Week three, finally!

I have been anticipating the third week of picks for, well, three weeks. The football picking season will finally be whole as the NFL kicks off this week. Even more exciting than that is the story lines that come with this week. One of college football’s most storied rivalries will add another chapter and Wawasee faces off with its former head coach, Tom Wogomon. Those games headline what should be a great weekend of football for Northern Indiana.

Last Week: 8-2
Overall: 11-5

High School Football Week 3 9/6

Tippecanoe Valley (0-2) at Manchester (0-2), 7 p.m.
The Scoop: The Vikings are 0-2 on the season and I am 0-2 when picking the Vikings to win. This week, however, both the Vikings and I will break that ugly streak. Even though Ben Shriver’s status is up in the air, Tanner Andrews will be on the field for the Vikings Friday night which should be more than enough to get a win over the Squires. Valley has to make a statement this week.
The Pick: Valley 35, Manchester 0.

Whitko (0-2) at Southwood (1-1), 7 p.m.
The Scoop: Whitko has showed some signs of life in its first two games but not enough to keep up with its opponents for an entire game. That has to change. I am taking a leap of faith this week because I think Tanner Hughes will have a big night for the Wildcats.
The Pick: Whitko 27, Southwood 7.

Triton (1-1) at Culver (1-1), 7 p.m.
The Scoop: Triton is another team that I cannot seem to pick correctly. I pick the Trojans to lose, they win. I pick them to win, they lose. I mention Cole Creighbaum needing space to run and it is Joey Farmwald that racks up over 100 yards. The best I can guesstimate this week is for the Bourbon boys to get back on track with a nice road win.
The Pick: Triton 23, Culver 14.

Wawasee (1-1) at Northridge (2-0), 7:30 p.m.
The Scoop: Yes, you read that correctly. Tom Wogomon has Northridge at 2-0 for the first time since 1992. The Raiders are like the Pittsburgh Pirates of the NLC. This week Wogomon will face his toughest challenge yet as he faces his former team, Wawasee. Former Wogomon assistant, Josh Ekovich, leads the Warriors in this battle of teacher vs. student. It is hard to say what Wawasee team will show up. Week one the Warriors were hungry and fierce and last week they looked lost and uninspired from the opening kick. I hate to say it, but I have to drink the Kool-Aid that is being served in Middlebury this season.
The Pick: Northridge 14, Wawasee 10.

Plymouth (2-0) at Warsaw (1-1), 7:30 p.m.
The Scoop: I was hard on Warsaw last week but East Noble was even harder. Warsaw gets no break as an undefeated Plymouth squad rolls into town this week. This is another put up or shut up game for Warsaw and after last week’s embarrassment, the Tigers should be fired up for a chance to redeem themselves. I think the Rockies will have a tough time staying afloat in Lake City.
The Pick: Warsaw 28, Plymouth 21.

College Football Week 2 9/7

Indiana State (0-1) at Purdue (0-1), 12 p.m.
The Scoop: Both of these teams suffered a beat down last week. ISU gave up a whopping 73 points and Purdue forgot to show up for three of the four quarters in its game against Cincinnati. I do not see Purdue hanging 73 points on any team this season but Rob Henry and the Boiler offense will certainly make an attempt this weekend. It might take a while for Sycamore players to get the tune of “Hail Purdue!” out of their heads after this game.
The Pick: Purdue 56, Indiana State 20

Navy (0-0) at Indiana (1-0), 6 p.m.
The Scoop: The Hoosiers started its season off with some fireworks as it led the nation with its 73-point outburst on Indiana State. That will not happen this week but the offense will still light up the scoreboard. Navy’s triple-option offense is fun to watch and tough to defend but not an efficient way of keeping up with the Hoosiers’ attack.
The Pick: Indiana 48, Navy 17

No. 14 Notre Dame (1-0) at No. 17 Michigan (1-0), 8 p.m.
The Scoop: ESPN’s College Game Day will be live from Ann Arbor, MI for this titanic clash. The two most successful football programs (based on win percentage) in the NCAA will face-off in front of over 110,000 crazed fans. That attendance will break the record set the last time these two schools met in Ann Arbor in 2011. The Wolverines pulled out a thrilling 35-31 victory thanks to clutch play from quarterback Denard Robinson and Notre Dame’s “prevent” defense. This year should be just as exciting and while I like both teams, the result will be pure Michigan.
The Pick: Michigan 20, Notre Dame 14.

NFL Week 1 9/8

Oakland at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.
The Scoop: I absolutely refuse to pick against the Colts in a home opener, regardless of who the opposing quarterback will be. Oakland will start former Ohio State standout Terrelle Pryor under center on Sunday. Pryor adds a nice dual-threat that any defense has to account for but this is still the Raiders, even Joe Montana in his prime would be hard-pressed to improve this squad.
The Pick: Indianapolis 38, Oakland 14.

Cincinnati at Chicago, 1 p.m.
The Scoop: I really feel weird picking a Bears game knowing Brian Urlacher will not be anchoring the Monsters of the Midway but times change and everyone has to adjust. This Bears defense will look different but will still intimidate opposing offenses. The Bengals are a nice dark horse Super Bowl pick with a solid defense and loaded offense but they cannot compete with Solider Field’s environment on opening weekend.
The Pick: Chicago 24, Cincinnati 17.