Jonathan Alder

ALL GAMES THIS WEEKEND:
(Central Catholic League)
Bishop Hartley Hawks [8-0) at Bishop Ready Silver Knights (4-5)

(OCC Capital)
Olentangy Orange Pioneers (7-2, 5-1) at Delaware Hayes Pacers (2-7, 1-5)
Big Walnut Golden Eagles (7-2, 5-1) at Franklin Heights Golden Falcons (1-8, 0-6)
New Albany Eagles (7-2, 5-1) at Mount Vernon Yellowjackets (3-6, 3-3)
Watkins Memorial Warriors (4-5) at Hilliard Bradley Jaguars (6-3, 3-3)

(OCC Cardinal)
Westerville Central Warhawks (7-2, 4-2) at Dublin Jerome Celtics (4-5, 4-2)
Westerville North Warriors (0-9, 0-6) at Olentangy Braves (4-5, 3-3)
Westerville South Wildcats (6-3, 5-1) at Olentangy Liberty Patriots (5-4, 4-2)
Dublin Scioto Irish (2-7, 1-5) at Marysville Monarchs (4-5, 2-4)

(OCC Central)
Thomas Worthington Cardinals at Worthington Kilbourne Wolves (both 3-6, 2-4)
Hilliard Davidson Wildcats [8-0, 6-0) at Hilliard Darby Panthers (7-2, 4-2)
Dublin Coffman Shamrocks [8-1, 5-1) at Upper Arlington Golden Bears (7-2, 5-1)
Westland Cougars (1-8, 0-6) at Central Crossing Comets (0-9, 0-6)

(OCC Ohio)
Grove City Greyhounds (3-6, 2-4) at Pickerington North Panthers (7-2, 4-2)
Reynoldsburg Raiders (6-3, 4-2) at Pickerington Central Tigers (6-2, 6-0)
Newark Wildcats (0-9, 0-6) at Lancaster Golden Gales (4-5, 2-4)
Groveport Madison Cruisers (3-6, 2-4) at Gahanna Lincoln Golden Lions (7-2, 5-1)

(City League South)
Independence 76ers (5-4, 3-3) at Walnut Ridge Scots (4-5, 4-2)
Marion-Franklin Red Devils (9-0, 6-0) at Columbus South Bulldogs (0-9, 0-6)
West Cowboys (6-3, 3-3) at Briggs Bruins (4-5, 2-4)
Africentric Early College Nubians (2-7, 1-5) at Eastmoor Academy Warriors (7-2, 5-1)

(City League North)
Linden McKinley Panthers (2-7, 2-4) at East Tigers (1-8, 0-6)
Centennial Stars (2-7, 1-5) at Whetstone Braves (1-8, 1-5)
Brookhaven Bearcats (6-3, 5-1) at Mifflin Punchers [8-1, 5-1)
Northland Vikings (4-5, 4-2) at Beechcroft Cougars [8-1, 6-0)

(Mid State League Buckeye)
Teays Valley Vikings (4-5, 3-3) at Fairfield Union Falcons (0-9, 0-6)
Hamilton Township Rangers (4-5, 2-4) at Bloom-Carroll Bruins (3-6, 2-4)
Circleville Tigers (2-7, 2-4) at Canal Winchester Indians (6-3, 4-2)
Logan Elm Braves (9-0, 6-0) at Amanda-Clearcreek Aces (7-2, 5-1)

(Mid State League Cardinal)
Liberty Union Lions [8-1, 6-0) at Grandview Heights Bobcats (9-0, 6-0)
West Jefferson Roughriders (7-2, 4-2) at Berne Union Rockets (2-7, 2-4)
Harvest Prep Warriors (5-4, 2-4) at Millersport Lakers (0-9, 0-6)
Saturday- Licking Heights Hornets (4-5, 3-3) at Lancaster Fisher Catholic Irish (1-8, 1-5)- at Lancaster H.S.

(Mid State League Ohio)
Hebron Lakewood Lancers (1-8, 0-6) at Newark Catholic Green Wave (4-5, 3-3)- at Newark H.S.
Bexley Lions (5-4, 2-4) at Whitehall-Yearling Rams (5-4, 3-3)
Granville Blue Aces [8-1, 6-0) at Columbus Academy Vikings (5-4, 3-3)
Heath Bulldogs (3-6, 2-4) at Licking Valley Panthers (6-3, 5-1)

(Mid Buckeye Conference)
Fredericktown Freddies (5-4, 4-2) at Loudonville Redbirds (3-6, 2-4)
Northridge Vikings (3-6, 0-6) at Johnstown-Monroe Johnnies (9-0, 6-0)
Utica Redskins (2-7, 2-4) at Centerburg Trojans (7-2, 4-2)
Saturday- East Knox Bulldogs (2-7, 2-4) at Danville Blue Devils (6-3, 3-3)

(Mid Ohio Athletic Conference)
Cardington-Lincoln Pirates (5-4, 5-3) at Mount Gilead Indians (4-5, 3-5)
Buckeye Valley Barons (5-4, 4-4) at Elgin Comets (4-5, 3-5)
Morral Ridgedale Rockets (1-8, 1-7) at North Union Wildcats [8-1, 7-1)
Galion Northmor Golden Knights (0-9, 0-8] at Marion Pleasant Trojans (9-0, 8-0)
Sparta Highland Fighting Scots (3-6, 3-5) at River Valley Vikings (6-3, 6-2)

(South Central Ohio League)
Washington Court House Blue Lions (4-5, 3-2) at Miami Trace Panthers (5-4, 4-1)
Hillsboro Indians (1-8, 1-4) at Greenfield McClain Tigers (1-8, 0-5)
Madison Plains Golden Eagles (3-6, 1-4) at London Red Raiders (3-6, 3-2)

(Others)
Marion Harding Presidents at St. Charles Cardinals (both 3-6)
Westfall Mustangs (7-2, 4-2) at Huntington Huntsmen (0-9, 0-6)
Fairfield Christian Academy Knights (6-3) at Grove City Christian Eagles (4-5)
DeGraff Riverside Pirates (1-8) at Fairbanks Panthers (6-3)

2011 College Football- Week 9

Where has this season gone by? October is winding down, but that doesn't mean that the collegiate gridiron action will be cooling down. Contrary, things will be heating up, as the race for Conference Titles and the BCS begins in Division I-FBS.

Big Game of the Week & Upset Pick of the Week:
# 15 Wisconsin Badgers (6-1, 2-1) at Ohio State Buckeyes (4-3, 1-2)

GO BUCKEYES: Can the Buckeyes take Wisconsin to the Cleaners on Saturday night? Recent history has proven otherwise.

