Week 6 picks
I hate to bump Jim Rayburn’s post on Ty Detmer down a little bit on the blog. But hey, it’s Week 6 and we’ve got picks to make.
I do recommend reading Rayburn’s blog about the Detmer’s future coaching prospects, or lack thereof.”’
I humbly presented the picks for you last week, and I can’t think of the word to properly express my feelings this week.
I can’t win. I’ve lost my touch. Although I did pick the Layton-Davis score correctly, I lost for the second straight week. If this keeps up we’ll have to call this the weekly ‘Who wants to beat Aragon this time challenge.’
Today I’m taking on my co-blogger, John Coon. He’s confident about his chances.
‘
JC: I’ve been waiting for you Andrew Aragon. The circle is now complete. When I left you I was but the learner. Now I am the master!
‘
AA: Whoa, whoa, whoa. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves now. I’m just slumping.
JC: I think I’ve caught Andrew at just the right time. Normally trying to beat him is as futile as trying to beat USC. But lately he’s starting to resemble UCLA. I don’t doubt he’ll bounce back. Just won’t be this week. Strong is he in the force . . but not that strong.
AA: Until now. I’m back.
Thursday-
Hunter at Kearns
JC: It’s the battle of one-dimensional offenses. Will these teams even combine for 5 or 6 pass attempts before halftime? Both teams have beaten Brighton, but who hasn’t? In looking at this game, I noticed an interesting stat: Kearns is 3-0 on the road, but 0-2 at home. Guess where the Cougars are playing this week? It probably doesn’t help that Hunter’s offense had a breakout game over Spanish Fork. Hunter 26, Kearns 13.’
AA: Kearns, I don’t know what happened last week. I believed in you. I thought the program-defining win was coming. It didn’t. I don’t think it’s happening this week in what will be hard-hitting game as always. Hunter 21, Kearns 14
West Jordan at Bingham
JC: No question who’s going to win here. Bingham had a rough start, to be sure, but I can’t go for a team that beat Lehi 2-0 and had to go to overtime to defeat Hillcrest. Bingham 27, West Jordan 12.
AA: I think this game is closer than people think. I notice people comment about West Jordan’s strength of schedule. How about just giving the Jaguars some credit for winning games? This game is closer than what people are saying, but Bingham wins. Bingham 27, West Jordan 20
Copper Hills at Riverton
JC: Copper Hills has been a bit of a surprise this season after getting off to a 4-1 start. If you look closer though, you’ll see the four opponents they beat are a combined 3-17. Two (Payson and Box Elder) are winless. Riverton has looked disappointing against good opponents, though. I think the Grizzlies steal a road win here. Copper Hills 24, Riverton 20.
AA: OK, Riverton, I believed in you last week. You let me down like Kearns did. I want you to control the clock today, keep Josh Soter off the field, and make some plays in the fourth quarter. If you don’t, I’m wrong and you’re 0-1 in league play. Riverton 24, Copper Hills 21
Friday –
Northridge at Layton
JC: This is a tough one to call. Both teams have looked strong so far. Northridge has a powerful offense with Junior Cole at the helm. But I think the Lancers have the edge on defense. It’s always a good idea to go with the better defensive team, especially when they’re playing at home. Layton 28, Northridge 24.
AA: This game gives me a headache while trying to pick it. I’ve seen both of them and that just adds to my confusion. Layton’s offense was shut down last week. But it was shut down by Davis, which has a defense that’s on par with Alta’s and Timpview’s in my opinion. Northridge has a dynamic set of playmakers, but Layton has a strong defense with a hard-hitting secondary. If LaVaughn Jackson and The Truth were 100 percent, I’d probably go with Layton. They aren’t, so I’m going with the road team. Northridge 28, Layton 24
North Summit at Manti
JC: Some Manti fans that frequent website would have you believe the Templars could beat every team in the state – including BYU or Utah. Despite their exaggerations, I agree Manti is a good team. They have a 42-14 win over Union to their credit and won their first five games by an average margin of 31 points. But North Summit is just as tough. The Braves are also 5-0 and have beaten those teams by an average margin of 22 points. I think the defending 2A champs could pull off a victory. Will they? I don’t see it playing out that way. Manti 30, North Summit 24.
AA: Well, it doesn’t seem wise to pick against a team that’s on a roll like Manti. But I see North Summit making the long drive to Manti and keeping its winning streak going. It’s just a gut feeling. North Summit 28, Manti 27
Alta at Skyline
JC: The Hawks’ top playmaker on offense, Ammon Olsen, is probably looking to punish someone after throwing four picks in a 35-28 loss to Grant last Saturday. It doesn’t help the Eagles that Algernon Brown might not even play for a second week in a row after injuring his knee against American Fork. It adds up to an Alta win. Alta 23, Skyline 17.
AA: I really have nothing against Skyline, although it probably seems that way because I pick against the Eagles every week. Why stop now? Alta 35, Skyline 21
Bountiful at Mountain Crest
JC: I’ll get to cover this one in lovely Hyrum, UT and it should be a barn burner. Points will be hard to come by with the Braves on the field. Since losing 21-0 to Lone Peak, the Braves have given up 17 points in the four games since. But Mountain Crest probably has the best offense they’ve seen all year. Bountiful will keep it close, but not close enough. Mountain Crest 19, Bountiful 14.
AA: I’m going to Tivo this game just so I can see Mountain Crest’s offense match-up with Bountiful’s defense. However, I see the Mustangs’ defense coming through with a big game and being the difference. Mountain Crest 21, Bountiful 10
Clearfield at Syracuse
JC: Who knew the Titans would be competitive this fast after a 0-10 record in their first season? Those struggles are becoming a distant memory and will be even more distant after Syracuse picks up its second region victory this week. The Falcons will be lucky if they even score in this game.’ Syracuse 24, Clearfield 7.
AA: I’m torn. I know the Falcons will be jacked up and will come to play. I just think Syracuse is probably a little bit better. Syracuse 14, Clearfield 13
San Juan at Millard
JC: What happened to the Eagles? An 0-4 start? Wow. Normally I’d like their chances at home against San Juan, but not this year. I think the 5-0 Broncos add to Millard’s continuing spiral. San Juan 31, Millard 10.
AA: I think Millard started to get back on track last week. The Eagles aren’t all the way back, but they will be a team no one wants to face in the playoffs. San Juan 13, Millard 12