Nov. 6 Prognosticating Pigskin Prodigies

Dennis Garcia 

Record: 146-54

“I always thought I was a pretty good neighbor. Ask Lib Copple or Rick and Diane Smith. I don’t understand why my next door neighbor here always changes.”

DUKE AT NC STATE — This one is going to be fun to watch. As long as they don’t play at the same time as Michigan, UNC, Oregon, Central Michigan or the playoff soccer games featuring Asheboro or Southwestern Randolph. NC State, 27-24.
CALIFORNIA AT WAKE FOREST — Making a trip across the country has got to be difficult for any team. Unless you’re Oregon and you travel to Michigan. Or California and … California, 27-17. 

APPALACHIAN STATE AT COASTAL CAROLINA — What do I know about Coastal Carolina? About the same as I know about Appalachian State. CC, 27-24. 

WESTERN CAROLINA AT EAST TENNESSEE STATE — Another tough game for the Catamounts, but if you are going to win the conference title, you have to beat contenders on the road. Western, 34-27.
GIANTS AT PANTHERS — We’re sending these two teams to Germany and calling it an NFL game? Sure hope our German friends realize that’s not what real NFL football looks like. Giants, 30-27.
STEELERS AT COMMANDERS — This is a toss up. Nobody can ignore what Jalen Daniels has done. But Pittsburgh is coming off a bye week. Pittsburgh, 27-24.

OTHER GAMES
No. 5 Miami 42, Georgia Tech 31
No. 11 Clemson 30, Virginia Tech 20
No. 18 Pittsburgh 27, Virginia 14
No. 8 Notre Dame 45, Florida State 17
No. 14 Alabama 27, No. 16 LSU 26
No. 2 Georgia 30, No. 19 Ole Miss 28
No. 13 Indiana 30, Michigan 20
No. 25 Missouri 31, Oklahoma 20
Ravens 37, Bengals 28
49ers 28, Buccaneers 26
Cardinals 21, Jets 20
Eagles 37, Cowboys 24
Falcons 28, Saints 20
Chargers 35, Titans 20

Tony Bolick 

Record: 138-62 

“Not a lot to say. Another week of missed shots to close the gap. But we’ll keep going. As the great Oddball once opined: ‘Always with the negative waves Moriarity (Oddballese for Tony). Can’t you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?’ ... Crap. ”

DUKE AT NC STATE — Bouncing back after a tough loss, which means it’s not the puppies celebrating 2 wins in a row. Duke, 31-23.
CALIFORNIA AT WAKE FOREST — You know, I can’t just keep breaking even and all D has to do is pick the favs and he’s golden. So here we are (but if their D shows up, I think they can win). WF, 27-26. 

APPALACHIAN STATE AT COASTAL CAROLINA — App is not impressing a lot, but right now, they’re playing for WNC. And that’s good enough for an extra 10 points, App-not LAY-chain State, 40-28. 

WESTERN CAROLINA AT EAST TENNESSEE STATE — Blue Ridge Border Battle. But this one’s not just per-sonal. This one’s all about a SoCon title and a playoff spot. #WHEEBELIEVE. #GoCats. Catamounts, 24-21.
GIANTS AT PANTHERS — Another chapter in the fall. Daniel Jones actually looks really good in this one. Giants 27-13.
STEELERS AT COMMANDERS — The hail mary is not going to work for this one. The Steelers find a way, yet again. Pittsburgh, 27-18. 

OTHER GAMES
No. 5 Miami 40, Georgia Tech 17
No. 11 Clemson 38, Virginia Tech 17
No. 18 Pittsburgh 27, Virginia 13
(Do I have to?) No. 8 Notre Dame 34, Florida State 12
No. 16 LSU 20, No. 14 Alabama 17
No. 2 UGA 37, No. 19 Miss 20 (only 19 injury TOs) 

Michigan 21, No. 13 Indiana 20
No. 25 Missouri 18, Oklahoma 17
Ravens 24, Bengals 10
Buccaneers 28, 49ers 17
Cardinals 24, Jets 13

Cowboys 24, Eagles 17
Falcons 34, Saints 20
Chargers 23, Titans 20

Ray Criscoe

 Record: 137-63 

“It might be time to do my best George Costanza (from ‘Seinfeld’ fame) and implement ‘Opposite Day’ when I’m doing my picks. I mean, with  a 12-8 record last  week, I couldn’t do  much worse if I just  picked the teams I thought would win to lose  instead. Sheesh.”