Can the Buckeyes beat Wisconsin? It seems like in recent years, that the Badgers have had the Buckeyes number. Last year, the then-undefeated Buckeyes got behind early at Camp Randall, and never recovered from a 21-3 hole, losing 31-18, their only loss of the season before the Buckeyes vacated it (last season), due to Tattoogate (and other indiscretions).

The Badgers were heartbroken on the final play of the game last week against Michigan State as Kirk Cousins heaved a 44-yard Hail Mary to Keith Nichol to upend the Badgers 37-31, after the Badgers came from behind to tie the game up at 31 even.

Two weeks ago, the Buckeyes gave Illinois their first loss of the year, upending the Illini 17-7. Illinois since dropped out of the Top 25 after losing at Purdue last Saturday.

The Buckeyes are looking to make spoiler for the Badgers, in this nationally-televised game. Can Braxton Miller use his magic to pull off another big upset? Or will, the run of the Badgers be just too much? Or will the underrated Bucks shock the world once again?
Pick: Ohio State 20, Wisconsin 17

A teaser for next week, next week's Big Game is # 1 vs. # 2 (LSU vs. Alabama), both of whom are idle this week, and that game will be on CBS next Saturday night.

Rivalry Game of the Week- "The Largest Cocktail Party in the World":
# 22 Georgia Bulldogs vs. Florida Gators (at EverBank Field)
This game is oft-referred to as "The Largest Cocktail Party in the World", and with that, earns DJBC Sports Corner's status as the Rivalry Game of this week.
Pick: Georgia 24, Florida 19

The Other Rivalry Game of the Week:
Navy Midshipmen at Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Irish won 43 straight against Navy. Since then, the Midshipmen have won three of the last four meetings. Can Notre Dame turn back momentum their way in this historic rivalry?
Pick: Notre Dame 38, Navy 21

Other Big Games This Week:
# 11 Michigan State Spartans (6-1, 3-0) at # 14 Nebraska Cornhuskers (7-1, 3-1)
Last week, Kirk Cousins found magic out of a hat, and Keith Nichol wide open as time expired, as Michigan State knocked off Wisconsin. Can the Spartans find some magic in Lincoln?
Pick: Michigan State 33, Nebraska 27

Purdue Boilermakers at # 18 Michigan Wolverines (6-1, 2-1)
Last week, Purdue upset then-ranked Illinois 21-14 after jumping out to a 21-0 lead. Two weeks ago, Michigan State proved that Michigan is anything but invincible. The last two years, the Michigan State game proved to be a downward spiral for the Maize and Blue. But, that was when Rich Rodriguez was coaching Michigan. One of Michigan's two wins late in the season was against Purdue (27-16, after back-to-back losses in 2008 and 2009 for the first time since 1966 & 1967). Can the Wolverines get back on track at home against the Boilermakers, or will Purdue spoil this Happy Homecoming?
Pick: Michigan 31, Purdue 27

Missouri Tigers at # 16 Texas A&M Aggies
Pick: Texas A&M 41, Missouri 21

Northwestern Wildcats at Indiana Hoosiers
Pick: Northwestern 16, Indiana 13 (OT)

# 12 Virginia Tech Hokies at Duke Blue Devils
Pick: Virginia Tech 35, Duke 0

# 10 Arkansas Razorbacks at Vanderbilt Commodores
Pick: Arkansas 37, Vandy 3

Otterbein Cardinals (2-5, 1-5) at Mount Union Purple Raiders (7-0, 6-0)
The last time that Otterbein beat Mount Union was in 1977. This game will be more lopsided than the Rhine River Cup. The Purple Parrots hand Otterbein their first losing season since 2006.
Pick: Mount Union 76, Otterbein 0

Washington State Cougars at # 7 Oregon Ducks
Pick: Oregon 67, Washington State 7

Baylor Bears at # 3 Oklahoma State Cowboys
The Cowboys (the real OSU) are ranked as high as their are for the first time in 27 years. The Cowboys will probably lasso these Bears out of Stillwater.
Pick: OSU 45, Baylor 7

# 9 Oklahoma Sooners (6-1, 3-1) at # 8 Kansas State Wildcats (7-0, 3-0)
The Sooners, after a surprising loss to Texas Tech, took a small hit in the polls, but face a Kansas State team ranked in the Top 10 for the first time in 11 years.
Pick: Oklahoma 32, Kansas State 29

Illinois Fighting Illini (6-2, 2-2) at # 19 Penn State Nittany Lions
Tic-tac-toe, three in a row (losses) for Illinois...
Pick: Penn State 30, Illinois 13

Colorado Buffaloes (1-7, 0-4) at # 21 Arizona State Sun Devils (5-2, 3-1)
Colorado is mathematically eliminated from Bowl Eligibility after mustering only a safety against Oregon in a 45-2 shellacking. The Buffs will wish that Rashaan Salaam and Kordell "Slash" Stewart had some eligibility left in them.
Pick: Arizona State 38, Colorado 3

# 5 Clemson Tigers [8-0, 4-0) at Georgia Tech Yellowjackets (6-2, 2-2)
After their first 6-0 start in 45 years, the Jackets dropped two and dropped out of the Top 25. Can the Jackets give # 5 Clemson their first loss of the year, or will they drop their third in a row?
Pick: Clemson 21, Georgia Tech 14

# 6 Stanford Cardinal at USC Trojans
Pick: Stanford 52, USC 20

Rice Owls at # 19 Houston Cougars
Pick: Houston 66, Rice 14

Virginia Cavaliers at Miami Hurricanes
Pick: Miami 27, Virginia 13

BYU Cougars at TCU Horned Frogs
Pick: TCU 28, BYU 22

Boston College Golden Eagles at Maryland Terrapins (2-5)
Pick: Maryland 20, BC 10

NC State Wolfpack at Florida State Seminoles
Pick: Florida State 49, NC State 14

Arizona Wildcats at Washington Huskies
Pick: Washington 27, Arizona 3

Cal Golden Bears at UCLA Bruins
Pick: Cal 20, UCLA 14

Kansas Jayhawks at # 24 Texas Longhorns
Pick: Texas 40, Kansas 10

Wake Forest Demon Deacons at North Carolina Tar Heels
Pick: Wake 23, UNC 21

Capital Crusaders (3-4, 3-3) at John Carroll Blue Streaks (4-3, 4-2)
Pick: John Carroll 21, Capital 14

NFL 2011: Week 7

In less than 12 hours, the early games for Week 7 will have already kicked off. Among those early bird games is the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Wembley Stadium (The Glazers, who own the Bucs, also own Manchester United- one of soccer's big dynasties).

