ARL-NRL Grand Finals

Championship weekend in Australia

Australia's Aussie Rules and Rugby League titles will be decided over the weekend with the AFL first up in Melbourne on Saturday and the NRL crown up for grabs on Sunday night in Sydney.

Both codes will crown new title holders as neither Hawthorn (AFL) or North Queensland (NRL) made it through the finals to defend their championships from last season.

Ok, let's get straight to the picks...

AFL

Sydney Swans vs Western Bulldogs

Long suffering Footscray fans of yesteryear and newly minted post name change Bulldog fans are all hoping for a complete return to glory after a couple of close calls over the last two seasons. But standing in their way is a tested and battle ready Sydney Swans outfit that includes Buddy Franklin's presence in the squad this season.

Franklin's participation could well be the X Factor though the Bulldogs did take the Round 15 encounter this season in Sydney.

The Dogs will put up a huge fight but may well fall short....

Sydney by 22

NRL

Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks

The Cronulla faithful are hoping to reverse the fortunes of their final round loss to the Storm with a Grand Final win. Naturally, there are hopes of a closer match in the finale. While the Sharks have a team that is title hungry, the Storm feature seasoned veterans who can play to the occasion just as many of them do with the Queensland jersey on during the Origin Series.

It will in fact be a lot closer and could boil down to some type of Cameron Smith magc to get the Storm across the line.

Melbourne 26-22

VHSL Week 6

After a week of perfection, on to the next

After a perfect 10-0 Week 5 for my blog picks that has put me to 40-10 on the season high school wise and a near perfect 21-2 taking me to 97-28 as a Varsity Forecaster, I'm back hoping for similar this week.

Ok, let's jump right in and pick 'em!!

Bassett @ Franklin County

Bengals still searching for a win...

Franklin Co. by 16

Halifax County @ Magna Vista

Could be a high scoring shootout!

Magna Vista by 8

Patrick County @ William Campbell

Campbell by 7

Tunstall @ GW-Danville

 GW by 17

Dan River @ Chatham

Dan River by 16

Northside @ Alleghany

Alleghany by 7

Rockbridge @ Lord Botetourt

LB by 22

Carroll County @ Salem

Salem by 27

Pulaski County @ Patrick Henry

Pulaski finally drops one...

PH by 6

Giles @ Galax

Giles by 15

That will do it for this week....enjoy...

Early games for the weekend

Stanford - Washington highlight early ones

Friday's clash between Stanford (7) and Washington (10) in Seattle highlight the early football for this week. No need fo hesitation...let's pick 'em for Thursday & Friday.

NFL

Miami @ Cincinnati

The Dolphins roll into Cincy looking to pull a surprise but the Bengals will be chomping at the bit after dropping two in a row.

It may be closer than the initial look but the Bengals will grind it out.

Bengals 28-20

NCAA

UConn @ Houston (6)

UConn travels to Houston to face a squad that has been a little flat lately.Unfortunately for the Huskies, they may be just what the Cougars ordered!

Houston 41-20

Stanford (7) @ Washington (10)

The Huskies escaped in Arizona and have a test this week before playing Oregon next week. This may be the time for an upset but Stanford are looking to run the table in the Pac 12.

It may come down to the dying moments!

Stanford 34-30

Back with more picks over the next couple of days!

NFL hits Week 3

Vikings-Panthers highlight Week 3

NFL teams have had a couple of weeks to work out the bugs and now it's down to the grind as the season unfolds.

Minnesota-Carolina and Denver-Cincinnati are the marquee games for this week.

I finished Week 2 with another 13-3 record putting me at 26-6 for the season.

Ok, let's pick Week 3....

Arizona @ Buffalo

Cards 30-24

Oakland @ Tennessee

Raiders 27-20

Cleveland @ Miami

Dolphins 31-20

Baltimore @ Jacksonville

Ravens 21-13

Detroit @ Green Bay

Packers 35-14

Denver @ Cincinnati

The Bengals need to bounce back quick but may be difficult ...although....

Bengals 27-17

Minnesota @ Carolina

The Vikings are wounded for this trip south and the Panthers are lying in wait.

Panthers 30-24

Washington @ NY Giants

Giants 27-14

Los Angeles @ Tampa Bay

Back to earth for the Rams.