DUKE AT NC STATE — No idea who wins this. State’s offense showed up last week, but Duke has a good defense. Duke’s offense was better last week, but Miami’s defense is woeful. Both are prone to stupid mistakes. Probably regret this. Duke, 34-33. 

CALIFORNIA AT WAKE FOREST — This is beginning to look like a week of tossups. I’m afraid all I’m going to toss up are my cookies when I lose about 12 of these. Stand back if you see me on the street. California, 33-30.
APPALACHIAN STATE AT COASTAL CAROLINA — Maybe ASU has turned the corner. Maybe there’s another corner after that one, Then what? BTW, I’ve been told the university now prefers to be called App State over ASU because there are several ASUs. As a graduate, I prefer what I prefer. ASU, 30-26. 

WESTERN CAROLINA AT EAST TENNESSEE STATE — I remember going to an ETSU indoor football game and the goal post was just a few feet off the wall. Strange thing to see. Kind of like my picks. ETSU, 34-30. 

GIANTS AT PANTHERS — The German atmosphere makes this bizarrely interesting. Giants, 30-23. 

STEELERS AT COMMANDERS — At the moment, I can’t really dislike the Commies with Dan Quinn as coach. Ask me that after they whoop up on the Cowboys. Commanders, 26-23.

OTHER GAMES
No. 5 Miami 37, Georgia Tech 27
No. 11 Clemson 30, Virginia Tech 20
No. 18 Pittsburgh 24, Virginia 23
No. 8 Notre Dame  31, Florida State 13
No. 14 Alabama 36, No. 16 LSU 26
No. 2 Georgia 26, No. 19 Ole Miss 23
No. 13 Indiana 27, Michigan 24
No. 25 Missouri 23, Oklahoma 20
Bengals, 33, Ravens 30
49ers 31, Buccaneers 26
Jets 26, Cardinals 24 (If Jets lose, this is worth it) 

Eagles 37, Cowboys 17
Falcons 26, Saints 23
Chargers 27, Titans 17

Megan Crotty 

Record: 135-65 

“I’m starting to wonder if Dennis has some inside info. Or maybe some sort of magical crystal football. Where can I get one of those?”

DUKE AT NC STATE — Blue Devils have lost three of the last four. State has been putting up a lot of points. Wolfpack, 28-21.
CALIFORNIA AT WAKE FOREST — Demon Deacons seem to be on an upswing, and they’re at home under the lights. Wake, 31-14.
APPALACHIAN STATE AT COASTAL CAROLINA — What have I got to lose? App State 24-17. 

WESTERN CAROLINA AT E.AST TENNESSEE STATE — Given how both of these teams did against Mercer ... what do I know? Western Carolina, 24-23. 

GIANTS AT PANTHERS — Really?!? Giants, 34-28. 

STEELERS AT COMMANDERS — After what they did to the Bears, I just can’t pick the Commanders, Iron Curtain, 34-24. 

OTHER GAMES
No. 5 Miami 34, Georgia Tech 14
No. 11 Clemson 28, Virginia Tech 13
No. 18 Pittsburgh 21, Virginia 14
No. 8 Notre Dame 28, Florida State 10
No. 14 Alabama 32, No. 16 LSU 27
No. 2 Georgia 21, No. 19 Ole Miss 17
No. 13 Indiana 24, Michigan 21
Oklahoma 28, No. 25 Missouri 24
Ravens 24, Bengals 10
Buccaneers 27, 49ers 17
Cardinals 31, Jets 24
Cowboys 24, Eagles 21 (Surely they can win one at home. Right, Ray?)
Falcons 34, Saints 14
Chargers 27, Titans 3