Throwback Thursday to when I first realized how good I looked in that style of hat.

Throwback Thursday, Thirsty Thursdays, Boneless Thursdays, it doesn’t matter.

It’s been way too long since I’ve put an edition out on a Thursday but now I’m back….with wings and beverages sure to come later tonight.

It’s rivalry week for the Kosciusko area, at least for a few teams. The Bell is up for grabs between Valley and Rochester in what is one of the best rivalries around. Then, of course, there is Warsaw and Wawasee battling for the Traveling ‘W’ Trophy in what has been a very exciting matchup the past few seasons.

During what is one of the most exciting sports weekends of the year for the county, I will be at the center of it all! And by “all” I mean the state, I will be at the center of the state covering the girls golf state championship.

I want to congratulate all of the golfers that made it to last week’s regional from our local schools. An even bigger shout-out goes to Mikala Mawhorter of Wawasee and the NorthWood girls golf team. Mawhorter qualified as an individual by finishing second at the East Noble Regional while NorthWood finished second as a team to move on. I covered the boys finals in the spring and the girls finals last fall so I am excited to get back down there for some good golf.

Best of luck to all of the athletes competing in tennis sectionals and cross country conference meets this weekend.

Before I move on, I ask that you take a piece of advice from me, readers.

When booking a hotel, read the reviews first, no matter how much of a hurry you are in. I failed to do this while booking my room for state. I jumped on a low price for a hotel then read the reviews. The first review was a complaint about the potential for bed bugs in one of the rooms. Isn’t that fantastic? Perhaps I will reconsider where I am staying.

So, if you happen to be in the Indy area this weekend and see a large fella sleeping in the front seat of a Toyota Celica, don’t worry. It’s just me trying to avoid the bed bugs.

Last Week: 6-5
Overall: 36-16

High School Football 10/2

Wawasee (2-4, 0-4) at Warsaw (3-3, 2-2), 7 p.m.
The Scoop: I really, really hate picking this game because I can’t get it right. Since beginning my picks I have missed this game both times. I showed faith in the Warriors two years back and was denied. Last year I put all my chips in the Tigers basket but was then proven wrong by the Warriors. I thought those picks the last two years were “easy” in that I went with the safer choice each time. Apparently I was wrong.
Warsaw brings in a well balanced offense to face a stout Wawasee defense. The key here will be whether or not the Tigers want to air it out and I don’t know why they wouldn’t because Wawasee has a weakness in the secondary. The Warriors came out strong against a good Plymouth team last week and hung with the Rockies for the whole game. Regardless of the circumstances Plymouth was facing, that’s a big boost for the Warriors. If the o-line figures out a way to give the backs space to run this week, Wawasee will win. But, I like Michael Jensen and the Tigers to build a lead and then burn some clock to keep Wawasee chasing. I haven’t learned my lesson, I might pay for it, but I’m going with seemingly safer pick here…even if it hurts my green and gold roots.
Nick’s Pick: Warsaw 25, Wawasee 14.

Manchester (0-6, 0-4) at Whitko (2-4, 1-3), 7 p.m.
The Scoop: Whitko did just about everything right in its game against Southwood last week except protect the football. That led to a 21-20 loss for the Wildcats despite the fact that they out-gained the Knights by almost 300-yards of total offense. Now, I wasn’t at this game. I didn’t talk to anybody on the Whitko team but I have a feeling that they were a very unhappy bunch and there is a lot of anger about to be released this Friday.
The Wildcats are going to do exactly what they did last week, but they will protect the football this time and they will win big. 400 yards of offense will be no issue. Total control at the line of scrimmage? Of course! Three more scores for Garrett Elder? Sure, why not?
Okay, I need to settle down before I get carried away. Don’t get a big head, Wildcats. Play your game and the win will come.
Nick’s Pick: Whitko 33, Manchester 14.

Tippecanoe Valley (2-4, 2-2) at Rochester (2-4, 2-2), 7 p.m.
The Scoop: 35-8. That was the score of last year’s game between these two rivals. Rochester walked away with the Bell. 35-8, let that score sink in, Vikings.
Picking the Vikings would stray from the norm of making a safe pick. John Harrell’s site has Rochester predicted to win 38-14. 24 points? Ouch.
Clearly it would be ill-advised and I may even get reprimanded for it (not really) but I’m tired of picking by the book. I’m tired of the safe picks. I feel like Tim Robbins in The Shawshank Redemption right now!