Bucs 23-13

San Francisco @ Seattle

Seahawks 17-7

NY Jets @ Kansas City

Jets 27-24

San Diego @ Indianapolis

Chargers 31-27

Pittsburgh @ Philadelphia

The run ends for the Eagles

Steelers 34-21

Chicago @ Dallas

Cowboys 28-20

Atlanta @ New Orleans 

Falcons 35-30

Until next week....

NCAA Week 4 picks

Interesting games in Week 4

Wisconsin travelling to meet Michigan State, Florida-Tennessee and Arkansas-Texas A&M are some of the juicy games among ranked teams this weekend in Week 4 of the NCAA football season.

My Week 3 record was 21-4, so now I'm at 65-10 for the season.

Here we go with my Week 4 selections!!

Kent State @ Alabama (1)

Alabama 49-3

Georgia (12) @ Ole Miss (23)

Ole Miss finally gets the win against a ranked team.

Ole Miss 24-21

Florida State (13) @ South Florida

Florida State 35-17

Wisconsin (11) @ Michigan State (8)

Both have surprised, both may be ranked higher than expected...going with the home team.

Michigan State 26-22

Penn State @ Michigan (4)

Michigan 34-21

Florida (19) @ Tennessee (14)

Vols will be tested again, this time by the toughest opposition so far.

Florida 27-23

LSU (18) @ Auburn

Tough, typical, grind it out SEC battle.

LSU 24-20

Houston (6) @ Texas State

Houston 41-10

Oklahoma State @ Baylor (16)

Baylor 34-30

Nebraska (20) @ Northwestern

Nebraska 30-17

Stanford (7) @ UCLA

The Cardinal may face a test but will grind it out.

Stanford 27-21

Louisville (3) @ Marshall

Louisville 38-20

Arkansas (17) @ Texas A&M (10)

Have to go with the home squad here.

A&M 30-28

Washington (9) @ Arizona 

Washington 31-21

Central Michigan @ Virginia

UVa 28-17

East Carolina @ Va Tech

Va Tech 28-20

Wake Forest @ Indiana

The Deacs step up in competition ... and compete but it may be tough on the road for the young squad.

Indiana 30-20

Miami (OH) @ Cincinnati

Cincy 40-17

Bowling Green @ Memphis

Memphis 34-14

BYU @ West Virginia 

West Virginia 31-30

Iowa @ Rutgers

Iowa 28-10

Tex-San Antonio @ Old Dominion

ODU 35-31

Vanderbilt @ Western Kentucky

Western Ky over an SEC team!!

WKy 23-21

Colorado @ Oregon

Oregon 42-31

Until next week....NCAA wise!

Week 5 in VA

Season gets to Midway point

Teams in the Timesland/Piedmont District area of Virginia are reaching the halfway mark of the 2016 season. District battles and rivalries will be happening over the next few weeks as everyone still has visions of reaching the playoffs.

For Week 4, I finished at 7-3, so I'm at 30-10 on the season. My Varsity Forecaster week didn't go as well....I finished at 16-9 and am now 76-26 for the season.

Ok, this week's picks!!

Bassett @ Halifax County

Halifax by 20

Franklin County @ GW Danville

GW by 16

Magna Vista @ Martinsville

The Warriors have come back to the Pack a bit and the Bulldogs are looking to spring the upset...MV has a little left though

Magna Vista by 11

Patrick County @ Tunstall

Tunstall by 28

Chatham @ Gretna

Gretna by 18

Nelson County @ Dan River

Dan River by 32

Lord Botetourt @ Northside

Botetourt by 20

William Fleming @ Staunton River

Staunton River by 14

Salem @ Hidden Valley

Salem by 29

Covington @ Glenvar

Glenvar by 4

I'm done until next week!!!

Preliminary Final weekend in Australia

Who's gong to AFL/NRL Grand Finals

It's down to four teams in both the National Rugby League and the Australian Football League Friday and Saturday to see who advances to next weekends Grand Finals in both codes.

Without further waffle....I'll get down to picking the games!!

AFL

Geelong vs Sydney

The Swans float into this one off a big win over Adelaide last weekend and with a four game win streak over the Supercats since 2014. 

