Week 3 NFL picks

Packers-Chiefs highlight big week

Kansas City visits Green Bay on Monday night to culminate a big weekend of NFL games. In Week 2, I finished slightly better, going 9-7 but I'm still behind the eight ball as my record sits at 14-18 on the season.

The Giants got me ahead of the ledger with their Thursday night performance so let's consolidate on that for the rest of the week's picks!

Atlanta @ Dallas

Though off to a 2-0 start, the cowboys are hurting and may not be able to hold off the revitalised Falcons.

Atlanta 31-21

Indianapolis @ Tennessee

The Colts need the "W" badly!

Indianapolis 30-24

Oakland @ Cleveland

Oakland 27-24

Cincinnati @ Baltimore

The Ravens are in a similar position as the Colts...they need a win but Cincy is always tough in September!!

Baltimore 24-20

Jacksonville @ New England

New England 35-24

New Orleans @ Carolina

Carolina 30-27

Philadelphia @ NY Jets

Philadelphia 23-21

Tampa Bay @ Houston

Houston 27-22

San Diego @ Minnesota

My Chargers need to get this one!!

San Diego 21-13

Pittsburgh @ St. Louis

Pittsburgh 31-17

San Francisco @ Arizona

Tough trip for the 'Niners!! 

Hayne Watch: 4-6 touches for 45-55 yards

Arizona 30-20

Buffalo @ Miami

Miami 20-16

Chicago @ Seattle

Seahawks finally come together!!

Seattle 28-17

Denver @ Detroit

Tricky road game for Denver.

Denver 26-21

Kansas City @ Green Bay

Packers too strong at home!

Green Bay 27-19

Until next week....enjoy the games!!!

NCAA Week 4 picks

More Upsets this week

Even though I finished 21-4 for Week 3 taking me to 63-12 in picking NCAA games so far this season, there were some upsets and several teams bring injuries into this weekend.

UCLA and TCU have tricky road games and there are a few other just below Top 25 teams in key games.

Ok, let's pick 'em!!

Central Michigan @ Michigan State (2)

Michigan State 43-10

BYU (22) @ Michigan

BYU is breaking in a new QB and may have used their mracles eary in the season!

Michigan 27-20

Georgia Tech (20) @ Duke

Ga Tech 31-22

Southern @ Georgia (7)

Georgia 52-10

LSU (8) @ Syracuse

LSU 30-14

Rice @ Baylor (5)

Baylor 41-22

Oklahoma State (24) @ Texas

Oklahoma State 34-24

UMass @ Notre Dame (6)

Notre Dame 44-6

Western Michigan @ Ohio State (1)

Ohio State 53-6

LA-Monroe @ Alabama (12)

Alabama 44-10

TCU (3) @ Texas Tech

Though unranked, Texas Tech is 3-0 and lying in wait.....TCU survives!!'

TCU 38-30

Texas A&M (14) @ Arkansas 

A&M 30-20

Vanderbilt @ Ole Miss (3)

Ole Miss 40-17

Missouri (25) @ Kentucky

The Wildcats get to test themselves against a ranked team...and pass the test!

Kentucky 27-19

UCLA (9) @ Arizona (16)

UCLA may drop one in the desert!!

Arizona 20-17

Ball State @ Northwestern (17)

Northwestern 28-13

Hawaii @ Wisconsin (22)

Wisconsin 40-16

Utah (18) @ Oregon (13)

Oregon 34-24

USC (19) @ Arizona State

USC 31-21

Virginia Tech @ East Carolina

Va Tech 34-30

Navy @ UConn

Navy 27-23

Cincinnati @ Memphis

Memphis is a surprise!!

Memphis 24-22

Appalachian State @ Old Dominion

Old Dominion 31-28

Maryland @ West Virginia

WVa 26-21

That will do it for Saturday's games...back with NFL tomorrow!!

Two spots left!!!

