There is always one game everyone is certain about that goes south on us. This week it was Northern Bedford kicking a field goal with about three minutes left in the game to knock off Mount Union. Now, that really wasn’t an upset, but just about everybody, except Northern Bedford had it figured Trojans all the way. For Jim Cushion (9-1) and Christina Pryor (9-1), that was their only miss. I also muffed the Texas massacre of Missouri, figuring that was way too much pressure after taking over the top spot a week earlier with a huge win over Oklahoma, a week after they got the No. 1 ranking. Kerry Webster and Kerry Naylor also went 8-2 and guest picker Kellie Goodman was one more back at 7-3. Thanks for your time, Kellie Goodman!
Overall, I managed to hold on to the lead after eight weeks, with a 63-17 mark, but Pryor and Cushion are right on my tail at 62-18 and Naylor isn’t far back at 60-19. Webster at 56-24, moves up into a tie with the combined guests.
This week, our guest panelist is Tyrone native and Juniata College cross country and track and field coach Doug Hoover, who now resides in Williamsburg. Doug, along with Stephanie Blackstone from Everett, PA, just returned to the United States from Bessans, France, where they performed in the World Biathlon championships. Blackstone, in her first world championship appearance, finished in 12th place in the women’s biathlon, while Hoover finished in 19th place for the U.S. men This is the third time in four championship appearances in which Doug has placed in the top 20. Good luck Doug in this week’s picks!
Tyrone at Penns Valley: Another of last year’s challenges, the Eagles squeaked out a 10-3 triumph, that should be a laugher this year. Tyrone (7-1) is every bit as good on defense as in ‘07 and on the other side of the ball, Larry Glace, Mark Mingle, Levi Reihart, John Shaffer and the rest of the offense is simply scary to opponents. The only Rams (1-6, 1-7) win is over a winless Lewistown squad the Eagles rolled over last week 48-7.
The picks: Miller Tyrone 45-0, Kerry Webster Tyrone 56-12, Kerry Naylor Tyrone 41-7, Jim Cushion Tyrone 35-7, Christina Pryor Tyrone 42-0, Doug Hoover Tyrone 45-7.
Mount Union at Bellwood-Antis: This was shaping up to be a battle of ICC division leaders each with a loss to their biggest rival in the season opener and seven straight wins. Mount Union, however, got derailed by Northern Bedford last week, which threw the ICC South into a tizzy. Mount Union (6-2) had all the stats, but Northern had the most points. Bellwood-Antis (7-1) must stop Mount Union’s running attack, something no one has been able to do, not even Huntingdon in their 7-6 win in the opener. Then, again, the Trojans must stop the Blue Devils rushing offense to be successful. The team who can do the better should win the game, although, B-A has proved to be the better passer, if it comes down to that, but Mount Union has run so well, they haven’t had to do much through the air.
The picks: Miller Bellwood-Antis 27-14, Kerry Webster Bellwood-Antis 35-13, Kerry Naylor Bellwood-Antis 28-12, Jim Cushion Bellwood-Antis 32-14, Christina Pryor Bellwood-Antis 21-13, Doug Hoover Bellwood-Antis 21-14.
Central at St. Marys: The second of a brutal late-season three-game road trip for Central, the Dragons must get back on track without looking ahead to Tyrone next week, or back to their first loss at Clearfield last week. St. Marys’ losses are to Bellefonte (24-20) in the opener, and Tyrone (44-7) in week six. Central shut out Bellefonte 19-0.
The picks: Miller Central, Kerry Webster St. Marys, Kerry Naylor Central, Jim Cushion Central, Christina Pryor St. Marys, Doug Hoover Central.
Bishop Guilfoyle at Johnstown: A pair of teams, who are both 5-3 overall, and both 3-2 in opposite divisions of the Laurel Highlands Conference. Guilfoyle has displayed a high-flying aerial attack and has scored lots of points. Johnstown has held five opponents to under 125 yards rushing. This is a classic battle of different styles of offense. Comparing common opponents, gives you Johnstown with one clear choice, BG with one, and four tossups, where the margins were very close. Who will win out?