The task may be more difficult for Sydney at the MCG and the Cats are known to lift when a place in the finals is on the line.

Geelong by 14

GWS vs Western

Totally uncharted turf for the Giants and the usual exit point for the Bulldogs! One will advance to the big stage next weekend so I'm leaning towards GWS to hanf on at Spotless Stadium....though not by the margin of 25 as was the case earlier this season.

GWS by 8

NRL

Cronulla vs North Queensland

Though the Sharks escaped with a narrow win earlier in the season, things wil be totally different scenario with a Grand Final place on offer. If it is close or down to the wire this week...Thurston Time or maybe the Cowboys will pull away and defend their title!

Cowboys 26-18

Melbourne vs Canberra

The Storm are looking for Grand Final magic once again but first they will have the Raiders to deal with on Saturday.

Canberra have been this season's NRL darlings but at full time on Saturday, they will be just short of next week's finale!

Storm 28-22

Back next Friday to pick the Grand Finals!

Early Games for the week

Two will suffer first loss of the season

Clemson travels to Atlanta to face Georgia Tech in NCAA action and Houston visits New England on the NFL side of the coin Thursday night. Two teams will suffer their first loss of the season as both games feature undefeated teams.

Ok let's pick 'em for Thursday night!

NCAA

Clemson (5) @ Ga Tech

The Tigers get their first taste of ACC action for the season against the Yellow Jackets who will be looking to spring an early season surprise. Clemson escaped Auburn before a shaky performance against Troy and last week's blowout of undermanned South Carolina State.

That being said, the Tigers should still rise to the occasion in this one.

Clemson 38-17

NFL

Houston @ New England

The Texans have been generating just enough offense to get by in the first couple of weeks. They may need to up the ante against a Brad-less New England. The pats are down to #3 on the depth chart QB wise so the Houston "D" should be chomping at the bit.

The Texans will finally get by in a showcase game if they do not make offensive errors.

Texans 24-14

More picks over the next few days....

NFL Week 2

Pitt-Cincy highlight Week 2

After kicking off the season with a 13-3 mark for Week 1, I looking to keep the momentum going in Week 2.

There are three biggies in Pittsburgh, Houston and Minnesota to look forward to so let's pick 'em!

Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh

Always heated when these two meet....this one should be no different!

Steelers 28-24

Tennessee @ Detroit

Titans 30-28

Baltimore @ Cleveland

Ravens 30-13

Dallas @ Washington

Could the Cowboys start 0-2?? Let the second guessing/calling for heads begin!

Washington 28-27

New Orleans @ NY Giants

Giants 31-21

San Francisco @ Carolina

Panthers 30-17

Miami @ New England

Pats 34-21

Kansas City @ Houston

The Texans should get by at home.

Texans 28-24

Seattle @ Los Angeles

Seahawks 28-10

Tampa Bay @ Arizona

A chance for the Buc's to measure how much they've improved...

Cardinals 34-27

Jacksonville @ San Diego

Chargers showed a bit last week!!

Chargers 31-28

Atlanta @ Oakland

Raiders 34-30

Indianapolis @ Denver

Broncos 28-17

Green Bay @ Minnesota

Early season clash between end of season hopefuls...will go a long way in determining how division shapes up.

Vikings 27-23

Until next week....

NCAA Week 3 picks

Big tests on the road for some

A few of this seasons' NCAA title hopefuls face tough  tests on the road in Week 3. Among them are #2 Florida State who visit #10 Louisville, #3 Ohio State at #14 Oklahoma and top ranked Alabama hoping to avoid its third straight loss to #19 Ole Miss.

There are some other big ones on the slate for the week including USC-Stanford.

Last Week, I came in at 23-2 for Week 2 taking my record to 44-6 on the season. This week may be a bit more difficult...let's pick 'em!

Ohio @ Tennessee (15)

Tennessee 34-20

South Carolina State @ Clemson (5)

Clemson 51-13

Florida State (2) @ Louisville (10)

Major test for the 'Noles on the road with Louisville looking to spring the surprise. Could go down to the last possession and if the Cards have the ball at that stage...well...

