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)
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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
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 13, 2011
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
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
Friday, October 7, 2011
NFL 2011: Week 5 Picks
The 2011 NFL season is 25 percent over for all 32 teams, as there are thirteen games this weekend, culminating with DJBC Sports Corner's pick for the Big Game of the Week- the Monday Night Game between the Monsters of the Midway, the Chicago Bears visiting the unbeaten Detroit Lions at Ford Field.
BIG GAME OF THE WEEK/MONDAY NIGHT LIGHTS:
Chicago Bears (2-2) at Detroit Lions (4-0)
Before I start with this week's prediction- the last time that "All My Rowdy Friends" was not heard on Monday Night Football prior to this past Monday was 1988. After over 22 years, ESPN has severed its ties to Hank Williams Jr. and the Monday Night theme, due to comments that Williams made on Fox News's morning show Fox and Friends on Monday morning, comparing President Obama to Adolf Hitler. ESPN announced yesterday that it was permanently dropping the familiar open to Monday Night Football.
And now, the Monday Night Game itself...
The Detroit Lions are for real. 4-0 for the first time since 1980. Who would think that the Lions would be legit? Nobody. On Sunday, the Lions were down 27-3 at halftime in Dallas in the "Battle of the Thanksgiving Day NFL Hosts" (both the Lions and Cowboys host games on Thanksgiving Day). The Lions roared a mighty comeback to win 34-30 in Dallas, outscoring America's Team 31-3 in the second half. The Lions have another big test as Da Bears come to Ford Field on Monday night. Can the Lions handle the Monsters of the Midway, or will the Lions lose their "Undefeated" card?
Pick: Detroit 30, Chicago 22
OTHER BIG GAMES THIS WEEK:
Green Bay Packers (4-0) at Atlanta Falcons (2-2)- SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
The last time these two met (also at the Georgia Dome), the Falcons had Home Field Advantage throughout the NFC Playoffs, and the Packers grounded these birds en route to the Pack's Super Bowl road last season. The Falcons are looking for revenge against one of the two undefeated teams left this season.
Pick: Green Bay 35, Atlanta 27
New York Jets (2-2) at New England Patriots (3-1)
Pick: New England 38, NY Jets 20
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers (both 3-1)
Both of these teams find ways to win. The Bucs haven't missed a beat since last season, and the 49ers, down 23-3 , scored 21 unanswered points in the City of Brotherly Love last weekend. The 49ers are for real this year.
Pick: San Francisco 27, Tampa Bay 17
Tennessee Titans (3-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2)
Pick: Pittsburgh 23, Tennessee 17 (OT)
Philadelphia Eagles (1-3) at Buffalo Bills (3-1)
Pick: Buffalo 28, Philadelphia 19
THE OTHER GAMES THIS WEEK:
Cincinnati Bengals (2-2) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3)
The Bengals, down 17-3 last week, found a way to win against unbeaten Buffalo, by kicking a 43-yard field goal at the gun. This week, it gets easier as the Bengals have the edge against a Jacksonville team with more questions than they have answers.
Pick: Cincinnati 24, Jacksonville 17
New Orleans Saints (3-1) at Carolina Panthers (1-3)
Pick: New Orleans 33, Carolina 25
Oakland Raiders (2-2) at Houston Texans (3-1)
Raiders Coach Hue Jackson guaranteed a Super Bowl win. How about "too soon"? Meanwhile, the Texans lost All-Pro receiver Andre Johnson in their win over the Steelers.
Pick: Houston 26, Oakland 14
Kansas City Chiefs (1-3) at Indianapolis Colts (0-4)
Who wants to win this game? Maybe the Manning-less Colts can finally get into the "W" column.
Pick: Indianapolis 17, Kansas City 13
Arizona Cardinals (1-3) at Minnesota Vikings (0-5)
Pick: Minnesota 20, Arizona 14
San Diego Chargers (3-1) at Denver Broncos (1-3)
Pick: San Diego 35, Denver 21
BYE WEEKS: Baltimore Ravens (3-1), Cleveland Browns (2-2), Dallas Cowboys (2-2), Miami Dolphins (0-4), St. Louis Rams (0-4), Washington Redskins (3-1)
BIG GAME OF THE WEEK/MONDAY NIGHT LIGHTS:
Chicago Bears (2-2) at Detroit Lions (4-0)
Before I start with this week's prediction- the last time that "All My Rowdy Friends" was not heard on Monday Night Football prior to this past Monday was 1988. After over 22 years, ESPN has severed its ties to Hank Williams Jr. and the Monday Night theme, due to comments that Williams made on Fox News's morning show Fox and Friends on Monday morning, comparing President Obama to Adolf Hitler. ESPN announced yesterday that it was permanently dropping the familiar open to Monday Night Football.
And now, the Monday Night Game itself...
The Detroit Lions are for real. 4-0 for the first time since 1980. Who would think that the Lions would be legit? Nobody. On Sunday, the Lions were down 27-3 at halftime in Dallas in the "Battle of the Thanksgiving Day NFL Hosts" (both the Lions and Cowboys host games on Thanksgiving Day). The Lions roared a mighty comeback to win 34-30 in Dallas, outscoring America's Team 31-3 in the second half. The Lions have another big test as Da Bears come to Ford Field on Monday night. Can the Lions handle the Monsters of the Midway, or will the Lions lose their "Undefeated" card?
Pick: Detroit 30, Chicago 22
OTHER BIG GAMES THIS WEEK:
Green Bay Packers (4-0) at Atlanta Falcons (2-2)- SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
The last time these two met (also at the Georgia Dome), the Falcons had Home Field Advantage throughout the NFC Playoffs, and the Packers grounded these birds en route to the Pack's Super Bowl road last season. The Falcons are looking for revenge against one of the two undefeated teams left this season.
Pick: Green Bay 35, Atlanta 27
New York Jets (2-2) at New England Patriots (3-1)
Pick: New England 38, NY Jets 20
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers (both 3-1)
Both of these teams find ways to win. The Bucs haven't missed a beat since last season, and the 49ers, down 23-3 , scored 21 unanswered points in the City of Brotherly Love last weekend. The 49ers are for real this year.
Pick: San Francisco 27, Tampa Bay 17
Tennessee Titans (3-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2)
Pick: Pittsburgh 23, Tennessee 17 (OT)
Philadelphia Eagles (1-3) at Buffalo Bills (3-1)
Pick: Buffalo 28, Philadelphia 19
THE OTHER GAMES THIS WEEK:
Cincinnati Bengals (2-2) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3)
The Bengals, down 17-3 last week, found a way to win against unbeaten Buffalo, by kicking a 43-yard field goal at the gun. This week, it gets easier as the Bengals have the edge against a Jacksonville team with more questions than they have answers.
Pick: Cincinnati 24, Jacksonville 17
New Orleans Saints (3-1) at Carolina Panthers (1-3)
Pick: New Orleans 33, Carolina 25
Oakland Raiders (2-2) at Houston Texans (3-1)
Raiders Coach Hue Jackson guaranteed a Super Bowl win. How about "too soon"? Meanwhile, the Texans lost All-Pro receiver Andre Johnson in their win over the Steelers.
Pick: Houston 26, Oakland 14
Kansas City Chiefs (1-3) at Indianapolis Colts (0-4)
Who wants to win this game? Maybe the Manning-less Colts can finally get into the "W" column.
Pick: Indianapolis 17, Kansas City 13
Arizona Cardinals (1-3) at Minnesota Vikings (0-5)
Pick: Minnesota 20, Arizona 14
San Diego Chargers (3-1) at Denver Broncos (1-3)
Pick: San Diego 35, Denver 21
BYE WEEKS: Baltimore Ravens (3-1), Cleveland Browns (2-2), Dallas Cowboys (2-2), Miami Dolphins (0-4), St. Louis Rams (0-4), Washington Redskins (3-1)
Thursday, October 6, 2011
College Football Week 6: 2011
Things are warming up on the gridiron as big conference matchups take place week after week from here on out.
RIVALRY GAME OF THE WEEK:
The RED RIVER Shootout:
# 3 Oklahoma Sooners vs. # 11 Texas Longhorns (both 4-0, at Cowboys Stadium)
This is the first of two matchups on Saturday between two programs with more than 800 wins each (the other one is right below this one directly). These two meet up in Dallas for their annual "Red River Shootout".