Among the later games is the Oakland Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs. Why this is a game of note is, on Tuesday, Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown finally listened to Carson Palmer and Bengals fans everywhere by trading the disgruntled quarterback to the Oakland Raiders, in exchange for a few high draft picks in 2012 and 2013, which could give Cincinnati as many as nine first-round picks the next two drafts (with the added picks from the Chad Ochocinco trade as well). Palmer is the starting QB in Oakland, after Jason Campbell broke his collarbone in Oakland's win over the Cleveland Browns, where they used special teams to help them beat the Brownies. Even WKYC in Cincinnati will be airing this game. It's that big of a deal, and with that, is DJBC Sports Corner's "Big Game of the Week".

Another big late game is an NFC North rivalry between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings. One would not have to ponder on why this is an important match, because rookie QB Christian Ponder will make his first NFL start against the NFL's lone unbeaten team.
Speaking of unbeatens, the Detroit Lions fell to the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday, but that's not what the game will be remembered for. It's what happened at the END of the game, when the two coaches were shaking hands, which will now be know as "Handshakegate".

In other games of note, Tim Tebow returns to his home state of Florida to play the Miami Dolphins as he will start as quarterback for the Denver Broncos. The Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Arizona for a rematch of Super Bowl XLIII against the Cardinals. The winless (and Peyton-less) Colts travel to the Superdome for a rematch of Super Bowl XLIV against the Saints on Sunday night.

And now, Today (and tomorrow's) games:
Early Games:
Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2)- at Wembley Stadium
Pick: Tampa Bay 27, Chicago 17

Seattle Seahawks at Cleveland Browns (both 2-3)
Pick: Cleveland 23, Seattle 13

Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions (5-1)
Pick: Atlanta 28, Detroit 24

Washington Redskins (3-2) at Carolina Panthers (1-5)
Pick: Washington 27, Carolina 20

Denver Broncos (1-4) at Miami Dolphins (0-5)
Pick: Denver 31, Miami 6

San Diego Chargers (4-1) at New York Jets (3-3)- LT Bowl
Pick: San Diego 30, NY Jets 20

Houston Texans (3-3) at Tennessee Titans (3-2)
Pick: Tennessee 31, Houston 14

Late Games:
Big Game of the Week: Kansas City Chiefs (2-3) at Oakland Raiders (4-2)
Pick: Oakland 27, Kansas City 16

Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) at Arizona Cardinals (1-4)
Pick: Pittsburgh 35, Arizona 10

St. Louis Rams (0-5) at Dallas Cowboys (2-3)
Pick: Dallas 35, St. Louis 3

Green Bay Packers (6-0) at Minnesota Vikings (1-5)
Pick: Green Bay 31, Minnesota 0

Sunday Night Football:
Indianapolis Colts (0-6) at New Orleans Saints (4-2)
Pick: New Orleans 30, Indianapolis 3

Monday Night Football:
Baltimore Ravens (4-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5)
Pick: Baltimore 33, Jacksonville 8

Bye Weeks: Buffalo Bills (4-2), Cincinnati Bengals (4-2), New York Giants (4-2), New England Patriots (5-1), Philadelphia Eagles (2-4), and San Francisco 49ers (5-1)

2011 Central Ohio High School Football: Week 9

Tomorrow night, the penultimate week of high school football takes place for all but 192 football programs in Central Ohio. Teams that are above .500 are inching towards playoff contention, while other schools are winding down seasons were teams fell so short.

Big Games of the Week/Rivalry Games of the Week: Eastmoor Academy Warriors (7-1, 5-0) at Marion-Franklin Red Devils (8-0, 5-0) and Brookhaven Bearcats (6-2, 5-0) at Beechcroft Cougars (7-1, 5-0)

Could this be the final Haven-Croft match? On Tuesday, it was reported that Columbus City Schools is considering closing Brookhaven High School, which would put an end to one of the state's inner-city sports dynasties, winning State Titles in Football, and Boys and Girls Basketball. The Bearcats, in fact, are the ONLY high school in the Columbus City School District to do all that, and win a State Title in Football. This could be a huge loss in the City League, but could other schools (Beechcroft, Mifflin, Northland, Whetstone, East, Linden) in the City League North benefit?

Picks: Marion-Franklin and Brookhaven

Rivalry Game of the Week: Brookhaven at Beechcroft & Eastmoor Academy at Marion-Franklin
Upset Pick: Brookhaven over Beechcroft (See Above)

OTHER BIG GAMES THIS WEEK:
Coshocton Redskins (7-1) at Bishop Hartley Hawks (7-0)
If the Hawks hadn't moved to Region 14, these two could might as well meet again, but that's not going to happen, because the Hawks would eventually have to get past those pesky Kenton Wildcats in the playoffs in order to do that.
Pick: Coshocton

St. Charles Cardinals (2-6, 0-1) at Bishop Watterson Golden Eagles (3-5, 0-1)
This is do-or-die time for the Eagles, who need to win both of their final games for a slim sliver of a shot to get into the playoffs. This season has been disappointing for the defending Division III state champs, who lost all but four starters to greener pastures (graduation). But, the Eagles get it done in their home finale.
Pick: Watterson

Upper Arlington Golden Bears (7-1, 5-0) at Hilliard Davidson Wildcats (7-0, 5-0)
This could be a long trek across the Scioto for the Bears, because Davidson has pitched four consecutive shutouts, including a defensive game last week against Coffman.
Pick: Hilliard Davidson

Licking Valley Panthers (5-3, 4-1) at Bexley Lions (5-3, 2-3)
The only Bexley win in recent history against the Panthers was by forfeit, so that means the Panthers will claw past Bexley in the Lions' home finale.
Pick: Licking Valley

Fredericktown Freddies (4-4, 3-2) at Centerburg Trojans (6-2, 3-2)
Pick: Centerburg

Dublin Jerome Celtics at Dublin Scioto Irish
Pick: Dublin Jerome

West Cowboys (5-3, 2-3) at Independence 76ers (5-3, 3-2)
Remember that 74-71 shootout a couple years ago? That was fun.
Pick: Independence

St. Francis DeSales Stallions (4-3) at Cincinnati LaSalle Lancers (6-2)
Do or die time for DeSales, who holds the longest-active playoff appearance streak in the state with 16 straight trips in the postseason. Not a good time to travel down Interstate 71.
Pick: LaSalle

Gahanna Lincoln Golden Lions at Reynoldsburg Raiders (both 6-2, 4-1)
These two East Side suburban rivals are only minutes apart, but both need this win to get in. The host Raiders desperately need it, because they close out the year with Pick Central.
Pick: Gahanna