Final Spots in Grand Finals up tonight

Tonight, by the end of the action in Perth and Melbourne, we will know the opponents for Hawthorn and Brisbane in next weekend's AFL and NRL Grand Finals.

Quickly, before heading out to Riverfire, let's tip the games!

AFL

West Coast Eagles vs North Melbourne Kangaroos

The Eagles are hoping to be grand final bolters this season but must take note that home ground does not gurantee home team win.

All in all the Eagles are on a mission to spoils Hawthorne's three-peat talk.

West Coast by 19

NRL

North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm

Huge support for North Queensland in this one with a chance of an all Queensland grand final a reality.

After suffering huge finals losses the last few season's, can the Cowboys finally take the next step? 

It will be tough going in Melbourne for the Cowboys and the Storm seem just gritty enough but going with the karma pick!

North Queensland by 24-22

Teams nearing halfway point in Virginia

Time to sort out contenders

High schools in Virginia will begin to sort out their pecking orders for the upcoming post season additionally, some other backyard rivalries will be battled out for the 2015 season.

The Timesland/Piedmont area has some big games on tap so let's have a look.

Looking ahead, after a 4-6 week in my Blog Picks  for Week 4, I'm only at 23-17 on the season and need a turnaround. I finished 16-9 in my Varsity Forecaster picks sending me to 62-38 on the season.

Right into this week's picks:

Halifax County @ Bassett

Halifax by 17

GW Danville @ Franklin County

GW by 16

Martinsville @ Magna Vista

The Bulldogs are looking to make it a game this season but are not quite ready to stay with the Warriors for four quarters yet.

Magna Vista by 16

Tunstall @ Patrick County

Do we tip the Cougars for their first district win in quite a while??

Patrick County by 3

Dan River @ Nelson County

Dan River by 8

Gretna @ Chatham

Another Pittsylvania County bash!

Gretna by 14

Northside @ Lord Botetourt

Northside by 17

Pulaski County @ Cave Spring

Pulaski County by 13

Hidden Valley @ Salem

Salem by 22

Glenvar @ Covington

Glenvar by 8

Enjoy the games...back with college picks tomorrow....

Nearly game time in Perth and Brisbane!

AFL & NRL Finals spots on offer

The AFL and NFL will see the first two teams through to their respective gand final weekend festivities decided tonight when Fremantle tackles Hawthorn in Perth and in the NRL...Brisbane is chasing their first title since 2006 and first grand final in a few years when they host regular season favourites the Sydney City Roosters.

With only an hour or less until AFL kickoff...here we go with my picks...

AFL

Fremantle vs Hawthorn

The dream still lives for the Hawks in their quest for a three-peat. The Dockers have looked tough all season though and are primed to put an end to the Hawks run. 

The Hawks won easily during the regular season but will find the going tougher tonight.

Fremantle by 8

Brisbane vs Sydney City Roosters

The grand final prediction in many circles heading into the finals is now a battle for a place in the big one.

Expect another tight defensive battle that will go down to the wire. Of course in a battle like this, you reluctantly give it to the home team.

Brisbane 18-16

More picks coming soon for other codes!!

Giants-Skins kick off Football weekend

NFL Spotlight on Giants-Skins

With no ranked NCAA teams taking the field on Thursday night, the full focus of football fans will be on the greater New York area as the tough luck Giants take on the Redskins to kick off the NFL week.

The Stanford Cardinal visit Oregon State on Friday nigh in NCAA action to kick off my NCAA picking week.

Stanford (21) @ Oregon State

Stanford visits Oregon state looking to pick uo another vital road win to consolidate their early season record after beating USC last week The Beavers, though at home will not pose a huge threat in the end with Stanford doing it comfortably.

Stanford 35-17

NFL

Washington @ NY Giants

The Giants are a heartbroken 0-2 to kick off the season after losing could have, should have, would have, almost did it games against Dallas and Atlanta to start the season.

Washington got past the Rams to even their ledger at 1-1 and quietly have the top defense in the league along with a clock consuming running game.

