Prognosticating Pigskin Prodigies: Week 2

Tony Bolick

Record: 13-3*

“No worries. You don’t take home the trophy without some big brass ... candleholders ... to throw when you know you gave one away. It was still a good weekend. I gave them one and they still couldn’t keep up with me. They are who we thought they are!”

E. RANDOLPH AT SOUTHERN LEE — This is one of those games. SL’s got a big win over a good program and just played another on the road. This is a challenge and if there are any faults, they’ll likely find them and they’re at home. This outcome could define ER this year. ER, 17-7.

BUNKER HILL at RANDLEMAN — Oh the years, the Bears were a welcome mat. I know, I lived and breathed that league for a decade and on after I graduated. These aren’t those old Bears. But the Tigers have sharper claws. RHS 28-14.

No. 15 TENNESSEE AT NO. 24 NC STATE — I feel sorry for the puppy fans making the trip. They already got one wakeup call. This one’s gonna really *pop* the dream bubble. Vols, 28-24.

App State at No. 14 Clemson — Well, thumping ETSU is one thing, beating Clemson in Death Valley after an embarrassment at the hands of the Bulldogs on national TV is ... forgive me ... like a whole other country. CU 31-18. 

no. 4 texas at no. 7 Michigan — This is tough. New SEC against ol’ Big 10. Hmm, well. I guess if Dennis puts his Blue on and rolls out in some red mud, he might have winning colors on this weekend. Hook ’em Horns, 24-20.

Panthers at Saints — Do we really want to talk about this? Some good things seen in preseason, but they still showed no WR true talent and too many drops. And the defense still has questions. Saints 24-10.

OTHER GAMES

East Davidson 12, Trinity 6

Ledford 27, Wheatmore 13

JF Webb 21, Montgomery Central 14

Southeast Alamance 14, Chatham Central 7

North Stokes 21, South Davidson 6

UNC 31, UNCC 17

Duke 27, Northwestern 13

Wake Forest 24, Virginia 20

WCU 31, Campbell 13 (Sorry Annie!)

Kansas City Chiefs 17, Baltimore Ravens 13

Green Bay Packers 23, Philadelphia Eagles 16

Dallas Cowboys 30, Cleveland Browns 17

Detroit Lions 31, LA Rams 28

San Francisco 49ers 33, NY Jets 13 

Megan Crotty

Record: 12-4*

“Guys, you are witnessing history — Anthony Bolick is leading the picks. When is the last time that happened? 1492? Well, soak it in, Tony, because you won’t be there for long. ”

E. RANDOLPH AT SOUTHERN LEE — Playing a tough team on the road is never easy. Here’s hoping the ER defense can stop the Cavaliers. Still ... SL, 28-24.

BUNKER HILL at RANDLEMAN — As battles go, this one might be as fierce as that other famous battle. I’m taking the Tigers at home. RHS, 24-21.

No. 15 TENNESSEE AT NO. 24 NC STATE — NC State has a lot of weapons, but is this game in Charlotte really a home game? Nope. Vols, 28-24.

App State at No. 14 Clemson — After losing to No. 1, I would hate to face the Tigers. Clemson 42-7.

no. 4 Texas at no. 7 Michigan — Can’t do it. Texas 24, Michigan 21.

Panthers at Saints — Hoo boy. Sorry, Todd. I’m just not seeing the Panthers starting with a win on the road. Saints, 28-10.

OTHER GAMES

East Davidson 14, Trinity 10

Wheatmore 21, Ledford 7

Montgomery Central 14, JF Webb 10

Southeast Alamance 28, Chatham Central 13

South Davidson 17, North Stokes 14

UNC 34, Charlotte 12 

Duke 31, Northwestern 24

Wake Forest 24, Virginia 21

Western Carolina 31, Campbell 14

Kansas City Chiefs 34, Baltimore Ravens 21

Philadelphia Eagles 29, Green Bay Packers 6

Cleveland Browns 22, Dallas Cowboys 16

Detroit Lions 34, LA Rams 14

San Francisco 49ers 42, NY Jets 24

Ray Criscoe

Record: 11-5*

“Thank you, Notre Dame and UNC Tar Heels, for keeping me out of last place by beating two teams last week that Dennis picked. 