Liberty Union Lions (7-1, 5-0) at West Jefferson Roughriders (7-1, 4-1)
Can the Lions do what Grandview did in Week 4, and that is go out into West Jefferson and come out with a "W"? NO. But the Lions do play Grandview next week, coincidentally.
Pick: West Jefferson

Olentangy Braves (4-4, 2-3) at Westerville South Wildcats (5-3, 3-2)
Pick: Westerville South

Columbus Academy Vikings (5-3, 3-2) at Whitehall-Yearling Rams (4-4, 2-3)
Pick: Columbus Academy

The Greatest Pumpkin Show on Earth: Logan Elm Braves (8-0, 5-0) at Circleville Tigers (2-6, 2-3)
Pick: Logan Elm

"We're Playing for Pride Games":
East Tigers at Centennial Stars (both 1-7, 0-5)
Pick: Whomever scores the most points (Centennial)

Marysville Monarchs (4-4, 2-3) at Westerville North Warriors (0-8, 0-5)
Pick: North makes it 34 straight (Marysville)

Hilliard Darby Panthers (6-2, 3-2) at Westland Cougars (1-7, 0-5)
Pick: Westland gets swept by the City of Hilliard (Hilliard Darby)

Central Crossing Comets (0-8, 0-5) at Thomas Worthington Cardinals (2-6, 1-4)
Pick: Thomas Worthington


SPORTS CORNER TOP 10 (plus 5) for Week 9:
1) Hilliard Davidson Wildcats (7-0)
2) Marion-Franklin Red Devils (8-0)
3) Jonathan Alder Pioneers (8-0)
4) Grandview Heights Bobcats (8-0)
5) Bishop Hartley Hawks (7-0)
6) Johnstown Johnnies (8-0)
7) Eastmoor Academy Warriors (7-1)
8] Westerville Central Warhawks (7-1)
9) Upper Arlington Golden Bears (7-1)
10) Logan Elm Braves (8-0)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
11) Marion Pleasant Trojans (8-0)
12) Granville Blue Aces (7-1)
13) Beechcroft Cougars (7-1)
14) West Jefferson Roughriders (7-1)
T-15) Dublin Coffman Shamrocks (7-1)
T-15) Pickerington North Panthers (6-2)
17) Pickerington Central Tigers (5-2)
18] Liberty Union Lions (7-1)
19) New Albany Eagles (6-2)
20) North Union Wildcats (6-2)
21) Brookhaven Bearcats (6-2)
22) Mifflin Punchers (7-1)
23) Reynoldsburg Raiders (6-2)
24) Big Walnut Golden Eagles (6-2)
25) Olentangy Orange Pioneers (6-2)


PLAYOFF PICTURE:
Who Is In?: Only Marion-Franklin (8-0) at this point, according to Joe Eitel (http://www.joeeitel.com) has clinched from all the Central Ohio schools
Who's Basically Done Based on Schedule: Watterson (3-5), DeSales (4-3), Olentangy (4-4), Marysville (4-4), Reynoldsburg (6-2), Hilliard Darby (6-2), West (5-3), Independence (5-3), Bexley (5-3), Liberty Union (7-1), Upper Arlington (7-1), the Brookhaven (6-2)/Beechcroft (7-1) loser, Mifflin (7-1), and due to sanctions- Harvest Prep (5-3)
Who Can Clinch This Week With A Win: Westerville Central (7-1), Hartley (7-0), Hilliard Davidson (7-0), Eastmoor Academy (7-1)
Who Will Eventually Get In: New Albany (6-2), Pickerington North (6-2), Pickerington Central (5-2), Grandview Heights (8-0), West Jefferson (7-1), Dublin Coffman (7-1), Eastmoor Academy (7-1), Hilliard Davidson (7-0), Westerville Central (7-1), Hartley (7-0), Gahanna Lincoln (6-2), Johnstown (8-0), Olentangy Orange (6-2)

College Football 2011: Week 8

Big Game of the Week: # 6 Wisconsin Badgers (6-0, 3-0) at # 16 Michigan State Spartans (5-1, 2-0)- Which could be a preview of the inaugural Big Ten Championship on Dec. 3 in Indianapolis
Rivalry Game of the Week: "The Third Saturday in October"- Tennessee Volunteers (3-3, 0-3) at # 2 Alabama Crimson Tide (7-0, 4-0)

Big Games This Weekend In Division I:
# 15 West Virginia Mountaineers (5-1, 1-0) at Syracuse Orangemen (4-2, 0-1)
Pick: West Virginia 31-21

# 20 Auburn Tigers (5-2, 3-1) at # 1 LSU Tigers (7-0, 4-0)
Pick: LSU 33-7

Tennessee Volunteers (3-3, 0-3) at # 2 Alabama Crimson Tide (7-0, 4-0)
Pick: Alabama 45-7

Texas Tech Red Raiders (4-2, 1-2) at # 3 Oklahoma Sooners (6-0, 3-0)
Pick: Oklahoma 56-7

# 4 Oklahoma State Cowboys (6-0, 3-0) at Missouri Tigers (3-3, 1-2)
Pick: Oklahoma State 42-13

Air Force Falcons (3-3, 0-2) at # 5 Boise State Broncos (6-0, 3-0)
Pick: Boise State 31-0