Pick: Oklahoma 41, Texas 23
THE BIG GAME OF THE WEEK:
Ohio State Buckeyes (3-2, 0-1) at # 14 Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-1, 0-1)
The second of two matchups on Saturday between two programs with 800 all-time wins or more, this was going to be billed as the "Return of the Tattoo Five", but by now, we all know that that's not going to happen. Last week, both teams disappointed their faithful. Wisconsin welcomed Nebraska to the Big Ten with a 48-17 butt spanking, while Ohio State failed to show up in a 10-7 loss to Michigan State, that probably was more one-sided than the scoreboard. Only of two of Ohio State's "Tattoo Four" players- defensive end Solomon Thomas and offensive lineman Mike Adams will suit up against the Huskers, who are 34-5 at Memorial Stadium under the lights since 1986. The Buckeyes have not lost back-to-back games since their three-game losing streak to start Big Ten play in 2004 (remember that loss to Northwestern out of nowhere? THAT three-game losing streak). This is a battle of two former Buckeye football players under legendary Buckeye coach John Cooper- Bo Pellini (1987-90) and Luke Fickell (1992-96). Fickell is at a disadvantage, because he's only been a head coach for five games, while Pellini has been around the block for quite a while.
Pick: Nebraska 49, Ohio State 6
BIG TOP 25 GAMES THIS WEEK:
# 15 Auburn Tigers (4-1, 2-0) at # 10 Arkansas Razorbacks (4-1, 0-1)
Coming Later
Miami Hurricanes (2-2, 0-1) at # 21 Virginia Tech Hokies (4-1, 0-1)
Coming Later
# 12 Michigan Wolverines (5-0, 1-0) at Northwestern Wildcats (2-2, 0-1)
With a win, the Wolverines will become Bowl Eligible, and off to their best start since 2006. Last week, Michigan football returned as the Boys in (Maize and) Blue ran a clinic on Minnesota as The Little Brown Jug remains in Ann Arbor. This week, they play Northwestern, who has a history of knocking off unbeaten teams at home (most notably Ohio State in 2004).
Pick: Michigan 38, Northwestern 21
# 17 Florida Gators (4-1, 2-1) at # 1 LSU Tigers (5-0, 2-0)
Coming Later
Missouri Tigers (2-2, 0-1) at # 20 Kansas State Wildcats (4-0, 1-0)
Coming Later
Maryland Terrapins (2-2, 1-0) at # 13 Georgia Tech Yellowjackets (5-0, 1-0)
Georgia Tech is off to their best start in 21 years and welcomes in the Ugliest Football Jerseys in Town this week.
Pick: Georgia Tech 37, Maryland 19
OTHER DIVISION I GAMES OF NOTE:
# 23 Florida State Seminoles (2-2, 0-1) at Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3-1, 2-0)
Pick: Florida State 31, Wake Forest 26
# 19 Illinois Fighting Illini (5-0, 1-0) at Indiana Hoosiers (1-4, 0-1)
The Illini are off to their best start in 60 years and have the first of two easy games in a row with Indiana this weekend (and Ohio State the next).
Pick: Illinois 45, Indiana 10
Colorado Buffaloes (1-4, 0-1) at # 7 Stanford Cardinal (4-0, 2-0)
Pick: Stanford 55, Colorado 3
Vanderbilt Commodores (3-1, 1-1) at # 2 Alabama Crimson Tide (5-0, 2-0)
Pick: Alabama 42, Vanderbilt 0
Air Force Falcons (3-1) at Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-2)
Pick: Notre Dame 28, Air Force 24
Eastern Michigan Eagles (3-2, 1-0) at Toledo Rockets (2-3, 1-0)
Toledo should be 4-1 right now, and are better than their 2-3 record.
Pick: Toledo 44, Eastern Michigan 27
Boston College Golden Eagles (1-4, 0-2) at # 8 Clemson Tigers (5-0, 2-0)
Pick: Clemson 52, BC 7
Iowa Hawkeyes (3-1, 0-0) at Penn State Nittany Lions (4-1, 1-0)
Pick: Iowa 29, Penn State 23
Georgia Bulldogs (3-2, 1-1) at Tennessee Volunteers (3-1, 0-1)
Pick: Tennessee 31, Georgia 22
TCU Horned Frogs (3-2, 1-0) at San Diego State Aztecs (3-1, 0-0)
Pick: TCU 27, San Diego State 20
OAC Football:
Heidelberg Student Princes (3-1, 2-1) at Muskingum Muskies (4-0, 3-0)
Marietta Pioneers (1-3, 0-3) at Mount Union Purple Raiders (4-0, 3-0)
John Carroll Blue Streaks (2-2, 2-1) at Wilmington Quakers (0-4, 0-3)
Ohio Northern Polar Bears (2-2, 1-2) at Capital Crusaders (2-2, 2-1)
and
Baldwin-Wallace Yellowjackets (3-1, 2-1) at Otterbein Cardinals (1-3, 0-3)
Picks: Muskingum, Mount Union, John Carroll, Ohio Northern, and Baldwin-Wallace
Other Central Ohio Football:
Ohio Dominican Panthers (2-3, 1-3) at Hillsdale Chargers (4-1, 4-0)
Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops (1-4) at Carnegie-Mellon Tartans (3-2)
Chicago Maroons at Denison Big Red (both 3-2)
Allegheny Gators (2-3, 1-1) at Kenyon Lords (0-4, 0-1)
Wittenberg Tigers (5-0) at Huntingdon Hawks (4-1)
Picks: Hillsdale, Carnegie-Mellon, Chicago, Allegheny, and Huntingdon
RIVALRY GAME OF THE WEEK:
The RED RIVER Shootout:
# 3 Oklahoma Sooners vs. # 11 Texas Longhorns (both 4-0, at Cowboys Stadium)
This is the first of two matchups on Saturday between two programs with more than 800 wins each (the other one is right below this one directly). These two meet up in Dallas for their annual "Red River Shootout".
Pick: Oklahoma 41, Texas 23
THE BIG GAME OF THE WEEK:
Ohio State Buckeyes (3-2, 0-1) at # 14 Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-1, 0-1)
The second of two matchups on Saturday between two programs with 800 all-time wins or more, this was going to be billed as the "Return of the Tattoo Five", but by now, we all know that that's not going to happen. Last week, both teams disappointed their faithful. Wisconsin welcomed Nebraska to the Big Ten with a 48-17 butt spanking, while Ohio State failed to show up in a 10-7 loss to Michigan State, that probably was more one-sided than the scoreboard. Only of two of Ohio State's "Tattoo Four" players- defensive end Solomon Thomas and offensive lineman Mike Adams will suit up against the Huskers, who are 34-5 at Memorial Stadium under the lights since 1986. The Buckeyes have not lost back-to-back games since their three-game losing streak to start Big Ten play in 2004 (remember that loss to Northwestern out of nowhere? THAT three-game losing streak). This is a battle of two former Buckeye football players under legendary Buckeye coach John Cooper- Bo Pellini (1987-90) and Luke Fickell (1992-96). Fickell is at a disadvantage, because he's only been a head coach for five games, while Pellini has been around the block for quite a while.
Pick: Nebraska 49, Ohio State 6
BIG TOP 25 GAMES THIS WEEK:
# 15 Auburn Tigers (4-1, 2-0) at # 10 Arkansas Razorbacks (4-1, 0-1)
Coming Later
Miami Hurricanes (2-2, 0-1) at # 21 Virginia Tech Hokies (4-1, 0-1)
Coming Later
# 12 Michigan Wolverines (5-0, 1-0) at Northwestern Wildcats (2-2, 0-1)
With a win, the Wolverines will become Bowl Eligible, and off to their best start since 2006. Last week, Michigan football returned as the Boys in (Maize and) Blue ran a clinic on Minnesota as The Little Brown Jug remains in Ann Arbor. This week, they play Northwestern, who has a history of knocking off unbeaten teams at home (most notably Ohio State in 2004).
Pick: Michigan 38, Northwestern 21
# 17 Florida Gators (4-1, 2-1) at # 1 LSU Tigers (5-0, 2-0)
Coming Later
Missouri Tigers (2-2, 0-1) at # 20 Kansas State Wildcats (4-0, 1-0)
Coming Later
Maryland Terrapins (2-2, 1-0) at # 13 Georgia Tech Yellowjackets (5-0, 1-0)
Georgia Tech is off to their best start in 21 years and welcomes in the Ugliest Football Jerseys in Town this week.
Pick: Georgia Tech 37, Maryland 19
OTHER DIVISION I GAMES OF NOTE:
# 23 Florida State Seminoles (2-2, 0-1) at Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3-1, 2-0)
Pick: Florida State 31, Wake Forest 26
# 19 Illinois Fighting Illini (5-0, 1-0) at Indiana Hoosiers (1-4, 0-1)
The Illini are off to their best start in 60 years and have the first of two easy games in a row with Indiana this weekend (and Ohio State the next).