“I hope to never use the words ‘thank you Notre Dame and UNC Tar Heels’ ever again for the rest of my existence.”

E. RANDOLPH AT SOUTHERN LEE — I don’t think Burton Cates will have any trouble getting his players’ attention this week after last week’s close call against Asheboro. ER, 23-16.

BUNKER HILL at RANDLEMAN — I know nothing about Bunker Hill except it was a key American Revolution battle in Massachusetts in 1775. And, according to Megan, that occurred 283 years after the last time Tony was first in these picks. RHS, 27-24.

No. 15 TENNESSEE AT NO. 24 NC STATE — Speaking of wakeup calls, did the Wolfpack get theirs last week? I should know better than this, because NCSU is the college version of the Dallas Cowboys. They let you down when it matters. NCSU, 26-23.

App State at No. 14 Clemson — After Georgia’s whipping of the Tigers last week, would an ASU win here even be an upset? This pick is either a gift to my fellow pickers, or their worst nightmare. ASU, 24-20.

no. 4 Texas at no. 7 Michigan — I haven’t heard yet if Michigan had any advance spies for this game, so I’ll go with the higher ranking. Texas, 23-20.

Panthers at Saints — The Panthers have to lose this game, right? If not, I expect to get quite a few emails this week that say “Wrong!” NO, 27-16.

OTHER GAMES

Trinity 14, East Davidson 12

Wheatmore 24, Ledford 13

Montgomery Central 19, JF Webb 16

Southeast Alamance 28, Chatham Central 13

North Stokes 24, South Davidson 12

UNC 26, Charlotte 17

Duke 27, Northwestern 24

Virginia 24, Wake Forest 20

Western Carolina 31, Campbell 17

Baltimore Ravens 27, Kansas City Chiefs 23

Philadelphia Eagles 26, Green Bay Packers 24

Cleveland Browns 23, Dallas Cowboys 20

LA Rams 26, Detroit Lions 24

San Francisco 49ers 23, NY Jets 20

Dennis Garcia

Record: 10-6*

“I remember when I could just WATCH football and ENJOY the game. Here we go again: Changing channels, checking scores and getting mad because the Cleveland Browns beat the Houston Texans.”

E. RANDOLPH AT SOUTHERN LEE — The Wildcats had just enough to beat what seems to be a very-much improved Asheboro team. They have enough for this one, too ... ER, 30-21.

BUNKER HILL at RANDLEMAN — This is going to be a major test for the Tigers. BH is 26-3 since 2022. Early non-league games between great programs are always fun. RHS, 28-14.

No. 15 TENNESSEE AT NO. 24 NC STATE — The first meeting between these two programs since 2012. Get ready to hear Rocky Top about a million times. Tennessee, 34-20.

App State at No. 14 Clemson — Well, we know no one from Appalachian State will be wearing Clemson colors next year. In fact, no one wearing any other than Clemson colors will be wearing Clemson colors. Hey coach, there is a portal now. Clemson, 40-21.

no. 4 Texas at no. 7 Michigan — Michigan is too inexperienced across the OL. Games are won up front. Texas, 23-14.

Panthers at Saints — Bryce Young will have a far better season in Year 2. That doesn’t necessarily mean wins. Saints, 27-20.
 

OTHER GAMES

East Davidson 20, Trinity 14

Ledford 21, Wheatmore 20

Montgomery Central 28, JF Webb 17

Southeast Alamance 14, Chatham Central 7

North Stokes 26, South Davidson 20

UNC 31, Charlotte 10

Northwestern 24, Duke 23

Virginia 27, Wake Forest 24

Western Carolina 30, Campbell 20

Kansas City Chiefs 24, Baltimore Ravens 21

Philadelphia Eagles 24, Green Bay Packers 23

Cleveland Browns 23, Dallas Cowboys 21

Detroit 27, LA Rams 24

San Francisco 49ers 27, NY Jets 24