# 6 Wisconsin Badgers (6-0, 3-0) at # 16 Michigan State Spartans (5-1, 2-0)
Pick: Wisconsin 27-21

# 25 Washington (5-1, 3-0) at # 8 Stanford (6-0, 4-0)
Pick: Stanford 49-21

North Carolina (5-2, 1-2) at # 7 Clemson (7-0, 4-0)
Pick: Clemson 37-14

# 10 Oregon (5-1, 3-0) at Colorado (1-6, 0-3)
Pick: Oregon 59-0

# 9 Arkansas (5-1, 1-1) at Ole Miss (2-4, 0-3)
Pick: Arkansas 41-6

# 13 Nebraska (5-1, 1-1) at Minnesota (1-5, 0-2)
Pick: Nebraska 55-7

# 17 Texas A&M (4-2, 2-1) at Iowa State (3-3, 0-3)
Pick: Texas A&M 28-10

# 21 Penn State (6-1, 3-0) at Northwestern (2-4, 0-3)
Pick: Penn State 31-10

Marshall (3-4, 2-1) at # 19 Houston (6-0, 2-0)
Pick: Houston 52-17

# 22 Georgia Tech (6-1, 3-0) at Miami (3-3, 1-2)
Pick: Georgia Tech 35-14

# 23 Illinois (6-1, 2-1) at Purdue (3-3, 1-1)
Pick: Illinois 34-21

Rutgers (5-1, 2-0) at Louisville (2-4, 0-1)
Pick: Rutgers 27-19

Cincinnati (5-1, 1-0) at South Florida (4-2, 0-2)
Pick: Cincinnati 32-25

Maryland (2-4, 1-2) at Florida State (3-3, 1-2)
Pick: Florida State 24-3

Ohio (4-3, 1-2) at Akron (1-5, 0-2)
Pick: Ohio 34-6

Temple (5-2, 3-1) at Bowling Green (3-4, 1-2)
Pick: Temple 30-20

Miami of Ohio (2-4, 1-1) at Toledo (4-3, 3-0)
Pick: Toledo 28-26

Army (2-4) at Vanderbilt (3-3)
Pick: Vanderbilt 31-13

New Mexico State at Hawaii (both 3-3, 1-1)
Pick: Hawaii 27-10

Central Ohio High School Football: Week 8

Preview & Predictions Coming Later

Big Game of the Week ("Thing Two" at "Thing One"):
Dublin Coffman Shamrocks (7-0, 4-0) at Hilliard Davidson Wildcats (6-0, 4-0)
This is a battle between two neighboring northwest Columbus suburbs. 20 years ago, this match would have been just "Dublin vs. Hilliard", as it was years and years ago. Once again this year, both teams enter this race with a perfect record. However, the loser of this game will need to step up their game in the final two weeks to make it, and both of these schools still have to match up against Upper Arlington in those weeks. This is why Sports Corner dubbed this match "Thing One" vs. "Thing Two", because these two are a one-two punch in the OCC Central Division.
Pick: Hilliard Davidson

Rivalry Game of the Week:
Bishop Watterson Golden Eagles (3-4, 0-0) at St. Francis DeSales Stallions (3-3, 1-0)
This is the "Holy War" of rivalries. For the last 50 years, these two North side Catholic schools have battled it out on the field. Tomorrow night, the loser of this game will see their season end in two weeks after a disappointing season. Both teams need this win desperately. The Stallions have the edge, not just because of the home field advantage, but because Watterson's not the same team that went 13-1 and won the State Title up in Massillon last December (due to graduation).
Pick: DeSales

Upset Game of the Week:
Westerville North Warriors (0-7, 0-4) at Westerville South Wildcats (4-3, 3-1)
The last time the Warriors won a game was in the city of Westerville (against Central in 2008). Since then, it's been 32 consecutive Friday nights of agonizing defeat. It is possible that the Warriors losing streak will end in Westerville, where it began, as the Warriors could pull off an upset against a South team that has already lost to struggling teams in Grove City and Dublin Jerome already. Plus, this game has been a rivalry for the last 35 years, so an upset is bound to happen, don't you think?
Pick: Westerville North (in an upset)

Bonus Game:
Bexley Girls Soccer vs. Bishop Hartley Girls Soccer
Sports Corner doesn't do anything outside of H.S. football, due to time constraints, but on Saturday, Sports Corner cites this game because of the off-the-field controversy and the rivalry between the two. In the spring, former Bexley (and now Hartley) girls soccer coach Scott Dempsey's contract was not renewed by the Bexley School District, and so therefore he headed down the street to Hartley. Dempsey's daughter is a senior on the Bexley girls team, which won a State Title two years ago, so this game will be a family affair as well.

OTHER RIVALRY GAMES THIS WEEK:
Walnut Ridge Scots (3-4, 3-1) at Eastmoor Academy Warriors (6-1, 4-0)
The Scots have been in all of their City League games, upsetting West last week, and coming up short against Marion-Franklin the week before. Tomorrow, they head to Eastmoor Academy to play the Warriors in a game with big implications in the City League South, and for the Warriors, a win could clinch them a playoff spot (they are ranked # 1 in Region 10 in Division III).
Pick: Eastmoor Academy

New Albany Eagles (5-2, 3-1) at Big Walnut Golden Eagles (6-1, 4-0)
This is a MUST-win for New Albany in this "Battle of the Eagles", as a win over Big Walnut boosts their chances of playing in November after last season's disappointing exit from the playoffs. There is a 100 percent chance that the Eagles win this game, but which Eagles?
Pick: Big Walnut

Delaware Hayes Pacers (2-5, 1-3) at Hilliard Bradley Jaguars (5-2, 2-2)- The Mike LoParo Bowl
Last year at this game, Bradley coach Mike LoParo was the head coach on the opposite side of the field for Delaware Hayes, where he was the head coach for three seasons. Tomorrow night, LoParo is reunited with his former Pacers, on the opposite side of the field, as the Jaguars head coach.
Pick: Hilliard Bradley

Marysville Monarchs (4-3, 2-2) at Dublin Jerome Celtics (2-5, 2-2)
This will be an interesting OCC Union County rivalry, and probably the last meeting for a while, because of re-alignment in the OCC (Jerome will remain in the Cardinal Division, while Marysville's season next year will get brutal against the three-headed monster- Dublin Coffman, Hilliard Davidson, and Upper Arlington- in the OCC Central).
Pick: Marysville

OTHER BIG GAMES THIS WEEK:
Canal Winchester Indians (5-2, 3-1) at Logan Elm Braves (7-0, 4-0)
This could have been the Upset pick of the week, and could possibly still be an upset. However, the Braves are in a very competitive computer region (12).
Pick: Canal Winchester

Marion-Franklin Red Devils (7-0, 4-0) at West Cowboys (5-2, 2-2)
An upset loss to Walnut Ridge officially proved that the Cowboys were playoff pretenders, and not playoff contenders. Region 7 is very competitive, and the Cowboys missed the lasso. The Red Devils will lasso the Cowboys out of the playoff hunt and the City League South race with a win at Magley Field.
Pick: Marion-Franklin

Groveport Madison Cruisers (3-4, 1-3) at Reynoldsburg Raiders (5-2, 3-1)
Pick: Reynoldsburg

Westland Cougars (1-7, 0-4) at Upper Arlington Golden Bears (6-1, 4-0)
Why is this game even being cited? Both of these schools were on opposite ends of blowout shutouts last week (Westland losing 55-0 at Thomas Worthington; UA romped Central Crossing 76-0, outscoring the Comets 160-6 in their last 2 meetings now). This will be an easy win for the Bears, and they'll need it, because with Thing One (Hilliard Davidson) next week and Thing Two (Dublin Coffman) the week after, that loss to Tri-Valley might come back to haunt UA on Oct. 30.
Pick: Upper Arlington