Pick: Illinois 45, Indiana 10
Colorado Buffaloes (1-4, 0-1) at # 7 Stanford Cardinal (4-0, 2-0)
Pick: Stanford 55, Colorado 3
Vanderbilt Commodores (3-1, 1-1) at # 2 Alabama Crimson Tide (5-0, 2-0)
Pick: Alabama 42, Vanderbilt 0
Air Force Falcons (3-1) at Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-2)
Pick: Notre Dame 28, Air Force 24
Eastern Michigan Eagles (3-2, 1-0) at Toledo Rockets (2-3, 1-0)
Toledo should be 4-1 right now, and are better than their 2-3 record.
Pick: Toledo 44, Eastern Michigan 27
Boston College Golden Eagles (1-4, 0-2) at # 8 Clemson Tigers (5-0, 2-0)
Pick: Clemson 52, BC 7
Iowa Hawkeyes (3-1, 0-0) at Penn State Nittany Lions (4-1, 1-0)
Pick: Iowa 29, Penn State 23
Georgia Bulldogs (3-2, 1-1) at Tennessee Volunteers (3-1, 0-1)
Pick: Tennessee 31, Georgia 22
TCU Horned Frogs (3-2, 1-0) at San Diego State Aztecs (3-1, 0-0)
Pick: TCU 27, San Diego State 20
OAC Football:
Heidelberg Student Princes (3-1, 2-1) at Muskingum Muskies (4-0, 3-0)
Marietta Pioneers (1-3, 0-3) at Mount Union Purple Raiders (4-0, 3-0)
John Carroll Blue Streaks (2-2, 2-1) at Wilmington Quakers (0-4, 0-3)
Ohio Northern Polar Bears (2-2, 1-2) at Capital Crusaders (2-2, 2-1)
and
Baldwin-Wallace Yellowjackets (3-1, 2-1) at Otterbein Cardinals (1-3, 0-3)
Picks: Muskingum, Mount Union, John Carroll, Ohio Northern, and Baldwin-Wallace
Other Central Ohio Football:
Ohio Dominican Panthers (2-3, 1-3) at Hillsdale Chargers (4-1, 4-0)
Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops (1-4) at Carnegie-Mellon Tartans (3-2)
Chicago Maroons at Denison Big Red (both 3-2)
Allegheny Gators (2-3, 1-1) at Kenyon Lords (0-4, 0-1)
Wittenberg Tigers (5-0) at Huntingdon Hawks (4-1)
Picks: Hillsdale, Carnegie-Mellon, Chicago, Allegheny, and Huntingdon
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Central Ohio High School Football 2011- Week 7
This week is getting bigger, as there are High School Football Matches from Thursday to Saturday this week.
THURSDAY NIGHT GAME:
The Mayor/Headmaster Trophy
Columbus Academy Vikings (4-2, 2-1) at Bexley Lions (4-2, 1-2)
Because of Yom Kippur, this game is being played on Thursday.
This is a big rivalry between these two schools, as they compete for the Mayor (Bexley)/Headmaster (Academy) Trophy. Before moving up to Gahanna in 1968, Columbus Academy was located on the other side of Alum Creek from Bexley on Nelson Road.
Pick: Columbus Academy
BIG GAME OF THE WEEK:
Beechcroft Cougars (5-1, 3-0) at Mifflin Punchers (6-0, 3-0)
Mifflin has had pretty much an easy schedule, playing no one with more than three wins (Watkins Memorial), and off to a 6-0 start. Reality will set in for the Punchers, because the Cougars (Beechcroft) will prey on the undefeated Punchers.
Pick: Beechcroft
UPSET PICKS OF THE WEEK:
Westerville South Wildcats (3-3, 2-1) at Marysville Monarchs (4-2, 2-1)
South still owns the OCC Cardinal, despite competition this year, having already beaten crosstown rival Westerville Central. Look for Marysville to struggle against a Westerville school for the second straight week.
West Cowboys (5-1, 2-1) at Walnut Ridge Scots (2-4, 2-1)
The Cowboys have had a fairly easy ride in the City League, while Walnut Ridge has won three straight- all City League matches, after an 0-3 start. The Cowboys haven't been to the playoffs ever, and it's not going to happen this year, because of their easy wins.
Picks: Westerville South and Walnut Ridge
STREAKBUSTER ALERT:
Olentangy Liberty Patriots (2-4, 1-2) at Westerville North Warriors (0-6, 0-3)
The Warriors have lost 31 in a row, and are looking for the light at the end of the tunnel. Can they find it this week before a date with crosstown rival Westerville South next week?
Pick: Westerville North
MISMATCH OF THE WEEK:
Upper Arlington Golden Bears (5-1, 3-0) at Central Crossing Comets (0-6, 0-3)
Last year, the Bears blew the Comets off the galaxy, 84-6. The Golden Bears will inch closer to playoff contention, before they end the regular season with Thing One (Hilliard Davidson) and Thing Two (Dublin Coffman).
Eastmoor Academy Warriors (5-1, 3-0) at Columbus South Bulldogs (0-6, 0-3)
South hasn't had a winning season since 1994, and it doesn't help that they play Eastmoor this week, a team that mauled the Bulldogs 82-3 not too long ago.
Picks: Upper Arlington and Eastmoor Academy
OTHER BIG GAMES THIS WEEK:
Elyria Catholic Panthers (2-4) at Bishop Hartley Hawks (5-0)
The Hawks, well rested after a bye, are looking to avenge a loss to Elyria Catholic last year in overtime. The Panthers are riding a four-game losing streak after a 2-0 start, and they make the long two and a half hour drive to the east side of Columbus to play the unbeaten Hawks. Can the Hawks get it done at Jack Ryan Field?
Pick: Hartley
Hilliard Darby Panthers (5-1, 2-1) at Dublin Coffman Shamrocks (6-0, 3-0)
Reality set in for Hilliard Darby as they got thumped at Upper Arlington last week, and this week doesn't get any better as they head up the road to play Dublin Coffman.
Pick: Dublin Coffman
Lima Central Catholic Thunderbirds (6-0) at Bishop Ready Silver Knights (3-3) (at Franklin Heights H.S.)