The Giants may finally put together a full four quarters for their first win in what will now be a wide open division.

NY Giants 23-17

Back with high school picks tomorrow and more through the weekend!

Week 2 NFL picks

Better picking needed in Week 2 

After a disastrous 5-11 start to the season in Week 1  of picking NFL games, a turnaround is needed desperately so without lots of rambling...I'll go straight into my predictions for 

Week 2 of NFL action.

Houston @ Carolina

An 0-2 start would be an eye opener for Houston but it is also very much a possibility!

Carolina 24-19

San Francisco @ Pittsburgh

The first regular season road trip for Aussie Jarryd Hayne is a visit to blue collar, hardcore Steeltown. With the state of affairs in the 'Niner backfield I expect Hayne to get 6-8 touches for 40-50 all purpose yards.

As for the game overall, the 49ers will find the going tough in the Steel City but it will go back and forth with the home team hanging on.

Pittsburgh 27-22

Tampa Bay @ New Orleans

New Orleans 28-18

Detroit @ Minnesota

Vikings turn it around from last week!

Minnesota 30-24

Arizona @ Chicago

Bears are hurting and Cards are hungry!

Arizona 23-17

New England @ Buffalo

Buddy.....Buddy....Buddy....pulls one off...

Buffalo 32-27

San Diego @ Cincinnati

Tough road trip for my Chargers and it's hard to go against picking the Bengals purely from that perspective so hoping that I get proven wrong...

Cincy 26-22

Tennessee @ Cleveland

Cleveland needs a turnaround and the Titans may be in for a letdown week after the big start in Tampa.

Cleveland 22-17

Atlanta @ NY Giants

NY Giants 28-26

St Louis @ Washington

Washington 19-17

Miami @ Jacksonville

Dolphins take this in state battle and move to 2-0

Miami 34-20

Baltimore @ Oakland

Baltimore 30-20

Dallas @ Philadelphia

Murray and the Eagles are on a mission to beat Dallas at home in a key early season divisional match.

Philadelphia 31-28

Seattle @ Green Bay

Can the Packers finally grab one from the Seahawks, maybe so this season.

Green Bay 27-23

NY Jets @ Indianapolis

Colts recover for Monday night win...

Indianapolis 33-24

Enjoy the games...til next week...

Big tilts on in Week 3 NCAA

SEC, ND and UCLA in spotlight

Auburn travels to Baton Rouge, Ga Tech drops in on Notre Dame and UCLA hosts a wounded BYU in the pick of this weeks Top 25 games.

There are still a few mismatches among this weeks games but overall teams are starting to get to to stiffer competition. 

Last week, I finished 20-5 for my Week 2 picks putting me at 42-8 for the season. This week might be tricky with some of my picks.

Here we go:

Air Force @ Michigan State (4)

Michigan State will not let the big win last week catch them in a letdown at home.

Michigan State 40-20

Nevada @ Texas A&M (17)

Texas A&M 43-13

UConn @ Missouri (22)

Missouri 28-10

Tulsa @ Oklahoma (16)

Oklahoma get caught in week after big win mode but pull it off.

Oklahoma 30-22

Northwestern (23) @ Duke

Durham could be dangerous for the Wildcats after their big win over Stanford last Saturday. ACC...ACC...ACC...

Duke 24-20

Georgia State @ Oregon (12)

Oregon 51-12

Troy @ Wisconsin (24)

Wisconsin 37-13

Northern Illinois @ Ohio State (1)

Ohio State 41-7

Texas-San Antonio @ Oklahoma State (25)

Oklahoma State 46-18

Georgia Tech (14) @ Notre Dame (8)

Notre Dame survived in Charlottesville last weekend but may find themselves in trouble at home this week against the explosive Georgia Tech outfit that is showing signs of versatility when needed. Notre Dame quarterback play will determine the outcome.

Georgia Tech 30-24

Auburn (18) @ LSU (13)

The start of many SEC ranked battles to come this week when the Tigers drop in on the Bayou Bengals. 