Westerville Central (6-1, 3-1) at Olentangy Braves (4-3, 2-2)
Another Upset Pick of the Week? The Braves are hungry for the playoffs (ranked 11th in Region 3 this week), and would like a big upset over Central (tied with Dublin Coffman for 2nd in Region 3 this week) to make a statement.
Pick: Olentangy

Danville Blue Devils (5-2, 2-2) at Johnstown Johnnies (7-0, 4-0)
Pick: Johnstown

Licking Valley Panthers (4-3, 3-1) at Columbus Academy Vikings (5-2, 3-1)
Pick: Licking Valley

Ironton Tigers (4-3) at Bishop Hartley Hawks (6-0)
Could this be upset week? The Tigers beat the Hawks down in the Deep South of Ohio last season, before Hawks got their revenge in the playoffs en route to a State Title. Can the Tigers give the Hawks their first loss of the season, or will the Hawks stay perfect before a date with Coshocton next week?
Pick: Ironton

Grove City Greyhounds (3-4, 2-2) at Gahanna Lincoln Golden Lions (5-2, 3-1)
Pick: Gahanna

Harvest Prep Warriors (5-2, 2-2) at Liberty Union Lions (6-1, 4-0)
Before the OHSAA came down on Harvest Prep like a hammer last Wednesday, this game had playoff implications all around. But now, only Liberty Union has playoff implications in this game, and could use a win before big dates with Grandview and West Jeff to close out the season, and this will be a much needed win for the Lions.
Pick: Liberty Union

Portsmouth Sciotoville Tartans at Grove City Christian Eagles (both 4-3)
Sciotoville needs a win to keep afloat in the Division VI playoff race, as does Grove City Christian.
Pick: Sciotoville

Northland Vikings (3-4, 3-1) at Mifflin Punchers (6-1, 3-1)
Another upset pick? Well, after Beechcroft bossed Mifflin around, Northland (who made the playoffs for the first time last year) may get its shot to win at Mifflin this week.
Pick: Northland

Clarksville Clinton-Massie Falcons (5-2, 3-0) at Washington Court House Blue Lions (4-3, 3-0)
Pick: Clinton-Massie

ALL CENTRAL OHIO GAMES:
(South Central Ohio League)
Hillsboro Indians at London Red Raiders (both 1-6, 1-2)
Clarksville Clinton-Massie Falcons (5-2, 4-0) at Washington Court House Blue Lions (4-3, 3-0)
Miami Trace Panthers (3-4, 1-2) at Greenfield McClain Tigers (1-5, 0-4)

(Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference)
Marion Pleasant Trojans (7-0, 6-0) at River Valley Vikings (5-2, 5-1)
Marion Elgin Comets (2-5, 1-5) at Galion Northmor Golden Knights (1-6, 1-5)
Morral Ridgedale Rockets (0-7, 0-6) at Sparta Highland Fighting Scots (1-6, 1-5)
Mount Gilead Indians (4-3, 4-2) at Buckeye Valley Barons (4-3, 3-3)
Cardington-Lincoln Pirates (4-3, 4-2) at North Union Wildcats (6-1, 5-1)

(OCC Capital)
Delaware Hayes Pacers (2-5, 1-3) at Hilliard Bradley Jaguars (5-2, 2-2)
Watkins Memorial Warriors (3-4, 1-3) at Mount Vernon Yellowjackets (2-5, 2-2)
New Albany Eagles (5-2, 3-1) at Big Walnut Golden Eagles (6-1, 4-0)
Olentangy Orange Pioneers (5-2, 3-1) at Franklin Heights Golden Falcons (1-6, 0-4)

(OCC Cardinal)
Westerville North Warriors (0-7, 0-4) at Westerville South Wildcats (4-3, 3-1)
Westerville Central Warhawks (6-1, 3-1) at Olentangy Braves (4-3, 3-1)
Dublin Scioto Irish (2-5, 2-2) at Olentangy Liberty Patriots (3-4, 2-2)
Marysville Monarchs (4-3, 2-2) at Dublin Jerome Celtics (2-5, 2-2)

(OCC Central)
Dublin Coffman Shamrocks (7-0, 4-0) at Hilliard Davidson Wildcats (6-0, 4-0)
Westland Cougars (1-6, 0-3) at Upper Arlington Golden Bears (6-1, 4-0)
Thomas Worthington Cardinals (2-5, 1-3) at Hilliard Darby Panthers (5-2, 2-2)
Worthington Kilbourne Wolves (2-5, 1-3) at Central Crossing Comets (0-7, 0-4)

(OCC Ohio)
Grove City Greyhounds (3-4, 2-2) at Gahanna Lincoln Golden Lions (5-2, 3-1)
Newark Wildcats (0-7, 0-4) at Pickerington Central Tigers (4-2, 4-0)
Lancaster Golden Gales (3-4, 1-3) at Pickerington North Panthers (5-2, 2-2)
Groveport Madison Cruisers (3-4, 1-3) at Reynoldsburg Raiders (5-2, 3-1)

(Central Catholic League)
Bishop Watterson Golden Eagles (3-4, 0-0) at St. Francis DeSales Stallions (3-3, 1-0)

(City League South)
Walnut Ridge Scots (3-4, 3-1) at Eastmoor Academy Warriors (6-1, 4-0)
Marion-Franklin Red Devils (7-0, 4-0) at West Cowboys (5-2, 2-2)
Briggs Bruins (3-4, 1-3) at South Bulldogs (0-7, 0-4)
Africentric Early College Nubians (1-6, 0-4) at Independence 76ers (4-3, 2-2)

(City League North)
Beechcroft Cougars (6-1, 4-0) at East Tigers (1-6, 0-4)
Northland Vikings (3-4, 3-1) at Mifflin Punchers (6-1, 3-1)
Centennial Stars (1-6, 0-3) at Brookhaven Bearcats (5-2, 4-0)
Whetstone Braves at Linden McKinley Panthers (both 1-6, 1-3)

(Mid State League Buckeye)
Canal Winchester Indians (5-2, 3-1) at Logan Elm Braves (7-0, 4-0)
Teays Valley Vikings at Hamilton Township Rangers (both 3-4, 1-3)
Amanda-Clearcreek Aces (5-2, 3-1) at Fairfield Union Falcons (0-7, 0-4)
Circleville Tigers (2-5, 2-2) at Bloom-Carroll Bruins (1-6, 1-3)

(Mid State League Cardinal)
Fisher Catholic Irish (1-6, 1-3) at Grandview Heights Bobcats (7-0, 4-0)
Harvest Prep Warriors (5-2, 2-2) at Liberty Union Lions (6-1, 4-0)
Berne Union Rockets (1-6, 1-3) at Millersport Lakers (0-7, 0-4)
Licking Heights Hornets (3-4, 2-2) at West Jefferson Roughriders (6-1, 3-1)