Pick: Lima Central Catholic
Washington Court House Blue Lions (4-2) at Jonathan Alder Pioneers (6-0)
Pick: Jonathan Alder
Heath Bulldogs (2-4, 1-2) at Granville Blue Aces (5-1, 3-0)
Pick: Granville
Pickerington Central Tigers (3-2, 3-0) at Groveport Madison Cruisers (3-3, 1-2)
Pick: Pickerington Central
Gahanna Lincoln Golden Lions (4-2, 2-1) at Pickerington North Panthers (5-1, 2-1)
Pick: Pickerington North
Newark Catholic Green Wave (3-3, 2-1) at Licking Valley Panthers (3-3, 2-1)
Pick: Licking Valley
SPORTS CORNER TOP 10 (+ 15) for Week 7:
1) Hilliard Davidson Wildcats (5-0)
2) Marion-Franklin Red Devils (6-0)
3) Jonathan Alder Pioneers (6-0)
4) Grandview Heights Bobcats (6-0)
5) Bishop Hartley Hawks (5-0)
6) Dublin Coffman Shamrocks (6-0)
7) Mifflin Punchers (6-0)
8] Johnstown Johnnies (6-0)
9) Pickerington North Panthers (5-1)
10) Eastmoor Academy Warriors (5-1)
------------------------------------------------------
11) Westerville Central Warhawks (5-1)
12) Logan Elm Braves (6-0)
13) Upper Arlington Golden Bears (5-1)
14) Marion Pleasant Trojans (6-0)
15) Gahanna Lincoln Golden Lions (4-2)
16) Granville Blue Aces (5-1)
17) West Jefferson Roughriders (5-1)
18] Big Walnut Golden Eagles (5-1)
19) Hilliard Darby Panthers (5-1)
20) West Cowboys (5-1)
21) Beechcroft Cougars (5-1)
22) Pickerington Central Tigers (3-2)
23) Liberty Union Lions (5-1)
24) New Albany Eagles (4-2)
25) North Union Wildcats (5-1)
Dropped Out: Bexley (15th last week; 4-2), Hilliard Bradley (21st last week; 4-2), Reynoldsburg (24th last week; 4-2), Marysville (25th last week; 4-2)
Honorable Mention: Marysville Monarchs (4-2), Bexley Lions (4-2), Hilliard Bradley Jaguars (4-2), Columbus Academy Vikings (4-2), Reynoldsburg Raiders (4-2), Brookhaven Bearcats (4-2), St. Francis DeSales Stallions (3-3), Amanda-Clearcreek Aces (4-2), Cardington-Lincoln Pirates (4-2), Harvest Prep Warriors (4-2), Westerville South Wildcats (3-3), Olentangy Orange Pioneers (4-2), Danville Blue Devils (4-2), Fairfield Christian Knights (5-1)
Next Week- Rivalry Week
Four Big Games of the Week Next Week: St. Francis DeSales Stallions vs. Bishop Watterson Golden Eagles, Hilliard Davidson Wildcats vs. Dublin Coffman Shamrocks, Westerville North Warriors vs. Westerville South Wildcats, and Eastmoor Academy Warriors vs. Walnut Ridge Scots
Central Ohio Games This Week:
ALL Games are on Friday, unless noted
(Mid Buckeye Conference)
Fredericktown Freddies (3-3, 2-1) at East Knox Bulldogs (1-5, 1-2)
Loudonville Redbirds (2-4, 2-1) at Centerburg Trojans (4-2, 1-2)
Northridge Vikings (3-3, 0-3) at Danville Blue Devils (4-2, 1-2)
Utica Redskins (1-5, 0-3) at Johnstown Johnnies (6-0, 3-0)
(Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference)
Marion Pleasant Trojans (6-0, 5-0) at Cardington-Lincoln Pirates (4-2, 4-1)
Morral Ridgedale Rockets at Galion Northmor Golden Knights (both 0-6, 0-5)
River Valley Vikings (4-2, 4-1) at Mount Gilead Indians (4-2, 3-2)
North Union Wildcats (5-1, 4-1) at Elgin Comets (2-4, 1-4)
Buckeye Valley Barons (3-3, 2-3) at Sparta Highland Fighting Scots
(South Central Ohio League)
Hillsboro Indians (0-6, 0-2) at Madison Plains Golden Eagles
London Red Raiders at Miami Trace Panthers (2-4, 1-1)
Greenfield McClain Tigers (1-5, 0-3) at Clarksville Clinton-Massie Falcons (4-2, 3-0)
(OCC Ohio)
Gahanna Lincoln Golden Lions (4-2, 2-1) at Pickerington North Panthers (5-1, 2-1)
Pickerington Central Tigers (3-2, 3-0) at Groveport Madison Cruisers (3-3, 1-2)
Reynoldsburg Raiders (4-2, 2-1) at Lancaster Golden Gales (3-3, 1-2)
Grove City Greyhounds (2-4, 1-2) at Newark Wildcats (0-6, 0-3)
(OCC Central)
Hilliard Darby Panthers (5-1, 2-1) at Dublin Coffman Shamrocks (6-0, 3-0)
Hilliard Davidson Wildcats (5-0, 3-0) at Worthington Kilbourne Wolves (2-4, 1-2)
Upper Arlington Golden Bears (5-1, 3-0) at Central Crossing Comets (0-6, 0-3)
Westland Cougars at Thomas Worthington Cardinals (both 1-5, 0-3)
(OCC Cardinal)
Westerville South Wildcats (3-3, 2-1) at Marysville Monarchs (4-2, 2-1)
Olentangy Braves (3-3, 2-1) at Dublin Jerome Celtics (2-4, 2-1)
Westerville Central Warhawks (5-1, 2-1) at Dublin Scioto Irish (2-4, 1-2)
Olentangy Liberty Patriots (2-4, 1-2) at Westerville North Warriors (0-6, 0-3)
(OCC Capital)
Big Walnut Golden Eagles (5-1, 3-0) at Delaware Hayes Pacers (2-4, 1-2)
Watkins Memorial Warriors (3-3, 1-2) at Olentangy Orange Pioneers (4-2, 2-1)
Mount Vernon Yellowjackets (2-4, 2-1) at Hilliard Bradley Jaguars (4-2, 1-2)
Franklin Heights Golden Falcons (1-5, 0-3) at New Albany Eagles (4-2, 2-1)
(City League North)
Beechcroft Cougars (5-1, 3-0) at Mifflin Punchers (6-0, 3-0)
East Tigers (1-5, 0-3) at Whetstone Braves (0-6, 0-3)
Brookhaven Bearcats (4-2, 3-0) at Linden McKinley Panthers (1-5, 1-2)
Centennial Stars (1-5, 0-3) at Northland Vikings (2-4, 2-1)
(City League South)
Independence 76ers at Briggs Bruins (both 3-3, 1-2)
West Cowboys (5-1, 2-1) at Walnut Ridge Scots (2-4, 2-1)
Marion-Franklin Red Devils (6-0, 3-0) at Africentric Early College Nubians (1-5, 0-3)
Eastmoor Academy Warriors (5-1, 3-0) at Columbus South Bulldogs (0-6, 0-3)
(Mid State League Cardinal)
West Jefferson Roughriders (5-1, 2-1) at Harvest Prep Warriors (4-2, 1-2)
Lancaster Fisher Catholic Irish (1-5, 1-2) at Liberty Union Lions (5-1, 3-0)
Millersport Lakers (0-6, 0-3) at Licking Heights Hornets (2-4, 1-2)
Grandview Heights Bobcats (6-0, 3-0) at Berne Union Rockets
(Mid State League Ohio)
Columbus Academy Vikings (4-2, 2-1) at Bexley Lions (4-2, 1-2)- THURSDAY
Heath Bulldogs (2-4, 1-2) at Granville Blue Aces (5-1, 3-0)
Whitehall-Yearling Rams (3-3, 1-2) at Hebron Lakewood Lancers (1-5, 0-3)
Newark Catholic Green Wave at Licking Valley Panthers (both 3-3, 2-1)
(Mid State League Buckeye)
Hamilton Township Rangers (3-3, 1-2) at Canal Winchester Indians (4-2, 2-1)
Amanda-Clearcreek Aces (5-1, 3-0) at Teays Valley Vikings
Bloom-Carroll Bruins (1-5, 1-2) at Logan Elm Braves (6-0, 3-0)
Fairfield Union Falcons at Circleville Tigers
(Independents and Non-League Games)
St. Charles Cardinals (2-4) at Canal Fulton Northwest (4-2)
Elyria Catholic Panthers (2-4) at Bishop Hartley Hawks (5-0)
Lima Central Catholic Thunderbirds (6-0) at Bishop Ready Silver Knights (3-3) at Franklin Heights H.S.
Washington Court House Blue Lions (4-2) at Jonathan Alder Pioneers (6-0)
Fairbanks Panthers (5-1) at Upper Scioto Valley Rams (1-5)
Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary Fighting Irish (6-0) at Marion Harding Presidents (2-4)
Fayetteville-Perry Rockets (1-5) at Fairfield Christian Knights (5-1)
King City Villanova (Ontario) at Bishop Watterson Golden Eagles (2-4)- SATURDAY
BREAKING NEWS: Harvest Prep is INELIGIBLE for Postseason Play for both this season and next season for football and both boys and girls basketball, after the Ohio High School Athletic Association ruled on its verdict this year for failing to meet OHSAA bylaws and regulations, especially in the four areas of academics, transfers, recruiting, and administration. ALL of Harvest Prep's teams are ineligible for postseason play this year, and the Boys Basketball Team will forfeit ALL of its wins from last season. From the 2013-14 to 2015-16 school years, Harvest Prep will be on probation.
THURSDAY NIGHT GAME:
The Mayor/Headmaster Trophy
Columbus Academy Vikings (4-2, 2-1) at Bexley Lions (4-2, 1-2)
Because of Yom Kippur, this game is being played on Thursday.
This is a big rivalry between these two schools, as they compete for the Mayor (Bexley)/Headmaster (Academy) Trophy. Before moving up to Gahanna in 1968, Columbus Academy was located on the other side of Alum Creek from Bexley on Nelson Road.
Pick: Columbus Academy
BIG GAME OF THE WEEK:
Beechcroft Cougars (5-1, 3-0) at Mifflin Punchers (6-0, 3-0)
Mifflin has had pretty much an easy schedule, playing no one with more than three wins (Watkins Memorial), and off to a 6-0 start. Reality will set in for the Punchers, because the Cougars (Beechcroft) will prey on the undefeated Punchers.
Pick: Beechcroft
UPSET PICKS OF THE WEEK:
Westerville South Wildcats (3-3, 2-1) at Marysville Monarchs (4-2, 2-1)
South still owns the OCC Cardinal, despite competition this year, having already beaten crosstown rival Westerville Central. Look for Marysville to struggle against a Westerville school for the second straight week.