Louisville 30-28

North Dakota State @ Iowa (13)

Iowa 43-7

Georgia State @ Wisconsin (9)

Wisconsin 56-3

Miami (25) @ Appalachian State

The upset here could be the Hurricanes winning!!

Miami 31-21

Colorado @ Michigan (4)

Michigan 34-21

Oregon (22) @ Nebraska

Danger for the Ducks!!

Nebraska 34-30

Alabama (1) @ Ole Miss (19)

Surely not again this season?? why not?? Let the turmoil begin!!

Ole Miss 27-23

Mississippi State @ LSU (20)

LSU 28-17

Texas A&M (17) @ Auburn

Aggies will get a scare!

A&M 28-24

Texas State @ Arkansas (24)

Arkansas 41-7

North Texas @ Florida (23)

Florida 44-20

Michigan State (12) @ Notre Dame (18)

Spartans will pass a tough, unpredictable road test!

Michigan State 30-27

Georgia (16) @ Missouri

Georgia 30-21

Ohio State (3) @ Oklahoma (14)

The Buckeyes will be tested in Norman, as will the Sooners, but the home team will pass!

Oklahoma 27-22

USC @ Stanford (7)

Stanford 31-24

Portland State @ Washington (8)

Washington 51-3

Texas (11) @ Cal

Texas 34-24

Boston College @ Va Tech

Tech 27-13

Iowa State @ TCU

TCU 40-20

Temple @ Penn State

Penn State 30-27

San Diego State @ Northern Illinois

SDSU 35-31

Enjoy until next week....

AFL-NRL picks

Saturday sends two more home

After two awesome matches last night it will be hard for tonight's encounters to top them but let's have a look.

It;s loser go home so lets pick 'em.

NRL

Canberra vs Penrith

Canberra is looking to continue it's run that has taken some by surprise this season. They last met in Round 9 but the teams split their two season matches.

Look for the Raiders to bounce back from last week's narrow loss with a close win.

Canberra 22-18

AFL

Sydney vs Adelaide

The Crows took the Round Four clash but Sydney seems to be the form unit currently an heading in the right direction.

Look for Sydney to pull away late.
Sydney by 17

On to the semis next week.

Week 4 back in Virginia

Is it football weather yet Virginia?

With the 2016 season nearing the halfway mark, heat has been the major factor for Virginia high school games and this week regardless of weather some of the action will be hot!

Let's pick ten!!

Last week, I finished up at 8-2 for Week 3, so I'm at 23-7 on the season. As a Fearless Forecaster, I'm currently 60-17.

On to the picks...

Franklin County @ Christiansburg

Franklin County by 4

Pulaski County @ Bassett

Who does the scheduling for the Bengals?? Ouch!!

Pulaski County by 34

Magna Vista @ William Byrd

Another shootout this season!

Magna Vista by 2

North Stokes, NC @ Patrick County

The Cougars break through!!

Patrick County by 13

Martinsville @ Dan River

Road test for the Bulldogs.

Dan River by 14

Tunstall @ Chatham

Tunstall by 10

Hillside, NC @ Halifax County

Hillside by 15

Northside @ Salem

Salem by 9

Galax @ George Wyhte

George Wythe by 5

Cave Spring @ Alleghany

Cave Spring by 2

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

Who goes home tonight??

NRL & AFL have big ones on tap

There are huge elimination matches on tap in the National Rugby League and Australian Football League tonight in Townsville and Melbourne.

With less than an hour until kickoff....let's tip the games!

NRL

North Queensland vs Brisbane

This one will decide which Queensland squad moves on and unfortunately will not be for the title this season following on from last year's Grand Final tilt.

In the end, look for the Cowboys to stay alive and advance to next week in a highly entertaining one!

Cowboys 30-24

AFL

Hawthorn vs Western Bulldogs

All on the line for the Hawks in Melbourne tonight.....the will be hungry after last week!!

Hawthorn by 22

Sydney vs Adelaide

The Crows took the Round Four clash but Sydney seems to be the form unit currently an heading in the right direction.

Look for Sydney to pull away late.

Swans by 17

Enjoy the games....

NFL-NCAA Thursday/Friday

Interesting games leading into weekend

The NFL and NCAA are offering up a few interesting match-ups leading the full slate of games on the weekend.