(Mid State League Ohio)
Bexley Lions (4-3, 1-3) at Heath Bulldogs (2-5, 1-3)
Granville Blue Aces (6-1, 4-0) at Hebron Lakewood Lancers (1-6, 0-3)
Whitehall Yearling Rams (4-3, 2-2) at Newark Catholic Green Wave (3-4, 2-2)
Licking Valley Panthers (4-3, 3-1) at Columbus Academy Vikings (5-2, 3-1)

(Mid Buckeye Conference)
Danville Blue Devils (5-2, 2-2) at Johnstown Blue Devils (7-0, 4-0)
Utica Redskins (1-6, 0-4) at Fredericktown Freddies (4-3, 3-1)
East Knox Bulldogs (1-6, 1-3) at Loudonville Redbirds (2-5, 2-2)
Centerburg Trojans (5-2, 2-2) at Northridge Vikings (3-4, 0-4)

(Non-League Matches)
Ironton Tigers (4-3) at Bishop Hartley Hawks (6-0)
St. Charles Cardinals (2-5) at Jackson Ironmen (7-0)
Portsmouth Sciotoville Tartans at Grove City Christian Eagles (both 4-3)
Jonathan Alder Pioneers (7-0) at Logan Chieftains (1-6)
Marion Harding Presidents (3-4) at Grafton Midview Middies (6-1)
Greenville Green Wave (2-5) at Fairbanks Panthers (4-3)
Dayton Meadowdale Lions (4-3) at Madison Plains Golden Eagles (2-5)
Dayton Ponitz Career Tech Golden Panthers (1-5) at Columbus Crusaders (2-5)- at Thomas Worthington H.S.
Westfall Mustangs (5-2) at Chillicothe Zane Trace Pioneers (3-4)
Bishop Ready Silver Knights (3-4) at Montpelier Locomotives (0-7)


Top 10 (plus 15) for Week 8:
1) Hilliard Davidson Wildcats (6-0)
2) Marion-Franklin Red Devils (7-0)
3) Jonathan Alder Pioneers (7-0)
4) Grandview Heights Bobcats (7-0)
T-5) Dublin Coffman Shamrocks (7-0)
T-5) Bishop Hartley Hawks (7-0)
7) Johnstown Johnnies (7-0)
8] Eastmoor Academy Warriors (6-1)
9) Westerville Central Warhawks (6-1)
10) Upper Arlington Golden Bears (6-1)
------------------------------------------------------
11) Logan Elm Braves (7-0)
12) Marion Pleasant Trojans (7-0)
13) Granville Blue Aces (6-1)
14) Beechcroft Cougars (6-1)
15) West Jefferson Roughriders (6-1)
16) Big Walnut Golden Eagles (6-1)
17) Pickerington Central Tigers (4-2)
18] Pickerington North Panthers (5-2)
19) Liberty Union Lions (6-1)
20) New Albany Eagles (5-2)
21) North Union Wildcats (6-1)
22) Brookhaven Bearcats (5-2)
23) Mifflin Punchers (6-1)
24) Reynoldsburg Raiders (5-2)
25) Columbus Academy Vikings (5-2)
Dropped Out: West (5-2, previously # 22), Hilliard Darby (5-2, previously # 19)
Honorable Mention: West Cowboys (5-2), Hilliard Darby Panthers (5-2), Westfall Mustangs (5-2), Centerburg Trojans (5-2), Canal Winchester Indians (5-2), Amanda-Clearcreek Aces (5-2), Olentangy Braves (4-3), Marysville Monarchs (4-3), Independence 76ers (4-3), Westerville South Wildcats (4-3), Whitehall-Yearling Rams (4-3), Walnut Ridge Scots (3-4), Hilliard Bradley Jaguars (5-2), Olentangy Orange Pioneers (5-2), River Valley Vikings (5-2), Buckeye Valley Barons (4-3)
+ 15 Busters for Week 8: Hilliard Darby, Olentangy, Walnut Ridge, Olentangy Orange, River Valley, Hilliard Bradley, Canal Winchester, Amanda-Clearcreek
Top 10 Busters for Week 8: Logan Elm, Pleasant, Big Walnut, Beechcroft

2011 College Football: Week 7

This weekend is the midway point of the College Football regular season, and in the Big Ten, two unbeatens could possibly fall, as # 12 Michigan (6-0 for the first time since 2006) and # 16 Illinois (6-0 for the first time since 1951) face Michigan State (4-1) and Ohio State (3-3), respectively, in the Paul Bunyan and IlliBuck Trophy Games, respectively, in East Lansing and Champaign, respectively.

THURSDAY NIGHT LIGHTS:
USC Trojans (4-1, 2-1) at Cal Golden Bears (3-2, 0-2)- at AT&T Park in San Francisco
The Golden Bears, after a 3-0 start, have dropped their first two Pac-12 contests, and things don't get easier, as USC travels up from LA to the Bay Area to play those Golden Bears. Tonight is also the 35th Annual Joe Roth Football Classic, played whenever Cal hosts UCLA or USC since 1977, to honor the memory of quarterback Joe Roth, who was the starting quarterback at Cal in 1975 and 1976, who died of melanoma in February 1977 at the young age of 21. Roth's jersey number (12) is the only number to be retired at the University of California-Berkeley.
Pick: USC 23, Cal 19

Other Games Coming Later
Big Game of the Week:
The Paul Bunyan Trophy- # 12 Michigan Wolverines (6-0, 2-0) at Michigan State Spartans (4-1, 1-0)
"When you come to Michigan to play football, your legacy is left by Big Ten Championships, Rose Bowls and how you did against your rivals."- Ryan Van Bergen
The last time that the Wolverines won in East Lansing was 2007- the 100th battle between those in-state rivals. The Paul Bunyan Trophy has called East Lansing home the last three years. Now that the Wolverines have a new Commander-in-Chief, the Wolverines look to dominate this rivalry once again. The Spartans, fresh off a bye after beating Ohio State for the first time since 1999, is looking to beat the Boys in (Maize and) Blue for a fourth straight year. Can they do it? Can Michigan finally play 60 minutes and not play catch-up finally? We'll see...
Pick: Michigan State 34, Michigan 24

