Nov. 27 Prognosticating Pigskin Prodigies

Dennis Garcia 

Record: 187-73

“The only way Ray can win is if he looks at my picks and goes the other way on every pick. Go ahead my friend, look away! And let’s finally hope I’m not upchucking mashed potatoes and turkey on Thanksgiving because of the Lions’ game.”

No. 5 CORVIAN COMMUNITY AT No. 4 EASTERN RANDOLPH — Corvian is a team that has scored 552 points and given up 88. Those games were against the likes of Harding University, Ballantyne Ridge, Winston-Salem Prep, Mountain Island Charter, Pine Lake Prep… Don’t see any Eastern Randolph’s there. ER, 36-13.
NC STATE AT NORTH CAROLINA — After last week, not sure I could pick UNC against anyone, especially a rival. NC State, 30-24.
DUKE AT WAKE FOREST — Duke, I guess. Duke, 30-23.
BEARS AT LIONS — Can the Lions finally snap a seven-game losing streak on Thanksgiving? Will we all be eating Thanksgiving leftovers Friday? LIons, 41-20.
GIANTS AT COWBOYS — The season is already over for the Cowboys. But if they lose this game, Jerry Jones should fire Jerry Jones. Cowboys 27-21. 

BUCCANEERS AT PANTHERS — Never thought the Panthers would win three games. Don’t think it will increase this week. Bucs, 37-21.

OTHER GAMES
Georgia Southern 40, Appalachian State 30
Notre Dame 34, Southern Cal 21
Georgia 30, Georgia Tech 20
Louisville 26, Kentucky 20
Pitt 23, Boston College 21
Miami 30, Syracuse 20
Virginia Tech 27, Virginia 20
Colorado 36, Oklahoma State 23
Ohio State 49, Michigan 13
Texas 27, Texas A&M 21
Packers 27, Dolphins 24
Bengals 27, Steelers 21
Seahawks 26, Jets 20
Ravens 38, Eagles 35 

Ray Criscoe 

Record: 177-83 

“I thought about doing bowl picks as well  to give us a chance to catch Dennis ... or  at least make it an  independent thing so  he might finish last. But, no way to do that with a playoff. So  everyone is released  from their bondage. The only one happy about this bondage experience was Dennis,  and I won’t say any more about that.”

No. 5 CORVIAN COMMUNITY AT No. 4 EASTERN RANDOLPH  — This spot in the playoffs has been a troubling one for ER at times. But I’m going to give the Wildcats the benefit of the doubt. Considering my record, I’m sure they’re not thanking me. ER, 20-17. 

NC STATE AT NORTH CAROLINA — What a tossup. Carolina’s got the better offense and State lost another close one last week on the final play. Since I can’t catch Dennis, I might as well pick the team I’ll be pulling for when I’m watching the game. NCSU, 30-27. 

DUKE AT WAKE FOREST — Wake can certainly win this game and finally justify Tony picking the Deacons all year. But Duke can also win the game, even without Cooper Flagg playing football. Duke, 31-27. 

BEARS AT LIONS — The Lions are fun right now. The Bears? I can barely watch them. Lions, 29-16. 

GIANTS AT COWBOYS — The Cowboys Turkey Day game is typically the most watched NFL game each year. If it is again this year, with the Cowboys and Giants both putrid, then the Cowboys really are America’s Team. Sorry, y’all. Facts is facts. Of course, I’m happy with a loss. Better draft pick! Cowboys, 21-20. 

BUCCANEERS AT PANTHERS — Go Mayfield. My fantasy team is counting on you. Bucs, 37-20. 

OTHER GAMES
Appalachian State 30, Georgia Southern 27
Notre Dame 30, Southern Cal 26 (I smell upset though) 

Georgia 26, Georgia Tech 20
Louisville 27, Kentucky 23
Boston College 24, Pitt 20
Miami 42, Syracuse 27
Virginia Tech 23, Virginia 20
Colorado 37, Oklahoma State 33
Ohio State 31, Michigan 20
Texas 26, Texas A&M 24
Dolphins 27, Packers 23
Bengals 30, Steelers 27
Seahawks 26. Jets 24
Ravens 30, Eagles 27

Megan Crotty 

Record: 172-88 

“I gotta say, it’s been so much fun doing this again. Congrats to Dennis for kicking all of our tails. Can we do this again next year, Ray? Pretty please? I mean, we’ve got to all band together to take on Dennis the Menace.”

No. 5 CORVIAN COMMUNITY AT No. 4 EASTERN RANDOLPH  — Toughest test for the Wildcats yet. Last week was a tough one for Randolph County sports, especially for the soccer (or futbol) community. Hopefully, ER can turn the tide. Wildcats, 28-21.     

NC STATE AT NORTH CAROLINA — Both teams had tough losses last week. I’m sure the Tar Heel shooting guards will have a great year. UNC, 73-59.     

DUKE AT WAKE FOREST — The Blue Devils are on a roll. I say they keep rollin’. Duke, 31-14.     

BEARS AT LIONS — Oh, man. Not fair, Ray. Not fair. You’re going to make me pick against my Bears. Because who in their right mind would pick the Bears in this game? Lions, 34-10.     

GIANTS AT COWBOYS — Cowboys are 0-5 at home. This might be the one! Cowboys, 27-24.     

BUCCANEERS AT PANTHERS — Obviously ... . Buccaneers, 21-17. 

OTHER GAMES
Georgia Southern 24, Appalachian State 14
Notre Dame 31, Southern Cal 28
Georgia 24, Georgia Tech 10
Louisville 28, Kentucky 14
Boston College 32, Pitt 31
Miami 34, Syracuse 7
Virginia Tech 17, Virginia 13
Colorado 27, Oklahoma State 12
Ohio State 31, Michigan 0
Texas 32, Texas A&M 28
Packers 42, Dolphins 32
Steelers 48, Bengals 10
Seahawks 14, Jets 7
Eagles 27, Ravens 24

Tony Bolick 

Record: 169-91 

“Can you feel it?  The finish line is in  sight. The checkered  flag is waving, the  end is nigh and  your acid reflux and  heartburn and painful  eyes from having to  read this and watch  these picks sink like  the Titanic hitting four icebergs at once are  OVER! ... Hehe. Happy Thanksgiving and  wishing you all an early Merry Christmas  and Happy Holiday season.” 

No. 5 CORVIAN COMMUNITY AT No. 4 EASTERN RANDOLPH  — The Wildcats’ playoff freight train is rolling on down the line. ER, 37-14.
NC STATE AT NORTH CAROLINA — Wow, worse and worsererer. Hmm, which way do I go.  NC of the blue persuasion this time, 24-21.
DUKE AT WAKE FOREST — So close in so many games and so good in parts of others. What could have been, what should have been. Why not ... Wake Forest, 30-26.
BEARS AT LIONS — No Tigers? Oh my ... Megan, I so want to take Da Bears, but this one’s got some family traits so I’m sticking with the fam. Lions, 31-17. 

GIANTS AT COWBOYS — This is sort of like picking the best float on the South somewhere Thanksgiving parade as opposed to judging the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Cowboys, 24-20.
BUCCANEERS AT PANTHERS — This one’s easy. Bucs, 27-20.  

OTHER GAMES
Georgia Southern 17 Appalachian State 14
Notre Dame 24, Southern Cal 14
Georgia Tech 24, Georgia 20 (why not not) 

Louisville 20, Kentucky 17
Pitt 17, Boston College 14
Miami 35, Syracuse 17
Virginia Tech 16, Virginia 7
Oklahoma State 27, Colorado 24
Michigan 17, Ohio State 16 (why not, not not?)