THE CHOPPING BLOCK: Week 2 picks
By BRANDON HURLEY
Sports Editor
What a few weeks it has been for the Jefferson Herald sports guy.
Not only did I stumble to a lousy 11-6 record in the opening week, but I was hit full force with car trouble once again, this time, late at night in the dark.
But, true to any happy life, a strong support system and family that is willing to literally pick you up when you need it most, will get you through anything.
This isn’t exactly the kind of job you want to have car trouble with. Obviously, nobody likes car trouble, but when a profession requires you to be at several athletic contests a week, you kind of need reliable transportation.
My troubles started a few weeks ago when I was headed toward Coon Rapids. Suddenly, my trusty 2001 Honda Accord decided to join in on the summer fun and over heat. Wouldn’t you know it, my car started smoking and died as I pulled onto main street.
This is when having good, loyal friends helps. I had a friend of mine (you know who you are) come pick me up and take me all the way to my home in Boone, leaving my car to get fixed by a local mechanic.
My bad luck didn’t just stop there.
I thought I had the problem fixed, but then my car died in the parking lot just a week later while picking up food, this time, thankfuly in Boone.
So, another trip to the mechanic it was, only to find out my car troubles still were not solved.
As I was driving home from Greene County’s football game in Carroll this past Friday, my car begin overheating, ONCE AGAIN, as I was passing through Glidden. Wouldn’t you know it, my trusty old car would die one more time, leaving me an hour from home at 10:30 at night.
Thankfully, my mom was nice enough to come all the way from Ames and pick me up at midnight on a Friday night. So shout out to the best mom in the world, you saved me again.
OK, OK, time to end this needless rambling, but moral of the story, it’s a new week and I’m ready for a new car and I’m ready for a shot at redemption in my picks.
So here we go, week two Football Contest picks. Feel free to follow along for fun or compare how (well) you do compared to me.
The Bee’s weekly Football Contest can be found in each week’s edition published every Tuesday. Entries are due by 5 p.m. Friday at the Jefferson Herald office.
Last week’s winner was Dana Fink who went 15-2 in week one and won the tie-breaker. Justine Lawson also was 15-2 but came in second after the tie-breaker (total points). Dax Lautner was the third place winner. Congratulations!
SEASON RECORD: 11-6
*Winners in Bold
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
1. Greene County at Harlan
This is tough. Both teams are coming over opening week beat downs and both are young. I’m sticking with the home town team.
2. Dallas Center-Grimes at Pella
This should be a dandy. Two-time defending 2A champ (Pella) versus an up-and-coming DC-G team. I’m taking the Little Dutch though in a hard-fought battle.
3. Bishop Heelan at Carroll
Week two is loaded with instant classics. A couple of 3A heavy-weights scare off, but I’m taking Carroll. The Tigers are big up front and have an experienced backfired.
4. Kuemper Catholic at Council Bluffs, St. Albert
Kuemper keeps it rolling following their season-opening shutout win.
5. Nevada at Perry
Perry picked up their first win in over a year but Nevada should be too much for the Bluejays.
6. Colo-NESCO at Coon Rapids-Bayard
Coon Rapids-Bayard is the better, more veteran team and just stomped eight-man power, Newell-Fonda. Lock it up.
7. Newell-Fonda at Glidden-Ralston
Both squads may be in the midst of rebuilding seasons. I take Newell-Fonda here, but not very confidently.
8. Webster City at Clear Lake
The Lynx showed they may be reloading instead of rebuilding after a 39-point beat down of Humboldt in week one.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
9. Miami (Ohio) at #17 Iowa (-27.5)
I’ve heard Miami is garbage. Iowa covers, just barely.
10. Northern Iowa at Iowa State (-7)
Off-shore accounts have Iowa State as the seven point favorite (UNI is an FCS school). It’s close, but I’m going to take ISU. New coach, new players, new buzz. Matt Campbell gets the W and covers.
11. Fresno State (+28) at Nebraska
Give me the points. Nebraska actually should be pretty good this year, but asking them to cover 28 points against a usually feisty Fresno State squad – I don’t think so.
12. #3 Oklahoma (-11.5) at #15 Houston
Baker Mayfield and company handle a Houston squad that isn’t quite ready for the bright lights.
13. #20 USC vs. #1 Alabama (-9) (Arlington, Texas)
Defending-champion Alabame rolls over an always over-hyped USC squad. ‘Bama could easily cover a two-touchdown spread here.
14. #2 Clemson (-8) at Auburn
This line is only -8 because they are giving the Auburn home crowd some credit. Clemson has Deshaun Watson, who is my pick for the Heisman this year. The Tigers (Clemson) cover in an all-jungle cat battle.
15. #10 Notre Dame (-3.5) at Texas
The line has moved to -3.5, and rightfully so. I would be all over this line. Texas is another squad getting too much respect. Notre Dame stomps the Longhorns on their own turf.
16. #5 LSU (-10) vs. Wisconsin (Lambeau Field, Green Bay)
Wisconsin is about to head in a downward spiral. We saw a little bit of it last year, and it will continue this year. Too much coaching turnover and LSU has the second best running back in the country in Leonard Fournette (Standford’s Christian McCaffrey is far and away the top dog.)
17. Oregon State (+13) at Minnesota
I don’t have many upset specials, if any at all, but no way Minnesota covers this. The hype has gone a little too far. While I do think the Gophers win, they can’t cover that ungodly 13-point spread. Give me the Beavers.
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