Rivalry Game of the Week:
Capital Crusaders (2-3, 2-2) at Otterbein Cardinals (1-4, 0-4)
Boy, have the mighty fallen. Three years ago, the Cardinals skyrocketed to an 8-0 start, and went to the playoffs for the first (and only) time. Now, the Cardinals are struggling, losing four straight, not being able to stay in close games, and their quarterback Austin Schlosser turns the ball over frequently. This would not be a good time to head into Capital week, but here the Cardinals are, hosting their bitter crosstown rivals. The Cards have won four of the last six meetings, including three straight in Westerville. The Crusaders have had more heart than the Cardinals have, and the Cardinals are on the same sinking ship as the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Pick: Capital 35, Otterbein 12

Upset Pick of the Week:
# 15 South Carolina Gamecocks (5-1, 3-1) at Mississippi State Bulldogs (3-3, 0-3)
Stephen Garcia, we hardly knew ye. The Gamecocks' quarterback was dismissed from the team for failing an alcohol test. Connor Shaw will be the QB the rest of the way for the Gamecocks who head to Mississippi State.
Pick: Mississippi State 24, South Carolina 21

Other Big Games This Week:
The IlliBuck Trophy- Ohio State Buckeyes (3-3, 0-2) at # 16 Illinois Fighting Illini (6-0, 2-0)
The last time that the Illini were 6-0, Harry Truman was President, John Wayne was Hollywood's Biggest Star, and I Love Lucy debuted, and gas probably cost 50 cents too (1951). The Buckeyes have only gone 0-3 in the Big Ten twice in the last 40 years (that being 2004, remember the upset loss at Northwestern, then back-to-back spankings from Iowa and Wisconsin to start the Big Ten season), and another Buckeye loss would basically be another nail in Luke Fickell's head coaching coffin at OSU. But, Nathan Scheelhaase has been solid for the Illini, while the Buckeyes blew a 21-point lead in Lincoln by surrendering 28 unanswered points to Nebraska, while losing QB Braxton Miller to an ankle injury. Good news for OSU is that Miller is listed as the starter. The bad news for them will be if they can't contain Scheelhaase.
Pick: Illinois 38, Ohio State 23

# 1 LSU Tigers (6-0, 3-0) at Tennessee Volunteers (3-2, 0-2)
LSU picked away and clawed Florida last week, and expect the Bayou Bengals to do the same to the Vols at Neyland Stadium.
Pick: LSU 48, Tennessee 7

Oklahoma State Cowboys (5-0, 2-0) at # 17 Texas Longhorns (4-1, 1-1)
The Longhorns were stampeded out of the Cotton Bowl by Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout last week. Can the Horns recover?
Pick: OSU 35, Texas 21

Virginia Tech Hokies (5-1, 1-1) at Wake Forest Demon Deacons (4-1, 3-0)
Pick: Virginia Tech 38, Wake 24

Florida State Seminoles (2-3, 0-2) at Duke Blue Devils (3-2, 1-0)
Can this be right? FSU 2-3? Duke 3-2? Huh? Nobody thought that the football Blue Devils would start off decently. But appearances can be deceiving.
Pick: Florida State 45, Duke 10

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (6-0, 3-0) at Virginia Cavaliers (3-2, 0-1)
The Jackets are 6-0 for the first time since 1966. Can they keep it going?
Pick: Georgia Tech 41, Virginia 10

Arizona State Sun Devils (5-1, 3-0) at Oregon Ducks (4-1, 2-0)
Pick: Oregon 35, Arizona State 8

Stanford Cardinal (5-0, 3-0) at Washington State Cougars (3-2, 1-1)
Pick: Stanford 51, Washington State 6

Auburn Tigers (4-2, 2-1) at Florida Gators (4-2, 2-2)
Pick: Florida 23, Auburn 16

Colorado Buffaloes (1-5, 0-2) at Washington Huskies (4-1, 2-0)
Colorado is wishing it were still in the Big 12, instead of the Pac-12.
Pick: Washington 31, Colorado 10

Northwestern Wildcats (2-3, 0-2) at Iowa Hawkeyes (3-2, 0-1)
Northwestern blew its chance for an upset, surrendering a 24-14 halftime lead at Ryan Field against Michigan, and being shut out 28-0 in the second half. This week, they head to Iowa City to play the Hawkeyes, who are also looking for their first Big Ten win of 2011.
Pick: Iowa 27, Northwestern 17

Indiana Hoosiers (1-5, 0-2) at Wisconsin Badgers (5-0, 1-0)
This one will be over after the opening kickoff. Remember last year's 83-20 drubbing?
Pick: Wisconsin 72, Indiana 0

# 3 Oklahoma Sooners (5-0, 2-0) at Kansas Jayhawks (2-3, 0-2)
If you saw the Red River Shootout, Oklahoma is for real this year.
Pick: Oklahoma 66, Kansas 6

Iowa State Cyclones (3-2, 0-2) at Missouri Tigers (2-3, 0-2)
Pick: Missouri 28, Iowa State 21

Clemson Tigers (6-0, 3-0) at Maryland Terrapins (2-3, 1-1)
Pick: Clemson 31, Maryland 3

Miami Hurricanes (2-3, 0-2) at North Carolina Tar Heels (5-1, 1-1)
Pick: North Carolina 34, Miami 7

Louisville Cardinals (2-3) at Cincinnati Bearcats (4-1)- at Paul Brown Stadium
Pick: Cincinnati 41, Louisville 13

Toledo Rockets (3-3, 2-0) at Bowling Green Falcons (3-3, 1-1)
Pick: Toledo 37, Bowling Green 34

# 2 Alabama Crimson Tide (6-0, 3-0) at Ole Miss Rebels (2-3, 0-2)
Pick: Alabama 42, Ole Miss 0

Georgia Bulldogs (4-2, 3-1) at Vanderbilt Commodores (3-2, 0-2)
Pick: Georgia 34, Vanderbilt 14

OAC Games (besides Otterbein-Capital):
Muskingum Muskies (4-1, 3-1) at John Carroll Blue Streaks (3-2, 3-1)
Wilmington Quakers (0-5, 0-4) at Marietta Pioneers (1-4, 0-4)
Mount Union Purple Raiders (5-0, 4-0) at Heidelberg Student Princes (4-1, 3-1)
Ohio Northern Polar Bears (3-2, 2-2) at Baldwin-Wallace Yellow Jackets (4-1, 3-1)
Picks: Muskingum, Marietta, Mount Union, and Baldwin-Wallace (and of course, Capital)

Other Central Ohio Schools:
Wittenberg Tigers (5-1, 3-0) at Kenyon Lords (0-5, 0-2)
Denison Big Red (3-3, 2-0) at Allegheny Gators (3-3, 1-1)
Ohio Dominican Panthers (3-3, 2-3) at Findlay Oilers (3-3, 3-2)
Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops have a bye this week
Picks: Wittenberg, Denison, and Ohio Dominican