I’m locking the door, nobody is getting in. I’m blasting my pick through the speakers, I’m turning up the sound. Kosciusko football fans are stopping to stare at the spectacle I’m creating.
“Some things are best left unsaid.” I’m not explaining myself here, I don’t have to.
“Skol, Vikings!” (I couldn’t help myself)
Nick’s Pick: Tippecanoe Valley 29, Rochester 24.

North Judson (5-1, 4-1) at Triton (1-5, 1-4), 7:30 p.m.
The Scoop: This new conference is doing no favors for the Trojans on the gridiron.
Another tough opponent awaits Triton this week as North Judson rolls in coming off a 58-0 blowout of West Central. The Trojans have some nice pieces but getting them to fit together against another quality opponent will be a tall task.
There is only so much sugar coating to be done. It’s been a rough season for Triton, it won’t be much nicer this Friday, but the schedule gets a lot better from here on out.
Nick’s Pick: North Judson 42, Triton 15.

College Football 10/3

Purdue (1-3) at No. 2 Michigan State (4-0), 12 p.m.
The Scoop: Purdue head coach Darrell Hazell has as many wins in the Big Ten at Purdue as he did while he was head coach at Kent State, one.
No more information required.
Nick’s Pick: Michigan State 45, Purdue 10.

Toldeo (3-0) at Ball State (2-2, 1-0), 3 p.m.
The Scoop: It’s Homecoming in Muncie and that means that alcohol sales are through the roof! families from all around will be gathering to watch the Cardinals take on Toledo. It should be a great environment for Ball State this weekend, playing in front of a nice crowd always helps. The Cards even had a great showing at No. 17 Northwestern last Saturday. This team doesn’t appear to be inconsistent so I’ll stick with BSU at home.
Nick’s Pick: Ball State 38, Toldeo 28.

No. 1 Ohio State (4-0) at Indiana (4-0), 3:30 p.m.
The Scoop: Okay, we all know Indiana won’t win this game so, I won’t spend much time on this pick either.
IU’s starting defensive tackle is suspended, that takes away the fighting chance I was going to give to the Hoosiers. Best case scenario for IU is to get the ball first, eat up a lot of clock, score and then successfully onside kick the rest of the game.
I’ve got the Hoosiers beating the spread, that’s about it.
Nick’s Pick: Ohio State 41, Indiana 30.

No. 6 Notre Dame (4-0, 1-0) at Clemson (3-0, 2-0), 8 p.m.
The Scoop: Who knows what to expect here? Notre Dame has lost six starters off its team so far but have still managed to win games. Brian Kelly is far from a charming guy, but he knows how to coach. He is like a less “cheaty” Bill Belichick. That’s good for ND.
On defense the Irish have been solid all season allowing, for the most part, their offense to build a lead. I expect that to happen again this week.
Notre Dame is going to lose eventually, the injury bug will take its toll, I just don’t think it happens yet.
Nick’s Pick: Notre Dame 24, Clemson 14.

NFL 10/4

Jacksonville (1-2) at Indianapolis (1-2), 1 p.m.
The Scoop: Andrew Luck popped up on the injury report for the first time since his rookie season. He apparently has pain in his throwing shoulder. Allow me to translate what is happening: THE COLTS HAVE BROKEN ANDREW LUCK BY FAILING TO PROPERLY PUT AN OFFENSIVE LINE IN FRONT OF HIM.
I have to stop now or I’ll rant on for 1,200 words about how upset I am with GM Ryan Grigson.
As for the game this week, Frank Gore should be getting the ball early and often. I look for the Colts defense to make the biggest plays in a very important game for Indy.
Nick’s Pick: Colts 27, Jacksonville 17.

Oakland (2-1) at Chicago (0-3), 1 p.m.
The Scoop: “With the first pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears select…”I’m just kidding, Bears fans….the draft isn’t until May!
But, seriously, the Bears could be looking at a historically bad season if some things don’t start to change. Chicago has already started cleaning house by getting rid of players that simply have not produced, that’s a solid start.
Oakland brings in some great young talent and is favored in this game. I think that’s fair, the Raiders are much improved from what we’ve known the past decade. However, I think this game belongs to the Bears. I’ve got this gut feeling that Matt Forte is going to go off for a huge game and carry the team to a win. In fact, I don’t even think the Bears will win, I thin Matt Forte will win.
Nick’s Pick: Matt Forte 28, Oakland 24.