West Cowboys (5-1, 2-1) at Walnut Ridge Scots (2-4, 2-1)
The Cowboys have had a fairly easy ride in the City League, while Walnut Ridge has won three straight- all City League matches, after an 0-3 start. The Cowboys haven't been to the playoffs ever, and it's not going to happen this year, because of their easy wins.
Picks: Westerville South and Walnut Ridge
STREAKBUSTER ALERT:
Olentangy Liberty Patriots (2-4, 1-2) at Westerville North Warriors (0-6, 0-3)
The Warriors have lost 31 in a row, and are looking for the light at the end of the tunnel. Can they find it this week before a date with crosstown rival Westerville South next week?
Pick: Westerville North
MISMATCH OF THE WEEK:
Upper Arlington Golden Bears (5-1, 3-0) at Central Crossing Comets (0-6, 0-3)
Last year, the Bears blew the Comets off the galaxy, 84-6. The Golden Bears will inch closer to playoff contention, before they end the regular season with Thing One (Hilliard Davidson) and Thing Two (Dublin Coffman).
Eastmoor Academy Warriors (5-1, 3-0) at Columbus South Bulldogs (0-6, 0-3)
South hasn't had a winning season since 1994, and it doesn't help that they play Eastmoor this week, a team that mauled the Bulldogs 82-3 not too long ago.
Picks: Upper Arlington and Eastmoor Academy
OTHER BIG GAMES THIS WEEK:
Elyria Catholic Panthers (2-4) at Bishop Hartley Hawks (5-0)
The Hawks, well rested after a bye, are looking to avenge a loss to Elyria Catholic last year in overtime. The Panthers are riding a four-game losing streak after a 2-0 start, and they make the long two and a half hour drive to the east side of Columbus to play the unbeaten Hawks. Can the Hawks get it done at Jack Ryan Field?
Pick: Hartley
Hilliard Darby Panthers (5-1, 2-1) at Dublin Coffman Shamrocks (6-0, 3-0)
Reality set in for Hilliard Darby as they got thumped at Upper Arlington last week, and this week doesn't get any better as they head up the road to play Dublin Coffman.
Pick: Dublin Coffman
Lima Central Catholic Thunderbirds (6-0) at Bishop Ready Silver Knights (3-3) (at Franklin Heights H.S.)
Pick: Lima Central Catholic
Washington Court House Blue Lions (4-2) at Jonathan Alder Pioneers (6-0)
Pick: Jonathan Alder
Heath Bulldogs (2-4, 1-2) at Granville Blue Aces (5-1, 3-0)
Pick: Granville
Pickerington Central Tigers (3-2, 3-0) at Groveport Madison Cruisers (3-3, 1-2)
Pick: Pickerington Central
Gahanna Lincoln Golden Lions (4-2, 2-1) at Pickerington North Panthers (5-1, 2-1)
Pick: Pickerington North
Newark Catholic Green Wave (3-3, 2-1) at Licking Valley Panthers (3-3, 2-1)
Pick: Licking Valley
SPORTS CORNER TOP 10 (+ 15) for Week 7:
1) Hilliard Davidson Wildcats (5-0)
2) Marion-Franklin Red Devils (6-0)
3) Jonathan Alder Pioneers (6-0)
4) Grandview Heights Bobcats (6-0)
5) Bishop Hartley Hawks (5-0)
6) Dublin Coffman Shamrocks (6-0)
7) Mifflin Punchers (6-0)
8] Johnstown Johnnies (6-0)
9) Pickerington North Panthers (5-1)
10) Eastmoor Academy Warriors (5-1)
------------------------------------------------------
11) Westerville Central Warhawks (5-1)
12) Logan Elm Braves (6-0)
13) Upper Arlington Golden Bears (5-1)
14) Marion Pleasant Trojans (6-0)
15) Gahanna Lincoln Golden Lions (4-2)
16) Granville Blue Aces (5-1)
17) West Jefferson Roughriders (5-1)
18] Big Walnut Golden Eagles (5-1)
19) Hilliard Darby Panthers (5-1)
20) West Cowboys (5-1)
21) Beechcroft Cougars (5-1)
22) Pickerington Central Tigers (3-2)
23) Liberty Union Lions (5-1)
24) New Albany Eagles (4-2)
25) North Union Wildcats (5-1)
Dropped Out: Bexley (15th last week; 4-2), Hilliard Bradley (21st last week; 4-2), Reynoldsburg (24th last week; 4-2), Marysville (25th last week; 4-2)
Honorable Mention: Marysville Monarchs (4-2), Bexley Lions (4-2), Hilliard Bradley Jaguars (4-2), Columbus Academy Vikings (4-2), Reynoldsburg Raiders (4-2), Brookhaven Bearcats (4-2), St. Francis DeSales Stallions (3-3), Amanda-Clearcreek Aces (4-2), Cardington-Lincoln Pirates (4-2), Harvest Prep Warriors (4-2), Westerville South Wildcats (3-3), Olentangy Orange Pioneers (4-2), Danville Blue Devils (4-2), Fairfield Christian Knights (5-1)
Next Week- Rivalry Week
Four Big Games of the Week Next Week: St. Francis DeSales Stallions vs. Bishop Watterson Golden Eagles, Hilliard Davidson Wildcats vs. Dublin Coffman Shamrocks, Westerville North Warriors vs. Westerville South Wildcats, and Eastmoor Academy Warriors vs. Walnut Ridge Scots
Central Ohio Games This Week:
ALL Games are on Friday, unless noted
(Mid Buckeye Conference)
Fredericktown Freddies (3-3, 2-1) at East Knox Bulldogs (1-5, 1-2)
Loudonville Redbirds (2-4, 2-1) at Centerburg Trojans (4-2, 1-2)
Northridge Vikings (3-3, 0-3) at Danville Blue Devils (4-2, 1-2)
Utica Redskins (1-5, 0-3) at Johnstown Johnnies (6-0, 3-0)
(Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference)
Marion Pleasant Trojans (6-0, 5-0) at Cardington-Lincoln Pirates (4-2, 4-1)
Morral Ridgedale Rockets at Galion Northmor Golden Knights (both 0-6, 0-5)
River Valley Vikings (4-2, 4-1) at Mount Gilead Indians (4-2, 3-2)
North Union Wildcats (5-1, 4-1) at Elgin Comets (2-4, 1-4)
Buckeye Valley Barons (3-3, 2-3) at Sparta Highland Fighting Scots
(South Central Ohio League)
Hillsboro Indians (0-6, 0-2) at Madison Plains Golden Eagles
London Red Raiders at Miami Trace Panthers (2-4, 1-1)
Greenfield McClain Tigers (1-5, 0-3) at Clarksville Clinton-Massie Falcons (4-2, 3-0)
(OCC Ohio)
Gahanna Lincoln Golden Lions (4-2, 2-1) at Pickerington North Panthers (5-1, 2-1)
Pickerington Central Tigers (3-2, 3-0) at Groveport Madison Cruisers (3-3, 1-2)
Reynoldsburg Raiders (4-2, 2-1) at Lancaster Golden Gales (3-3, 1-2)
Grove City Greyhounds (2-4, 1-2) at Newark Wildcats (0-6, 0-3)
(OCC Central)
Hilliard Darby Panthers (5-1, 2-1) at Dublin Coffman Shamrocks (6-0, 3-0)
Hilliard Davidson Wildcats (5-0, 3-0) at Worthington Kilbourne Wolves (2-4, 1-2)
Upper Arlington Golden Bears (5-1, 3-0) at Central Crossing Comets (0-6, 0-3)
Westland Cougars at Thomas Worthington Cardinals (both 1-5, 0-3)
(OCC Cardinal)
Westerville South Wildcats (3-3, 2-1) at Marysville Monarchs (4-2, 2-1)
Olentangy Braves (3-3, 2-1) at Dublin Jerome Celtics (2-4, 2-1)
Westerville Central Warhawks (5-1, 2-1) at Dublin Scioto Irish (2-4, 1-2)
Olentangy Liberty Patriots (2-4, 1-2) at Westerville North Warriors (0-6, 0-3)
(OCC Capital)
Big Walnut Golden Eagles (5-1, 3-0) at Delaware Hayes Pacers (2-4, 1-2)
Watkins Memorial Warriors (3-3, 1-2) at Olentangy Orange Pioneers (4-2, 2-1)
Mount Vernon Yellowjackets (2-4, 2-1) at Hilliard Bradley Jaguars (4-2, 1-2)
Franklin Heights Golden Falcons (1-5, 0-3) at New Albany Eagles (4-2, 2-1)
(City League North)
Beechcroft Cougars (5-1, 3-0) at Mifflin Punchers (6-0, 3-0)
East Tigers (1-5, 0-3) at Whetstone Braves (0-6, 0-3)
Brookhaven Bearcats (4-2, 3-0) at Linden McKinley Panthers (1-5, 1-2)
Centennial Stars (1-5, 0-3) at Northland Vikings (2-4, 2-1)
(City League South)
Independence 76ers at Briggs Bruins (both 3-3, 1-2)
West Cowboys (5-1, 2-1) at Walnut Ridge Scots (2-4, 2-1)
Marion-Franklin Red Devils (6-0, 3-0) at Africentric Early College Nubians (1-5, 0-3)
Eastmoor Academy Warriors (5-1, 3-0) at Columbus South Bulldogs (0-6, 0-3)
(Mid State League Cardinal)
West Jefferson Roughriders (5-1, 2-1) at Harvest Prep Warriors (4-2, 1-2)
Lancaster Fisher Catholic Irish (1-5, 1-2) at Liberty Union Lions (5-1, 3-0)
Millersport Lakers (0-6, 0-3) at Licking Heights Hornets (2-4, 1-2)
Grandview Heights Bobcats (6-0, 3-0) at Berne Union Rockets
(Mid State League Ohio)
Columbus Academy Vikings (4-2, 2-1) at Bexley Lions (4-2, 1-2)- THURSDAY
Heath Bulldogs (2-4, 1-2) at Granville Blue Aces (5-1, 3-0)
Whitehall-Yearling Rams (3-3, 1-2) at Hebron Lakewood Lancers (1-5, 0-3)
Newark Catholic Green Wave at Licking Valley Panthers (both 3-3, 2-1)
(Mid State League Buckeye)
Hamilton Township Rangers (3-3, 1-2) at Canal Winchester Indians (4-2, 2-1)
Amanda-Clearcreek Aces (5-1, 3-0) at Teays Valley Vikings
Bloom-Carroll Bruins (1-5, 1-2) at Logan Elm Braves (6-0, 3-0)
Fairfield Union Falcons at Circleville Tigers
(Independents and Non-League Games)
St. Charles Cardinals (2-4) at Canal Fulton Northwest (4-2)
Elyria Catholic Panthers (2-4) at Bishop Hartley Hawks (5-0)
Lima Central Catholic Thunderbirds (6-0) at Bishop Ready Silver Knights (3-3) at Franklin Heights H.S.