Thursday night sees the NY Jets visit Buffalo in the NFL and Houston travel to Cincinnati for a tricky game against the Bearcats on the NCAA side of the fence. Friday sees #21 Baylor face off against Rice.

NFL

NY Jets @ Buffalo

An 0-2 start wouldn't benefit either team but one will face that reality at the end of Thursday night. This one will be a close one but I am giving the home standing Bills a slight edge.

Bills 24-20

NCAA

Houston (6) @ Cincinnati

A tricky away game for Houston but it will be a good road test which should be passed. 

Houston 40-24

Baylor (21) @ Rice

Baylor 51-24

Back over the next few days with more picks for high school, NCAA and NFL games.

NFL Opening weekend

Pats-Cards highlight opening weekend

It gets real for NFL teams over the next couple of days with the 2016 season opening. After the Super Bowl rematch on Thursday, a lot of eyes will be on the Arizona-New England game in Phoenix. All teams are still full of hope at this point....let's pick 'em!

Tampa Bay @ Atlanta

No fast start for the Falcons this season...

Bucs 28-24

San Diego @ Kansas City

Tough opener for my Bolts.

Chiefs 30-17

Green Bay @ Jacksonville

Packers 31-20

Buffalo @ Baltimore

Ravens looking to bounce back this season.

Baltimore 23-17

Chicago @ Houston

Texans 34-21

Cleveland @ Philadelphia

Eagles 28-22

Minnesota @ Tennessee

Vikings 28-10

Cincinnati @ NY Jets

Both teams looking for a solid start...slight edge to the visitors.

Bengals 27-23

Oakland @ New Orleans

They're almost back baby!!

Raiders 30-28

Miami @ Seattle

Seahawks 28-10

Detroit @ Indianapolis

Colts 34-30

NY Giants @ Dallas

Hmmm....let the excuses begin in Dallas!

Giants 27-24

New England @ Arizona

Cardinals jump them while they're hurting/suspended!

Cardinals 27-17

Pittsburgh @ Washington

Steelers 31-17

Los Angeles @ San Francisco

Will any people on East Coast stay up for this one?

49ers 23-20

Until next week...

NCAA Week 2

Mainly Cupcakes in Week 2

After a blockbuster weekend to open the season, Week 2 is largely an easy "W" weekend for most NCAA teams.

I finished Week 1 at 21-4, not a bad start at all....let's pick Week 2.

Central Michigan @ Oklahoma State (22)

Oklahoma State 44-20

Prairie View @ Texas A&M (20)

A&M 54-10

Nicholls @ Georgia (9)

Georgia 49-14

Central Florida @ Michigan (5)

Michigan 38-10

Lamar @ Houston (6)

Houston 58-6

Troy @ Clemson (2)

Clemson 44-3

Charleston-Southern @ Florida State (3)

Florida State 55-13

Akron @ Wisconsin (10)

Wisconsin 41-20

SMU @ Baylor (23)

Baylor 40-20

Nevada @ Notre Dame (18)

ND 37-8

Western Kentucky @ Alabama (1)

Bama 52-3

Tulsa @ Ohio State (4)

Ohio State 38-20

Wofford @ Ole Miss (19)

Ole Miss 48-8

Idaho @ Washington (8)

Washington 41-10

Florida Atlantic @ Miami (25)

Miami 34-13

LA-Monroe @ Oklahoma (14)

Oklahoma 55-10

UTEP @ Texas (11)

Texas 35-13

Arkansas @ TCU (15)

TCU 31-21

Iowa State @ Iowa (16)

Iowa 30-17

Jacksonville State @ LSU (21)

LSU 44-10

VA Tech vs Tennessee (17)

The Battle of Bristol will be one of the weekend's highlights as this unique border clash will take place in Thunder Valley...the historic Bristol Speedway.

Tennessee is coming in off a narrow win over Appalachian State and Tech will be looking for an upset. Will be a close on.

Tennessee 28-26

Virginia @ Oregon (24)

Oregon 50-20

Penn Stat @ Pitt

Te Battle of PA will go to Panthers!

Pitt 28-22

Wake Forest @ Duke

Deacs got to 2-0??

Wake Forest 31-27

Done until next week!!