Auburn pulled a Houdini last week to avoid a huge upset while LSU got a quality win over Mississippi State. 

Going with the home crew here.

LSU 27-17

South Carolina @ Georgia (7)

The Bulldogs have the edge in this Border Battle.

Georgia 34-21

Stanford @ USC (6)

Stanford won't be surprised this week, then again, they won't win either.

USC  34-24

SMU @ TCU (3)

TCU 51-10

Ole Miss (15) @ Alabama (2)

The Tide could get tested at home.

Alabama 23-21

BYU (19) @ UCLA (10)

No miracles from BYU this week.

UCLA 35-20

Utah (21) @ Fresno State

Utah 38-18

Northern Arizona @ Arizona (20)

Arizona wins but with all in state battles ... who knows. Na, not this year.

Arizona 30-17

Nebraska @ Miami

Winner should crack Top 25....

Miami 28-22

Virginia Tech @ Purdue 

Good road test and solid win for Tech.

Va Tech 34-21

Texas Tech @ Arkansas

Arkansas 31-27

NC State @ Old Dominion 

NC State 59-12

Colorado @ Colorado State

Colorado 35-30

Illinois @ North Carolina

North Carolina 40-24

There we go....back later with NFL tips.

Night two of elimination games

Big Night ahead NRL/AFL wise

Only hours left until kickoff in Sydney (AFL) and Townsville (NRL) for tonight's Elimination games. I was wildly wrong in picking Adelaide but the Roosters blew out a close one to break me even. Tonight Sydney may be a bit soggy so the AFL match could take a new turn.

Ok, let's pick 'em.

AFL Elimination Game - 2

Sydney Swans vs North Melbourne Kangaroos

North Melbourne escaped against Richmond last week but their luck may be gone in Sydney tonight, wet possibly windy weather could be an equaliser though. In the end the Swans will adjust, adapt and advance on to next week.

Prediction: Swans by 19

NRL Elimination Game - 2

Cronulla Sharks @ Townsville Cowboys

Firstly in the back of your mind...there has to be the ..."how will Townsville get screwed this season" thought? That comes from a Dragons fan that has seen strange exits by the Cowboys, one, in recent times against the Sharks, during the finals

This might finally be the year the North Queenslanders move another step closer and travel to Melbourne.

Prediction: Cowboys 24-14

Enjoy the action, I'm out!!

Now time to pick some Virginia High Schools

High Schools hit Week 4 in VA

High schools back in Virginia are heading into the make or break mid-season stretch with conference and district games to sort out before the playoff jostle begins.

In my Varsity Forecaster picks I'm sitting at 46-29 for the season after a 16-8 finish last week. In my ten Blog Picks , I finished up at 9-1 for the week putting my record for the season at 19-11 for the season, if only I'd have done a bit more research on Jefferson Forest!!

Ok, here we go...Week 4 predictions!

Christinasburg @ Franklin County

Giving the homestanding Eagles the nod for win #1

Franklin County by 4

Bassett @ Pulaski County

Pulaski County by 31

William Byrd @ Magna Vista

Bounce back week for the Warriors??

Magna Vista by 10

Patrick County @ North Stokes, NC

North Stokes by 13

Dan River @ Martinsville

Dan River by 3

Chatham @ Tunstall

Another local derby in Pittsylvania County...

Tunstall by 14

Salem @ Northside

The big battle is upon us again....Salem is stronger...

Salem by 20

Halifax County @ Hillside, NC

Hillside by 8

Craig County @ Radford

Radford by 22

Allegheney @ Cave Spring

Cave Spring by 2

Tere we go for Week 4, enjoy the games....

AFL, NRL and Rugby up tonight

Festival of Footy is upon us!

With AFL and NRL elimination games tonight and the Rugby Union World Cup kicking off late night/early morning, there will be no shortage of footy options over the next few days.