Washington Court House Blue Lions (4-2) at Jonathan Alder Pioneers (6-0)
Fairbanks Panthers (5-1) at Upper Scioto Valley Rams (1-5)
Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary Fighting Irish (6-0) at Marion Harding Presidents (2-4)
Fayetteville-Perry Rockets (1-5) at Fairfield Christian Knights (5-1)
King City Villanova (Ontario) at Bishop Watterson Golden Eagles (2-4)- SATURDAY
BREAKING NEWS: Harvest Prep is INELIGIBLE for Postseason Play for both this season and next season for football and both boys and girls basketball, after the Ohio High School Athletic Association ruled on its verdict this year for failing to meet OHSAA bylaws and regulations, especially in the four areas of academics, transfers, recruiting, and administration. ALL of Harvest Prep's teams are ineligible for postseason play this year, and the Boys Basketball Team will forfeit ALL of its wins from last season. From the 2013-14 to 2015-16 school years, Harvest Prep will be on probation.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
NFL 2011: Week 4
The fourth week of the NFL commences tomorrow, and this will be the last week that all 32 teams will play until mid-November.
BIG GAME OF THE WEEK:
New York Jets at Baltimore Ravens (both 2-1) or Rex Ryan Bowl II
The Jets travel down I-95 to play the Ravens, a defense that Jets head coach Rex Ryan coached for years. This will be a great game.
Pick: Ravens 31, Jets 10
BIG EARLY GAME OF THE WEEK:
Detroit Lions (3-0) at Dallas Cowboys (2-1) or The Battle of the Thanksgiving Hosts
The last time the Detroit Lions were 3-0, disco was fading off into the past, Dallas was the # 1 show on television (and we were still wondering who shot J.R.), Ronald Reagan was challenging incumbent Jimmy Carter, and the Rubik's Cube was born. Yup, 1980 was the last time the Detroit Lions started this good. Can they make it 4-0 as they play Dallas in the battle of the Thanksgiving Day NFL Hosts? Um, no. The Cowboys both gave San Francisco and Washington their only losses of the year. It's hard not to root against Big D at their home field.
Pick: Cowboys 27, Lions 13
MISMATCH OF THE WEEK:
Buffalo Bills (3-0) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-2)
The last time the Bengals beat the Bills was the 1988 AFC Championship. The last time the Bengals played the Bills, the game was blacked out (as is tomorrow's- the only place to see the game will be in Buffalo, as Columbus is showing the Clowns), and the Bengals jumped out to an early 31-14 lead, only to be outscored 35-0 after that. Former Bengals receiver Terrell Owens said in a postgame press conference that the Bills "embarrassed us". The Bills are 3-0 for the first time since the 1990s, and are surprisingly the lone AFC unbeaten team remaining after snapping a 15-game losing streak to the New England Patriots last week. Chan Gailey has the Bills believing in themselves, a la the Jim Kelly/Thurman Thomas/Bruce Smith/Marv Levy days of the team. The Bengals, are a complete mess, from off-the-field distractions (Cedric Benson and Jerome Simpson), to not completing 3rd Down Conversions (2-for-21 in last three games on 3rd Down conversions). They need to improve, but fortunately for the Bengal Stripes, they have shitty Jacksonville and really bad Indianapolis in the next two weeks. They'll win those two for sure, but the Bills will bring another can of whoopass tomorrow.
Pick: Bills 41, Bengals 0
UPSET PICKS:
New England Patriots at Oakland Raiders (both 2-1)
The Raiders 2-1? The Patriots (and Raiders both) losing to Buffalo? Whodathunkit? Nobody. But, the Raiders have not been red hot since their last Super Bowl appearance. Last year, they got on the right track finishing 8-8, but that wasn't enough to save Tom Cable his job. The Patriots, heavily favored (surprise, surprise) again in the AFC, struggled last week against Buffalo as Tom Brady threw four passes to Buffalo defenders, including a 27-yard pick six by Drayton Florence, which helped fuel the Bills comeback, as the Pats blew a 21-0 lead, and the Bills (is this a surprise) came clawing back to win. This will be a great game.
Pick: Raiders 19, Patriots 17
Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Texans (both 2-1)
Arian Foster may be back for the Texans, but that may not be enough to stop Pittsburgh or Big Ben.
Pick: Steelers 31, Texans 20
EARLY GAMES:
Carolina Panthers (1-2) at Chicago Bears (2-1)
Pick: Bears 21, Panthers 17
Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns (both 2-1)
Pick: Clowns 34, Titans 13
Minnesota Vikings at Kansas City Chiefs (both 0-3)
Pick: Vikings 20, Chiefs 13
Washington Redskins (2-1) at St. Louis Rams (0-3)
Pick: Redskins 28, Rams 19
San Francisco 49ers (2-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (1-2)
49ers kicker David Akers returns to the stadium where he kicked for 13 years, but that's not the headline here, as the Eagles are experiencing "Overhypeness", because of their all-star cast.
Pick: 49ers 17, Eagles 13
New Orleans Saints (2-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2)
Pick: Saints 35, Jaguars 6
LATE GAMES:
New York Giants (2-1) at Arizona Cardinals (1-2)
Pick: Giants 37, Cardinals 17
Atlanta Falcons at Seattle Seahawks (both 1-2)
Pick: Falcons 30, Seahawks 15
Denver Broncos (1-2) at Green Bay Packers (3-0)
Pick: Packers 38, Broncos 17
Miami Dolphins (0-3) at San Diego Chargers (2-1)
Is this the end for Tony Sparano? This could be, as Sparano has a big target on his back, because the once-mighty Dolphins (yes, the Dolphins of old) are now a joke of themselves. The team that gave us Don Shula, Dan Marino, Bob Griese, Larry Csonka, Nick Buonticonti, and the NFL's only perfect record at 17-0, that team is a shell of its former selves. If the Dolphins get shocked by the Chargers, Tony Sparano, we hardly knew ye...
