Nick’s Picks: The Bears And Colts Are Bad
Heck, it’s practically dinner time. Let me apologize for the late posting of this week’s picks. It’s been a hectic week with way too much going on an getting these done took a little longer than expected.
I don’t have any good stories or lists for the readers this week. Just the picks. But I did get a ton of positive feedback on last week’s list of things that I hate about fall. Thankfully there were no calls from Adrien Brody or his publicist.
This week marks the end of high school football’s regular season. We gear up for sectionals next week. Volleyball and football will start their postseasons next week. And then? Basketball!
There are cross country regional races this weekend that we have local teams in, get out and support your runners!
Also, I’m in a wedding this weekend. I’ll be playing the part of the usher. I’ll be looking suave and debonair in my suit. Look for pictures on social media and make sure to “like” to provide a boost to my ego.
Thanks!
Oh, right, this week’s title. Well, I didn’t know what to go with. So, I figured I’d just bring attention to a very serious problem, that being that both of our local pro football teams are garbage. Last week’s game was close, sure. But it was also painful. What happened to the two teams that met in the Super Bowl not even 10 years ago? This is just bad. More on this later though!
Let’s get to the picks before you actually do sit down for dinner.
Last Week: 6-3
Overall: 47-21
High School Football Week Nine 10/14
Concord (5-3, 4-2) at Warsaw (5-3, 4-2), 7 p.m.
The Scoop: Can we all just pretend like last week never happened? Okay, deal.
The Tigers host Concord for the season finale this week and this game is still very big. Warsaw has a very winnable sectional game next week and a strong performance this Friday can be what springs the team to a win in the sectional. If the Tigers (or any team) decide to slouch this final week of the season, then it really could have a negative impact next week. Concord’s defense has been terrible this season. I think Warsaw should have big night offensively.
Nick’s Pick: Warsaw 35, Concord 20.
Goshen (6-2, 4-2) at Wawasee (4-4, 2-4), 7 p.m.
The Scoop: Goshen meets Wawasee on the gridiron for the first time as the RedHawks and there will be no giant ugly trophy to give away at the end of this game. Both of these teams seem to be very evenly match on paper. The biggest difference being that Goshen was able to put both Concord and Plymouth away while Wawasee could not. The Warriors average 27 point per game on offense, and surrender 26 on defense. Goshen scores 22 and gives up 22. I really think this will be a fun, back and forth affair. I think it helps Wawasee to be at home and to be playing on senior night. I’ll take the Warriors in a close game.
Nick’s Pick: Wawasee 31, Goshen 24.
Whitko (6-2, 4-2) at Peru (6-2, 5-1), 7 p.m
The Scoop: Whitko is still searching for a marquee victory this season. Losses to Southwood and Northfield are the only ones that the Wildcats have suffered to this point and those are, by far, the best two teams Whitko has played. Another tough opponent presents itself for the Wildcats this week in the TRC playoff. The Tigers are a talented squad with an effective defense that surrenders just over 17 points per game. I like the Tigers more since they are playing at home and because I’m still needed to see Whitko get that signature win.
Nick’s Pick: Peru 28, Whitko 20.
Tippecanoe Valley (3-5, 3-3) at Southwood (5-3, 3-3), 7 p.m.
The Scoop: The Vikings have impressed with three=straight victories after an ugly 0-5 start. This week the schedule gets a little tougher for Valley as Southwood host the Vikings in the TRC playoff. The Knights finished third in the TRC South behind two very good teams in North Miami and Peru. Southwood is a very talented team and I don’t know that Valley has the horses to hang with the Knights for a full game. Southwood puts up over 35 points per game where Valley is only scoring 17. It just doesn’t have the making to be a shootout. Look for the Knights to prevail in this one.
Nick’s Pick: Southwood 42, Valley 21.
Triton (0-8, 0-7) at West Central (1-7, 0-7), 7 p.m.
The Scoop: The Trojans lost a fantastic game with a ranked Knox team last Friday. I had the Trojans losing by 19, boy was I wrong. It took Knox three overtimes to finally get rid of Triton’s upset bid. The Trojans are more than ready to find the win column this week. West Central and Triton have similar averages on paper, but the stats show that Triton’s offense has been more effective as has its defense despite West Central having a win. Triton will end the regular season the right way this week with some nice momentum to take into next week’s sectional.
Nick’s Pick: Triton 27, West Central 7.
College Football 10/15
Iowa (4-2, 2-1) at Purdue (3-2, 1-1), noon
The Scoop: Purdue defeated Illinois in overtime last week. Yes, Darrell Hazell, keep winning, force Purdue to keep you around for another couple of years. This is what all Hoosier fans want.
To be honest, I was surprised the Boilers pulled that game out, I’d be even more surprised if they pulled this one out. The Hawkeyes are having a strange year, but a loss here would just make a total loss of a season for Kirk Ferentz and co. Look for Iowa to struggle early but pull away for the win.
Nick’s Pick: Iowa 38, Purdue 24.
No. 10 Nebraska (5-0, 2-0) at Indiana (3-2, 1-1), 3:30 p.m.
The Scoop: It’s homecoming for the Hoosiers and Nebraska rolls into town. Let’s cut right to the chase: October 13, 1945. Indiana played Nebraska in a homecoming game and thumped the Husker 54-14 in what would being an undefeated season for the Hoosiers. The Hoosier own a 9-7-3 record all-time against Nebraska. (I know, isn’t that weird?) So this is Indiana’s game to lose. I like the Hoosiers to win at home behind a big defensive effort.
Nick’s Pick: Indiana 34, Nebraska 20.
Stanford (3-2) at Notre Dame (2-4), 7:30 p.m.
The Scoop: Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Both of these teams were big top 25 teams looking for a playoff berth at the beginning of this season and now, a bowl berth would be a welcome improvement. What a joke. Notre Dame will win this game because that’s the kind of season it’s going to be. I stopped picking Ball State games because they’ve disappointed me so much the past few weeks. ND is not far behind.
Nick’s Pick: Notre Dame 28, Stanford 24.
NFL Week Six 10/16
Jacksonville (1-3) at Chicago (1-4), 1 p.m.
The Scoop: I have no motivation to pick this game between two dumpster fires. I like Hoyer and the Bears though to pull this one out against a, somehow, overrated Jacksonville team. Seriously, how many times do we have to talk about how improved the Jags are in the offseason before we can just agree that it’s a lie?
Nick’s Pick: Bears 34, Jags 31.
Indianapolis (2-3) at Houston (3-2), 8:30 p.m. Sunday Night Football
The Scoop: Speaking of dumpster fires…
This is about the time the Colts start pulling out more ugly wins against inferior opponents and rise to the top of the AFC South. Only losing game can get this franchise to where it needs to be to make the right changes. But, that won’t be happening any time soon. So, here we are. Left watching this garbage on national TV against another garabage, overrated team. Yikes.
Nick’s Pick: Colts 27, Texans 24.