First up. I'll have a look at tonight's NRL and AFL matches

NRL Elimination Final - 1

Sydney Roosters vs Cantebury - Bankstown Bulldogs 

The Roosters go in reeling after last weeks loss to Melbourne and will have it all in front of them tonight if want their hard work in finishing as Minor Premiers to mean something.

The Bulldogs come in off a scintillating battle with St. George last week.

All up expect a knock down drag out battle with the Roosters pulling away late.

Prediction: Roosters 26-22

AFL Elimination Final - 1

Hawthorn Hawks vs Adelaide Crows

The back to back kings of the AFL face elimination tonight against Adelaide. The Hawks have shown a few dents in the armour this season while Adelaide is playing on as a sentimental favourite after a tumultuous season.

Ding-Dong....the champs are done.

Prediction: Crows by 20

Rugby World Cup

The 2015 Rugby World Cup will kick off in England overnight with England facing off agaist Fiji.

Some of the usual suspects are weaker than normal but in the end do not expect too many surprises to emerge from the pack.

Here are my picks for pool winners and the title.

Pool A 

Tough and most likely an unpopular call in Australia but going with England to get through this pool on their home turf.

Pool B

South Africa should advance through this pool.

Pool C

Simply said, the All Blacks are in this pool. New Zealnd wins and advances.

Pool D

Might be close between France and Ireland but giving France the slight edge

2015 World Cup Championshions

Not a surprise here...the New Zealand All Blacks

Enjoy the games, back with more tomorrow.

Thursday night Football picks

Picks for Thursday night.

Not long until kickoff for NCAA and NFL games back in the USA, mid morning starts for Aussie viewers.

My full slate of weekend tips will go up overnight and Saturday but firstly, let's tip the Thursday night action.

NCAA

Clemson (11) @ Louisville 

An early ACC game for the Tigers in Louisville tonight against the Cardinals who tested Auburn in Week 1 and fell short against Houston at home in their opening two games.

Clemson will have to control the clock and keep the Louisville offense one the sidelines in this one. Then again, the Cardinals could be down after the two early setbacks which could lead to a blowout.

I think they will make a run in their first conference game but eventually get worn down.

Clemson by 34-24

NFL

Denver @ Kansas City

The Broncos escaped against Baltimore last week at home and will need a big effort on the road against the Chiefs on the road. Meanwhile, the Chiefs scored a road win in Houston against the promising Titans.

This one will go back and forth for a bit but the Chiefs should hang on for the critical AFC West division win.

Kansas City by 28-24

Enjoy the games, more picks coming for the weekend.

Post Week 1 Season Preview

NFL preview with a twist

Unfortunately, my full NFL season preview did not get finished in time for posting last week (One man operation). So, here we go...not much changed from watching the first week of action.

In the 2014 Season Preview I correctly predicted a Seahawks-Patriots Super Bowl including this tidbit on New England:

AFC Division Winners: 

New England, Cincy, Indy and Denver

Wildcards: 

Kansas City, Houston

AFC Champions:

In spite of everything I've written...somehow or another....New England

Also in my previous blog...I picked the Harbaugh-Harbaugh Super Bowl in my 2012 NFL Season Preview :

Super Bowl Prediction:

Baltimore vs. San Francisco

Yep...picking Harbaugh vs. Harbaugh....right where I left off last season!! LOL!! 

This being an odd numbered year...I may have an off season but here goes.

Without further ado ...my view of the 2015 NFL Season.

AFC East

This division could be like the old NFC Central, brutal, defensive and dirty (well, New England does play in this one). 

Buffalo Bills

Will be better than last season and tougher on defense with Rex Ryan at the helm.

Prediction: 9-7

Miami Dolphins

Dolphins have been on the verge, might be a make or break season.

Prediction: 9-7

New England Patriots

Will be a slightly tougher road this year but still the pick for this division.

Prediction: 10-6

New York Jets

Improved on the field, locker room in question.