Pick: Chargers 35, Dolphins 13
MONDAY NIGHT LIGHTS:
Indianapolis Colts (0-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1)
The last time the Colts started 0-3, Peyton Manning was a senior at the University of Tennessee, and the Colts stumbled to 3-13. Of the last 10 times the Colts started 0-3, they failed to win more than three games in at least seven of those occasions. As mentioned before, "One man's impact touches the lives of many others". With that said, Curtis Painter is making his first-ever NFL start on Monday night.
Pick: Buccaneers 31, Colts 0
BIG GAME OF THE WEEK:
New York Jets at Baltimore Ravens (both 2-1) or Rex Ryan Bowl II
The Jets travel down I-95 to play the Ravens, a defense that Jets head coach Rex Ryan coached for years. This will be a great game.
Pick: Ravens 31, Jets 10
BIG EARLY GAME OF THE WEEK:
Detroit Lions (3-0) at Dallas Cowboys (2-1) or The Battle of the Thanksgiving Hosts
The last time the Detroit Lions were 3-0, disco was fading off into the past, Dallas was the # 1 show on television (and we were still wondering who shot J.R.), Ronald Reagan was challenging incumbent Jimmy Carter, and the Rubik's Cube was born. Yup, 1980 was the last time the Detroit Lions started this good. Can they make it 4-0 as they play Dallas in the battle of the Thanksgiving Day NFL Hosts? Um, no. The Cowboys both gave San Francisco and Washington their only losses of the year. It's hard not to root against Big D at their home field.
Pick: Cowboys 27, Lions 13
MISMATCH OF THE WEEK:
Buffalo Bills (3-0) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-2)
The last time the Bengals beat the Bills was the 1988 AFC Championship. The last time the Bengals played the Bills, the game was blacked out (as is tomorrow's- the only place to see the game will be in Buffalo, as Columbus is showing the Clowns), and the Bengals jumped out to an early 31-14 lead, only to be outscored 35-0 after that. Former Bengals receiver Terrell Owens said in a postgame press conference that the Bills "embarrassed us". The Bills are 3-0 for the first time since the 1990s, and are surprisingly the lone AFC unbeaten team remaining after snapping a 15-game losing streak to the New England Patriots last week. Chan Gailey has the Bills believing in themselves, a la the Jim Kelly/Thurman Thomas/Bruce Smith/Marv Levy days of the team. The Bengals, are a complete mess, from off-the-field distractions (Cedric Benson and Jerome Simpson), to not completing 3rd Down Conversions (2-for-21 in last three games on 3rd Down conversions). They need to improve, but fortunately for the Bengal Stripes, they have shitty Jacksonville and really bad Indianapolis in the next two weeks. They'll win those two for sure, but the Bills will bring another can of whoopass tomorrow.
Pick: Bills 41, Bengals 0
UPSET PICKS:
New England Patriots at Oakland Raiders (both 2-1)
The Raiders 2-1? The Patriots (and Raiders both) losing to Buffalo? Whodathunkit? Nobody. But, the Raiders have not been red hot since their last Super Bowl appearance. Last year, they got on the right track finishing 8-8, but that wasn't enough to save Tom Cable his job. The Patriots, heavily favored (surprise, surprise) again in the AFC, struggled last week against Buffalo as Tom Brady threw four passes to Buffalo defenders, including a 27-yard pick six by Drayton Florence, which helped fuel the Bills comeback, as the Pats blew a 21-0 lead, and the Bills (is this a surprise) came clawing back to win. This will be a great game.
Pick: Raiders 19, Patriots 17
Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Texans (both 2-1)
Arian Foster may be back for the Texans, but that may not be enough to stop Pittsburgh or Big Ben.
Pick: Steelers 31, Texans 20
EARLY GAMES:
Carolina Panthers (1-2) at Chicago Bears (2-1)
Pick: Bears 21, Panthers 17
Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns (both 2-1)
Pick: Clowns 34, Titans 13
Minnesota Vikings at Kansas City Chiefs (both 0-3)
Pick: Vikings 20, Chiefs 13
Washington Redskins (2-1) at St. Louis Rams (0-3)
Pick: Redskins 28, Rams 19
San Francisco 49ers (2-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (1-2)
49ers kicker David Akers returns to the stadium where he kicked for 13 years, but that's not the headline here, as the Eagles are experiencing "Overhypeness", because of their all-star cast.
Pick: 49ers 17, Eagles 13
New Orleans Saints (2-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2)
Pick: Saints 35, Jaguars 6
LATE GAMES:
New York Giants (2-1) at Arizona Cardinals (1-2)
Pick: Giants 37, Cardinals 17
Atlanta Falcons at Seattle Seahawks (both 1-2)
Pick: Falcons 30, Seahawks 15
Denver Broncos (1-2) at Green Bay Packers (3-0)
Pick: Packers 38, Broncos 17
Miami Dolphins (0-3) at San Diego Chargers (2-1)
Is this the end for Tony Sparano? This could be, as Sparano has a big target on his back, because the once-mighty Dolphins (yes, the Dolphins of old) are now a joke of themselves. The team that gave us Don Shula, Dan Marino, Bob Griese, Larry Csonka, Nick Buonticonti, and the NFL's only perfect record at 17-0, that team is a shell of its former selves. If the Dolphins get shocked by the Chargers, Tony Sparano, we hardly knew ye...
Pick: Chargers 35, Dolphins 13
MONDAY NIGHT LIGHTS:
Indianapolis Colts (0-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1)
The last time the Colts started 0-3, Peyton Manning was a senior at the University of Tennessee, and the Colts stumbled to 3-13. Of the last 10 times the Colts started 0-3, they failed to win more than three games in at least seven of those occasions. As mentioned before, "One man's impact touches the lives of many others". With that said, Curtis Painter is making his first-ever NFL start on Monday night.
Pick: Buccaneers 31, Colts 0
Friday, September 30, 2011
College Football 2011 Week 5
College Football is heating up as October is here, and there will be a lot of exciting games this weekend.
BIG GAMES OF THE WEEK:
# 3 Alabama Crimson Tide at # 12 Florida Gators (both 4-0)
Pick: Alabama 37, Florida 20
# 7 Wisconsin Badgers at # 8 Nebraska Cornhuskers (both 4-0)
Welcome to the Big Ten, Nebraska. Taylor Martinez and the Huskers will be tested out the gate, when Red Hot Wisconsin comes to town, for a taste of what we can expect on Dec. 3 at Lucas Oil Stadium, in a game with big BCS Implications.
Pick: Nebraska 31, Wisconsin 28
UPSET PICK OF THE WEEK:
Michigan State Spartans at Ohio State Buckeyes (both 3-1)
"Let's beat 'em in the Shoe like we did in '98!"- Anon
1998. The Ohio State Buckeyes were ranked # 1 in the Nation, and were on the verge of going to the inaugural BCS National Championship game. And then, the unthinkable happened. Ahead 24-9, the Buckeyes surrendered a two-touchdown lead and collapsed, losing 28-24 to Michigan State, in one of the biggest upsets of not only the 1990s, or of college football, but of all-time. Tomorrow, the Spartans look to win in Columbus for the first time since that big upset, as Spartans Head Coach Mark Dantonio looks to beat his old team for the very first time. What is interesting is that 24 Spartans players are from Ohio, including seven from the Columbus area, who include LeVeon Bell (Groveport) and senior receiver B.J. Cunningham (Westerville). Those seven Spartans would love to win in front of their hometown crowd, and with Luke Fickell still on the rookie learning curve, the Spartans might beat the Buckeyes in Columbus just like they did in 1998.
Pick: Michigan State 30, Ohio State 27
OHIO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE FOOTBALL:
Mount Union Purple Raiders (3-0, 2-0) at Ohio Northern Polar Bears (2-1, 1-1)
Baldwin-Wallace Yellowjackets (2-1, 1-1) at Marietta Pioneers (1-2, 0-2)
Capital Crusaders (2-1, 2-0) at Heidelberg Student Princes (2-1, 1-1)
Otterbein Cardinals (1-2, 0-2) at John Carroll Blue Streaks (1-2, 1-1)
Muskingum Muskies (3-0, 2-0) at Wilmington Quakers (0-3, 0-2)
Picks This Week: Mount Union, Baldwin-Wallace, Heidelberg, John Carroll, and Muskingum
RIVALRY GAMES THIS WEEK:
The Little Brown Jug:
# 19 Michigan Wolverines (4-0) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (1-3)
The Wolverines are 4-0 for the third straight year, and it looks like that there is no stopping the Big Blue Machine anytime soon, as the Little Brown Jug (after a three-year hiatus) will remain in Ann Arbor, as Michigan has won 36 of the last 39 in this lopsided series.
