After three perfect cards in Week Two, we almost had two more last week. Both Kerry’s (Webster and Naylor) notched nine wins, with everyone on the panel incorrectly picking Altoona. The Mountain Lions dominated statistically, but fell short by a touchdown against Cumberland Valley. Jim Cushion also chose Michigan over Notre Dame, as only Naylor and Webster got that one right. I was another game back with Christine Pryor at 7-3 and our special guest Dan Sprankle was 6-4. Thanks Dan for your time and courtesy!
Overall, Cushion (26-4) is the leader, but Naylor (25-4) has recorded 18 of 20 over the last two weeks to challenge for the top spot. Miller is 24-6, Pryor is 23-7 and Webster picked up three spots to tie the guests after three weeks at 22-8.
This week, our guest picker is Eleanor Feltenberger. Eleanor has been a guest panelist for several years and is always right on the money with her selections, getting nearly 80 percent over the years. Good luck Eleanor!
Tyrone at Clearfield: Clearfield has been scoring points at a breakneck pace over the past couple years, and giving up a bunch as well, so you might expect a high-scoring offensive showdown at the Bison Sports Complex on Friday night. However, when you take into account what the Tyrone defense has been doing to everybody this year, Clearfield could be in deep doodo. The double-headed running-passing attack of the Golden Eagles, could put a damper on the local fans enthusiasm quickly. It might be a high-scoring game on one side of the scoreboard, but that isn’t going to be good for Clearfield.
The picks: Miller Tyrone 33-14, Kerry Webster Tyrone 28-21, Kerry Naylor Tyrone 17-10, Jim Cushion Tyrone 33-14, Christina Pryor Tyrone 35-7, Eleanor Feltenberger Tyrone 14-13.
Bellwood-Antis at West Branch: These two teams haven’t played in a while and the Warriors will wish after this game, that they weren’t on the same playing field in 2008 either. After getting the Tyrone debacle out of the way and mind, the Blue Devils have gotten better each week. West Branch should be no more of an obstacle, than the colorfully-sloganed banner, the cheerleaders make for the players to run through before the game. At least, as long as the Blue Devils understand, the game has to be won or lost on the field and don’t expect West Branch to lay down, just because they are Bellwood-Antis. When the two schools played yearly, West Branch only won three of 25, but for the Warriors, every Bellwood game was their big game.
The picks: Miller Bellwood-Antis 45-6, Kerry Webster Bellwood-Antis 35-14, Kerry Naylor Bellwood-Antis 28-0, Jim Cushion Bellwood-Antis 42-0, Christina Pryor Bellwood-Antis 28-7, Eleanor Feltenberger Bellwood-Antis 33-7.
Central Mountain at Bald Eagle Area: Central Mountain went toe-to-toe with Tyrone last week and suffered their first loss by three points. BEA ripped through their first two games to equal the win total from ‘07 (BEA had to forfeit the two they actually won on the field), but were handled by St. Marys, who haven’t played a home game yet. Quad-A Central Mountain scored in bunches in their opening two games and should again this week. This is a gut-check for BEA.
The picks: Miller Central Mountain, Kerry Webster BEA, Kerry Naylor Central Mountain, Jim Cushion Central Mountain, Christina Pryor BEA, Eleanor Feltenberger Central Mountain.
Southern Huntingdon at Mount Union: Early season meeting between two undefeated small, school powerhouses. Southern Huntingdon is used to this early success, while Mount Union has been suffering the past few seasons. This is a big test for the Trojans, plus the win would secure some Huntingdon County bragging rights between the two schools as well. Rockets QB Zach Crull has carried Southern in early going, running and passing. Trojan power running offense has been the key for Mount Union.
The picks: Miller Mount Union, Kerry Webster Mount Union, Kerry Naylor Mount Union, Jim Cushion Mount Union, Christina Pryor Southern Huntingdon, Eleanor Feltenberger Southern Huntingdon.
Hollidaysburg at Bellefonte: Central showed they are for real with 19-0 win last week over Bellefonte, while Hollidaysburg with upgraded schedule was blowing out Washington D.C. school H. D. Woodson. Tigers scored final two TDs after long kickoff return by Woodson narrowed their lead to two points. Bellefonte is young. Starting the season with two wins was crucial, but this week is the toughest on their schedule, although DuBois and Central Mt. remain for later.
The picks: Miller Hollidaysburg, Kerry Webster Bellefonte, Kerry Naylor Hollidaysburg, Jim Cushion Hollidaysburg, Christina Pryor Hollidaysburg, Eleanor Feltenberger Hollidaysburg.
East Carolina at North Carolina State: Can East Carolina keep on going after beginning the season with upsets over Virginia Tech and West Virginia. The Pirates nearly were victims themselves last week, barely escaping upset-minded Tulane. East Carolina moves up to No. 15 this week in the AP Top 25, but must constantly watch out for the other guy, in Conference USA, with everyone looking for them, now that they are in the national spotlight.
The picks: Miller East Carolina, Kerry Webster East Carolina, Kerry Naylor East Carolina, Jim Cushion East Carolina, Christina Pryor East Carolina, Eleanor Feltenberger East Carolina.
LSU at Auburn: Battle of unbeaten SEC teams, The two Tigers are alike in defense. Auburn, always tough at home has allowed three opponents a total of 15 points, LSU has given up 16 in two, while scoring 41 in each of their victories. Auburn won by the baseball-like score of 3-2 last week over Mississippi State.
The picks: Miller LSU, Kerry Webster LSU, Kerry Naylor Auburn, Jim Cushion LSU, Christina Pryor LSU, Eleanor Feltenberger Auburn.
Iowa at Pitt: Pitt needs this one in battle of Big East versus Big 10. Iowa is led by senior QB Jake Christianson and dual defensive tackles Mitch King and Matt Kroul. Panthers had last week off to prepare for Iowa and need improvement on offensive line to allow LaSean McCoy to be truly offensive as he showed in 2007. QB Bill Stull must take control to keep foes from keying on McCoy.
The picks: Miller Iowa 20-17, Kerry Webster Iowa 38-12, Kerry Naylor Iowa 25-20, Jim Cushion Iowa 30-13, Christina Pryor Iowa 24-14, Eleanor Feltenberger Iowa 17-14
Temple at Penn State: For everybody else, this seems to be another breather, the last before the Nittany Lions begin their Big 10 schedule. Joe Paterno keeps saying he doesn’t know how good his team is, because they haven’t had to face any adversity in any of their games yet. Joe is 100 percent correct there, but won’t find out this week either. Head Temple coach Al Golden and two of his staff played football at Penn State-it won’t help.
The picks: Miller Penn State 54-7, Kerry Webster Penn State 52-14, Kerry Naylor Penn State 48-10, Jim Cushion Penn State 44-12, Christina Pryor Penn State 38-3, Eleanor Feltenberger Penn State 35-10.
Steelers at Eagles: Steelers won low-scoring contest in awful weather against Browns with their usual rushing attack and having sore-shouldered Ben Roethlisberger do just enough passing. Eagles were taken to the limit in their loss to Cowboys on Monday night, blowing late lead. Can the Eagles turn around and come home from Texas and play a good game on such short notice. Donovan McNabb will have to play at his best against the Steeler defense.
The picks; Miller Steelers 27-17, Kerry Webster Eagles 38-35, Kerry Naylor Steelers 22-17, Jim Cushion Steelers 21-17. Christina Pryor Steelers 31-28, Eleanor Feltenberger Steelers 21-7.