Prediction: 8-8

AFC North

As in the past three or so seasons, throw a blanket over the Steelers, Ravens and Bengals with the Brown hoping for improvement.

Baltimore Ravens

Tough schedule, a bit unsteady on offense and top defender out for season, the Ravens will have to play spoilers.

Prediction: 8-8

Cincinnati Bengals

Should fend off the challengers again but barely, but the Bengals will need to go to the next level in the post season.

Prediction: 9-7

Cleveland Browns

Maybe a couple of seasons away!

Prediction: 3-13

Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers will need to stay healthy and win on the road.

Prediction: 9-7

AFC South

The Colts are still ahead of the pack for now with Houston and possibly Tennessee lurking in the rear view.

Houston Texans

Looking to step back into the playoff picture this season.

Prediction: 9-7

Indianapolis Colts

The wake up call in Buffalo last week may set them on their way to an AFC Championship run!

Prediction: 12-4

Jacksonville Jaguars

Improved but not there yet.

Prediction: 4-12

Tennessee Titans

Mariota Mayhem has set in so the Titans have hope.

Prediction: 7-9

AFC West

Of course I'd love to see my Chargers take out this division and with the Broncos a step slower this season, the Bolts could well battle the Chiefs for the heir apparent title.

Denver Broncos

Peyton might be two years past it but still dangerous.

Prediction: 10-6

Kansas City Chiefs

Solid and ready to challenge Broncos

Prediction: 10-6

Oakland Raiders

Could pull a few upsets but not ready to challenge yet.

Prediction: 5-11

San Diego Chargers

Chargers need to win a couple of tough ones on the road against 2014 playoff teams to contend. 

Prediction: 10-6

AFC Division Winners: 

New England

Cincinnati

Indianapolis

Kansas City

Wildcards:

Denver

San Diego

AFC Champions

Indianapolis Colts

NFC East

The East will be interesting, as much on the field as off.

Dallas Cowboys

Should win division again this season but not much more.

Prediction: 10-6

New York Giants

Who knows with the G-Men, they have some parts but the machine isn't running smoothly yet!

Prediction: 8-8

Philadelphia Eagles

Make or break for the Kelly Gang.

Prediction: 10-6

Washington Redskins

Who knows what's up in DC!!

Prediction: 5-11

NFC North

Green Bay should hold off improving Minnesota and Detroit while the Bears decline/reload.

Chicago Bears

New coach/new outlook....Jay Cutler at QB.....  . 500 at best!

Prediction: 6-10

Detroit Lions

Need to make a serious run or look at rebuilding?

Prediction: 9-7

Green Bay Packers

Still ahead of the pack in this division and a favourite to go all the way perhaps.

Prediction: 12-4

Minnesota Vikings

Depends on the running game and if it is good again.

Prediction: 9-7

NFC South

The Saints are coming back to the pack here and this season, the Panthers are looking to be top dog.

Atlanta Falcons

Looking to bounce back from down season....

Prediction: 8-8

Carolina Panthers

Nine wins should take this division....

Prediction: 9-7

New Orleans Saints

Not where they used to be but still capable of hot runs...

Prediction: 9-7

Tampa Bay Bucs

Will get better as season goes on.

Prediction: 6-10

NFC West

This will be the Wild, Wild West but Seattle is just a half step ahead!

Arizona Cardinals

Need solid QB play.

Prediction: 10-6

San Francisco 49ers

Down but not out...

Prediction: 8-8

Seattle Seahawks

May return to the Super Bowl again but the road will be tougher.

Prediction: 11-5

Saint Louis Rams

Improved on the field but may not show in standings.

Prediction: 6-10

NFC Division Winners:

Dallas Cowboys

Green Bay Packers

Carolina Panthers

Seattle Seahawks

Wildcards: 

Philadelphia Eagles

Arizona Cardinals

AFC Champions

Seattle Seahawks

Super Bowl Prediction

Seattle over Indianapolis

All for now....game predictions in a few hours. Remember, it's an odd numbered year so I might be off according to trends!