Pick: Michigan 41, Minnesota 10
The Land of Lincoln Trophy:
# 24 Illinois Fighting Illini (4-0) at Northwestern Wildcats (2-1)
The Illini are 4-0 for the first time in 60 years as they face Northwestern for the bragging rights in The Land of Lincoln. The Wildcats will have an old face back for the first time since tearing his achilles last season.
Pick: Illinois 20, Northwestern 13
Redemption:
# 4 Boise State Broncos (3-0) at Nevada Wolf Pack (1-2)
Last November, the Wolf Pack, behind QB Colin Kaepernick did the unthinkable by derailing the BCS Title hopes for Boise State in a wild overtime upset thriller. Kaepernick is long gone, and Nevada has a two-headed quarterback system.
Pick: Boise State 35, Nevada 17
Indiana Rivals:
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2-2) at Purdue Boilermakers (2-1)
Pick: Notre Dame 30, Purdue 20
OTHER BIG I-FBS TOP 25 GAMES THIS WEEK:
# 14 Texas A&M Aggies (2-1) at # 18 Arkansas Razorbacks (3-1)
This could be a preview of next year, as the Aggies are officially joining the SEC in 2012.
Pick: Arkansas 31, Texas A&M 24
# 1 LSU Tigers (4-0) at Kentucky Wildcats (2-2)
Pick: LSU 41, Kentucky 0
# 21 Georgia Tech Yellowjackets (4-0) at North Carolina State Wolfpack (2-2)
Georgia Tech is 4-0 since winning the National Championship 21 years ago, are the Jackets back?
Pick: Georgia Tech 31, NC State 13
# 22 West Virginia Mountaineers at Bowling Green Falcons (both 3-1)
Pick: West Virginia 34, Bowling Green 16
# 10 South Carolina Gamecocks (4-0) at Auburn Tigers (3-1)
Pick: South Carolina 20, Auburn 10
# 20 TCU Horned Frogs at SMU Mustangs (both 3-1)
Pick: TCU 34, SMU 30
# 11 Virginia Tech Hokies at # 13 Clemson Tigers (both 4-0)
Pick: Clemson 35, Virginia Tech 32
# 17 Texas Longhorns at Iowa State Cyclones (both 3-0)
Pick: Texas 33, Iowa State 15
# 6 Stanford Cardinal (3-0) at UCLA Bruins (2-2)
Pick: Stanford 34, UCLA 3
OTHER DIVISION I GAMES OF NOTE:
Arizona Wildcats (1-3) at USC Trojans (3-1)
Pick: USC 21, Arizona 19
Columbia Lions at Princeton Tigers (both 0-2)
Pick: Princeton 20, Columbia 6
OTHER CENTRAL OHIO SCHOOLS OF NOTE:
Oberlin Yeomen at Wittenberg Tigers
Denison Big Red at Wooster Fighting Scots
Chicago Big Red at Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops
Michigan Tech at Ohio Dominican Panthers
BIG GAMES OF THE WEEK:
# 3 Alabama Crimson Tide at # 12 Florida Gators (both 4-0)
Pick: Alabama 37, Florida 20
# 7 Wisconsin Badgers at # 8 Nebraska Cornhuskers (both 4-0)
Welcome to the Big Ten, Nebraska. Taylor Martinez and the Huskers will be tested out the gate, when Red Hot Wisconsin comes to town, for a taste of what we can expect on Dec. 3 at Lucas Oil Stadium, in a game with big BCS Implications.
Pick: Nebraska 31, Wisconsin 28
UPSET PICK OF THE WEEK:
Michigan State Spartans at Ohio State Buckeyes (both 3-1)
"Let's beat 'em in the Shoe like we did in '98!"- Anon
1998. The Ohio State Buckeyes were ranked # 1 in the Nation, and were on the verge of going to the inaugural BCS National Championship game. And then, the unthinkable happened. Ahead 24-9, the Buckeyes surrendered a two-touchdown lead and collapsed, losing 28-24 to Michigan State, in one of the biggest upsets of not only the 1990s, or of college football, but of all-time. Tomorrow, the Spartans look to win in Columbus for the first time since that big upset, as Spartans Head Coach Mark Dantonio looks to beat his old team for the very first time. What is interesting is that 24 Spartans players are from Ohio, including seven from the Columbus area, who include LeVeon Bell (Groveport) and senior receiver B.J. Cunningham (Westerville). Those seven Spartans would love to win in front of their hometown crowd, and with Luke Fickell still on the rookie learning curve, the Spartans might beat the Buckeyes in Columbus just like they did in 1998.
Pick: Michigan State 30, Ohio State 27
OHIO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE FOOTBALL:
Mount Union Purple Raiders (3-0, 2-0) at Ohio Northern Polar Bears (2-1, 1-1)
Baldwin-Wallace Yellowjackets (2-1, 1-1) at Marietta Pioneers (1-2, 0-2)
Capital Crusaders (2-1, 2-0) at Heidelberg Student Princes (2-1, 1-1)
Otterbein Cardinals (1-2, 0-2) at John Carroll Blue Streaks (1-2, 1-1)
Muskingum Muskies (3-0, 2-0) at Wilmington Quakers (0-3, 0-2)
Picks This Week: Mount Union, Baldwin-Wallace, Heidelberg, John Carroll, and Muskingum
RIVALRY GAMES THIS WEEK:
The Little Brown Jug:
# 19 Michigan Wolverines (4-0) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (1-3)
The Wolverines are 4-0 for the third straight year, and it looks like that there is no stopping the Big Blue Machine anytime soon, as the Little Brown Jug (after a three-year hiatus) will remain in Ann Arbor, as Michigan has won 36 of the last 39 in this lopsided series.
Pick: Michigan 41, Minnesota 10
The Land of Lincoln Trophy:
# 24 Illinois Fighting Illini (4-0) at Northwestern Wildcats (2-1)
The Illini are 4-0 for the first time in 60 years as they face Northwestern for the bragging rights in The Land of Lincoln. The Wildcats will have an old face back for the first time since tearing his achilles last season.
Pick: Illinois 20, Northwestern 13
Redemption:
# 4 Boise State Broncos (3-0) at Nevada Wolf Pack (1-2)
Last November, the Wolf Pack, behind QB Colin Kaepernick did the unthinkable by derailing the BCS Title hopes for Boise State in a wild overtime upset thriller. Kaepernick is long gone, and Nevada has a two-headed quarterback system.
Pick: Boise State 35, Nevada 17
Indiana Rivals:
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2-2) at Purdue Boilermakers (2-1)
Pick: Notre Dame 30, Purdue 20
OTHER BIG I-FBS TOP 25 GAMES THIS WEEK:
# 14 Texas A&M Aggies (2-1) at # 18 Arkansas Razorbacks (3-1)
This could be a preview of next year, as the Aggies are officially joining the SEC in 2012.
Pick: Arkansas 31, Texas A&M 24
# 1 LSU Tigers (4-0) at Kentucky Wildcats (2-2)
Pick: LSU 41, Kentucky 0
# 21 Georgia Tech Yellowjackets (4-0) at North Carolina State Wolfpack (2-2)
Georgia Tech is 4-0 since winning the National Championship 21 years ago, are the Jackets back?
Pick: Georgia Tech 31, NC State 13
# 22 West Virginia Mountaineers at Bowling Green Falcons (both 3-1)
Pick: West Virginia 34, Bowling Green 16
# 10 South Carolina Gamecocks (4-0) at Auburn Tigers (3-1)
Pick: South Carolina 20, Auburn 10
# 20 TCU Horned Frogs at SMU Mustangs (both 3-1)
Pick: TCU 34, SMU 30
# 11 Virginia Tech Hokies at # 13 Clemson Tigers (both 4-0)
Pick: Clemson 35, Virginia Tech 32
# 17 Texas Longhorns at Iowa State Cyclones (both 3-0)
Pick: Texas 33, Iowa State 15
# 6 Stanford Cardinal (3-0) at UCLA Bruins (2-2)
Pick: Stanford 34, UCLA 3
OTHER DIVISION I GAMES OF NOTE:
Arizona Wildcats (1-3) at USC Trojans (3-1)
Pick: USC 21, Arizona 19
Columbia Lions at Princeton Tigers (both 0-2)
Pick: Princeton 20, Columbia 6
OTHER CENTRAL OHIO SCHOOLS OF NOTE:
Oberlin Yeomen at Wittenberg Tigers
Denison Big Red at Wooster Fighting Scots
Chicago Big Red at Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops
Michigan Tech at Ohio Dominican Panthers
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