45-Minute Drill Brings On Week #9!

Quick, snap the ball!  Fortunately, the first game we care about doesn't begin for another 90 minutes, as I begin this post.


Union (3-4) vs. RPI (3-3).  Dutchmen 3-1 in conference, while Engine-nurds only 2-1.  This is the annual "Battle for the Dutchmen's Shoes" and we're at home in the friendly confines of Frank Bailey stadium.  Both teams have wins over St. Lawrence and Utica, but came out on different ends of identical scores when playing WPI (34-31 win for Union, loss for RPI).  Nod goes to the home team, but it's a good thing the snow isn't expected until tonight.  PICK:  Union.

Air Force (3-4) at New Mexico (0-7).  Why is there no quality football in "The Land of Enchantment"?  Despite the fact that the Falcons rank #111 in rushing defense, the Lobos average only 120 yds./game running the football.  The same does not hold when teams switch sides of the ball.  Wind Farce will not have to throw the ball much to walk away with a W.  PICK:  Air Force.

Navy (2-5) at Notre Dame (4-3).  Irish still smarting after getting embarassed by a mediocre USC team at home last week.  Of course, Navy will be mad after losing two close games.  Irish just have to keep Mids outside the 40 during the last few minutes of the 4th quarter, as Goats are too one-dimensional on offense.  Should be a win for the home team.  PICK:  Notre Dame.

Army (2-5) vs. Fordham (1-6).  Gone are the days of Blaik, Blanchard, and Davis.  And now the "Seven Blocks of Granite" are more like the seven blocks of cheese.  Since Rams allow their opponents to score exactly twice as many points as they do, I figure the Knights have a shot, especially at home.  PICK:  Army.


#4 Boise State.  Idle; next at UNLV

South Portland (6-2) vs. Sanford. (5-3).  Teams met in Week #3 with Riots coming away with a 42-34 victory.  'Skins promptly lost their next two games before rallying to win their last three.  Meanwhile, SP won four of its final five games, losing only to Windham by one in the mud.  Since snow is in the forecast, rowdy Riot fans could resort to throwing snowballs.  But nothing indicates the result should be any different from September.  PICK:  South Portland.

Puyallup 38, Rogers 7.  I know it's piling on, but after last week's debacle I was gonna pick the Vi-queens over the Rams anyway.  Besides, their namesakes in the NFL are comparatively about the same.  Puyallup moves on to the playoffs at 6-3, while Rogers bows out at 4-5.  Better luck next year, boys.