The picks: Miller Bishop Guilfoyle, Kerry Webster Johnstown, Kerry Naylor Bishop Guilfoyle, Jim Cushion Johnstown, Christina Pryor Bishop Guilfoyle, Doug Hoover Bishop Guilfoyle.
Georgia at LSU: Battle of No. 9 Georgia versus, No. 11 LSU. Knowshon Moreno had a season high 172 yards in win Saturday over Vanderbilt who twice came back from two-TD deficits before Bulldogs finally put them away 24-14. Defending national champ LSU has had some rough sledding in trying to make a two-peat, had their hands full with Steve Spurrier’s South Carolina Gamecocks before edging then 24-17.
The picks: Miller LSU, Kerry Webster LSU, Kerry Naylor LSU, Jim Cushion Georgia, Christina Pryor LSU, Doug Hoover Georgia
Oklahoma State at Texas: Another game in the gauntlet, Texas, or for that matter, anyone in the Big 12 has to go through just to win their conference. It seems everybody in that league has a top-notch quarterback. Longhorns continued excellence for second week in a row in taming Chase Daniel and Mizzou. Playing as a top-10 team for the first time in 23 years, Cowboys scored on four-straight first-half possessions to make sure there was no letdown.
The picks: Miller Texas, Kerry Webster Texas, Kerry Naylor Texas, Jim Cushion Texas, Christina Pryor Texas, Doug Hoover Texas.
Michigan at Michigan State: Both got blasted last week, by the opponents in the Horse Shoe this week. Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez is finding out about life in the Big 10, at the same time, Michigan State was finding out about the Beanie and Terrelle show. Spartan running back Javon Ringer was held to low rushing total and State must find a way to break him out against the Wolverines.
The picks: Miller Michigan State, Kerry Webster Michigan State, Kerry Naylor Michigan State, Jim Cushion Michigan State, Christina Pryor Michigan State, Doug Hoover Michigan State.
Rutgers at Pitt: Pitt had their A Game on against Navy, after getting pummeled a year ago by the Midshipmen. Now they need to do the same against the Scarlet Knights. It will be easier without departed super runner Ray Rice, and with the display LaSean “Shady” McCoy put on last week. McCoy rushed for three scores and 28 yards, in the first half, and the passing of Bill Stull, who seems to be adjusting to the quarterback role, after missing most of last season, if he can keep interceptions to a minimum.
The picks: Miller Pitt 28-14, Kerry Webster Pitt 42-28, Kerry Naylor Pitt 35-10, Jim Cushion Pitt 16-14, Christina Pryor Pitt 31-17, Doug Hoover Pitt 28-13.
Penn State at Ohio State: This one is for the Big 10 title and automatic BCS Bowl bid, assuming the Nittany Lions can do anything close to Michigan State, what Ohio State did last weekend. Buckeyes have freshman quarterback sensation Terrelle Pryor, (no relation to our Christina) and Beanie Wells running the ball, and a tough defense led by an outstanding linebacking corps. Nits have Daryll Clark and Evan Royster and their own pretty good complement of linebackers. Give the Penn State offense a plus in the passing game with Clark and the Golden Trio of receivers Williams, Norwood and Butler.
The picks: Miller Penn State 33-21, Kerry Webster Penn State 32-14, Kerry Naylor Penn State 28-17, Jim Cushion Penn State 27-23, Christina Pryor Penn State 37-10, Doug Hoover Penn State 35-24.
Giants at Steelers: Pittsburgh returns home to face defending Super Bowl champion Giants. Steelers, who have been plagued by injuries, should have nose tackle Casey Hampton, running back Willie Parker and possibly running back Carey Davis and left tackle Marvel Smith for this weeks game against the Giants. Mewelde Moore will go back to being the third-down back. Troy Polamalu, suffered a slight concussion against the Bengals, but is expected to play. Cornerback Bryant McFadden is out indefinitely after surgery for his broken arm. Pittsburgh fell 15-6 to the Eagles, while the Giants were stunned by the Cleveland Browns 35-14. The Steeler “D” must stop Eli Manning and company.
The picks: Miller Steelers 28-24, Kerry Webster Giants 35-28, Kerry Naylor Steelers 24-20, Jim Cushion Steelers 21-14, Christina Pryor Steelers 27-20, Doug Hoover Steelers 24-17.
